Trina Robbins, who as an artist, writer and editor of comics was a pioneering woman in a male-dominated field, and who as a historian specialized in books about female cartoonists, died on Wednesday in San Francisco. She was 85.

In 1970, Ms. Robbins was one of the creators of It Ain’t Me Babe, the first comic book made exclusively by women. In 1985, she was the first woman to draw a full issue of Wonder Woman, and a full run on a Wonder Woman series, after four decades of male hegemony.
[Gavin Edwards, NYT]

The first verse of Joni’s song “Ladies of the Canyon,” is a portrait of Ms. Robbins:

Trina wears her wampum beads
She fills her drawing book with line
Sewing lace on widow’s weeds
And filigree on leaf and vine.

Trina answered a few questions about the song for the website in 2008.

The first Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame induction ceremony for recipients and their families will take place in April 19-20. Living and deceased artists, songwriters, record executives, managers and concert promoters tied to elevating folk, Americana and roots music were all eligible.

Celebrating the lifeblood of America’s musical and cultural heritage, the inaugural class of 29, including Joni, was selected by a designated nomination committee. This committee includes industry experts, whose collective experience reflects an eclectic mix of genres, geography, gender, race, and roles as well as FARHOF’s Board of Directors which consists of artist and industry advisors. More information here

Artists from across the musical spectrum will join the national library and U.S. leaders to honor the great songwriting duo of Elton John and Bernie Taupin in the nation’s capital on Wednesday, March 20, as they are awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song during an all-star tribute concert.

The lineup will include performances by 2023 Gershwin Prize honoree Joni Mitchell, 2020 Gershwin Prize honoree Garth Brooks, Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Metallica, Maren Morris, Billy Porter, Charlie Puth and Jacob Lusk of Gabriels, along with appearances by John and Taupin. Porter will host the television event. The concert is by invitation only. The event takes place in Washington DC on 3/20/24. It will air on PBS on 4/8. More information here

Joni won her 10th Grammy in last night's ceremony in Los Angeles - 11th if you include her Lifetime Achievement Award. She won Best Folk Album for the 2023 release of "At Newport".

Joni won her first Grammy in 1970, but her first actual singing appearance on the awards show didn’t take place until last night, as she sang “Both Sides Now” - done “Joni Jam”-style, with Joni seated on a comfortable-looking throne with her recent trademark cane, surrounded by similarly seated all-star accompanists. (Photo by Emma McIntyre)

Due to overwhelming demand, a second Hollywood Bowl show has been added for October 20th. The only way to get access to the artist pre-sale code is if you sign up for Joni's email list. Tickets go on-sale Thursday, Feb. 1 at 10am PT. Get on the list here.

The legendary Joni Mitchell will perform her first Los Angeles headlining show in over 24 years at the Hollywood Bowl on Saturday, October 19 – joined by the Joni Jam. Pre-sales start tomorrow at 10 a.m. with password JJAM24. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, February 2 at 10 a.m.

Joni will make her Grammy performance debut at the 2024 Grammy Awards, set for Sunday Feb. 4 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. It's surprising that she has never performed on Music's Biggest Night because she has been a Grammy fixture for decades. She won her first of nine competitive Grammys in 1970. In addition, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy in 2002.

Joni is nominated for best folk album for Joni Mitchell at Newport [Live]. She won her first Grammy 54 years ago in a folk category (best folk performance) for Clouds.
- Paul Grein.

Court and Spark is the most commercially successful album of Joni’s career. This LP, to be released on Nov 24, features demos from the iconic album, including "Help Me" and "Raised On Robbery." All tracks taken from Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 3: The Asylum Years (1972-1975)

Side One:
1. PIANO SUITE: Down to You/Court and Spark/Car on a Hill/Down to You (Reprise) [12:32]
2. PEOPLE’S PARTIES [3:02]

Side Two:
1. HELP ME [3:31]
2. JUST LIKE THIS TRAIN [3:51]
3. RAISED ON ROBBERY [2:57]
4. TROUBLE CHILD [3:57]

More information here

Joni has been nominated for a "Best Folk Album" Grammy for the Newport album. "From breakthrough acts to legacy artists, we are amazed by all the musicians recognized for their outstanding contributions to music today," Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said in a statement. The awards will be held at the Crytpo.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 4, 2024. Joni has been nominated 20 times in her career and has won 10 awards. More information here

Joni is the subject of a new music biography series ‘Legend’ from BBC Radio 4 exploring the extraordinary life stories of pioneering artists who changed music forever. ‘Joni Mitchell: Verbatim’ will mark the iconic singer/songwriter’s 80th birthday on November 7.

Set to broadcast on Saturday 4 November, ‘Archive on 4: Joni Mitchell: Verbatim’ will air from 8pm to 9pm. It will incorporate previously unheard interviews, studio out takes, rare demo recordings and archive dating back to Mitchell’s very first radio interview recorded in 1964, this programme is the story of Joni’s life and career – told in her own words. More information here