Imagine a world where everyone agrees on at least one thing. Seems impossible, right? But there's one artist who comes remarkably close to achieving universal adoration: Joni Mitchell. And Pink Floyd's David Gilmour is one of her biggest fans, declaring her influence on him as "deeply embedded."
It's a bold claim, especially considering Gilmour’s fame comes from prog-rock, a genre seemingly worlds away from Mitchell's folk roots. But here's the thing: Gilmour's love for folk music runs deep, dating back to the 1960s. This passion has never truly left him, even as he ascended to rock royalty with Pink Floyd.
Mitchell's rise to prominence coincided with Gilmour's joining Pink Floyd. While not a founding member, he was brought in to support Syd Barrett, whose mental health struggles and drug use were impacting the band. Soon enough, Gilmour became absolutely vital to Pink Floyd's sound and success. Before this pivotal moment, Gilmour actually envisioned a very different musical path for himself.
Back in his pre-Pink Floyd days, Gilmour busked around Europe with his band, Jokers Wild, a group deeply rooted in folk. This experience fueled his passion for the genre. But once he joined Pink Floyd, his career took a sharp turn. Nevertheless, his love of folk music, and especially Joni Mitchell, remained a constant. Her music has been a staple in Gilmour's collection for decades.
And this is the part most people miss... It's not just passive appreciation. Gilmour actively credits Mitchell as a key influence. He even selected her song 'For Free' as one of the eight tracks he'd take with him to a desert island during his appearance on BBC Radio 4's 'Desert Island Discs'. That's high praise!
Gilmour described 'For Free' as Mitchell's exploration of "her struggle with her wall... the struggle with her conscience, with being a rich person but still being an artist." The song, featured on her iconic album 'Ladies of the Canyon,' perfectly showcases Mitchell's exceptional storytelling. It was inspired by a talented street musician in New York who performed for free, prompting Mitchell to reflect on her own career and the complexities of fame and fortune.
But here's where it gets controversial... Gilmour not only admires Mitchell's lyrical prowess, but he also champions her often-overlooked guitar skills. He believes she's a fantastic guitarist whose abilities aren't recognized nearly enough. Do you agree? Is Mitchell's guitar playing underrated?
During a massive auction where he gave away a significant portion of his guitar collection for charity, Gilmour was asked about his musical inspirations and how he developed his unique sound. His response? He specifically mentioned Joni Mitchell, alongside legends like Pete Seeger, Hank Marvin, and John Fahey. He even encouraged aspiring musicians to "copy" their heroes as a learning tool, emphasizing that originality often emerges from imitation. It's a bold statement, and one that might spark some debate among musicians and fans alike!
In another interview with NPR, Gilmour again highlighted Mitchell's influence, placing her alongside folk icons like Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, and John Fahey as foundational to his musical style. This consistent acknowledgment underscores the profound impact Mitchell has had on Gilmour's artistic development.
Gilmour clearly considers Mitchell a musical giant, and it's hard to argue with him. Albums like 'Blue' and 'Ladies of the Canyon' redefined the singer-songwriter genre, setting a standard that artists still strive for today. Her unique originality is what made her a star, and that's something that can't be easily duplicated. But is that originality still as impactful today? Are modern artists copying Mitchell, or have they moved on to new inspiration?
What do you think? Is Joni Mitchell's influence as strong today as it was decades ago? Do you agree with David Gilmour's assessment of her as an all-time great? And what other artists do you think deserve more recognition for their influence on music?
