Why is she/are they included here?
When anyone asks you to name a female protest singer, the name Joan Baez is likely to be your first thought. Her beautiful, haunting voice singing socially aware songs has inspired activists for decades. She has sung about civil rights, wars in Vietnam and Iraq, environmental issues and social justice issues.
Active period:
1960s to present
My favourites:
We Shall Overcome, Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around, Blowin’ in the Wind, A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall
Quote:
Action is the antidote to despair.
I went to jail for 11 days for disturbing the peace; I was trying to disturb the war.
Frequent collaborators:
Various including Bob Dylan, Indigo Girls and
Song writing:
Despite the public perception of her as a song interpreter, Joan Baez has written many songs herself.1A list of songs she has written are listed on http://joanbaez.com/lyrics.html.
Other performance skills:
Plays guitar
Samples of lyrics:
With me I have my love, my innocence,
The workers, and the poor
For all of this I’m safe and strong
And hope is mine
Rebellion, revolution don’t need dollars
They need this instead
Imagination, suffering, light and love
And care for every human being
The Ballad of Sacco and Vanzetti, Part 2 || 1971
Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me around…
Turn me around…
Turn me around…
Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me around…
Keep on a-walkin’
Keep on a-talkin’
Gonna build a brand new world.
Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around
How to listen to their stuff:
Available through many music outlets.
Other accomplishments:
- Baez has received honorary doctorate degrees from both Antioch University and Rutgers University.
