My Dinner With Joni Mitchell: 3 hours with an Icon

Ever since the 1970's I've been a huge fan of Joni Mitchell's music and art, so when I had the chance to have dinner with her I was stunned. This is the story about how I met one of my idols. Thank you Joni!!!!!

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[doodleedledoo]

Had a friend who worked at a recording studio where Joni was recording and he was given the task of driving her to the airport. He was a big fan and while on the drive mentioned a popular song of hers that she hadn't done at a live show he attended and so she sang it to him right there from the passenger seat.

[schmenge]

Joni is one of the most approachable icons out there. I used to run into her quite often and got to know her a bit. I've witnessed her at restaurants invite people who come up to her and say hi to sit down with her at her table! I was lucky enough to have a few conversations with her about her music. whenever i would ask her about this track or that, she was much more interested about what I thought the music was about. Super inquisitive, passionate and insanely talented. A true icon.

[NorthOlbo]

My Joni moment was as surreal. I was at a tiny eco resort south of Puerto Vallarta Mexico (now closed sadly) and she was in the adjacent attached hut by the beach. She was preparing to do a tour of her latest CD Taming of the Tiger and chilling out, painting with her watercolours. Joni’s boyfriend got quite sick and became bedridden, so we gave her our travel meds of rehydration salts etc. We were giving her space of course, her celebrity status rippled through the 12 or so guests. Coincidentally her daughter that had been given up for adoption in Calgary had just been “discovered” and since we were from calgary we weren’t sure if that would be uncomfortable and seem invasive. But Joni was looking for company and attached herself to our teen daughter, who is a “complex” child and of a unique character. They played pool for hours in the funky antique bar at the resort, and we shared a long veery boozy dinner talking about art, music, energy, creativity, inspiration, a wonderfully free ranging time. She considered herself a painter first, the music was a business. Joni chain smoked the entire time, I was amazed at her perfect smooth complexion yet she must was a massive smoker, blessed or good work. That night we closed the bar down and the staff (who rowed the guests from the bar across the lagoon to the beach side huts) had left. So Joni and I tumbled into a rowboat and i rowed her under a wild sky of stars and hot wind, not too straight, and I was thinking “Do NOT be the person who drowned Joni Mitchell!!!”. I returned her safely to her hut, her boyfriend recovered, and my love and admiration for the wonderful Joni was sealed. Thanks for your great story Rick, it brought back that great memory.

[MisterTMH]

If Joni Mitchell is looking at this video and reading some of the comments then I just want to thank her so much for all the decades of great music, art, lyrics and true emotions. Joni, You have inspired, illuminated and sustained me through your creative output.

[davidfleuchaus]

Joni Mitchell busting Rick’s chops. LOL.
Mostly I’m just relieved to learn that Joni is doing ok. Doing well even it seems. I’m so grateful.

[sordel]

The big take away from this video for me is that Joni's well enough to do this, which is great news given her very serious health difficulties a few years back. I love that she's out there meeting “new people”.

[sharktroubles]

I don't think that Rick Beato needs validation from anyone. But, Joni Mitchell wanting to share a gift, support and her time with anyone has got to be the ultimate validation for any artist, let alone as a fellow human being. Awesome!

[martinbyrne]

I see her being recognised fully for her genius these days. She’s amazing. I’m so happy to hear that she is out and about.

[cb]

Joni Mitchell doesn’t always get the respect she deserves, such a talent

[barryspencer]

I usually listen to Joni while alone. This is because I am inevitably reduced to tears as her lyrics take me back to success and failure in life. No other artist does that for me like Joni.

[Paulluxx]

I’m way younger, but Joni Mitchell is honestly my greatest Idol, my mom sang her songs to me when I was young, and it is the deepest connection to any artist I have ever had.

[palestalemale]

No exaggeration, Joni Mitchell changed our lives growing up. For me and my closest friends, Blue was like discovering your emotions for the first time, and realising how deep music could go. What an amazing story, Rick you deserve all your luck.

[jeffhall]

Rick, I’m a 54 year old Canuck who had never listened to Joni Mitchell. Your video prompted me to buy, yes buy, some of her albums and wow! This video gave me chills. Keep up the spectacular work and keep challenging your viewers to expand their horizons. Take care.

[Jerrylumdegaard]

I was a little boy in the 70’s raised by my single Mom. Joni’s music was our soundtrack. Hejira is forever ingrained in my life. Her music took me to places no book or tv show ever could and still does to this day. Thank you Joni and thank you Rick for introducing her to new listeners

[davemcclelland]

But did you cry?? If I ever met Joni tears would fall. She has touched darkest and most beautiful parts of my soul like no artist ever has. So pure.

[jasonlee]

Love Joni. Her music is so sophisticated, yet so soothing.

[Aphercotropes]

Why is everyone that played with Joni a legend? Because Joni was an absolute monolith that attracted those people to her. The gravity of her music caused the stars to orbit around her.

Thank you, Rick! Can't wait to see you with Joni live! Please, please, please break down Woodstock. The massive jumps in that melody still take my breath away.

[plym]

Rick puts out positivity and joy, enthusiasm and knowledge. Joni felt it. Like we feel it. Love finds love if we have love in our hearts. When we think of Joni we think of love. She captures love in her words and melody. Rick loves music. His love of his family shines through as well whenever he mentions them. What a great reward for Rick that the love he sends out into the world was recieved by Joni and reciprocated. How great for us to see the joy in Rick's face as he tells us the story.

[Guitargate]

Man, how cool is that?! The power of the internet to make true connections. So happy for you both. And dude. You were on Eric’s podcast?!?!? I LOVE it.

[ThePassportRadio]

When people ask me that age-old question: "If you could have an hour lunch with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?", I without fail say Joni Mitchell, because of her music's impact on my life, and how miraculously creative, talented, and wise she is. Hearing you speak about your dinner with her feels like experiencing it for myself!
Thank you for sharing this once-in-a lifetime moment with us.