Joan Baez

Joan Baez (Joan Chandos Baez) (born January 9, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Her contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest and social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing more than 30 albums.

Baez is generally regarded as a folk singer, but her music has diversified since the counterculture era of the 1960s and encompasses genres such as folk rock, pop, country, and gospel music. She began her recording career in 1960 and achieved immediate success. Her first three albums, Joan Baez, Joan Baez, Vol. 2 and Joan Baez in Concert, all achieved gold record status.

She was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2007 Grammys. To reward her decades of dedicated activism, Baez was honored with the Spirit of Americana/Free Speech award at the 2008 Americana Music Honors & Awards.

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences elected her to fellowship in 2020, praising her contributions both to music and to activism. In May 2021, Baez was recognized as part of the 43rd Kennedy Center Honors. In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Baez at number 189 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.