My (Shared) Birthday Tribute to Joan Baez

Over the years, I’ve often mentioned my shared birthday (January 9) with Joan Baez. This was often met with blank stares from those under 50 and the question: “Who’s Joan Baez?”

It is gratifying to know that with the release of “A Complete Unknown”, where Joan Baez was a central character in the early 1960’s Bob Dylan story, her extraordinary talent and career will become known to many more people.

My connection to Joan Baez goes beyond the coincidence of our shared birthday. My mother taught herself to play guitar and often sang “in the style of” Joan Baez. For my Mom, Joan Baez represented grace, authenticity, and the power of music to inspire change—qualities that resonated deeply in our home.

In one memorable scene in the movie, Dylan criticizes her writing, causing her to say “You’re kind of an asshole Bob”. Maybe at that point in her career, her singing and guitar playing were superior to her writing. That should not be surprising, considering that her singing and guitar playing were other worldly. She recognized Dylan’s writing and musical greatness, and covered his songs brilliantly. Personally though, I enjoy all her stuff from that era, which we can thankfully now access.

One of her own songs that stands out above all is "Diamonds and Rust." Released in 1975, it reflects on her relationship with Dylan. For those who may not be familiar, I encourage you to listen to "Diamonds and Rust"

Seems like she needed Bob (and the world) to know she could write a GREAT song!

I’m grateful to share a birthday with someone so extraordinary, and even more grateful for the ways her music and life continue to inspire.

This is my Mom in Rockaway. I wanted to see what Dall-E would do if I described this picture and asked it to make an illustration, based on my piece about Joan Baez. This was my request “Got any ideas for an illustration that might be appropriate for this piece? Maybe depict my Mom, who would have been in her 30's in the 1960's, playing an acoustic guitar and singing, while seated on the hood of a car, with beach bungalos in the background.” Here’s what it came up with….