Joni Mitchell Hospitalized, Now in ICU
Joni Mitchell, 71, the iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Famer singer-songwriter, has been hospitalized and is in intensive care as of last night according to TMZ. Her condition has been described as "quite serious." The TMZ news was later confirmed by a tweet to The Hollywood Reporter from Mitchell's official website: "Joni has been hospitalized. We are awaiting official word on her condition and will post it here as soon as we know."
As gathered by the pop entertainment and celebrity news site, paramedics went to Mitchell's home in Los Angeles around 2:30 pm Tuesday, March 31, in response to a 911 call for an emergency "for an unconscious female." On the way to the hospital, she reportedly regained consciousness.
Mitchell, has had a long history of health problems, surviving polio and scarlet fever as a child. She also suffers from a non-medically recognized disease called "Morgellons Syndrome," condition that causes people to experience a crawling and biting sensation to the skin. She has been an unapologetic smoker since age nine.
A winner of eight Grammy awards, Mitchell is best known for her hits Big Yellow Taxi, Clouds, Help Me, Court and Spark, Turbulent Indigo, Sex Kills, The Sire of Sorrow, Both Sides Now, Chelsea Morning, Woodstock and You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio. She received Billboard's Century Award in 1995 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. She received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002, with the citation describing her as "one of the most important female recording artists of the rock era... a powerful influence on all artists who embrace diversity, imagination and integrity."
Mitchell's work has had an influence on many other artists, including Prince, Elvis Costello, George Michael, Madonna, Sheryl Crow, Morissey, Seal, Beck, Cassandra Wilson, Diana Krall, Madonna and Taylor Swift.