Folk singer Joan Baez clearly influenced Emmylou Harris, who would go on to become a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, as evidenced by just ONE listen to her obscure 1969 solo debut album, Gliding Bird. Thus, it makes sense that Harris was present to pay tribute to Baez when the singer, songwriter, and activist received an ASCAP Centennial Award in New York on Monday night, November 17.
Harris, who has also contributed to many causes in her career, said that Baez inspired her to pick up a guitar when she was 16 years old. She said, “I worshipped her.” Still do, in a sense, since she completely altered the way I think about music. In addition, I simply respect her as a person for having dared to take a stand in the global struggle for human rights even in the absence of media attention.
In remembrance of Baez, who sang Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” at the event, Harris sang a lovely rendition of the 1975 hit song “Diamonds and Rust.”
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