Joan Baez news stories on Newser

'Uptown Girl': Not Actually About Christie Brinkley...

Evann Gastaldo — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 11:39:21 CDT

Inspired by Taylor Swift, who regularly pens songs about her real-life boyfriends , the New York Daily News lists six stories behind six classic songs. Most come from new book The Girl in the Song by Michael Heatley and Frank Hopkinson: Billy Joel, “Uptown Girl” : Contrary to popular belief, this song...

Obama Salutes Protest Songs With Concert

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:57:11 CST

Crediting civil rights-era protest songs and their spiritual predecessors for his election, President Obama last night opened the White House to an all-star lineup that paid tribute to the music that he said fueled freedom marches and civil disobedience. Queen Latifah sang the Marvin Gaye classic "What's Going On" and...

At 90, Seeger Still Tuned to Social Activism

Wesley Oliver — Sun, 03 May 2009 11:33:23 CDT

Today may be his 90th birthday, but the only reason folk legend Pete Seeger will share the stage with Bruce Springsteen and Arlo Guthrie at his tribute concert will be to raise money for the environment—continuing his penchant for infusing music with social activism. “I agreed to the concert,...

Walter Reed Bars Baez

M. Morris — Wed, 02 May 2007 15:45:27 CDT

Patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center were treated to tunes by John Mellencamp last week, but not Joan Baez—hospital officials refused to let the legendary folk singer and antiwar activist join him. A spokesman told Rolling Stone the request to include Baez came too late. Said Mellencamp: "We...