Joni Mitchell gets a Kennedy Center Award and Brandi and Norah do tributes

Joni Mitchell was in Washington, D.C. over the weekend where she was among the honorees at this year's Kennedy Center Honors.

Calling the award a "fantastic honor," she talked about her recovery from a brain aneurysm in 2015. “I always think that polio (which she contracted when she was nine) was a rehearsal for the rest of my life. I’ve had to come back several times from things. And this last one was a real whopper. But, you know, I’m hobbling along but I’m doing all right!”

Like polio, she once again couldn't walk or talk. Her speech came back quickly, but she still has difficulty walking.

In presenting the award,President Biden said, "What sets you apart, in my view, is when we listen to you -- your voice, your guitar, your careful arrangements -- we listen to a great song. And then, then you read the lyrics on their own, in the quiet all by themselves, and you read a great poem. You sing poetry, it seems to me."

Norah Jones,Ellie Goulding and Brandi Carlile paid tribute, with Norah doing “The Circle Game,” Elle on “Big Yellow Taxi,” and Brandi chipped singing “River.”Brittany Howard and previous honoree Herbie Hancock did “Both Sides Now.”

Also honored was Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels, which included roasts from Steve Martin and many SNL family members. Longtime friend and frequent SNL host and musical guest Paul Simon did "Looking for America."

Motown founder Berry Gordy received musical tributes from Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson.

And rounding out this year's honorees were Bette Midler and opera singer Justino Diaz.

The 44th Kennedy Center Honors will air on CBS on December 22nd.


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