The Current

Great Music Lives Here ®
Listener-Supported Music
Donate Now
Radio Free Current

Celebrating Joni Mitchell and other favorite songwriters of the 20th century

Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell plays her guitar at her home in Los Angeles, circa 1970.
Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell plays her guitar at her home in Los Angeles, circa 1970.Martin Mills/Getty Images

by Sean McPherson

November 06, 2021

Tomorrow (November 7) is Joni Mitchell’s birthday. She’ll be turning 78. I’ve got her in my top five favorite music writers of the 20th century*. Tonight on Radio Free Current, I want to spin a lot of Joni tunes to help ring in her birthday in high fashion. But I’d also like to celebrate some of your favorite songwriters who were active in the 20th century. Suggest some Joni tunes, share your top five with me, and let’s make it a Saturday night together.

Make your request for this week’s Radio Free Current in the comments below.

You can also join me live on The Current’s Facebook page tonight at 6 Central to leave me a request, hit me up on Twitter at @twinkiejiggles (be sure to tag #RadioFreeCurrent) or you can email me at sean@thecurrent.org. During the program (7 to 11 p.m. Central), you can phone the studio line, 651-989-4893, to tell me your request.

*Since you were wondering, here are the rest of my top 5:

  • Herbie Hancock

  • Nas

  • Paul McCartney

  • Stevie Wonder