Hospitalised Joni Mitchell in ’good spirits’

Joni Mitchell at a Grammy Awards function earlier this year. Picture: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

Joni Mitchell in 2007, performing at tribute concert For Herbie Hancock. Pic: Getty
Source: Getty Images

The 71-year-old music star was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital on Tuesday after being found unconscious at her home in Bel Air. According to a statement on her official website, the singer is awake and undergoing tests.

“Joni was found unconscious in her home this afternoon. She regained consciousness on the ambulance ride to an L.A. area hospital,” the statement reads.

“She is currently in intensive care undergoing tests and is awake and in good spirits. More updates to come as we hear them.”

Joni has been hospitalized. We are awaiting official word on her condition and will post it here as soon as we know.

— JoniMitchell.com (@JoniMitchellcom) April 1, 2015

Joni is currently in intensive care in an LA area hospital but is awake and in good spirits. More updates to come as we hear them.

— JoniMitchell.com (@JoniMitchellcom) April 1, 2015

Mitchell told Billboard magazine in December that she has a rare skin condition, Morgellons disease, which prevents her from performing.

Still, she released a career-spanning four-disc box set last year and appeared at Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy party in February.

Mitchell has received eight Grammy Awards, including a lifetime achievement award in 2002. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

She started her career as a street musician in her native Canada before moving to Southern California, where she became part of the flourishing folk scene in the late 1960s.

Her second album, Clouds, was a breakthrough with such songs as Both Sides Now and Chelsea Morning, winning Mitchell the Grammy for best folk performance.

Mitchell’s 1970 album, Ladies of the Canyon, featured the hit single Big Yellow Taxi and the era-defining Woodstock.

The following year, she released “Blue,” which ranks 30th on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Mitchell has released 19 original albums, the most recent in 2007. The anthology released last year, Love Has Many Faces: A Quartet, A Ballet, Waiting to Be Danced,” features remastered versions of 53 of her songs.

Her musical style integrates folk and jazz elements, and she counts jazz giants Charles Mingus and Pat Metheny among her past collaborators.

Canadian singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell. Picture: Jack Robinson
Source: Supplied

News of Mitchell’s medical emergency on Tuesday reached Twitter fast, with fans and fellow muscians expressing their shock and sending well-wishes to the adored singer.

“Sorry to hear todays news about Joni Mitchell. I sang on her ‘Dancing Clown’ single many moons ago, all the best 4 her recovery,” British rocker Billy Idol tweeted.

St. Vincent tweeted: “NO. Not Joni.” “Plenty of prayers & gentle healing vibes are coming her way. Be well & strong very soon, Joni,” Geocosmic Valentine tweeted. Fan Brooke Jarvis added: “Gotta be millions of us who think of Joni Mitchell as a full-on close personal friend. We’ve been through a lot together! Hope she’ll be ok.”

Originally published as Joni Mitchell in intensive care
www.news.com.au/entertainment/music