Joni Mitchell pulling music off Spotify over misinformation: ‘I Stand With Neil Young!’
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By Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Acclaimed singer and songwriter Joni Mitchell on Friday announced plans to remove her music from Spotify over COVID-19 misinformation spread on the music streaming platform by comedian Joe Rogan.
The announcement came days after Neil Young issued an ultimatum to Spotify, telling the company that “they can have Rogan or Young. Not both.” Spotify has since begun to remove Young’s music from its platform.
In an open letter shared Friday by Mitchell and originally published earlier this month, medical experts including physicians, nurses, professors and more, accused Spotify of “enabling its hosted media to damage public trust in scientific research and sow doubt in the credibility of data-driven guidance offered by medical professionals.” In particular, the group pointed to a December episode of the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast that critics say promoted baseless conspiracy theories about COVID-19 vaccines.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Joe Rogan has repeatedly spread misleading and false claims on his podcast, provoking distrust in science and medicine,” the open letter read. “He has discouraged vaccination in young people and children, incorrectly claimed that mRNA vaccines are ‘gene therapy,’ promoted off-label use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 (contrary to FDA warnings) and spread a number of unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.”
In a post on her website titled “I Stand With Neil Young!” Mitchell wrote, “Irresponsible people are spreading lies that are costing people their lives. I stand in solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical communities on this issue.”
Mitchell has 3.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify, according to the streaming service.
Other artists have also voiced support for Young in the row over COVID-19 misinformation.
“Good for you Neil,” Peter Frampton wrote Thursday in a post on Twitter. “I’ve always been an Apple guy for streaming. No Joe Rogan for me thank you!”
Joni Mitchell through the years Here are some memorable photos of acclaimed singer and songwriter Joni Mitchell through the years. (Jack Robinson/Getty Images, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 1969: Graham Nash and Joni Mitchell clap during an act at the Big Sur Folk Festival at the Esalen Institue on September 14-15, 1969 i n Big Sur, California. (Robert Altman/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 1970: Comedian Jonathan Winters (right) and singer Peggy Lee (left) congratulate Grammy winners Henry Mancini and Joni Mitchell on March 11, 1970 in Los Angeles. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 1970: Joni Mitchell can be seen performing in the United Kingdom on Aug. 29, 1970. (Tony Russell/Redferns, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 1971: Singer-songwriters James Taylor and Joni Mitchell provide backing vocals during the recording of Carole King's album "Tapestry" at A&M Records Recording Studio in January 1971 in Los Angeles. (Jim McCrary/Redferns, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 1976: Neil Young and Joni Mitchell perform with The Band during The Last Waltz at Winterland on Nov. 25, 1976 in San Francisco. (Ed Perlstein/Redferns/Getty Images, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 1976: Joni Mitchell performs at The Boston Music Hall on Dec. 19, 1976, in Boston. (Ron Pownall/Getty Images, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 1980: Joni Mitchell and BB King perform at the Bread & Roses Festival at the Greek Theater in Berkeley, California, on Oct. 4, 1980. (Clayton Call/Redferns, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 1982: Canadian musician Joni Mitchell plays acoustic guitar on stage at Studio 54 in New York City on April 2, 1982. The performance was part of a benefit concert for Jazz musician Larry Rivers. (Gary Gershoff/Getty Images, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 1985: Joni Mitchell attends the 27th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 26, 1985, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. (CBS Photo Archive/CBS via Getty Images, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 1988: Joni Mitchell can be seen in this photo from March 22, 1988. (Doug Griffin/Toronto Star via Getty Images, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 1991: Billy Idol & Joni Mitchell during a party after a Sting concert in Los Angeles in 1991. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 1995: Pop singer Peter Gabriel stands beside songwriter Joni Mitchell, who is holding her Billboard's 1995 Century Award, at the 1995 Billboard Music Awards on Dec. 6, 1995 in New York City. The awards honor the year's number one musical artists, albums and songs as determined by the record-buying audience and radio airplay statistics. (Evan Agostini/Liaison via Getty Images, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 1996: Joni Mitchell smiles as she holds two Grammy Awards at 38th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 28, 1996, in Los Angeles. Mitchell won Grammys for Best Pop Album for "Turbulent Indigo." (JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 1996: Emmylou Harris, Eddie Van Halen, and Joni Mitchell are seen during the 1996 Gibson Guitar Awards at the Hard Rock Cafe in Los Angeles. (Steve Granitz/WireImage, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 1999: Joni Mitchell and Stevie Wonder are seen during the 1999 ASCAP Pop Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California. (Steve Granitz/WireImage, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 2000: Singer Joni Mitchell gets a kiss from Elton John as singers Shawn Colvin (L) and James Taylor (R) watch after the finale of Turner Network Television's "All-Star Tribute to Joni Mitchell" at the Hammerstein Ballroom on April 6, 2000, in New York City. The event featured numerous singers and musicians performing Mitchell songs. (Matt Campbell/AFP via Getty Images, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 2012: Singers Neil Young and Joni Mitchell attend Clive Davis and The Recording Academy's 2012 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Richard Branson at the Beverly Hilton hotel on February 11, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Lester Cohen/WireImage, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 2013: Joni Mitchell performs on stage at Toronto's Massey Hall on June 18, 2013, with guests during Luminato's "Joni: A Portrait in Song - A Birthday Happening Live at Massey Hall." (Tara Walton/Toronto Star via Getty Images, File)
Joni Mitchell through the years 2021: Singer Joni Mitchell attends a reception for Kennedy Center honorees hosted by President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden in the East Room at the White House on Dec, 5, 2021, in Washington, DC. The reception at the White House was held ahead of the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images, File)