Joni Mitchell to be honoured at 2021 Kennedy Centre Honors

Joni Mitchell is among the people being honoured at the 44th annual Kennedy Centre Honors ceremony. The 'River' singer will be given the lifetime achievement award at the live awards ceremony, which will take place December 5th at the John F. Kennedy Centre in Washington, D.C.

Others being awarded for their work include Bette Midler, Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, Motown founder Berry Gordy, and more. “This year’s Honorees represent the unifying power of the Arts and surely remind us of that which binds us together as human beings,” said Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter in a statement.

“After the challenges and heartbreak of the last many months, and as we celebrate 50 years of the Kennedy Center, I dare add that we are prepared to throw ‘the party to end all parties’ in D.C. on December 5th, feting these extraordinary people and welcoming audiences back to our campus.”

Elsewhere, Mitchell recently shared a rare video message for the 50th anniversary of Blue. “I’m so pleased with all of the positive attention that ‘Blue’ is receiving these days,” Mitchell said. “When it was first released it fell heir to a lot of criticism. So 50 years later people finally get it, and that pleases me. Thank you.”

Watch the video announcing the honourees below.