In an act of solidarity between two veteran rock stars with a shared history of espousing progressive causes, Joni Mitchell has joined Neil Young in removing her music from Spotify in protest at it hosting a popular anti-vax podcast.
Mitchell, whose 1971 album Blue is regarded as one of the greatest of all time, is the first high-profile musician to take a stand alongside Young against the streaming behemoth. “Irresponsible people are spreading lies that are costing people their lives,” she said. “I stand in solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical communities on this issue.”
Mitchell shared a letter from medical professionals and scientists criticizing “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast hosted on Spotify for what they said was a history of misinformation about the Covid-19 pandemic and vaccines.
Young earlier this week asked his management team and record label to remove his music from Spotify, saying the service “is spreading fake information about vaccines” and mentioning Rogan. “They can have Rogan or Young. Not both,” Young said in an open letter posted on his website Monday but which was later removed, according to Rolling Stone magazine. NBC News has not seen the original post, and it is unclear why it was removed from Young’s website.
