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FLASHBACK: When Joni Mitchell wore blackface for Halloween
BBC ^

Posted on 01/30/2022 6:43:13 AM PST by TigerClaws

The singer Joni Mitchell startled her friends by appearing at a Halloween party 40 years ago disguised as a black man in pimp-like garb. It would be unacceptable today but times were different then, her friends argue. Others disagree. Whichever view you take, her black alter ego was a reflection of her intense identification with black music, writes Kris Griffiths.

It's Halloween 1976, and eminent session bassist Leland Sklar is throwing a fancy dress party at his Los Angeles home for fellow musicians and record industry types, including producer Peter Asher and drummer Russ Kunkel, who would later appear in This Is Spinal Tap.

However there's one lone guest loitering in the background, whom no-one seems to know, everyone thinking he's someone else's friend - a svelte black man in a zoot suit with matching chapeau, meticulous afro, wide moustache and big, dark shades.

While everyone has brought wives and partners, this pimp-like character has slunk in unaccompanied without introducing himself, and appears content to observe proceedings quietly from the corner after helping himself to the buffet.

Rock photographer Henry Diltz, more used to shooting the likes of Hendrix and Zappa, inadvertently captures the besuited wallflower on film, while snapping his own gypsy-costumed wife. The gatecrasher looks startled in the light of his flash.

Not long afterwards the host, Sklar - still oblivious to this guest's identity despite asking around - finally approaches and asks if he's at the right party.

Only then, does the interloper remove his sunglasses and wig, revealing his true identity: It's Joni Mitchell, world-famous folk music star, a week away from her 33rd birthday.

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: black; blackface; chat; face
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To: 1Old Pro
I still don’t understand the problem with costumes of different type people, isn’t that the intent of costumes. The cowboy, the Indian, the Hunter, the pimp, the nurse.

No, it's disrespectful!

I mean: Suppose that you're a medical doctor, and some punk kid dresses up for Hallowe'en as a doctor (white jacket, head mirror, tongue depressor, etc.) - wouldn't you feel offended?!

No?

Well, neither would I!

Regards,

21 posted on 01/30/2022 7:58:18 AM PST by alexander_busek (Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.)
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To: Tommy Revolts

Fellow pop star Grace Slick of the Jefferson Airplane and Starship on the Smothers Brothers TV show....

https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/grace-slick-performed-in-blackface-national-tv/


22 posted on 01/30/2022 8:00:44 AM PST by frank ballenger (You have summoned up a thundercloud. You're gonna hear from me. Anthem by Leonard Cohen)
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To: Night Hides Not

When I was in the sixth grade I wore black face and starred as Rastus in the school play. It was a great time, and I have no regrets and no shame. Of course, I’m not woke. I can still think.


23 posted on 01/30/2022 8:34:16 AM PST by GingisK
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To: frank ballenger

Good one. They all need to be exposed for their hypocrisy.


24 posted on 01/30/2022 8:37:54 AM PST by Tommy Revolts
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To: TigerClaws
Sklar is the falsetto voice on “Stay” by Jackson Browne.
25 posted on 01/30/2022 8:56:41 AM PST by vetvetdoug
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To: vetvetdoug

I thought it was Frank Valli-the applause as he started suggests a familiar face. Then there was a frumpy David Lindley-no instrument.


26 posted on 01/30/2022 9:00:13 AM PST by DIRTYSECRET
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To: TigerClaws

Another passive-aggressive liberal Canadian.


27 posted on 01/30/2022 10:24:15 AM PST by simpson96
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To: TigerClaws

What identification? Joni Mitchell sounds about as black as a harp solo.


28 posted on 01/30/2022 4:01:04 PM PST by MightyMama
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To: GingisK
Yes, and I really don't care if other races dress up and paint themselves white.

Oh, like Geishas!

geisha

29 posted on 02/01/2022 10:17:12 AM PST by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue./Federal-run medical care is as good as state-run DMV)
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