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Joni Mitchell returns to Spotify after protesting in solidarity with Neil Young

25 March 2024, 13:02 | Written by Tyler Damara Kelly

Two years ago, Joni Mitchell had her back catalogue removed from Spotify in solidarity with Neil Young who protested against the platform for exclusively hosting Joe Rogan's controversial podcast.

Neil Young called out Joe Rogan, and subsequently Spotify, for spreading misinformation about vaccines. At the time, he wrote: "I am doing this because Spotify is spreading fake information about vaccines – potentially causing death to those who believe the disinformation being spread by them. Please act on this immediately today and keep me informed of the time schedule... I want you to let Spotify know immediately TODAY that I want all my music off their platform," he added. "They can have [Joe] Rogan or Young. Not both."

Joni Mitchell, and Stills, Crosby and Nash, followed suit in solidarity with Young. In her own statement at the time, Mitchell wrote: “I’ve decided to remove all my music from Spotify. 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.”

Now, just two weeks after Young returned Spotify because they are no longer the exclusive platform for Rogan's podcast – “I cannot just leave Apple and Amazon, like I did Spotify, because my music would have very little streaming outlet to music lovers at all" – Mitchell has also rejoined the platform, though she has not shared any statements on her reasoning.

Joni Mitchell recently made her Grammy's live debut with a performance of "Both Sides Now".

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