Music

Joni Mitchell hospitalized in intensive care but appears to be okay

by Mark Teo

Last night, we had a scare when we learned that Joni Mitchell, the legendary Alberta-born folk singer, had been found unconscious in her Los Angeles apartment. Late last night, the 71-year-old’s website was updated with the news that she was being rushed to the hospital, where she was eventually placed in the intensive care unit.

Here’s what was reported on her site.

Joni has been hospitalized. We are awaiting official word on her condition and will post it here as soon as we know.

Then, the site posted an update, although it didn’t state the reason she was hospitalized.

Joni was found unconscious in her home this afternoon. She regained consciousness on the ambulance ride to an L.A. area hospital. She is currently in intensive care undergoing tests and is awake and in good spirits. More updates to come as we hear them. Light a candle and sing a song, let’s all send good wishes her way.

Whatever the cause of her hospitalization, it’s good to hear the “Big Yellow Taxi” singer is now conscious. It’s not the first health-related scare Mitchell’s experienced: As a girl, she had polio, and as an adult, she has suffered from Morgellons Disease, a disease that makes sufferers believe that bugs are crawling beneath her skin. While it’s purely psychosomatic—no, she doesn’t have parasite living under her skin—Mitchell has said that the disease has led to paranoia; she’s had difficulty leaving her house.

We’ll keep you updated on Mitchell’s condition as news becomes available.