For Judy Collins, music was always a passion; a classically trained pianist, she decided at 17 to become a folk singer and took up guitar. She was signed to Elektra Records after co-founder Jac Holzman saw her perform at New York's Village Gate. In 1961, her first album " A Maid of Constant Sorrow" (cut in five hours!) was released; thus began 35 years (!) with this company.
Her first gold record was "In My Life" (1966), but she's most noted for "Both Sides Now," written by Joni Mitchell, another up-and-comer) a Top 10 smash in 1968. "Amazing Grace" was a Top 20 hit in 1971, and "Send In The Clowns" (1975) was awarded a Grammy for Record Of The Year. ("Clowns" was written by Stephen Sondheim for the Broadway musical "A Little Night Music".) And yes, "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" was written about her by Stephen Stills.
Odetta- She came to New York City in 1953, often appearing at The Blue Angel. Harry Belafonte and Pete Seeger were two of the first people to discover and help her. (Belafonte included her in a television special in 1959.) In 1963, her album Folk Songs became one of the year's best-selling in its category. Then she began recording for Vanguard, a golden period for her. Working with Maynard Solomon, one of the company co-owners, he helped her select a repertoire, using the company "classical" sound.
Accompanying her was bass player Bill Lee(father of Spike). Along with clapping hands, Lee's bass, her guitar, and of course, her voice, classics were made, such as, "No More Auction Block For Me" "Battle Hymn of the Republic" "Cotton Fields" "Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child" and "Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho."
Mimi(Baez) Farina was a noted folksinger in her own right, also singing with her late husband, Richard Farina , but was often overshadowed by the immense fame of older sister Joan. She was a gifted guitar player and songwriter. Richard Farina died in 1966 of a motorcycle accident (The couple were married in 1963. Besides a love of folk music, they also shared a common heritage; half Hispanic, half Celtic roots.)
She was a widow at just 21. But she kept performing, and in 1974, she started the organization Bread And Roses, that brings live entertainment to those shut away from society, such as the sick, those in prison, the homeless, and the disabled. Mimi Farina Melvin(she married again in 1968) died of lung cancer in 2001. She may not have had Top 40 hits, but she still left an absolutely wonderful legacy .
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