Song of the day: Joan Baez/Donna Donna
Joan Baez is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Her contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest and social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing over 30 albums. Fluent in Spanish and English, she has also recorded songs in at least six other languages. Baez is generally regarded as a folk singer, but her music has diversified since the counterculture era of the 1960s and encompasses genres such as folk-rock, pop, country, and gospel music
. She began her recording career in 1960 and achieved immediate success. Her first three albums, Joan Baez, Joan Baez, Vol. 2, and Joan Baez in Concert, all achieved gold record status. Baez also played a significant role in the 1985s Live Aid concert for African famine relief, opening the U.S. segment of the show in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has toured on behalf of many other causes, including Amnesty International's 1986, Conspiracy of Hope tour, and a guest spot on their subsequent Human Rights Now tour. Her song "No Nos Moverán" (We Shall Not Be Moved) was banned in Spain for more than 40 years. After the death of Dictator Franco, Joan Baez was able to sing this song for Spanish people by participating in a television program in Madrid. She joined the march organized by Irish Peace People against nuclear war vehicles. She received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. She was honored with the Spirit of Americana/Free Speech award at the 2008 Americana Music Honors & Awards. In 1976, she was awarded the Thomas Merton Award for her ongoing activism. On July 17, 2006, Baez received the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Legal Community Against Violence. In 2015, Baez received the Ambassador of Conscience Award.