Clutching a cane with a handle in the shape of a wolf's head, Joni Mitchell made her way slowly to the stage at Friday night's MusiCares Person of the Year gala — it was nearing midnight, but the Person of the Year was her, so people could wait — then peered out at the ballroom full of admirers before her.
"Wow," said the 78-year-old singer and songwriter. She'd just watched a succession of artists perform her songs as part of this annual pre-Grammys event meant to laud a musician's philanthropy and cultural impact; now it was time for her to say a few words about … well, about what? she wondered aloud.
"I don't want to say I was honored — I mean, that's obvious," she told the black-tie-ish crowd at the MGM Grand with a little laugh. "But I was very impressed with the quality of the talent that appeared here." She asked if we'd enjoyed it, and the response seemed to please her. "OK, I'm going to go and sit down now."
