By JOHN DALY
Musicians ranging from Chaka Khan to James Taylor gathered to celebrate the 75th Birthday of Joni Mitchell in Los Angeles.
“I just want you to know … You don’t know how many times you’ve saved my life,” Khan said Wednesday night in paying tribute to Mitchell. “And I want you to know if you need me, I’m here.”
Chaka Khan, James Taylor and Brandi Carlile
Khan sang a soulful rendition of “Help Me” at the event, held at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and attended by fellow musicians including Seal, Brandi Carlile, Graham Nash, Norah Jones and Kris Kristofferson.
Mitchell attended, and even blew out the candles on a birthday cake presented to her on the second night of a two-night celebration of the 1960s folk songbird.
Taylor performed “River,” a song he said he first heard at Mitchell’s home back in 1970 right after she wrote it. He said the song has become synonymous with Christmas, but it’s not an upbeat holiday song.
Watch Joni Mitchell’s 75th Birthday Celebration: