The surprise performance by Joni Mitchell at the Newport Folk Festival on Sunday is already making its way into history books. The crowd erupted as the singer and songwriter stepped onto the stage for her first public performance since she suffered a brain aneurysm in 2015.
And they continued to rejoice as the nine-time Grammy-winning singer captivated the lucky audience with many of her best songs, including “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Both Sides Now,” and a cover of “Summertime.”
Many reverent fans never thought this day arrive after Mitchell’s brain aneurysm in 2015, an abnormal swelling in an artery in the brain, which left her unable to speak or walk, let alone play the guitar.
In an interview with CBS News after the show, the iconic singer, now 78, described losing the ability to speak, walk, or even get out of a chair. She expressed the experience of the last few years as “a return to infancy.”
She also explained that she learned to play guitar again by watching videos of herself “to see where I put my fingers.”
Among those astounded by Mitchell’s recovery is Dr. Anthony Wang, a neurosurgeon at Ronald Reagan UCLA Hospital.
“To be able to recover to the point of being able to perform as a musician is really incredible,” Dr. Wang told NPR. He said that brain surgeons often use “return-to-work” as a marker of a successful and functional recovery. “But very rarely is that work quite so nuanced.”
Whereas there are various types of aneurysms, Dr. Wang explained that the most life-threatening aneurysms are the ones in which the weakened wall of the blood vessel inflates, then fractures because of the intense pressure.
Mitchell’s aneurysm is still unknown – whether it ruptured or was caught in time to prevent it. Since being found unconscious in her home on March 31, 2015, she has been somewhat secretive about what happened. Either way, Wang said Mitchell’s recovery must have taken immense devotion.
Mitchell told The Guardian in October 2020 that the effects of the brain aneurysm were more devastating than the bout of polio that left her unable to walk as a child.
“Polio didn’t grab me like that, but the aneurysm took away a lot more, really,” said Mitchell. “Took away my speech and my ability to walk. And, you know, I got my speech back quickly, but the walking I’m still struggling with.”
Wang proposed the success of her recent recovery is likely three-pronged: the immediate treatment Mitchell received from surgeons to protect the aneurysm from bleeding again. “After that, patients will start their rehabilitation, their physical rehabilitation, their cognitive and mental rehabilitation and so on.” He described this as “a really, really critical period” when great strides in recovery can be made.
Finally, Wang connected to Mitchell’s determination to regain the skills she lost. The singer also spoke about that with CBS, saying, “I don’t know, but the surgeon that did the brain surgery on me, he said I had will and grit.”
Dr. Wang said the patient could bounce back by working on strength training if the rupture occurred in brain parts responsible for motor strength. However, if it occurred in brain parts responsible for the coordination of movements, then it would be much more complicated.
“So playing an instrument and vocal cord coordination, those sorts of things, are really, super complex fine movements that would take a long time to relearn,” he said.
Despite the challenges and difficulty, Joni Mitchell still persevered, and in the end, she has reignited the hopes of her beloved fans and has taught us all a valuable lesson.
And they continued to rejoice as the nine-time Grammy-winning singer captivated the lucky audience with many of her best songs, including “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Both Sides Now,” and a cover of “Summertime.”
Many reverent fans never thought this day arrive after Mitchell’s brain aneurysm in 2015, an abnormal swelling in an artery in the brain, which left her unable to speak or walk, let alone play the guitar.
In an interview with CBS News after the show, the iconic singer, now 78, described losing the ability to speak, walk, or even get out of a chair. She expressed the experience of the last few years as “a return to infancy.”
She also explained that she learned to play guitar again by watching videos of herself “to see where I put my fingers.”
Among those astounded by Mitchell’s recovery is Dr. Anthony Wang, a neurosurgeon at Ronald Reagan UCLA Hospital.
“To be able to recover to the point of being able to perform as a musician is really incredible,” Dr. Wang told NPR. He said that brain surgeons often use “return-to-work” as a marker of a successful and functional recovery. “But very rarely is that work quite so nuanced.”
Whereas there are various types of aneurysms, Dr. Wang explained that the most life-threatening aneurysms are the ones in which the weakened wall of the blood vessel inflates, then fractures because of the intense pressure.
Mitchell’s aneurysm is still unknown – whether it ruptured or was caught in time to prevent it. Since being found unconscious in her home on March 31, 2015, she has been somewhat secretive about what happened. Either way, Wang said Mitchell’s recovery must have taken immense devotion.
Mitchell told The Guardian in October 2020 that the effects of the brain aneurysm were more devastating than the bout of polio that left her unable to walk as a child.
“Polio didn’t grab me like that, but the aneurysm took away a lot more, really,” said Mitchell. “Took away my speech and my ability to walk. And, you know, I got my speech back quickly, but the walking I’m still struggling with.”
Wang proposed the success of her recent recovery is likely three-pronged: the immediate treatment Mitchell received from surgeons to protect the aneurysm from bleeding again. “After that, patients will start their rehabilitation, their physical rehabilitation, their cognitive and mental rehabilitation and so on.” He described this as “a really, really critical period” when great strides in recovery can be made.
Finally, Wang connected to Mitchell’s determination to regain the skills she lost. The singer also spoke about that with CBS, saying, “I don’t know, but the surgeon that did the brain surgery on me, he said I had will and grit.”
Dr. Wang said the patient could bounce back by working on strength training if the rupture occurred in brain parts responsible for motor strength. However, if it occurred in brain parts responsible for the coordination of movements, then it would be much more complicated.
“So playing an instrument and vocal cord coordination, those sorts of things, are really, super complex fine movements that would take a long time to relearn,” he said.
Despite the challenges and difficulty, Joni Mitchell still persevered, and in the end, she has reignited the hopes of her beloved fans and has taught us all a valuable lesson.
