Protest against Spotify
Musician Joni Mitchell imitates Neil Young
Joni Mitchell performing in Washington.
© imago/UPI Photo
Joni Mitchell joins Neil Young’s protest against Spotify amid row over coronavirus fake news She also wants to delete her music.
Joni Mitchell (78) joins Neil Young (76): She also wants to have her music removed from the Spotify streaming platform – in protest against comedian Joe Rogan (54). Young accuses him of spreading false news about the corona virus in his podcast via Spotify.
Mitchell, whose 1971 album Blue is considered one of the greatest of all time, is the first high-profile artist to take on the streaming service alongside Neil Young. The two musicians have been friends for decades. “Irresponsible people spread lies that cost people their lives”, she explained on her website. She expresses her solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical community.
Young is serious
Young had called Joe Rogan’s podcast “lies sold for money” and initially threatened Spotify with an ultimatum: “You can have Rogan or Young. Not both.” Young later carried out his threat and had his music removed from the platform. Spotify said it regrets the decision but hopes to welcome Young back soon.
According to Young, 60 percent of his streaming revenue comes from Spotify. Thanks on his websitee the rocker asked his label, which stood by him in the decision. He also hopes other musicians and companies will stop supporting Spotify’s “deadly misinformation about Covid”.
A large group of doctors had also asked Spotify in an open letter to immediately set up clear rules for dealing with fake news. Particular attention was drawn to Rogan’s “worrying story” when discussing the Covid 19 pandemic.