Judy Collins

Date of Birth: May 1, 1939

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Biography

Judith Marjorie Collins, known professionally as Judy Collins, is an American singer and songwriter born on May 1, 1939. She is highly regarded for her eclectic taste in the material she records, which has included folk, show tunes, pop, and rock and roll. Collins is also a classically trained pianist, a skill that has profoundly influenced her music career. She rose to fame during the 1960s folk music revival and has continued to be an influential figure in music for more than six decades. Collins’ breakthrough came with her debut album, “A Maid of Constant Sorrow,” released in 1961. She gained more significant recognition with her rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides, Now” from her 1967 album “Wildflowers.” This song won her a Grammy Award for Best Folk Performance. Over the years, Collins has released numerous albums and has been known for her activism, including her advocacy for civil rights and environmental causes. In addition to her musical career, Collins has authored several books, including memoirs and novels. She continues to tour and perform, captivating audiences with her stunning voice and poignant songwriting.

5 Interesting Facts about Judy Collins

1. Judy Collins is a classically trained pianist who gave her first public performance at the age of 13.

2. Her rendition of “Send in the Clowns” from the Stephen Sondheim musical “A Little Night Music” became a Top 20 hit in 1975.

3. Collins struggled with alcoholism for many years but has been sober since 1978.

4. She has been a strong advocate for mental health awareness, particularly following the suicide of her son, Clark Taylor, in 1992.

5. Collins received an honorary doctorate from Pratt Institute in 2009 for her contributions to music and social activism.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Judy Collins

1. “Music can speak to the heart in a way that words cannot.”

2. “I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.”

3. “The music business is not a business of life and death. It’s a business of fun.”

4. “I think of life as a good book. The further you get into it, the more it begins to make sense.”

5. “I don’t think that people in America are really given enough information about the Third World.”