Judith Marjorie Collins was born on May 1, 1939, in Seattle, Washington. She studied classical piano as a child with Antonio Brico, and made her public debut at the age of 13, performing Mozart’s “Concerto for Two Pianos.” Three years later, she was playing the guitar, drawn to the folk revival sounds of the early 1960s and the music particularly of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger. She performed in Greenwich Village, New York, busking and playing in clubs until she landed a contract with Elektra records with whom she was associated for thirty-five years. In 1961, at the age of 22, she released her very first album, “A Maid of Constant Sorrow.”
In the early years, she sang songs written by others, notably Phil Ochs, Tom Paxton and Bob Dylan. Her own versions made them hits all over again as evidenced by Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man” and Seeger’s “Turn, Turn, Turn.” She was also instrumental in bringing attention to then little-known composers such as Canadians, Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell. In 1967 she began recording her own compositions, the first of which was entitled “Since You Asked,” which appeared on her album, “Wildflowers.” This album also contained a song, which would prove to be a major hit and a Grammy winner, Joni Mitchell’s, “Both Sides Now.” Like other singers of her generation, notably Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, Judy was drawn to social activism. Today she is a representative of UNICEF and campaigns on behalf of one of the late Princess Diana’s favorite charities, the abolition of landmines.
Hits followed her everywhere, and by the 1970s, her reputation as a talented folk singer was solid. She became known for her wide range of material, which included everything from traditional gospel (“Amazing Grace”) to Broadway ballads (“Send In The Clowns”) both of which reached the top twenty hits. In 1979, she posed nude on the album, “Hard Times For Lovers.”
Judy Collins has had more than her share of tragedy, having lost her only child, Clark Taylor, to suicide at the age of 33 after a long bout with depression and drug abuse. Her 2003 book, “Sanity and Grace”, chronicles her recovery from the loss of her son in an attempt to help others cope with the loss of a loved one through suicide.
Although her record sales are not as high as they once were, Judy continues to tour and record, bringing joy into the hearts of her many, many adoring fans.
What are some of YOUR favorite Judy Collin’s tunes? Please share.
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