This is where her new book 'Am I Pretty When I Fly?' (published this April) fascinates me. Where does she get her perseverance? In reality, she is just like us, finding her way every day in a world that is nowhere near perfect, with its continuing traumas and unending crises. To this day Joan stands strong in the belief of nonviolence, in a world that is anything but peaceful. She matched strides with Nelson Mandela in South Africa and supported leaders of peace in still war torn areas of Europe, where dictators and whisperings from the extremes of Nazism to Marxism and all the other isms still linger. She stood with the Irish as they fought and then reconciled their religious and political war. and immigration rights with Caesar Chavez.

She believed and lived the words of Gandhi, sat and spoke peace with the Dalai Lama, marched for civil rights with Martin Luther King, Jr. Swaying shoulder to shoulder, with candles and lighters in those early years, and today with iPhones, the crowds joined her voice in the unity of brotherhood time after time.Īlmost 20 years after 'Daybreak,' in 1987, 'Joan Baez, A Voice to Sing With' was published, where Joan again shared her continuing journey. It is no surprise that the song 'Amazing Grace' was sung (a capella) throughout the many venues of her career. Pacifism and nonviolence being her core beliefs, her voice spoke to and still speaks throughout the world for people to support and love one another. In her first autobiography 'Daybreak,' published in 1968, she tells of a childhood brought up in Quaker beliefs that emphasize seeking peace with oneself and then peace with others. For all ages and all genders, nationalities and beliefs. With the ability to reach three octaves, the highest being in the realm of angels, she has shared her voice around the world for over 60 years to both royalty and commoners. Only after bluffing her way through awkward teen moments in high school, playing a ukulele and mimicking others in song, did she find her own voice.

Joan Baez first thought of herself as an artist, drawing and selling pictures of cute animals to her schoolmates for three cents a piece.

Joan baez and a voice to sing with