Profile of the Day: Joan Baez

Happy birthday to Joan Baez! Today the American folk singer turns 82.

Image: Joan Baez / Nationaal Archief, CC0

Baez was born on January 9, 1941 in Staten Island, New York to Albert Baez and Joan Bridge. Her mother was born in Scotland while her father was born in Mexico. Baez’s father was noted physicist and made important contributions to the early development of the X-ray microscope.

An activist and songwriter, Baez often used her music to express her social and political views, often promoting nonviolence, civil rights, and social justice. Since starting her recording career in 1960, Baez has released over 30 albums and has recorded songs in at least 6 languages. It was during the 1960s that she met a then-unknown Bob Dylan. With her burgeoning music career, Baez helped popularize many of Dylan’s early songs.

In 2017, Baez was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Explore Joan Baez’s family tree on Geni to discover how you’re related to the folk singer!