Folk icon Joan Baez made a rare live appearance at a tribute concert held in her honor at San Francisco’s Masonic Auditorium on Saturday night (February 8). The benefit show, which raised funds for the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, also featured performances by Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, Margo Price, Bonnie Raitt, and Tom Morello. Baez captivated the audience with a rendition of her classic song, “Diamonds and Rust,” updating the lyrics to humorously reflect the long passage of time. The event concluded with all the performers joining Baez for a moving performance of the Latin American standard “Gracias A La Vida,” which was the title track to her 1974 album. Baez retired from the road following a 2019 farewell tour, and rarely performs live these days, so this special evening gave fans and musicians alike the opportunity to celebrate her enduring legacy, as well as pay tribute to her impact on folk music and social justice. (Rolling Stone)
