Joan Baez, a legendary figure in folk music, has a career filled with notable achievements, but there are two unexpected facts that might surprise even her most devoted fans.
Firstly, despite her iconic status in the folk music scene, Joan Baez’s highest-charting single was not one of her traditional folk songs but a cover of The Band’s “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” Released in 1971, this rendition reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking her most commercially successful hit. This crossover success into mainstream pop was unexpected for an artist primarily known for her association with the folk and protest music movements of the 1960s.
Secondly, while many know Baez for her solo career and her role in popularizing Bob Dylan’s early work, few are aware that she played a crucial role in the introduction of the late Steve Jobs to the world of computing and innovation. During the mid-1970s, Baez and Jobs were romantically involved, and through this relationship, she provided Jobs with emotional support and inspiration during the nascent stages of Apple Inc. Baez’s influence extended beyond music, touching the tech world in a significant way.
These lesser-known aspects of Joan Baez’s career highlight her versatility as an artist and her influence beyond the folk genre, showcasing her ability to impact both popular culture and technological innovation in surprising ways.
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