Joan Baez: How the Folk Queen Decided to ‘Give It All Up’ After the Peak of Her Career?
Joan Baez, with her clear and powerful soprano voice, is not just a folk music legend but an indispensable icon of the civil rights and anti-war movements. Throughout her illustrious career spanning over six decades, she has left an indelible mark with timeless love songs and passionate protest anthems. However, what few realize is that, after her most brilliant periods, Joan Baez made some surprisingly “giving up” decisions that seemed to defy her peak fame, yet truly reflected an authentic way of living true to herself and the ideals she championed.
The Peak of Fame and Quiet Weariness
The 1960s saw Joan Baez at the zenith of her career. She was the “queen of folk music,” a familiar face on major stages from the Newport Folk Festival to the legendary Woodstock. She was the one who introduced Bob Dylan to a wider audience, a strong voice against the Vietnam War, and an inspiration to millions. Yet, behind the glamour and accolades, a quiet weariness began to creep in.
The pressures of fame, relentless touring, and especially the burden of being a political icon, gradually eroded Baez’s energy. She often spoke about feeling “trapped” in the image of a “lifelong protester,” a role she wasn’t always comfortable with, despite her unwavering belief in the ideals she fought for.
The Decision to ‘Step Away’ from Music and Seek Healing
In the 1970s and beyond, Joan Baez experienced periods of pausing or reducing her musical activities. This wasn’t a complete abandonment but rather necessary respites for her to regain balance, heal personal wounds that her career had sidelined, and explore other facets of life.
One of the most notable decisions was her choice to dedicate more time to her family, to her son Gabriel, and to addressing personal issues, including depression and trauma from her childhood, that had been put on hold by her career. Stepping back from the limelight was not a surrender of her musical passion but a courageous act to prioritize her health and inner peace.
She didn’t entirely stop creating or performing, but her approach changed. Instead of chasing hit albums or large-scale tours, she became more selective, performing in places that held special meaning or participating in less demanding projects. This decision allowed her to sustain her musical career in a healthier way, without being exhausted by the commercial grind.
The End of Extensive Touring: A Major Decision
By 2018, after a touring career spanning over six decades, Joan Baez made a striking announcement: she would cease extensive touring and only perform selectively. Her “Fare Thee Well” tour was an emotional farewell to her devoted fans. This was a significant decision, not to give up music, but to give up a lifestyle that had been with her since her early twenties.
The reasons for this decision were simple and heartfelt: she was tired of life on the road, wanted to dedicate more time to personal interests (like painting, a newfound passion of hers), and simply wished to enjoy her later years more peacefully. This was not a sign of weakness or a loss of passion but an acceptance of a new phase of life, where she could continue to create and contribute in a different way.
The Legacy of Authenticity and Courage
These seemingly counter-intuitive decisions for a major star allowed Joan Baez to maintain her authenticity and integrity. She never let fame or external pressures entirely dictate her path. Instead, she always listened to her inner voice, prioritizing her well-being, family, and ideals.
Joan Baez is not just a magnificent vocalist but also an exemplar of courageous self-truth. The “secrets” behind her decisions are not scandals; they are stories of an extraordinary woman who bravely confronted pressure, sought inner peace, and continued to contribute in her own way, even if it meant “giving up” a part of the external spotlight to find her true light.