Judy Collins to mark 60 years in music in Birmingham
Her first gigs were in Colorado in 1959, and Judy Collins is celebrating 60 years in the music world by stopping off in Birmingham this month.
And 2019 is an even more special year for Judy as she will celebrate her 80th birthday and plans to release two albums to mark it.
It is now half a century since Judy's album Who Knows Where The Time Goes on Elektra Records was certified Gold and Judy had three successive singles chart in the US - Someday Soon, Chelsea Morning and Turn! Turn! Turn!.
The following year would see Judy hit No.5 on the UK singles chart with her breathtaking Amazing Grace.
Who Knows Where The Time Goes featured guitarist Stephen Stills, and he is back with her on her upcoming release Everybody Knows.
Her current single is the moving a cappella modern protest song Dreamers. Judy wrote and recorded this song in support of asylum seekers in response to the current US administration’s policies on immigration.
She is a lifelong advocate and activist. She testified at the Chicago Seven trial, marched in Mississippi for Civil Rights and marched again in opposition to the Vietnam War. Her 1970 a cappella recording of Amazing Grace remained on the US charts for more than 70 weeks and became part of the soundtrack to the opposition to America’s involvement in Vietnam.
WATCH the video for Dreamers below.
Talking about her latest protests in Dreamers, Judy said: "All of us are immigrants who have come here to escape fascism, religious persecution, crime, dictatorships and in the case of many, starvation.
"We have been the haven for democracy through our history. Now a tide of hatred, prejudice, name calling and cruelty has infiltrated this bloodstream of humanity. What has become of our humanity? The Dreamers and the people seeking asylum in our country have become the canaries in our mine. We must remember who we are and save our democracy."
Judy has been performing the song live, and the overwhelming response compelled her to record it.
"It's not just here. It's a worldwide problem," Judy added.
Judy Collins will be at Birmingham's Glee Club for the celebratory show on January 29. For tickets, click here.
