The 1980s singer Joni Mitchell called the best for rock music: “No one else can sing with such a sneer”
Joni Mitchell chose Billy Idol to sing on *Chalk Mark in a Rain Storm*, believing his voice brought the right rock attitude to her songs. Her praise matters because it shows she saw something authentic and humorous in the era’s rock-star posturing, despite her reservations about the direction popular music had taken.
Mitchell said, “No one else can sing with such a sneer,” and described Idol as old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll, comparing his self-image to Elvis. She considered his bad-boy manner sincere as well as funny, and thought he came closest among 1980s artists to capturing rock ’n’ roll’s spirit. Idol sang on “Dancin’ Clown”; Don Henley also contributed to the album.
- Mitchell praised Billy Idol’s distinctive sneer.
- She saw his rock-star posturing as both sincere and humorous.
- Idol appeared on her album *Chalk Mark in a Rain Storm*.
New here? Start with this
Joni Mitchell is a Canadian singer-songwriter whose music often blends folk, jazz and pop. Billy Idol is a British singer who became famous in the 1980s for punk-influenced rock and a rebellious public image.
Mitchell invited Idol to sing on her 1988 album *Chalk Mark in a Rain Storm*, including on the song “Dancin’ Clown”. The album also featured singer Don Henley. Their collaboration brought together Mitchell’s more varied songwriting and Idol’s rough-edged rock style.