The best guitarist Chrissie Hynde ever heard: “A fuckin’ excellent guitar player”
Chrissie Hynde has praised Joni Mitchell as an exceptional guitarist, arguing that her playing deserves recognition alongside her celebrated songwriting. Hynde’s admiration reflects Mitchell’s influence on her both as a musician and as a woman navigating fame and expectations in the music industry.
Hynde told Rolling Stone that leading guitarists rate Mitchell among the best, calling her “a fuckin’ excellent guitar player”. The article also recalls Mitchell’s discomfort with public attention and her eventual disillusionment with the music industry, set against her return to performing and the breadth of her musical skills.
In short
- Hynde regards Joni Mitchell as one of the great guitarists.
- Mitchell’s guitar work is often overshadowed by her songwriting.
- Her return to music inspires Hynde.
Explained simply
Chrissie Hynde is the singer and guitarist who founded the rock band the Pretenders. Joni Mitchell is a Canadian singer-songwriter whose songs, including “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Both Sides, Now”, have been widely praised for their lyrics and distinctive melodies.
Mitchell is also a guitarist, known for unusual tunings that give her songs distinctive sounds. Her work has influenced generations of musicians, though public attention and expectations placed on women in the music industry have sometimes sat uneasily with her.
Hynde’s praise draws attention to Mitchell’s guitar playing as well as her songwriting. The distinction matters because Mitchell is often discussed chiefly as a songwriter, despite the role her musicianship has played in shaping her music.