Revisiting Pegi Young on Otis, Janis, Joni, JJ Cale, Clapton, the Dead and more

Today we’re revisiting my chat with the gracious Pegi Young, humanitarian and singer-songwriter, who sadly passed away last week from cancer. Here is our conversation from 2017, a lovely and wide-ranging chat on her biggest musical influences.

Singer-songwriter Pegi Young’s new album ‘Raw’ was inspired by her recent divorce, but her musical identity has been developing for decades, taking inspiration from her heroes, peers and people who have become friends, as she moved from backing vocalist for ex-husband Neil to mature solo artist. We talk about her biggest influences, from Otis Redding to Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell to Billie Holliday, Paul McCartney to Bonnie Raitt, JJ Cale to the Grateful Dead, Laura Nyro to Eric Clapton.

Plus, how curating the annual Bridge School Benefits has helped her discover new artists, how the trauma of her divorce left her temporarily unable to play guitar and why she hopes her new music will resonate with audiences who don’t share her life experiences.