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Judy Collins’ Farewell: Why She’s the ‘Betty White of Folk’
Judy Collins at 87: The Folk Legend’s Farewell Tour and a Life Full of Music
Quick Summary: Judy Collins, one of America’s most beloved folk singers, is saying goodbye to full-time touring at age 87. But don’t worry — she’s not slowing down because she has to. She’s doing it because she wants to write books, work on a Broadway show, and enjoy life after 67 years on the road.
Who Is Judy Collins?
Imagine a singer whose voice has been compared to an angel’s, who introduced the world to songs by Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, and Stephen Sondheim, and who has been performing since she was three years old. That’s Judy Collins.
- Age: 87 (born 1939)
- Career Span: 67 years (started professionally in the late 1950s)
- Famous For: "Both Sides, Now," "Send in the Clowns," "Amazing Grace," "Suzanne"
- Latest Album: Spellbound (2022) — her first album of entirely original songs
- Tour: "Sweet Judy Blue Eyes Farewell Tour 2026–2027"
Why Is This Tour Special?
It’s Named After a Love Song Written for Her
The tour title comes from "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" — a classic song by Stephen Stills (of Crosby, Stills & Nash) written about her nearly 60 years ago. They dated briefly, then stayed best friends for six decades. They even toured together in 2017–2018, playing 115 shows!
Fun Fact: Judy says Stephen is "one of the great guitarists of all time" and that performing with him was "such a privilege."
She Loves Touring — Even the Parts Others Hate
Most musicians say: "I love the two hours on stage. The other 22 hours? Miserable."
Judy says: "I love all of it."
Why? It Started With Her Dad
- Her father was a radio entertainer for 30 years.
- At age 3, she went on tour with him to Butte, Montana.
- He asked: "Want to sing for these nice people?" → She sang "I’ll Be Home for Christmas"… in April.
- He asked: "Want to ride in the car?" → She said: "I want to do both."
She Still Loves the Journey:
"I get to see every tree that’s ever been considered to plant somewhere. I love planes. I love driving. I love everything that grows."
The "Miracle" That Saved Her Voice
The Problem
- Judy struggled with alcoholism for ~20 years.
- In 1977, she lost her voice completely.
- Diagnosis: Hemangioma (a blood vessel tumor) on her vocal cord — caused by heavy drinking.
- Doctors said: No cure. She’d never sing again.
The Miracle
- Her ENT doctor, Dr. Donald Wiseman, refused to give up.
- He tried an experimental procedure… and it worked.
- Her vocal cord healed cleanly — and has worked perfectly for nearly 50 years.
The Turnaround
| Event | Year |
|---|---|
| Vocal cord surgery | 1977 |
| Got sober | 1977 (48+ years sober!) |
| Met future husband Louis Nelson | 1977 (4 days before rehab) |
| Married Louis | 1978 (46 years together) |
Callout: Important Point
Judy calls this a "gift from a higher power." She credits:
- Max Martley — her voice teacher of 32 years (taught her clarity and phrasing)
- Dr. Wiseman — the doctor who saved her voice
- Sobriety — 48 years and counting
- Louis Nelson — her partner, best friend, and "amazing man"
A Love Story for the Ages
Louis Nelson wasn’t just "Judy’s husband." He was a brilliant architect/designer who:
- Designed the mural for the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
- Worked with generals, Korean officials, and American leaders
- Was proud, independent, and deeply loved
He passed away at the end of 2024.
Judy says: "It’s painful, heartbreaking… but I had 46 years with him. For an old hippie like me, that’s pretty good luck."
She Didn’t Write Songs Until Leonard Cohen Told Her To
- 1966: Meets Leonard Cohen → records his song "Suzanne" immediately.
- Cohen says: "Why aren’t you writing your own songs?"
- Judy writes "Since You Asked" → hasn’t stopped writing since.
Her Latest Creative Burst
- 2017: Husband Louis dares her: "Write something every day for a year."
- She writes 365 poems/song fragments → publishes poetry book "Sometimes It’s Heaven"
- Harvests songs from that year → creates "Spellbound" (2022) — first all-original album
Leonard Cohen Was Her Cheerleader:
He’d call her and read 40+ verses of "Hallelujah" asking: "Do you like it?"
She’d reply: "You’re the one who has to like it!"
Her Political Statement? Flowers. Every Night.
Since January 1, 2024, after singing "Amazing Grace," Judy:
- Pulls out two dozen roses kept under her piano (they’ve sat there for decades — never wilting!)
- Sings "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" (Pete Seeger’s anti-war classic)
- Walks into the audience and hands out every single rose
She calls this: "My political statement of the night — and it works wonders."
She’s a fan of historian Heather Cox Richardson and says: "I’m trying to be a Lincoln Republican."
Is This Really the End?
Interviewer: "Any ‘encore’ shows after the farewell tour?"
Judy: "I don’t know about that. I just know I’m on a farewell tour, and I like being here."
Interviewer: "So the billing helps fans know: ‘Catch her while you can.’"
Judy (laughing): "Always take advantage of things that are going out of style."
Tour Dates Include:
- Los Angeles: The Ford (with Bruce Cockburn)
- Other openers: Richard Thompson, Amanda Shires, Rosanne Cash, Mary Chapin Carpenter
- Runs through 2027 — so there’s still time!
Summary: What Makes Judy Collins Unforgettable?
| Trait | How She Shows It |
|---|---|
| Longevity | 67-year career, still touring at 87 |
| Voice | Saved by miracle surgery + 48 years sober + daily discipline |
| Joy | Loves every part of touring — even the travel |
| Friendship | 60-year bond with Stephen Stills; called "Betty White of folk" |
| Creativity | First all-original album at 83 (Spellbound) |
| Love | 46-year marriage to a brilliant, independent man |
| Courage | Hands out roses nightly as a plea for peace |
Final Thought: Judy Collins isn’t retiring because she’s tired. She’s "graduating" to her next acts: books, Broadway, and a life well-lived. And if she changes her mind? "I have a lot more juice in my engine."
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Is Judy Collins really retiring?
A: She’s doing a farewell tour (2026–2027), but says she might do "encore" shows. She’s not stopping music — just the grueling schedule of 100 shows/year.
How is her voice still so good at 87?
A: Three reasons:
- Miracle surgery in 1977 removed a vocal cord tumor
- 48 years sober (alcohol caused the tumor)
- Daily technique from her teacher of 32 years (clarity + phrasing)
Who wrote "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes"?
A: Stephen Stills wrote it about her in the late 1960s. They dated briefly, then were best friends for ~60 years. He even toured with her in 2017–2018.
What is Spellbound?
A: Her 2022 album — and the first one where she wrote every single song. She wrote them during a year of daily writing (dared by her husband!).
Why does she hand out roses at concerts?
A: Since Jan 1, 2024, after "Amazing Grace," she sings "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" and gives two dozen roses to the audience. She calls it her nightly prayer for peace.
Want to see her? Check the "Sweet Judy Blue Eyes Farewell Tour 2026–2027" schedule — she’s playing through 2027 with legends like Bruce Cockburn, Richard Thompson, and Rosanne Cash opening. Don’t wait — as Judy says: "Always take advantage of things that are going out of style."
