(Bloomberg) — Joni Mitchell said she’s pulling her music from Spotify Technology SA following a similar move by Neil Young, while Barry Manilow said he’s keeping his on the streaming service amid rumors he was also removing his songs.
Mitchell said she’s standing by Young, who accused podcaster Joe Rogan of spreading vaccine misinformation on his show distributed by Spotify. Young removed his music from the service in protest, prompting the hashtag #spotifydeleted to trend on social media.
“Irresponsible people are spreading lies that are costing people their lives,” Mitchell, known for hits such as “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Help Me,” said on her website. “I stand in solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical communities on this issue.”
Meanwhile, Manilow refuted rumors on social media after Young’s move.
“I recently heard a rumor about me and Spotify,” the singer said Friday in an emailed statement. “I don’t know where it started, but it didn’t start with me or anyone who represents me.”
Manilow’s comments also suggest Spotify isn’t seeing a wave of musicians joining Young in solidarity.
Rogan hosts the streaming platform’s most popular podcast, pulling in millions of listeners and downloads every month. Manilow, known for hits such as “Copacabana (At the Copa)” and “Mandy,” has more than 2.8 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Mitchell has 3.7 million.
More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
©2022 Bloomberg L.P.
