At 87, singer-songwriter Judy Collins remains a formidable presence in the music world, performing roughly 120 shows annually worldwide. Known for her clear, high voice and a repertoire that spans iconic folk and contemporary songs—from Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” to Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne” and Stephen Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns”—Collins has recently embarked on a farewell tour she calls Sweet Judy Blue Eyes, named after the classic Crosby, Stills & Nash song written about her by Stephen Stills.
Collins, a Grammy winner whose career began in the 1960s, performed at Los Angeles’s Ford Theatre shortly before an interview at the Beverly Hilton, a hotel she frequents partially because of its quality breakfast. The tour will continue in Southern California through late September, with scheduled stops in Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, and Aliso Viejo next year.
Despite decades on stage, Collins remains dedicated to the intimate connection between performer and audience. She supports management’s recent decisions to prohibit photography and video recording during shows, emphasizing that such restrictions help maintain audience focus and preserve the live experience. “People need the chance to focus,” she said, underscoring the importance of silence and attentiveness in an increasingly noisy world.
Reflecting on her age, Collins noted the resonance her milestone holds for audiences spanning multiple generations. She believes many attendees see her as a living link to key moments of social activism from the past and are also questioning contemporary movements, stating, “People are coming to see their history.”
Throughout her career and life, Collins has faced personal challenges, including long-term sobriety spanning nearly five decades, struggles with disordered eating, and the deaths of her husband, Louis Nelson, in 2024, and her son in 1992. She described how continuing to perform provided healing and purpose during difficult periods, citing advice from her late friend Joan Rivers to keep working as a path to recovery.
Collins’ performances frequently draw on a deep well of folk traditions and artist collaborations. She fondly recalls her early days in Denver’s folk scene and credits her father—a longtime radio personality—for her early immersion in the arts. While she has recorded songs by numerous legendary songwriters, she maintains a strong personal connection to their work, sharing an anecdote about Leonard Cohen’s former partner revealing the impact Collins’ recordings had on their relationship.
Beyond the tour, Collins is engaged in several projects, including composing music for a Broadway show and working on a new book titled “Singing Through the Storm,” expected next year. She also practices tai chi daily and hopes more people embrace it as a means for personal and social transformation.
Even as she contemplates retirement from touring, Collins remains focused on the present. Aware that other artists have staged multiple ‘farewell’ tours, she emphasizes the uncertainty of such announcements but insists that at this moment, she is committed to her audience and craft. With lyrics arranged on a music stand as a security measure during performances, she continues to draw strength from her art and connection with listeners, acknowledging that her work is ongoing and far from complete.