Mimi Baez Farina Falls to Lung Cancer

Folksinger and Social Activist

date: 07/19/01

Just weeks after the publication of David Hajdu's caustic and gossipy book detailing the complex interactions between Mimi, Richard, Joan and Bob Dylan (see my review), Mimi Baez Farina died on July 18. She had been fighting an extended battle against lung cancer.

Those who knew her remember her as an extraordinary human being in addition to being a fine musician in her own right and a creative activist. Her presence among us will be missed.

Joan Baez has cancelled a number of concerts during the past year to be with her sister.

For the best site I've seen - full of excellent photos and in depth critical essays on the life and art of both Mimi and Richard Farina - visit this fan site by Douglas Cook.
http://www.richardandmimi.com
and here's a page dedicated to Mimi - if you didn't have a chance to know her before, you'll feel like you did:
http://www.richardandmimi.com/mimi.html

For a very short, basic bio of Mimi:
http://music.excite.com/artist/biography/591175

For a review of the recently reissued album Pack Up Your Sorrows:
http://www.salon.com/ent/music/review/1999/10/13/farina/index.html

This site has two very good Real Audio versions of two of Richard and Mimi's finest recordings, "Pack Up Your Sorrows" and "Reflections in a Crystal Wind"; hear them in their entirety at:
http://www.hlmusic.com/RichardMimiFarina.htm

This site on Beat writers has a short bio of Richard Farina with lyrics to several of the duo's songs:
http://www.alltel.net/~humans/farina.html

Mimi Farina founded Bread and Roses, a non-profit music and service organization, in 1974. To really commemorate Mimi's extraordinary life, check their excellent website and consider making a contribution. The home page now opens with a tribute to its late founder:
http://www.breadandroses.com/
and don't miss the personal message from Mimi at this page:
http://members.ricochet.net/~breadros/mimi.html

Hugh Blumenfeld, Editor
hugh@balladtree.com