He was raised in Maple, Ontario, received his B.A. from the University of Toronto in 1966, and began performing as Joe Mendelson in 1964. Four years later, he joined forces with guitarist Mike McKenna to create the band McKenna Mendelson Mainline.
The group momentarily came back together in 1975 after being inactive until 1972. After adopting his current identity, Joe began performing alone in 1975. He frequently collaborated with creatives including Ben Mink, Colin Linden, and Gwen Swick.
Mendelson Joe Cause Of Death: What Happened To The Canadian Singer-Songwriter, Visual Artist and Activist
Joe’s wife, Karen Robinson, verified he died at his home in Emsdale, Ontario, which is north of Toronto, using Canada’s medical help in dying program after suffering from Parkinson’s disease for more than five years.
Joe wrote his own obituary in which he declared Parkinson’s disease to be his “death end.” He thanked Canada for legalizing medical aid in dying and referred to it as “a hallmark of a civilized civilization.”