TCG Letter #913

Charles Micthell, husband of folk singer Joni Mitchell wrote to Tolkien asking if he could use two names, Lorien and Strider as names for a publsihing and a recording company to protect their music. He had read Tolkien's works of Middle-earth and Joni was in the process of reading the Lord of the Rings. Tolkien replied giving his permission. Charles would write further with Tolkien's publisher when EMI refused Strider as it was too similar to Stride Publishing, they suggested Aragorn, but again it was said to be too similar to Aragon. They finally settled on Gandalf and the publisher agreed. He would write to Tolkien again (see Letter from Charles Mitchell to J.R.R. Tolkien • 26 August 1966 (#912)) enclosing lyrics.