The singer-songwriter Linda Ronstadt celebrates 78 today
With a career spanning over five decades, Linda Ronstadt has sold over 100 million records worldwide and earned numerous awards, including 11 Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, and an Emmy Award
The singer-songwriter Linda Ronstadt celebrates 78 today
Linda Maria Ronstadt was born on July 15, 1946, in Tucson, Arizona. Raised in a musical family, Ronstadt’s early exposure to a variety of genres, including Mexican folk music, country, and rock and roll, significantly influenced her eclectic musical style. Her father, Gilbert Ronstadt, was a successful machinery merchant and a musician, while her mother, Ruth Mary (Copeman) Ronstadt, was a homemaker with a talent for playing the ukulele.
Ronstadt’s musical career began in the mid-1960s when she moved to Los Angeles and joined the folk-rock group the Stone Poneys. The band gained attention with their hit single “Different Drum” in 1967, written by Michael Nesmith of The Monkees. This success helped Ronstadt establish herself as a talented and versatile vocalist.
In the early 1970s, Ronstadt embarked on a solo career, releasing a series of albums that showcased her ability to cross musical boundaries. Her 1974 album, “Heart Like a Wheel,” was a commercial and critical success, featuring hit singles like “You’re No Good” and “When Will I Be Loved.” The album earned Ronstadt her first Grammy Award and solidified her place in the music industry.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Ronstadt continued to dominate the charts with her powerful voice and diverse musical choices. She released a string of successful albums, including “Prisoner in Disguise” (1975), “Simple Dreams” (1977), and “Living in the USA” (1978). Her ability to seamlessly transition between rock, country, pop, and even operetta made her one of the most versatile and beloved singers of her generation.
In the 1980s, Ronstadt explored new musical territories, collaborating with Nelson Riddle and his orchestra to produce a trilogy of albums featuring pop standards: “What’s New” (1983), “Lush Life” (1984), and “For Sentimental Reasons” (1986). These albums were critically acclaimed and introduced a new generation to the Great American Songbook.
Ronstadt’s versatility didn’t stop there. She ventured into Mexican music with her 1987 album “Canciones de Mi Padre,” which paid tribute to her Mexican heritage and became the best-selling non-English language album in U.S. history. She continued to experiment with different genres, including jazz and Cajun music, further demonstrating her broad musical range.
In 2011, Ronstadt announced her retirement from singing, citing a rare condition known as progressive supranuclear palsy, a degenerative disease that affects the brain and impairs movement and speech. Despite her retirement from performing, Ronstadt remains active in the music community and continues to influence new artists.
Ronstadt published her memoir, “Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir,” in 2013, providing fans with an intimate look at her life and career. The book received positive reviews and added another dimension to her already impressive legacy.
Linda Ronstadt has never married, and she has two adopted children, Mary Clementine and Carlos. Throughout her life, she has been known for her privacy and dedication to her family.
With a career spanning over five decades, Linda Ronstadt has sold over 100 million records worldwide and earned numerous awards, including 11 Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, and an Emmy Award. In 2014, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Look back at Linda Ronstadt performing her song “Blue Bayou”
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