Linda Ronstadt with The Eagles "Desperado" video
July 13, 2006
Linda Ronstadt with The Eagles "Desperado" video.
Linda Ronstadt (born July 15, 1946) is an American singer most closely associated with the country rock genre prevalent in the 1970s. Though an occasional songwriter herself, she is better known as an interpreter of other songwriters' works.
Though she began her recording career singing folk music with her band the Stone Poneys in the mid-to late-1960s, Ronstadt has been credited as a solo artist with singing in extraordinarily diverse genres ranging from more traditional country to rhythm & blues and including, among others, new wave, opera and mariachi. In its biography on her artist page, Rolling Stone's Web site reads, "she doesn't succeed at every style she attempts, but that hasn't stopped her from exploring new avenues…. check out her Trio recordings with Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton; they are essential listening for fans of any kind of music."
Linda Ronstadt's success is, in part, connected with the influence she had on or the influence she received from artists such as Harris, Parton, J.D. Souther, The Eagles, Andrew Gold, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Paul Simon, Mark Goldenberg, Karla Bonoff, Aaron Neville, James Taylor, Warren Zevon, Maria Muldaur, Nicolette Larson and Elvis Costello. Her reputation throughout the 1970s was of working with some of the most well-respected musicians in contemporary rock music but also of having her own strong sense of discipline.
Linda Ronstadt "Desperado" on her "Greatest Hits" (1976):
Without a doubt, Linda Ronstadt is one of the greatest American female voices/singers of the 20th century. No other singer has come close to demonstrating her versatility. It seems like she got on the bad side of a few jerks who now run the rock and roll hall of fame and unfortunately these guys have a lot of influence right now. In her prime, there was no other singer who was as popular or influential. She deserves to be inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame immediately. Some will say she did not write her own songs. So what. That can be said for many other acts who are already inducted. Her body of work speaks for itself. It's about time some serious historian would do a study and give her the credit she is due. More to come.
Posted by: Rich | July 14, 2006 at 04:48 AM
Linda Ronstadt to this day is a vibrant singer who is still exploring the world of music. She has a new album coming out in July with Cajun singer and historian Ann Savoy. I have heard the album and I can tell you: it is simply stunning - very simple, potent collection of songs with a Cajun flavor that are at the same time haunting and beautiful. I highly recommend it.
Posted by: Steve | July 14, 2006 at 05:51 PM
This might be a foregone conclusion to the rest of you,but where is the piano player and why is that person not shown?
Posted by: MP | July 21, 2006 at 07:39 AM