LINDA RONSTADT BIOGRAPHY:
Linda Marie Ronstadt was born on July 15, 1946, in Tucson, Arizona. She is an American singer known for her versatile vocal range and eclectic musical style. Her career spans several decades, making her one of the most successful female artists in the music industry. Ronstadt’s work encompasses various genres, including rock, folk, country, and Latin music.
Early Life and Work
Linda Ronstadt was the third child of Gilbert Ronstadt, a successful machinery merchant who owned the F. Ronstadt Co., and Ruth Mary Ronstadt, a homemaker. Linda was brought up in a Roman Catholic household, alongside her siblings Peter, Michael, and Gretchen. The family lived on a 10-acre ranch, and Family Circle magazine featured their story in 1953.
In the late 1960s, Linda Ronstadt embarked on her musical journey as the lead vocalist of the folk-rock group, the Stone Poneys. The band achieved moderate success with their hit single “Different Drum.” However, it was Ronstadt’s solo career that truly propelled her to stardom. She released her self-titled debut album in 1969, showcasing her unique voice and establishing her as a rising talent.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Ronstadt released numerous successful albums that showcased her diverse musical interests. She explored rock with albums like “Heart Like a Wheel” and “Simple Dreams,” which produced chart-topping hits like “You’re No Good” and “Blue Bayou.” Ronstadt’s ability to effortlessly switch between genres became her trademark, and she tackled country music with the album “Trio,” a collaboration with fellow country artists Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris.
In addition to her English-language music, Ronstadt explored her Mexican heritage and released albums of traditional Mexican music. This included “Canciones de Mi Padre” and “Mas Canciones.” These albums highlighted her deep connection to her roots and introduced her to a wider audience.
Personal Life of Linda Ronstadt
Ronstadt has lived a relatively private life, but was in relationships with notable figures such as California Governor Jerry Brown. She was also engaged to Star Wars director George Lucas, from 1983 to 1988.
In December 1990, Ronstadt expanded her family by adopting an infant daughter named Mary Clementine Ronstadt. Four years later, she adopted a baby boy named Carlos Ronstadt in 1994. Ronstadt has never married.
In the late 1980s, Ronstadt was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which affected her ability to sing. She granted an interview to the Arizona Daily Star in 2011, where she announced her retirement. In an interview in August 2013, she disclosed that she had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, rendering her unable to sing. She was subsequently re-evaluated as having progressive supranuclear palsy. In 2022, Ronstadt released her memoir titled “Feels Like Home: A Song for the Sonoran Borderlands.”
Linda Ronstadt’s contributions to the music industry have earned her numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.