Linda Maria Ronstadt (born July 15, 1946) is an American popular music singer….who has earned 11 Grammy Awards….three American Music Awards….two Academy of Country Music awards….an Emmy Award and an ALMA Award….as many of her albums have been certified gold, platinum or multiplatinum in the United states and internationally. She has also earned nominations for a Tony Award and a Golden Globe award. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2014. On July 28, 2014, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts and Humanities.
In total, she has released over 30 studio albums and 15 compilation or greatest hits albums….as an artist who charted 38 Billboard Hot 100 singles…..with 21 reaching the top 40….10 in the top 10….three at number 2…..and “You’re NoGood” at number 1. This success did not translate to the UK….where only her single “Blue Bayou” reached the UK Top 40….which is featured in the video herewith. Her duet with Aaron Neville, “Don’t Know Much” peaked at number 2 in December 1989. In addition, she has charted 36 albums….10 top-10 albums….and three number 1 albums on the Billboard Pop Album Chart. Her autobiography, Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir, was published in September 2013. It debuted in the Top 10 on the New York Times Best Sellers List.
Ronstadt has collaborated with artists in diverse genres….including Bette Midler, Billy Eckstine, Frank Zappa, Rosemary Clooney, Flaco Jiménez, Philip Glass, Warren Zevon, Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons, Dolly Parton, Neil Young, Johnny Cash, and Nelson Riddle. She has lent her voice to over 120 albums and has sold more than 100 million records….making her one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time. Christopher Loudon, of Jazz Times, wrote in 2004 that Ronstadt is “blessed with arguably the most sterling set of pipes of her generation.”
After completing her last live concert in late 2009, Ronstadt retired in 2011. She was diagnosed as having Parkinson’s disease in December 2012, which left her unable to sing….but this video provides undenyable evidence of her awesome style and voice….and is well worth the watch.
