Linda Ronstadt
Biography
With roots in the Los Angeles country and folk-rock scenes, Linda Ronstadt became one of the most popular interpretive singers of the '70s, earning a string of platinum-selling albums and Top 40 singles. Throughout the '70s, her laid-back pop never lost sight of her folky roots, yet as she moved into the '80s, she began to change her sound with the times, adding new wave influences. After a brief flirtation with pre-rock pop, Ronstadt settled into a pattern of adult contemporary pop and Latin albums, sustaining her popularity in both fields.
While Ronstadt was a student at Arizona State University, she met guitarist Bob Kimmel. The duo moved to Los Angeles, where guitarist/songwriter Kenny Edwards joined the pair. Calling themselves the Stone Poneys, the group became a leading attraction on California's folk circuit, recording their first album in 1967. The band's second album, Evergreen, Vol. 2, featured the Top 20 hit "Different Drum," which was written by Michael Nesmith. After recording one more album with the group, Ronstadt left for a solo career at the end of 1968.
Ronstadt's first two solo albums -- Hand Sown Home Grown (1969) and Silk Purse (1970) -- accentuated her country roots, featuring several honky tonk numbers. Released in 1971, her self-titled third album was a pivotal record in her career. Featuring a group of session musicians who would later form the Eagles, the album was a softer, more laid-back variation of the country-rock she had been recording. With the inclusion of songs from singer/songwriters like Jackson Browne, Neil Young, and Eric Anderson, Linda Ronstadt had folk-rock connections as well. Don't Cry Now, released in 1973, followed the same formula to greater success, yet it was 1974's Heart Like a Wheel that perfected the sound, making Ronstadt a star. Featuring the hit covers "You're No Good," "When Will I Be Loved," and "It Doesn't Matter Anymore," Heart Like a Wheel reached number one and sold over two million copies.
Released in the fall of 1975, Prisoner in Disguise followed the same pattern as Heart Like a Wheel and was nearly as successful. Hasten Down the Wind, released in 1976, suggested a holding pattern, even if it charted higher than Prisoner in Disguise. Simple Dreams (1977) expanded the formula by adding a more rock-oriented supporting band, which breathed life into the Rolling Stones' "Tumbling Dice" and Warren Zevon's "Poor Poor Pitiful Me." The record became the singer's biggest hit, staying on the top of the charts for five weeks and selling over three million copies. With Living in the U.S.A. (1978), Ronstadt began experimenting with new wave, recording Elvis Costello's "Alison"; the album was another number one hit. On 1980's Mad Love, she made a full-fledged new wave record, recording three Costello songs and adopting a synth-laden sound. While the album was a commercial success, it signalled that her patented formula was beginning to run out of steam. That suspicion was confirmed with 1982's Get Closer, her first album since Heart Like a Wheel to fail to go platinum.
Sensing it was time to change direction, Ronstadt starred in the Broadway production of Gilbert & Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance, as well as the accompanying movie. Pirates of Penzance led the singer to a collaboration with Nelson Riddle, who arranged and conducted her 1983 collection of pop standards What's New. While it received lukewarm reviews, it was a considerable hit, reaching number three on the charts and selling over two million copies. Ronstadt's next two albums -- Lush Life (1984) and For Sentimental Reasons (1986) -- were also albums of pre-rock standards recorded with Riddle.
At the end of 1986, Ronstadt returned to contemporary pop, recording "Somewhere Out There," the theme to the animated An American Tail, with James Ingram; the single became a number two hit. She also returned to her country roots in 1987, recording the Trio album with Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris. That same year, Ronstadt recorded Canciones de Mi Padre, a set of traditional Mexican songs that became a surprise hit. Two years later, she recorded Cry Like a Rainstorm - Howl Like the Wind -- her first contemporary pop album since 1982's Get Closer. Featuring four duets with Aaron Neville, including the number two hit "Don't Know Much," the album sold over two million copies.
Ronstadt returned to traditional Mexican and Spanish material with Mas Canciones (1991) and Frenesi (1992). She returned to pop with 1994's Winter Light, which failed to generate a hit single, as did 1995's Feels Like Home. In 1996, she released the children's album Dedicated to the One I Love; We Ran followed in 1998. Two years later, Ronstadt delivered the holiday collection A Merry Little Christmas. Another collection of standards, Hummin' to Myself arrived in 2004, followed by Adieu False Heart, a collaboration with Ann Savoy of the Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band in 2006. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Selected Discography

Hummin' To Myself
2004

The Very Best Of Linda Ronstadt
2002

We Ran
1998

Mas Canciones
1990

Cry Like A Rainstorm, Howl Like The Wind
1989

Get Closer
1982

Mad Love
1980

Greatest Hits - Volume 2
1980

Living In The U.S.A.
1978

Simple Dreams
1977

Linda Ronstadt: Greatest Hits
1976

Hasten Down The Wind
1976

Prisoner In Disguise
1975

Heart Like A Wheel
1974

Don't Cry Now
1973

Linda Ronstadt
1971
Normally, cheesy remakes of songs are just that - cheesy. But Linda is the Queen of the covers. When she remakes a song, she makes it hers! And often better than the original. Who else has ever covered Buddy Holly or Smokey Robinson and upgraded the material (sorry, guys, it's true)? Great, accessable voice. Great choice of material. Plenty of guts to try new things (big band, Spanish songs). And she's so cute!
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Heart like a wheel...yes. "Driven the back roads so I wouldn't get weighed. Weed, whites, and wine." Truckin' in '74! A great description, even though I'm glad people don't do that (so much) anymore...or at least I don't want to meet on the road! Maybe later at the bar, or fishin' or something... g r e a t characters nonetheless.
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Lovely Linda is the best at evoking the heart of the 70s folk rock. No one is better with these hits.
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re: her politics. She was going out with Jerry Brown, who was governor and son of another governor. And yes, he (and she) was pretty liberal. I've been a fan since I saw the Stone Poneys open for The Doors in 1967 or 1968. How old does that make her? Or me?
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it seems like all (or most) of the nelson riddle recordings are missing from your database. Please add -- especially the round midnight album
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Pls add "Dreams to Dream" - I never heard a song sang with more heart.
It's one of the best musical recordings ever - period! |
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Yeah, I don't anything about her political involvment.. . but I do know her voice is amazing and she made an adorable Mabel in Pirates of Penzance!
She can do anything. |
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LR is my favorite lady singer of all time. Her whole body of work down through the years shows a maturing talent and a diversity rarely matched. What kind of politics has she favored, liberal or conservative ? I remember she dated a California Governor named Jerry something at one time. I think he was a liberal. Any way, she is an all around champ entertainer!
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Is there anything LR can't do??? Pop, rock country, opera, Mexican...I think she's an awesome talent
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She makes my day & Night, Thats To Say her voice has charm and Warmth that can come only from a heart thats Been Broken at one time,but on the Road to recovery. DONT STOP SINGING PLSEEEEEEEEE . YOUR LOVEING LISTENER---- - - - -
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Her political views suck real big...so I would certainly not listen to her music....she ' s a load!!!!
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I love Linda's music, but I can't stand her personality. When I go to a concert, I want to hear the music, not the entertainers left wing view of the world.
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she does good work...i dont hear alot about her anymore,id like to though...exc e p t that "big band"stuff.. .
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The multi-talent e d Linda leaves us breathless with her skillfull and melodic interpertati o n s of beautifully sung songs. She will go down as one of the very best in her era of time. Keep on " keeping on" Ms. Ronstadt!
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I have always loved Linda's music even if I can't stand her hard left wing politics. I would attend more of her concerts if she would stick to music and not push her left wing agenda on the audiance.
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I love singers, and Linda is by far one of the best ever! A beautiful voice, "like an angel", and she speaks for those without a voice!
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Linda is a good vocalist with very tasteful interpretati o n . She needs to tone down her upper register. It's usually too strong for the rest of the song.
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LINDA RONSTADT IS JUST A GREAT SINGER..BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME AND NEVER FAILS TO INTERTAIN,VE R Y NICE LOOKING LADY AS WELL..THANKS PANDORA
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In addition to the requests for Linda Rondstadt with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, please add "Trio" and "Trio II" in which she performs with Emmy Lou Harris & Dolly Parton. Incredible!
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No one can surpass that voice! She's what started it all for women in country and rock.
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Yes please add "Canciones de me Padre they are also a good album, for some the best...
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as emmylou once said---"the voice of an angel"
i've always loved that voice...by far the best female voice of all time |
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