Linda Ronstadt Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research
4 minute read
Updated 1:56 PM EDT, Wed June 28, 2023
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Ronstadt was born in Tucson, Arizona, in 1946 and grew up on her grandfather's cattle ranch. He was originally from Sonora, Mexico, and the Ronstadt family would often drive across the border to shop and socialize.
Ronstadt was born in Tucson, Arizona, in 1946 and grew up on her grandfather's cattle ranch. He was originally from Sonora, Mexico, and the Ronstadt family would often drive across the border to shop and socialize.
Linda Ronstadt Archives
"We knew many of the families in the north of Mexico, and we attended one another's balls, picnics, weddings and baptisms," Ronstadt wrote in her 2013 memoir, "Simple Dreams." "I deeply miss those times when the border was a permeable line and the two cultures mixed in a natural and agreeable fashion."
"We knew many of the families in the north of Mexico, and we attended one another's balls, picnics, weddings and baptisms," Ronstadt wrote in her 2013 memoir, "Simple Dreams." "I deeply miss those times when the border was a permeable line and the two cultures mixed in a natural and agreeable fashion."
Linda Ronstadt Archives
Ronstadt's childhood home was always filled with music, and vocal talent seemed her birthright. Her father "had a beautiful baritone singing voice," she says in her book, and her grandfather conducted a brass band in the late 19th century. Meanwhile, her aunt was a performer who specialized in traditional music from parts of Mexico and Spain.
Ronstadt's childhood home was always filled with music, and vocal talent seemed her birthright. Her father "had a beautiful baritone singing voice," she says in her book, and her grandfather conducted a brass band in the late 19th century. Meanwhile, her aunt was a performer who specialized in traditional music from parts of Mexico and Spain.
Linda Ronstadt Archives
By the time she reached her teens, Ronstadt and her siblings had formed a band and would play at local clubs. Commercial folk music intrigued them the most, Ronstadt writes; they would learn songs by Peter, Paul and Mary and then rearrange them to fit their own voices.
By the time she reached her teens, Ronstadt and her siblings had formed a band and would play at local clubs. Commercial folk music intrigued them the most, Ronstadt writes; they would learn songs by Peter, Paul and Mary and then rearrange them to fit their own voices.
Linda Ronstadt Archives
Ronstadt briefly enrolled at the University of Arizona in 1964 but dropped out to pursue a singing career in California. Bobby Kimmel, a musician who played bass in her siblings' band, introduced her to a guitarist named Kenny Edwards. The trio formed the folk group the Stone Poneys and began booking gigs after playing an open mic night at <a href="http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/us-music-venues/index.html" target="_blank">L.A.'s famous Troubadour venue.</a>
Ronstadt briefly enrolled at the University of Arizona in 1964 but dropped out to pursue a singing career in California. Bobby Kimmel, a musician who played bass in her siblings' band, introduced her to a guitarist named Kenny Edwards. The trio formed the folk group the Stone Poneys and began booking gigs after playing an open mic night at L.A.'s famous Troubadour venue.
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The Stone Poneys released their first and second albums in 1967, and soon after had their first hit with a version of "Different Drum," a bluegrass track by The Greenbriar Boys. With their song playing on Top 40 radio, the band got an even bigger gig opening for The Doors on tour. Yet at the end of their jaunt, the other two members of the Stone Poneys began to pursue other passions, and Ronstadt -- seen here on "The Johnny Cash Show" in 1969 -- became a solo act.
The Stone Poneys released their first and second albums in 1967, and soon after had their first hit with a version of "Different Drum," a bluegrass track by The Greenbriar Boys. With their song playing on Top 40 radio, the band got an even bigger gig opening for The Doors on tour. Yet at the end of their jaunt, the other two members of the Stone Poneys began to pursue other passions, and Ronstadt -- seen here on "The Johnny Cash Show" in 1969 -- became a solo act.
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"I was painfully unprepared to be a solo act," Ronstadt writes in her memoir. "We had relied on Kimmel to write the songs, and I had no repertoire of my own." She began to experiment with the songs she'd sung as a kid and sought more musicians to work with - including the basis of what would become The Eagles, pictured here with Ronstadt and California Gov. Jerry Brown, whom Ronstadt famously dated.
"I was painfully unprepared to be a solo act," Ronstadt writes in her memoir. "We had relied on Kimmel to write the songs, and I had no repertoire of my own." She began to experiment with the songs she'd sung as a kid and sought more musicians to work with - including the basis of what would become The Eagles, pictured here with Ronstadt and California Gov. Jerry Brown, whom Ronstadt famously dated.
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Ronstadt released four solo albums between 1969 and 1973, but it wasn't until 1974's "Heart Like A Wheel" that the singer collected her first Grammy Award, along with two No. 1 hits. Both "You're No Good," her take on Clint Ballard Jr.'s 1963 original, and her version of The Everly Brothers' "When Will I Be Loved," climbed to the top of Billboard's pop and country charts, respectively. Ronstadt, seen here with Ringo Starr (left) and Paul Williams, picked up a second golden gramaphone for her 1976 album "Hasten Down the Wind."
Ronstadt released four solo albums between 1969 and 1973, but it wasn't until 1974's "Heart Like A Wheel" that the singer collected her first Grammy Award, along with two No. 1 hits. Both "You're No Good," her take on Clint Ballard Jr.'s 1963 original, and her version of The Everly Brothers' "When Will I Be Loved," climbed to the top of Billboard's pop and country charts, respectively. Ronstadt, seen here with Ringo Starr (left) and Paul Williams, picked up a second golden gramaphone for her 1976 album "Hasten Down the Wind."
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By the end of the 1970s, Ronstadt was rock music's "Million Dollar Woman," <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/linda-ronstadt-the-million-dollar-woman-35416/" target="_blank" target="_blank">as a Rolling Stone profile by Cameron Crowe</a> described. The photos that ran with the profile were taken by Annie Leibovitz, including this iconic shot of Ronstadt in red.
By the end of the 1970s, Ronstadt was rock music's "Million Dollar Woman," as a Rolling Stone profile by Cameron Crowe described. The photos that ran with the profile were taken by Annie Leibovitz, including this iconic shot of Ronstadt in red.
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Building on the success of songs like "Blue Bayou" and "Heat Wave," Ronstadt -- seen here with a mother and baby camel during her African safari in Nairobi, Kenya in 1979 -- became a mega-star performing in sold-out arenas.
Building on the success of songs like "Blue Bayou" and "Heat Wave," Ronstadt -- seen here with a mother and baby camel during her African safari in Nairobi, Kenya in 1979 -- became a mega-star performing in sold-out arenas.
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As the story goes, Ronstadt had just finished singing the National Anthem at a 1977 World Series game when she stepped into an L.A. restaurant called Lucy's. She was seated next to California Gov. Jerry Brown and the rest, as they say, was romantic history. "Jerry likes passionate music. He likes passionate music, passionate women," Ronstadt says of her years-long relationship with Brown in the CNN Films documentary. "We had a really good time together."
As the story goes, Ronstadt had just finished singing the National Anthem at a 1977 World Series game when she stepped into an L.A. restaurant called Lucy's. She was seated next to California Gov. Jerry Brown and the rest, as they say, was romantic history. "Jerry likes passionate music. He likes passionate music, passionate women," Ronstadt says of her years-long relationship with Brown in the CNN Films documentary. "We had a really good time together."
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At the dawn of the 1980s, Ronstadt was at the top of her game. "Linda was the queen," Bonnie Raitt says in CNN Films' documentary on the singer. "She was like what Beyonce is now." Ronstadt is pictured here backstage with David Bowie in 1980.
At the dawn of the 1980s, Ronstadt was at the top of her game. "Linda was the queen," Bonnie Raitt says in CNN Films' documentary on the singer. "She was like what Beyonce is now." Ronstadt is pictured here backstage with David Bowie in 1980.
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Ronstadt continued to rack up Grammy wins and nominations throughout the 1980s, including two nods for her album "Get Closer." Seen here is the dress she wears on the cover of the 1982 album.
Ronstadt continued to rack up Grammy wins and nominations throughout the 1980s, including two nods for her album "Get Closer." Seen here is the dress she wears on the cover of the 1982 album.
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But at the same time, Ronstadt says she began to long for something different. She found it in Joseph Papp's production of "The Pirates of Penzance," an operetta that put Ronstadt on Broadway. It may have seemed like a detour, but it was really Ronstadt returning to her roots: Her paternal grandfather wrote an instrumental arrangement for "Pirates" in 1896.
But at the same time, Ronstadt says she began to long for something different. She found it in Joseph Papp's production of "The Pirates of Penzance," an operetta that put Ronstadt on Broadway. It may have seemed like a detour, but it was really Ronstadt returning to her roots: Her paternal grandfather wrote an instrumental arrangement for "Pirates" in 1896.
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Ronstadt had known country superstars Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris (center and right) for years by the time the three decided to release the album "Trio." The record, which arrived in 1987, went platinum; gave the stars another No. 1 with "To Know Him Is To Love Him"; and won a Grammy for best country performance by a duo or a group.
Ronstadt had known country superstars Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris (center and right) for years by the time the three decided to release the album "Trio." The record, which arrived in 1987, went platinum; gave the stars another No. 1 with "To Know Him Is To Love Him"; and won a Grammy for best country performance by a duo or a group.
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By the late 1980s, Ronstadt had tackled folk, rock, pop, country and even light opera - and the musical style that was calling her next was one that reminded her of home. Drawing on her Mexican heritage and the songs of her childhood, Ronstadt released a Spanish-language album called "Canciones de Mi Padre" despite resistance from her record company. It was a risk, but Ronstadt's convictions were rewarded as the album went double platinum.
By the late 1980s, Ronstadt had tackled folk, rock, pop, country and even light opera - and the musical style that was calling her next was one that reminded her of home. Drawing on her Mexican heritage and the songs of her childhood, Ronstadt released a Spanish-language album called "Canciones de Mi Padre" despite resistance from her record company. It was a risk, but Ronstadt's convictions were rewarded as the album went double platinum.
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Ronstadt met singer Aaron Neville at the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans, and when it came time to record her 1989 album "Cry Like A Rainstorm, Howl Like The Wind," working with Neville was at the top of her list. The resulting songs "Don't Know Much" and "All My Life" earned the duo another two Grammys.
Ronstadt met singer Aaron Neville at the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans, and when it came time to record her 1989 album "Cry Like A Rainstorm, Howl Like The Wind," working with Neville was at the top of her list. The resulting songs "Don't Know Much" and "All My Life" earned the duo another two Grammys.
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The super-group of (left to right) Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton reunited for a second album, aptly titled "Trio II," in 1999. Here, the three singers perform on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."
The super-group of (left to right) Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton reunited for a second album, aptly titled "Trio II," in 1999. Here, the three singers perform on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."
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Ronstadt, seen here accepting the Trailblazer Award during the 2008 ALMA Awards, released her last solo album in 2004. Called "Hummin' to Myself," it was a collection of standard songs recorded with a small jazz ensemble, Ronstadt writes in her memoir. "After I turned 50, my voice began to change, as older voices will," she said. "I re-crafted my singing style and looked for new ways to tell a story with the voice I had."
Ronstadt, seen here accepting the Trailblazer Award during the 2008 ALMA Awards, released her last solo album in 2004. Called "Hummin' to Myself," it was a collection of standard songs recorded with a small jazz ensemble, Ronstadt writes in her memoir. "After I turned 50, my voice began to change, as older voices will," she said. "I re-crafted my singing style and looked for new ways to tell a story with the voice I had."
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In a 2013 interview with <a href="https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/books/info-08-2013/linda-ronstadt-discusses-parkinsons-memoir-simple-dreams.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">AARP magazine</a>, Ronstadt said she suspected Parkinson's disease had already begun to alter her voice for at least seven or eight years prior to her diagnosis. Here, she's awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music during the Berklee College of Music Commencement in 2009.
In a 2013 interview with AARP magazine, Ronstadt said she suspected Parkinson's disease had already begun to alter her voice for at least seven or eight years prior to her diagnosis. Here, she's awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music during the Berklee College of Music Commencement in 2009.
Josh Reynolds/AP
Ronstadt performed her last concert in 2009. Two years later, the same year she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy (pictured), Ronstadt formally announced her retirement.
Ronstadt performed her last concert in 2009. Two years later, the same year she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy (pictured), Ronstadt formally announced her retirement.
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In 2013, Ronstadt revealed that she could no longer sing because of Parkinson's disease. "I just lost a lot of different colors of my voice," she says in CNN Films' documentary. "Singing is really complex. And I was made most aware of it by having it banished. I can still sing in my mind, but I can't do it physically."
In 2013, Ronstadt revealed that she could no longer sing because of Parkinson's disease. "I just lost a lot of different colors of my voice," she says in CNN Films' documentary. "Singing is really complex. And I was made most aware of it by having it banished. I can still sing in my mind, but I can't do it physically."
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Former <a href="http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2014/07/28/bts-obama-linda-ronstadt-crush.cnn.html" target="_blank">President Barack Obama likely spoke for many</a> when he admitted to Ronstadt during the 2014 National Medal of Arts ceremony that he had a crush on her "back in the day."
Former President Barack Obama likely spoke for many when he admitted to Ronstadt during the 2014 National Medal of Arts ceremony that he had a crush on her "back in the day."
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Today, Ronstadt, who has two children, lives in the Bay Area with her son, according to the <a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-09-04/linda-ronstadt-documentary-the-sound-of-her-life" target="_blank" target="_blank">Los Angeles Times</a>.<br /><br />While she sometimes still appears in the spotlight -- as she did earlier this year, when she and Emmylou Harris (left) presented Dolly Parton with the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year award -- she mostly sticks close to home, she told the Times.<br /><br />"There's nothing I can do about it. It's going to get worse every day," Ronstadt said of her diagnosis. "I feel frustrated with it. .... Sometimes I fall down. But that's the new normal. I just have to accept it. I had a long turn at the trough."
Today, Ronstadt, who has two children, lives in the Bay Area with her son, according to the Los Angeles Times.

While she sometimes still appears in the spotlight -- as she did earlier this year, when she and Emmylou Harris (left) presented Dolly Parton with the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year award -- she mostly sticks close to home, she told the Times.

"There's nothing I can do about it. It's going to get worse every day," Ronstadt said of her diagnosis. "I feel frustrated with it. .... Sometimes I fall down. But that's the new normal. I just have to accept it. I had a long turn at the trough."
Lester Cohen/Getty Images
Linda Ronstadt: A life in pictures
CNN  — 

Here is a look at the life of Grammy-winning singer Linda Ronstadt.

Personal

Birth date: July 15, 1946

Birth place: Tucson, Arizona

Birth name: Linda Marie Ronstadt

Father: Gilbert Ronstadt, hardware store owner

Mother: Ruth Mary (Copeman) Ronstadt, homemaker

Children: adopted: Carlos and Mary Clementine

Education: Attended University of Arizona, 1964

Other Facts

First female artist to have four consecutive albums go platinum.

Nominated for 27 Grammy Awards and has won 11. Also awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nominated for one Tony Award and one Emmy Award. She won the Emmy Award.

Explored many styles of music including folk, rock, country, opera, jazz and mariachi.

Played the character Mabel in the Broadway, television and film versions of “Pirates of Penzance.”

Her grandfather, Lloyd Groff Copeman, was an American inventor with hundreds of patents, including the first electric stove.

While serving as her backing musicians, Glenn Frey and Don Henley formed the Eagles.

Timeline

1964 - Ronstadt moves to Los Angeles and forms the Stone Poneys with Bob Kimmel and Kenny Edwards.

1967-1968 - The Stone Poneys release three albums on Capitol Records.

1969 - Releases her first solo album, “Hand Sown…Home Grown,” on Capitol Records.

February 28, 1976 - Wins the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Female for “I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You).”

February 19, 1977 - Wins the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Female for “Hasten Down the Wind.”

October 14, 1977 - Sings the national anthem at game three of the World Series.

1987 - Ronstadt releases her mariachi album, “Canciones de Mi Padre.” It is the biggest-selling non-English album in US history at the time.

March 2, 1988 - Wins the Grammy Award, with Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris, for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group, Vocal with “Trio.”

February 22, 1989 - Wins the Grammy Award for Best Mexican-American Performance for “Canciones de Mi Padre.”

September 17, 1989 - Wins an Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for her PBS concert “Great Performances: Canciones de Mi Padre.”

February 21, 1990 - Wins the Grammy Award with Aaron Neville for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group, Vocal for “Don’t Know Much.”

February 20, 1991 - Wins the Grammy with Neville for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group, Vocal for “All My Life.”

February 24, 1993 - Wins the Grammy for Best Mexican-American Album for “Mas Canciones,” and Best Tropical Latin Album for “Frenesi.”

May 6, 1996 - Performs at the White House for President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton.

February 26, 1997 - Wins the Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children for “Dedicated to the One I Love.”

February 23, 2000 - Wins the Grammy Award, with Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris, for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for “After the Gold Rush.”

2009-2010 - Serves as the artistic director of the San Jose Mariachi and Mexican Heritage Festival.

April 2010 - Marches and protests against Arizona’s controversial SB1070 illegal-immigration law.

2011 - Announces her retirement.

August 2013 - Ronstadt reveals that she can no longer sing due to the effects of Parkinson’s disease.

September 17, 2013 - Her memoir, “Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir,” is published.

April 10, 2014 - Is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

July 28, 2014 - President Barack Obama awards Ronstadt with the National Medal of Arts and Humanities. During the ceremony, Obama tells Ronstadt he had a schoolboy crush on her.

January 3, 2016 - Is awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

February 2019 - Her only live concert album, “Linda Ronstadt: Live in Hollywood,” from a 1980 HBO special, is released.

April 2019 - The documentary “Linda Ronstadt: the Sound of My Voice” premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival.

December 2019 - Receives Kennedy Center Honors.

October 2020 - The documentary “Linda and the Mockingbirds” debuts digitally.

March 14, 2021 - “Linda Ronstadt: the Sound of My Voice” wins a Grammy Award for Best Music Film.

March 22, 2021 - It is announced that Ronstadt has sold her catalog of assets to Iconic Artists Group.

May 7, 2022 - The Tucson Music Hall is renamed the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall in honor of Ronstadt.

October 4, 2022 - Her book, “Feels Like Home: A Song for the Sonoran Borderlands,” is published.