Linda Ronstadt, born on July 15, 1946, is a renowned American popular music recording artist. Her impressive career has garnered her ten Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, and numerous gold, platinum, and multiplatinum albums.
As a singer and record producer, Ronstadt is celebrated for her remarkable ability to interpret songs and reinvent herself across various public stages. With a storied career spanning multiple genres, she has collaborated with artists such as Billy Eckstine, Frank Zappa, Rosemary Clooney, Flaco Jiménez, Philip Glass, The Chieftains, Gram Parsons, and Dolly Parton, lending her voice to over 120 albums worldwide.
Christopher Loudon of Jazz Times praised Ronstadt, stating that she is "blessed with arguably the most sterling set of pipes of her generation," adding that she is "rarely" able to blend into any background while remaining "boldly distinctive." This exceptional gift is shared by few others, making Ronstadt a true chameleon in the music industry.
Throughout her illustrious career, Ronstadt has released over 30 solo albums, more than 15 compilations or greatest hits albums, and has charted thirty-eight Billboard Hot 100 singles. Twenty-one of these singles have reached the top 40, ten have reached the top 10, and three have peaked at No. 2. Her chart-topping hit, "You're No Good," reached No. 1, while her single "Blue Bayou" reached the UK Top 40, and her duet with Aaron Neville, "Don't Know Much," peaked at #2 in December 1989.
In addition, Ronstadt has charted thirty-six albums, ten Top 10 albums, and three No. 1 albums on the Billboard Pop Album Charts, solidifying her status as one of the most commercially successful female singers in U.S. history. With her versatility, talent, and dedication, Ronstadt has earned the titles of "Queen of Rock," "First Lady of Rock," and "music matriarch," and continues to inspire and influence new generations of artists and music lovers alike.
