Ronstadt, Linda (1946–)

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Ronstadt, Linda (1946–)

American singer. Born July 15, 1946, in Tucson, AZ, to a German-Mexican father and a Dutch English mother; attended University of Arizona; children: (adopted) 2.

One of America's 1st rock superstars, began career with folk-rock group, Stone Poneys (1964), and had hit single "Different Drum"; had 1st solo hit with country rock crossover, "Long Long Time" (1970); released chart-topping album, Heart Like a Wheel (1974), with hit songs, "You're No Good," "When Will I Be Loved," "That'll Be the Day" and "It's So Easy"; was the 1st to record songs by such performers as Karla Bonoff, Emmylou Harris, and Dolly Parton; released #1 hit albums, Simple Dreams (1977) and Living in the U.S.A. (1978); outspoken and political, appeared on cover of Time magazine with then-companion, California governor Jerry Brown; starred on Broadway in Pirates of Penzance (1983); released triple-platinum album What's New (1983) and gold Sentimental Reasons (1986); released platinum Spanish-language album, Canciones de Mi Padre (Songs of My Father), and platinum Trio, recorded with Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris (1987), which won Grammy for Best Country Vocal Duo/Group (1988); released double platinum Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind (1989), with Grammy-winning songs, "Don't Know Much" and "All My Life"; toured with Emmylou Harris (1995). Won 11 Grammy Awards and recorded 17 gold or platinum albums.

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