Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is a retired American singer whose recordings connect country rock, pop standards and Mexican rancheras, with archival releases keeping her music close to fans.
At 100 nudges, fangea sends Linda’s team an official invite.
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Latest
Linda’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus her backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Album
Album
Album
Album
AlbumOverview
- Born
- July 15, 1946 · Tucson, Arizona
- First band
- The Stone Poneys
- Early breakthrough
- “Different Drum” · 1967
- Solo breakthrough
- Heart Like a Wheel and “You’re No Good”
- Musical roots
- Mexican family songs, country, folk and rock
Mini bio
How it started.
Linda grew up in a Mexican American family in Tucson, surrounded by music. In Los Angeles she formed the Stone Poneys with Bobby Kimmel and Kenny Edwards. Their 1967 hit “Different Drum” introduced her voice to a wider audience.
Finding her own path.
Heart Like a Wheel became her solo breakthrough, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200; “You’re No Good” also topped the Hot 100. She kept exploring, recording pop standards with Nelson Riddle and returning to the Mexican songs she loved for Canciones de mi padre.
Songs before categories.
For Canciones de mi padre, Linda studied lyrics and rhythms with mariachi musicians. She told the Library of Congress that she wanted a traditional ranchera sound, even bringing pictures of cows into the studio to make her point.
Life after the stage.
Her final concert was in 2009. After retiring from performance, she continued supporting the Mexican arts academy Los Cenzontles. Reissues and archival videos now give fans more ways to spend time with her recordings.
Creditschronological, newest first
- 2026The Early YearsFeatured artist; archival compilation
- 2006Adieu False HeartVocals with Ann Savoy
- 1989Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the WindVocals, including duets with Aaron Neville
- 1987Canciones de mi padreVocals
- 1983What’s NewVocals, with Nelson Riddle and his orchestra
- 1977Simple DreamsVocals
- 1974Heart Like a WheelVocals
Awards
Quotes
I like different kinds of music. I have eclectic taste.Linda Ronstadt, Library of Congress interview
Speaking to Jennie Cataldo on March 28, 2022, about how her Mexican recordings fit into her catalog.
Trivia
- Before the Eagles formed, Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner played in her touring band.
- She and Ann Savoy called themselves the Zozo Sisters, after a Creole word for “little bird”.
- She pasted lyrics onto a costume fan for her Canciones de mi padre show, then found she could not see them in the stage lighting.
Find Linda
Follow her official channels for archival performances, releases and stories.
Are you Linda Ronstadt?
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