Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt – vocalist, activist and University of Arizona alumna – has forged a four-decade career that established her as an important artist in one of the most creative periods in the history of modern music. She has broadened the latitudes of the pop singer, expanding the vocalist's canvas to include country, rock 'n' roll, big band, jazz, opera, Broadway standards, Mexican and Afro-Cuban influences. With album sales over 50 million, at least 31 gold and platinum records, 12 Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts, and membership in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Ronstadt is the epitome of the American artist.
While a student at the University of Arizona, Ronstadt met guitarist Bob Kimmel. The duo moved to Los Angeles, where they were joined by guitarist and songwriter Kenny Edwards. Calling themselves The Stone Poneys, the group became a leading attraction on California's folk circuit. After recording two albums with the group, Ronstadt left for a solo career at the end of 1968.
Ronstadt's first two solo albums accentuated her country roots and helped to create the burgeoning California country-rock movement. Released in 1971, her self-titled third album was a pivotal record in her career. Following that album, Ronstadt released five more chart-topping albums in the 1970s, selling millions of copies. The 1980s found her trying new things with her music, including a casting [BAL-(1] on Broadway, starring in a movie and releasing multiple albums of pop standards. In 1987, Ronstadt released a country album with Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris and also recorded and released "Canciones de mi Padre," a set of traditional Mexican songs from her childhood. It is still the largest-selling Spanish language CD in the history of the U.S. music industry.
The next two decades saw continued success for Ronstadt. With over 10 more albums released, she produced collaborations and duets with other popular artists, Christmas music, jazz music, and a children's lullaby album.
In 2006, Ronstadt was honored by the Hispanic-American artistic community when she was given the prestigious American Latino Media Arts Award, or ALMA Award, in a ceremony televised on ABC. She sang her last concert in 2009 and shortly thereafter announced her retirement from singing. In 2011, she received a Latin Grammy for Lifetime Achievement from National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences President Neil Portnow. Later that year, Ronstadt commenced work on her autobiography. Released in 2013, "Simple Dreams, A Musical Memoir" made The New York Times Best Seller list and kicked off an extensive nationwide book tour including numerous TV appearances.
In December 2013, Linda was elected to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held on April 10, 2014 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and featured an induction speech by Eagles founding member and ex-Ronstadt bandmate Glenn Frey, as well as a musical tribute to Ronstadt featuring Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow and Carrie Underwood. During the summer of 2014, Ronstadt was honored by President Barack Obama, who awarded her the National Medal of Arts at a White House ceremony on July 28.
From 2014 to late 2018, Ronstadt toured occasionally with her highly acclaimed one-woman show, "A Conversation With Linda Ronstadt." The show featured photos, audio and selected video, and Ronstadt recounted various episodes from her long career and thoughts on what music has meant in her life. In 2016, Ronstadt was honored with a special Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Ronstadt continues to serve on the advisory board of Los Cenzontles, an academy in California's East Bay dedicated to the preservation of Mexican heritage. Founded by Eugene Rodriguez, the organization serves to educate the community about Hispanic art, music and culture.