Linda Ronstadt: A Life in Music

by Peter Lewry

Ronstadt's early backing band became The Eagles, and she has had success with songs by Neil Young, Jackson Browne and Hank Williams. After a US number one single and Grammy-winning country rock albums in the 1970s, she has continued to challenge preconceptions with albums of Nelson Riddle-produced standards, a record of mariachi songs, and a collaboration with Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris. This is the first ever biography of this major figure in US music.

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dry, straightforward biography. Her autobiography, Simple Dreams, is more compelling and interesting.

[Tom Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew her from The Stone Poneys. We called to the beat of a different drum. I loved it. Her association with Aaron Neville brought my ears to rapt attention. But I never realized the extent of her career, the many awards, the multiple album releases and her solid musical background until I read this bio. I loved Canciones de Mi Padre, but never knew her childhood was surrounded by Mexican ballads. I ooo’d and ah’ed over Lush Life, but didn’t know her parents washed her in standard pop music. She is now a true artist, to me, and a tower of musical acumen, thanks to this astounding find I made online of her bio.