1970s-Willie Nelson said 'there are 2 types of men: those who know nothing about her & those who have fallen in love with her.' 50 year later we men of the BOOMER generation are STILL IN LOVE with her. Her voice soars like the eagles & then melts away into the softness of velvet. And . . . she is an absolutely STUNNINGly Beautiful lady!!!!!
I think she was in her late teens or 20 years old when she sang “Long, Long Time”. It’s powerful and sad at the same time about unrequited love. Totally beautiful and popular again.
For 25 years, she had the best voice in rock and country. My 1970’s bedroom had posters from Heart Like a Wheel and Hasten Down the Wind! I’m 65 and I get tears in my eyes EVERY time I hear her sing!
Don Henley and Glen Frey were in Linda’s tour band before they formed the Eagles, with Linda’s blessing and support. I’m glad you have found her, and as you explore her catalog, you will continue to be amazed and your love for her will grow deeper.
That she did, handpicked and pilfered four incredible artists from four different groups to be her tour band. That foursome were so good together that they became The Eagles.
I think Willie Nelson said it best, "There are two types of men in the world...those that love Linda Ronstadt and those who have never heard of her." AMEN! to that! I am 70 years old and I am STILL in love with Linda.
The first song I heard from Linda was "You're No Good" back in 1974 when I was 11. Instant love. She is one of the very few singers who's voice makes the hair on my neck stand up 50 years later.
The beautiful ladies you mentioned are fabulous. And I would like to recommend a young lady that I recently discovered-Lucy Thomas. She also has a release of Desperado here on RU-vid…and several other videos (a couple of songs with her younger sister, too). They both have extraordinary clear voices. It’s difficult for me to describe…but they are amazing.
Hmm! Aussie here! I would include Judith Durham from The Seekers in the list! If you haven’t heard her, you should check her out! Judith passed in August last year and broke ALL her fans hearts, including me! I cried on and off all day! Lol!
The late Glen Frey said Linda's rendition helped make Desperado the Eagles signature song. It was one of her fans favorite songs, it was a concert staple for years after she first cut it in 1973 even though it was never released as a single.
Linda is one of the most versatile singers. She can sing Rock, Country, Blues. Being Mexican American she sings her roots, Latin Classico, Ranchera, & Traditional. She shows her real vocal range when she sings in Spanish. She is amazing. She will blow you away. Listen to her in her album Songs of my Father.(translated)
The control she has of her voice is incredible. And if you've watched her Pirates of Penzance performance, you can hear extended passages of her upper range, with her superhuman control of it.
So glad you're discovering the wonder that is Linda Ronstadt. To give you a little insight into her career success, here are some excerpts of things written about her: "....Ronstadt had solidified her role as one of rock and pop's most successful solo female acts, and owing to her consistent platinum album success, and her ability as the first woman to sell out concerts in arenas and stadiums hosting tens of thousands of fans,[29] Ronstadt became the "highest-paid woman in rock".[39] She had six platinum-certified albums, three of which were number 1 on the Billboard album chart, and numerous charting pop singles. In 1978 alone, she made over $12 million[29] (equivalent to $50,000,000 in 2021)"........"As Rolling Stone dubbed her "Rock's Venus",[40] her record sales continued to multiply and set records themselves. By 1979, Ronstadt had collected eight gold, six platinum, and four multi-platinum certifications for her albums, an unprecedented feat at the time. Her 1976 Greatest Hits album would sell consistently for the next 25 years, and it was certified by the RIAA for seven-times platinum in 2001[93] (over seven million U.S. copies sold)."......"Ronstadt had outsold her female competition; she had five straight platinum LPs - Hasten Down the Wind and Heart Like a Wheel among them.[111] Us Weekly reported in 1978 that Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, and Carly Simon had become "The Queens of Rock"[110] and "Rock is no longer exclusively male."....."She would go on to parlay her mass commercial appeal with major success in interpreting The Great American Songbook - made famous a generation before by Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald - and later the Mexican folk songs of her childhood."................ And this is just a snippet of her story!
She is only now, after so much time getting her real recognition. She was inducted into the R&R H.O.F. in 2014. Twenty years AFTER she was eligible ! Just Ridiculous. Such incredible raw talent and so humble as well. Won numerous industry awards throughout her career, broke multiple album sales records with millions of records sold, won 11 Grammy awards !! Her vocal power projection and octave range just have no equal and all so, so effortless. Can't say enough about this very classy lady. Truly one of a kind.
Only thing to add to the wonderful comments above is that she also contributed backup to 160 songs. She and James Taylor were on Neil Young's "Heart of Gold." Her duets with Aaron Neville and James Ingraham were beautiful but there's a more obscure one that is just as lovely. Often times, it's the last song I listen to before I go to bed. "Bed of Roses" with Moondi Klein of Chesapeake has the most gorgeous harmonies. Linda's voice soars.
Plus those Grammy's were garnered mostly when there were far fewer categories for the artists. So the competition was intense and you were going head to head with really heavy hitters. There are now so many categories the award has become a lot less meaningful in many cases.
I’ve spent more time listening to Linda Ronstadt than anything else in my life except sleeping and working. She is better than anyone else ever has been.
In 1980 she came out with an album called Mad Love, and she covers three Elvis Costello songs and some other New Wave artists.....so beautiful and different for her. The record went platinum, but you hardly ever hear about that album. It is fire.
Mad Love was always my favorite album by Linda Ronstadt. I was only 17 years old when it was released in 1980. Just a great album and didn’t get the recognition it truly deserved!
I've loved Linda's voice and most of all her musicality since "Heart Like A Wheel" came out, but her version of The Hollies "I Can't Let Go" off of "Mad Love" has long been my favorite song of hers. The best recording of it is off her "Live In Hollywood" album. Of course she's in great voice, but it's the energy of her suburb backing band that really kicks it up to eleven. Waddy Wachtel's guitar is sublime.
Linda had that remarkable gift of making any song she sings, her own. That's magic. So glad we have recorded live performances to get to relive these moments. May I suggest checking out her video for What's New, the classic standard with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra?
I'm glad you discovered her. Trying to describe Linda Ronstadt is like trying to squeeze magic into a bottle. Her singing is a unique combination of powerful technical virtuosity, emotional vulnerability, and master story teller. As much as I love the Eagles, her version blows the Eagles' away. She totally owns the song when she sings it as if she's begging the love of her life to stop running from himself and just let her in to love him. How can you not feel your heart skip a beat as you listen to her sing it.
I was in college when I first heard Linda sing. WOW is still wow. Linda and Judith Durham have always been my two favorite female singers. Both are national treasures and the era is over. Judith is dead and Linda no longer records but their music that was left for us is timeless. Both should be fondly remembered by any music fan. Love both you girls. Thank you so much for your contribution to music.
I was a teenager in the 70's and was most fortunate to grow up with all of these iconic bands. Didn't know at the time how good all these bands were and that they were destined for rock-n-roll history.......... I just knew that the music moved me and could take me away from reality, if only for a few minutes. But somehow, after the song was over and reality crept back in, life was a little bit more tolerable. These iconic artists of the 70's still do that for me, and you can't ask any more than that from an artist. Great reaction..... I fully understand how Linda made you feel. Thanks for reacting.
I first heard the song when sung by Karen Carpenter (also great), Linda's interpretation I feel is closer to the raw spirit of the song, she is the "queen of hearts", obviously. 😊
She started as lead vocalist for The Stone Ponies. I remember hearing “Different Drum” and thinking “She’s not their vocalist. They’re her back up band.”
I’m so happy that you finally discovered my girl. Along with Barbra Streisand they are my two favorite singers of all time. I was lucky enough to see Linda several times live in concert and she never disappointed. She is somebody who you could argue was better live than she was on a record. I don’t know if you know this, but she hire Don Henley as her drummer early in her career and then she hired Glenn Frey to also be in her back up band on an early tour of his and Glenn Frey and Don Henley just happened to be roommates on the tour and while they shared a room, they discovered that they wrote pretty good music together And Linda helped them formed the eagles, and then she helped the eagles get a record contract and really helped launch them
In my humble opinion the best female vocalist ever. She could sing any genre and make it her own. Sadly her voice was taken from her by Parkinson’s. My favorite song of her is Goodbye My Friend. Please consider giving it a review. She did a wonderful album in Spanish that is remarkable.
Your comments about power and vulnerability at the same time are very cogent and describes her in real life and on the stage. She does this in many different genres. Country, rock, country rock, big band, mexican ranchero, light opera
I saw her in concert about the time of this recording. The concert was Indianapolis at the now gone Market Square Arena. She brought so much energy to a live concert. She was a great performer.
Linda's voice and performances were always so magical. I do have to say there is another performance of this song that you may also fall in love with, and that is the version sung by Carol King. She was another amazing voice and incredible song writer. :)
I’ve been listening to Linda Ronstadt for years. Since The Stone Ponies. I have every album she ever released. Her songs with The Nelson Riddle orchestra are excellent and her Spanish albums are really amazing. I saw her in concert in the early 80’s and the ticket price was $7.50!!! 😎👵🏼💜☮️
Your commentary never fails to get to the heart of what you are reacting to - the emotions conveyed, the song’s meaning, and why the song is great. It’s like I’m listening to the song for the first time.
I was an Eagles fan & had that album. I went to see her in Atlanta & her Don’t Cry Now album was not yet released but already recorded. The first time I heard her sing this song I was sitting about 15 feet away from her!
I love, and agree with, your appreciation of her stunning talent. Keep em coming. I am not a religious person but I feel truly blessed that I was fortunate enough to experience the angelic voice of Linda Ronstadt and I continue to enjoy it every day. 🌺✌️
The performance, as you have analyzed it, achieves the duty of art to move people toward their deepest destiny. There is a reason I have loved her since the early ,'70's. It is that life is hard. That is why The Holy gives us artists. You are doing a good job.
Imagine being a teenage boy full of testosterone and falling in love with Linda and her voice. Her breathy voice and control with strength and vulnerability just killed me.
❤ Linda. The Eagles were originally her backup band before becoming a band. She's amazing! Can sing every type of music!! Pop, Rock, Country, New Wave, 40's stsndards, traditional Spanish/Mexican music, Operetta, Opera, etc - and be excellent at all of them. Half Mexican-American & half white - like me! A big idol of mine growing up. Glad u discovered her. Many guys & even gals had poster's of her up on their walls.
I've loved her since her Stone Pony days, being a fellow Tucson girl. Saw her live 3 times back in the 70s. Her, Patsy Cline, and Janis Joplin are my all-time favorite singers.
Good job, young man! You’re one of the most intelligent and articulate music reaction it’s on RU-vid. Rondstat is just another example of the truly incredible artists and music that was made in the 60’s and 70’s.
It dawned on me whilst watching this why you really seem to connect with Robin Gibb’s voice when you react to the Bee Gees. He has a similar power to his voice, mixed with a vulnerability that we just don’t hear often enough from male singers today. I grew up listening to Linda’s music and it’s really beautiful to see you falling in love with her before our very eyes. ❤
Great reaction to your new favorite singer! Her power is effortless. You will get many requests for follow up songs. All of them worthy. So here's my two cents for you to enjoy; Her version of The Stones 'Tumbling Dice, Get Closer, La Charreada (live) A MUST SEE, Tracks of my tears ( in recording studio), What's New ( with Nelson Riddle Orch), I Will Always love You ( Dolly Parton song) plus many more, Enjoy!
I've been in love with her the first time I heard her on the radio and TV. She's a definite 10+. IM 74YEARS OLD AND STILL A HUGE FAN. I've got heard down loaded on my phone
I only just heard this live version of hers and your reaction video was recommended. I’m glad it was, too, because you described it so well, the vulnerable power of her voice which is _how_ she tells this rather bittersweet prayer to let love into their lives.
Love your reaction. Every time I hear it, I think Linda is singing to me. Your reaction tells me you felt the same. Who is half way attractive hasn't been in a situation where you love someone you can't get, yet there are maybe one or two women who would be so much better for you but you ignore them for a hopeless love. I lived in Tucson where Linda is from and a small cowboy town in Arizona where some woman kept playing this song on the jukebox, trying to send me a message. I never noticed her.
I boils down to interpretation mastery instead of belting out all the time, the approach that song comes first, not the singer ["look at me, ain't I great?' It's about ME"] and if any good the song always had meaning. She goes loud and soft in each musical idea and phrase. when to back off and when to milk it. that's a real pro. she waited until the end to fully let loose, then went soft to complete the lyrical story and musical story. If you're going to sing louder, you have to come from somewhere to do it, hello, like the lower range of the voice and the softer passages leading up to climax of the phrase or the song. Just brilliant interpretation.
Linda Ronstadt got deep inside the meaning of the songs she sang. That sounds simplistic, but very few singers really get it. She was a blessing to me when I was a teenager.
What a great reaction! You really feel this and understand this so well! Your thoughts on Linda’s version and the Eagles as well matches up to how I have felt for 40 years!!
Your understanding and ability to convvey the genius of her art and her ability to convey the depth and meanjng to the lyrics of whatever she sings is spot on ans truly insightful thanks for sharing.
I saw her once as a bottom of the bill one-hit wonder with The Stone Poneys around 1969. Within a couple years she was one of the biggest stars in Rock. Loved your reaction, Luke. Linda was a sight to see and a wondrous sound to behold.
It would be difficult to name a more versatile singer. Linda covered everything from rock, r&b, pop, big band jazz, opera and Latin. And was extremely successful at all of them.
I was fortunate to see Linda - live - many times, she always closed her show with this song. When she sang it you knew this was the last - and the best!
Linda Ronstadt is one of my all time favorite female singers EVER, this woman definitely had a great voice and talent; you definitely need to listen to Lose Again
Linda Ronstadt was one of my favorites when I was a teenager in the late 70's/early 80's (she still is). She also performed Desperado as the encore when she toured with Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra in 1983-84 when promoting her standards album "What's New". The song is gorgeous with a backing orchestra. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mDEn8D5Fm2Q.html
I'll suggest her version of the Smokey Robinson's hit "Tracks of my Tears" recorded in the studio with the cameras rolling. Here it is==> ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OYLSvXYp_5U.html
Linda says exactly what my heart feels when she sings. This song makes me remember when I lived in Jackson Hole when I was young, before it became a commercialized ski resort. It was a beautiful backwater nostalgic western town. An unspoiled place to ski and live. The smell of the air, the beauty of the mountains, the western style buildings and simple roads. It was like living in the old west, but in modern times. That beautiful feeling of being so close to nature and your feelings will never leave me. This song always makes me cry when she sings it because I long for that clean, pure, beautiful place.
Finally a reaction of Linda’s “Desperado”! You would also enjoy her cover of Patsy Clines’s “Crazy”. Everybody loves Patsy’s, but Linda’s is equally impressive (and she makes it her own as usual). Love your reactions!
Linda Ronstadt is one of the most talented singers of all time. She sang opera in the Pirates of Penzance with her beautiful coloratura soprano voice. She sang old Jazz Standards with Nelson Riddle and then her wonderful album of Mexican Folk songs Canciones de Mi Padre. She could sing the phone book with emotion. She is the female singer that all female country singers try to emulate.
