I was trucking over to Sacramento, and left Boomtown after a bite to eat. I had to chain up as it was nasty with snow and ice. I got by the scale, and the weather cleared up, so I stopped at a rest area and took the tire chains off. I was a mess, and wet. I went into the comfort station, and Linda was sitting there on a bench. I immediately recognized her, and I told her I knew who was. I asked her if she would like to have a chat. Sure was her reply. She gave me about 45 minutes of her time. I told her I played a few gigs with Neil Young as a youngster, and I play guitar now. That had to be about 15 years ago. I'll never forget it. What a nice lady she is. Thanks Linda.
Stopped to fix a young woman's bicycle chain which had come off and jammed, riding up the Chicago Lakefront around that time.40+ years ago now. I was heavily involved in the repair, sitting on the ground with a chain tool, her leaning over the bike watching, when I looked up and ... O ... M .... G. Imagine how hard it was not to act like a blithering idiot looking straight into Linda Ronstadt's eyes from about 18". My God she was beautiful. I was stunned. She was very sweet, gracious, laughed it off, talked to me like we were friends, asking what its like to live on the lakefront, etc. She gave me a number to call to get tickets to her show that night. And so I did. 2nd row. Great show. When she told the story of "this nice cute guy who fixed my bike" and waved to me I about feinted.The best "brush with greatness" (as Letterman used to say) in my entire life. What a memory, and happening across this song brings it all back. Thanks, Linda! If you ever need your bike fixed again ...
Hey @scottube1 what is a chain tool and do you always keep one in your pocket when you are walking along the beach ? I Live in MI been to Lake MI many times but only on the MI side. I guess it would be interesting to try the Chicago side.
Linda is one of a kind. Stunner, amazing pipes, perfect timing, incredible soul. We are losing all the great ones. Live music will never be as great as it was in the 50s, 60s and 70s. How lucky are we to have lived in the golden age of rock, blues, Motown, Soul, R&B and Funk?
You are absolutely right, Bill. And sadly, within the next 5 or 10 years, they will all be gone. I try to see as many of the great old singers and bands as I can. Last year, I had tickets for 4 concerts, but the pandemic got in the way. I've got tickets to see her old backup band play Hotel California in October. I saw them a couple years ago. Glenn's gone, but his son does a good job, filling in. Sadly, Linda's singing days are over. Linda, thanks for the memories. I wish you well.
I was at this concert. December 13, 1977 at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. I was so happy to hear this song because I had always loved the way it went straight from When will I be Loved to Willin on the Heart like a Wheel album
In the day when professional music was musical notes, harmony, a bit of a story, respect for men and women, bound by a respectful morality, individual and collective talent. Boomers were gifted great music from our parents and grandparents and taught respect for the art of music. We were the lucky generation.
Morality? She opened the song with a story about taking drugs and screwing a married man. Not so much. Now I love Linda Ronstadt but morality? Not so much.
@@farmerbill6855 Some of us boomers still believe that honesty and truthfulness are higher forms of morality. Your judgment of her recreational drug use and unwitting sex with a married partner tell us more about your morals than hers.
One person’s morals are another’s weakness. And vice-versa. My attention to the music created in our earliest years and before focuses on sadness from a failed relationship, job, battle over substances or a cheating partner. The music of my generation 1958 to ~ 1988 continued the previous themes and added opposition to an unpopular war (as opposed to WW2) the advent of additional freedom by virtue of the automobile and toys with internal combustion engines. “ROUND ROUND GET AROUND I GET AROUND” Themes about life style were increasingly added to the mix. Inventions from Les Paul and Laurens Hammond just before the war started a trend that caught fire in the fifties and continues to grow to this day. All along traditional music theory was in the structure of our music. Respect for one another was generally assumed. Music about bitches and hoe’s and discussion of questionable sex behavior started appearing in the early to mid ‘80’s. My hope for new tunes of innovations, happiness, non-violence respect for each other became snuffed out.
I dunno, it's been 50 fuckin' years I worshipped this woman. Almost nothing has remained constant through all that time. But this has. What a gift she is. It honestly just doesn't get much better. If any. Wherever you are, Linda, thank you and be well.
That is our lady Linda showing off her country roots, singing a soulful “Willin,” because she knows what it’s like to be on the road. I think at her core she had country roots, growing up in Arizona, but as she has noted with her musician family, she was exposed to the American songbook of the 40s and 50s, mariachi, and later, rock ‘n’ roll. And she showed us that she could do all of them.
Lowell even spent time with Linda, and by 1979 he was gone. Dr. said he died of "chronic excess." Wonderful rendition of his song Linda, appreciate it!
Her talking voice is adorable! Then when she starts singing her voice is so powerful and awesome! Such a cool contrast. Love you Linda Ronstadt! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Linda was a perfectionist and did not like delivering her sound in a large venue where she felt it was compromised. So consider yourselves fortunate to sample her stadium performances on youtube which in my opinion delivered and then some. At this time in 1977 at age 31 she was very recently, very rich due to hard work, dedication, and her perfectionism. She never quit improving until she quit rock. What a voice, never a wrong note in tone or pitch. Her vibrato remains unmatched. This is Linda at the very top of her game when she did not even know it.
I love so many of her songs, but I keep coming back to this one. It just seems perfect. Every syllable of every word is perfectly sung. Alice, Dallas alice. Baked by the sun EVERYtime I GO to MexiCO. Just a great song
She's everybody's type. Even women would love her as a friend. She's real and down to earth. And when she performs, its bare bones. Not a lot of smoke and mirrors to make her look or sound better than what she is. Also, she really never pushed the sexual aspect of her stage persona. She never needed to. Can you imagine her with male dancers or females twerking- lights flashing, her wearing a bathing suit and high boots?! No. She has talent. And it speaks for itself.
Very astute--i got to meet Linda about 20 years ago (after she was no longer singing) because she was best friends with my ex-girlfriend--they grew up in Tucson together--and my ex said there is no friendship she values more
Her intro of this song and her tale about Lowell George - without mentioning his name - is just fuqn priceless. When I saw her on her "Mad Love" tour she sang - or tried to, anyway - "Desperado", whereupon her first attempt after the full musical intro she "forgot the words" and had to start over from the beginning. Classic Ronstadt.
How far we have fallen since this powerful heartbreaking songbird grabbed the mic and sang her songs to us. A true champion of songwriters, musicians and cooler than the others. Sigh...
growing up, i heard Linda from my folks playing her music, dancing and my mom singing along. i’m now 55 no longer have my parents but still have beautiful Linda’s great tunes and many sweet memories, golden.
One of the greatest voices to ever grace the American stage! Loved this girl so much!! Linda, peace and rest upon you, and thank you for all you've done!!
Her instrument was like a Stradivarius and she played it to divine perfection. Live, on certain magical nights, Ronstadt was breathtaking in sight and sound. No wonder they all were so devoted to her.
We always wish the people we love to hear, will always stay young and can be enjoyed forever ! Alas, as time goes by, we tend to age, and still have that special voice, but they obviously lost a little, and we still go to see them for one reason. While they are singing now, even if it is different from years ago, we are watching them sing in our(memories)time and enjoying it just as much as years ago.. The fact they still want to perform for us, doesn't rule out happiness for all. Linda sang all kinds of music, ballads, feel good, and emotional, with a starred voice and great stage presence that we remembered and talked to the crowd like a friend or neighbor would and that meant a lot. Wishing her nothing but good health and happiness
Your adoreable,nobody like you ,I adore this song.i love you linda Ronstadt my very favorite singer and i sang and roked along with you tjeough some tough stuff in my life. If it wernt for you id not have made it .your an angel god givin Peace...i'll never forget you lady gorgeous women!!! I saw you live 3 times
It was the Summer of my junior year in college and was driving and listening to an FM station and "Different Drum" came on. Drove to The Record Bar. Bought the record. Everyone since and every concert I could attend. Still in love with Linda. End of story.
Yes, you and me both, and about a gazillion other guys would board that, for Linda! Ah man, she is the most absolute, talented and drop dead gorgeous woman of my lifetime. And I'm still, willin! Love ya, Linda!!😍😎😘
There was a guy who interviewed her in the last 5 years (after being diagnosed with Parkinson's) and at one point he was talking about Jerry Brown and how he never liked him, because Linda was supposed to be his girlfriend. LOL. I'm pretty sure he spoke for millions of us.
She didn’t write it but she took a song and elevated it into something that far transcends its source. The sympathy, the elocution, her clarity of vision make this song remarkable.
This just sent shivers down my spine and put a tear in my eye, stunning voice and amazingly talented beautiful woman, loved her since I first saw her live way back then.
This video, especially, shows off Linda's charm, and illustrates the remarkable fact that this tiny person had one of the largest voices in the history of pop music.
In my Top 3- female Rockers ever, along with Grace Slick(Jefferson Airplane-Starship) and Ann Wilson(Heart)all 3 powerful, unique voices and no surprise from the '60-70's but Linda had that smalltown charm, humility and beauty that made her even more attractive on the outside.
Wow. This just gets better every time I watch it. Linda was so emotive and real and vulnerable ... she experienced the best moments and some very sad ones too. What a voice, personality and passion.
I have never heard this song or seen footage of the song. Linda was the first girl I ever loved, I was 6. Now I am 50 and she still makes me wanna love her. God love this woman, she suffers from a disease that took her voice from her and her fans. I pray onto the Father right now to love her as we have loved her to make her days better. WE ALL LOVE YOU . GOD LOVES YOU MOST AND cannot wait to hear you with his chorus of angels, but he needs to wait until you say your're ready and he is glad you are making the plans for this ICONIC lady.
The love of my life introduced me to the music of Lowell George when I was still just a kid really. 32 years, and he’s been gone now coming up to 4.. it’s still leaves me gutted.. such bittersweet heartstring pulling. Linda does that well enough with her own material, this is twice the pain.
The best singer in the world Miss Linda Ronstadt... Love all her songs... I play all her videos daily and songs...June 14,2022 keep safe and Godbless Linda🙏😘♥️🙏
She was initially diagnosed as Parkinson’s, but further testing (in the Autumn of 2019) revealed that she is NOT suffering from Parkinson's, but rather Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), for which there is currently almost no treatment. There are no happy ways to go, but PSP is one of the saddest
That stunning voice was always in service to great songs. The fact that she never seemed to crave her own reflection makes her the fairest in the land.
Queen of hi-fidelity Vinyl and even more mesmerizing live. You can have all them other girls - only Linda was a keeper. And man people still stalk her and make up stuff about her.
Linda Ronstadt was remarkable - the Real Deal. Remember reading that Lowell George was carrying the Torch for her until his demise. Who could blame him? A rock and roll torch singer indeed.
@@tootz1950 : and what happened after his divorce? Lying to both Linda and his wife doesn't like much chance of success, though... hard to trust someone like that afterwards. Too bad!
@@CatherineSTodd Lowell George was a good looking man, who many women, some of them big-name star singers, had the hots for. Including Linda and Bonnie Raitt. And others; read them books!
Lowell did not get divorced from Elizabeth George. She knew about his infidelities, but they stayed together. She was on the road with him when he passed away.
Loved Linda back in the day, remember a lot of her music fondly, but this clip reminds me just how lucky I was to have been in college at the time, listening to great music like this. Linda's voice is so versatile, so good. One of the very best!!
