Linda Ronstadt, Who Turns 80 Today, Is Considered One of the Greatest Singers of All Time
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Melody McCuneWed, July 15, 2026 at 6:11 PM UTC0
If there's one thing you can say about music legend Linda Ronstadt, it's that you cannot put her in a box. She defied genre conventions throughout her four-decade career. Chances are, you've heard at least one of her songs, even if you can't place her name. Her versatile catalog includes rock, pop, folk, country, Mariachi, and soul tracks. She even has an album in Spanish, 1987's Canciones de Mi Padre, in honor of her Mexican roots.
Today, Ronstadt turns 80 years old. Even though she officially retired from performing 15 years ago, she left an indelible impact on the world of music. Her legacy endures.
Born on July 15, 1946, Ronstadt burst onto the scene in 1965. She released 29 studio albums throughout her prolific career, including two with country icons Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris (both records aptly titled Trio and Trio II). She's also earned accolades aplenty for her music, including 11 Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, and Tony and Golden Globe Award nominations.
Ronstadt was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, and she scored a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame alongside Parton and Harris for their collaboration on Trio in 2019. She has also collaborated with other musical legends such as Frank Zappa, Johnny Cash, Paul Simon, and Neil Young.
Some of Ronstadt's most popular tunes include her 1974 cover of the Dee Dee Warick song "You're No Good," which skyrocketed to the top spot on the US Billboard Hot 100, her only No. 1 on that chart. Her duets with James Ingram and Aaron Neville for "Somewhere Out There" and "Don't Know Much," respectively, are also iconic. If you're a '90s kid, you undoubtedly know the former from the animated movie An American Tail.
Ronstadt also covered "When Will I Be Loved" by the Everly Brothers in 1975, which peaked at No. 1 on the US Hot Country Songs chart. Three years later, she released her rendition of Warren Zevon's "Poor, Poor Pitiful Me," which became a country classic for the talented artist. Her other hits, "Blue Bayou" and "It's So Easy," broke a record for Ronstadt in 1977; she became the first female solo artist to have two Top 5 singles on the Hot 100 chart simultaneously.
The beloved vocalist and guitarist is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers of all time. In 2004, JazzTimes wrote that Ronstadt was "blessed with arguably the most sterling set of pipes of her generation." Rolling Stone ranked her at No. 47 on its 2023 list of "The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time."
It's unfortunate that she's no longer able to sing, but thankfully, we're blessed with decades' worth of diverse music featuring her angelic voice.
What's your favorite Linda Ronstadt song?
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jul 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Tags
Who is online
74 visitors
I have heard Ronstadt say she can still sing, but not at performance quality.
she was a significant influence in the growing popularity of country rock in the early 70's ...
She had a nice voice.
when you wish upon a star - linda ronstadt
Get closer...
One of the top 10 in my book.
When I think back to those times in the '60s and early 70s when I was deeply involved with folk music, there are names that stood out besides Linda Ronstadt - names like Grace Slick, Janice Joplin, and especially Joan Baez. Just look at Joan's Grammy awards:
LINK -> Joan Baez Grammy Awards and Nominations, Song & Bio