Walt Disney Records:
Biography of Linda Ronstadt
Picture of Linda RonstadtLinda Ronstadt's contemporary version of "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes," recorded in both English and Spanish on The Music of Disney's Cinderella, demonstrates why this artist has remained popular for nearly three decades. Ronstadt's career has crossed all genres, resulting in Grammy® Awards in rock, pop, country, and Latin music.

Recently, Ronstadt released her 28th album, Feels Like Home (Elektra), produced by her and partner George Massenburg in the serenity of Northern California. The album includes Ronstadt's version of Tom Petty's "The Waiting," Neil Young's "After the Goldrush," and the Randy Newman-penned title track "Feels Like Home" (from his upcoming pop opera interpretation of Faust). The album also features Ronstadt's longtime pal and past collaborator Emmylou Harris on five tracks.

Ronstadt's love for the craft of recording helped her form a long-standing partnership with legendary engineer George Massenburg. For "Feels Like Home," he and Ronstadt assembled a magical array of studio musicians who leave their mark both acoustically and rhythmically on the album. The lineup includes, among others, mandolin master David Grisman, fiddle virtuoso Alison Krause, veteran drummers Jim Keltner and Russ Kunkel, organist Booker T. Jones (from Booker T and the MGs), and the stunning guitar work of Dean Parks and Carl Jackson.

Ronstadt made her pop debut in 1967 with the Stone Poneys during the incubation period of country-rock. Ronstadt joined the ranks of the Eagles, Buffalo Springfield, and Gram Parson, performing at nightclubs all over Los Angeles. Soon after, she began working with Neil Young, singing backup on many of his records. Few knew in those early days that both artists would go on to rewrite pop history.

With more than 30 million albums sold to date and seven Grammy® Awards to her credit, Ronstadt clearly stands among pop culture's musical elite. She has a platinum track record that includes the classic albums Heart Like a Wheel, What's New, and her Dolly Parton/Emmylou Haris collaboration Trio.

Ronstadt took time out from her recording career in the early '80s and made her Broadway debut as the romantic ingenue in The Pirates of Penzance. She stayed with the musical for a year and consistently won the praise of critics.