Linda Ronstadt's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Linda Ronstadt.

Linda Ronstadt is a versatile American singer renowned for her ability to traverse diverse musical genres, including rock, country, light opera, the Great American Songbook, and Latin music. Her successful career cemented her status as a prominent figure in the music industry, showcasing her adaptability and vocal talent across various styles and earning her critical acclaim and a devoted following.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

March 1970: Release of 'Silk Purse'

In March 1970, Linda Ronstadt released her second solo album, "Silk Purse", recorded in Nashville and produced by Elliot Mazer. The album earned her first Grammy nomination for "Long Long Time".

1974: Opening Act for Neil Young and Meeting Emmylou Harris

In 1974, Linda Ronstadt took on her biggest gig to date, opening for Neil Young's Time Fades Away tour, and met Emmylou Harris backstage at a concert in Texas. By the end of 1974, her album "Don't Cry Now" had sold 300,000 copies, marking her most successful album up to that time.

1974: Inclusion of Heart Like a Wheel on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time

In 1974, Linda Ronstadt's album "Heart Like a Wheel" was included in "Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" at number 164.

September 1975: Release of "Prisoner in Disguise" album

In September 1975, Linda Ronstadt's album Prisoner in Disguise was released, quickly climbing into the Top Five on the Billboard Album Chart and selling over a million copies. It was her second consecutive platinum album. The album's first single was "Love Is A Rose", but "Heat Wave", a rock version of the 1963 hit by Martha and the Vandellas, gained significant airplay, leading Asylum to switch the singles. "Heat Wave" hit the Top Five on Billboard's Hot 100, while "Love Is A Rose" reached the Top Five on Billboard's country chart.

1975: Start of Platinum Album Streak

In 1975, Linda Ronstadt began a streak of consecutive platinum-selling albums that lasted until 1990.

1975: Ronstadt's breakthrough year in music business

In 1975, Linda Ronstadt, at 29 years old, achieved significant recognition in the music industry, marking it as her belated breakthrough year.

1976: Ronstadt's album 'Hasten Down the Wind' reaches Top 3

In 1976, Linda Ronstadt's album Hasten Down the Wind reached the Top 3 of Billboard's Album Chart. She also won her second Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the album, her third consecutive platinum album. The album featured a revealing cover and included two songs written by Ronstadt, "Try Me Again" and "Lo Siento Mi Vida."

1977: Release and success of "Simple Dreams" album

In 1977, Linda Ronstadt's album Simple Dreams surpassed the success of Heart Like a Wheel. It spent nine weeks at number 2 behind Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, then held the number 1 position for five weeks on the Billboard 200 chart. It sold over 3 1⁄2 million copies in less than a year in the U.S. alone, a record for a female artist. The album spawned hit singles such as "Blue Bayou", "It's So Easy", "Tumbling Dice", and "Poor Poor Pitiful Me". The album garnered Grammy Award nominations and won a Grammy Award for Best Album Cover for its art director, Kosh. In late 1977, Ronstadt became the first female recording artist to have two songs in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten at the same time: "Blue Bayou" at No. 3 and "It's So Easy" at No. 5.

Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir

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1978: Ronstadt becomes "highest-paid woman in rock"

By the end of 1978, Linda Ronstadt had established herself as one of the most successful solo female acts in rock and pop. Due to her platinum album success and ability to sell out concerts in arenas and stadiums, she became known as the "highest-paid woman in rock", earning over $12 million and selling 17 million albums.

1978: Ronstadt declared "America's best-known female rock singer"

In 1978, Rolling Stone declared Linda Ronstadt "by far America's best-known female rock singer." She achieved a third number 1 album on the Billboard Album Chart with Living in the USA and had a major hit single with "Ooo Baby Baby", which charted on Pop, AC, Country, and R&B charts. Living in the USA became the first album to ship double-platinum.

1979: Ronstadt's record sales multiply

By 1979, Linda Ronstadt had collected eight gold, six platinum, and four multi-platinum certifications for her albums, an unprecedented feat at the time. Rolling Stone dubbed her "Rock's Venus".

1980: Rolling Stone Cover and Grammy Nomination

In 1980, Linda Ronstadt made the cover of Rolling Stone for a record-setting sixth time. Her album, Mad Love, entered the Billboard Album Chart in the Top Five its first week and reached number 3. The album also earned her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Vocal Performance/Female.

1982: Release of Get Closer album

In 1982, Linda Ronstadt released the album Get Closer, featuring a mix of rock, country, and pop music. The album earned her two Grammy Award nominations and the artwork won a Grammy Award for Best Album Package.

1983: Start of Platinum Album Success

Between 1983 and 1990, Linda Ronstadt achieved significant commercial and critical success with her recordings, scoring six additional platinum albums.

1983: Film Version of The Pirates of Penzance

In 1983, Linda Ronstadt co-starred with Kevin Kline and Angela Lansbury in the film version of The Pirates of Penzance. This was Ronstadt's only acting role in a motion picture. She received a Golden Globe nomination for the role.

January 1986: Start Recording Trio Album

In January 1986, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, and Emmylou Harris began recording their collaborative album, Trio, after an initial attempt in 1978.

March 1987: Release of Trio Album

In March 1987, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, and Emmylou Harris released their collaborative album, Trio, which became a hit and won them a Grammy Award.

1987: Release of "Somewhere Out There"

In 1987, Linda Ronstadt made a return to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with "Somewhere Out There", which peaked at number 2 in March. Featured in the animated film An American Tail, the sentimental duet with James Ingram was nominated for several Grammy Awards, ultimately winning the Grammy Award for Song of the Year. The song also received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Song and achieved high sales, earning a million-selling gold single in the U.S.

1990: Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance

In 1990, Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville won the Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal Grammy Award. Ronstadt's last known live Grammy Award appearance was in 1990 when she and Neville performed "Don't Know Much" together on the telecast.

1991: Mas Canciones album release and Grammy win

In 1991, Linda Ronstadt released Mas Canciones, a follow-up to the first Canciones, and won a Grammy Award for Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album.

1991: Dedication of Tucson Transit Terminal to Federico José María Ronstadt

On March 16, 1991, the City of Tucson dedicated its central transit terminal to Linda Ronstadt's grandfather, Federico José María Ronstadt, honoring his contributions as a local pioneer businessman and wagon maker.

1993: Release of Winter Light album

At the end of 1993, Linda Ronstadt released the highly acclaimed Winter Light album. It included New Age arrangements such as the lead single "Heartbeats Accelerating" as well as the self-penned title track and featured the glass harmonica. Ronstadt was also nominated for three Lo Nuestro Awards in 1993: Female Regional Mexican Artist of the Year, Female Tropical/Salsa Artist of the Year, and her version of the song "Perfidia" was also listed for Tropical/Salsa Song of the Year.

1996: Release of Dedicated to the One I Love

In 1996, Linda Ronstadt produced Dedicated to the One I Love, an album of classic rock and roll songs reinvented as lullabies. The album reached number 78 in Billboard and won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children.

1999: Production of Trio II and Grammy Award

In 1999, Linda Ronstadt produced the Grammy Award-winning album "Trio II", adding to her accolades as a producer.

1999: VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll Ranking

In 1999, Linda Ronstadt was ranked number 21 in VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll, recognizing her significant influence and contributions to the genre.

1999: Trio II album release

In 1999, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, and Emmylou Harris released the Trio II album, which had been recorded in 1994. The album included a cover of Neil Young's "After The Gold Rush", which became a popular music video, achieved Gold certification, and won a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. Ronstadt co-produced the album with George Massenburg, and the three women were also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Album.

1999: Release of Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions

In the summer of 1999, Linda Ronstadt released the album Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions, a folk-rock-oriented project with Emmylou Harris. It earned a nomination for the Grammy Award for the Best Contemporary Folk Album and made the Top 10 of Billboard's Country Albums chart.

2001: Canciones de Mi Padre Certified Double-Platinum

In 2001, Canciones de Mi Padre was certified double-platinum by the RIAA for shipments of over 2 million copies in the United States, making it the best-selling non-English-language album in U.S. music history.

2002: Inclusion of The Very Best Of Linda Ronstadt on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time

In 2002, Linda Ronstadt's album "The Very Best Of Linda Ronstadt" was included in "Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" at number 324.

September 23, 2007: Induction into the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame

On September 23, 2007, Linda Ronstadt was inducted into the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame, alongside Stevie Nicks, Buck Owens, and Steven Spielberg, recognizing her contributions to the arts.

August 17, 2008: Tribute and Trailblazer Award at the ALMA Awards

On August 17, 2008, Linda Ronstadt received a tribute and the Trailblazer Award, presented by Plácido Domingo, at the 2008 ALMA Awards, celebrating her contributions to American arts.

March 31, 2009: Testimony to Congress

On March 31, 2009, Linda Ronstadt testified before the United States Congress House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment & Related Agencies. She was advocating for a $200 million budget for the National Endowment of the Arts in the 2010 fiscal year.

May 2009: Honorary Doctorate from Berklee College of Music

In May 2009, Linda Ronstadt was awarded an honorary doctorate of music degree from the Berklee College of Music. The award recognized her achievements, influence in music, and contributions to American and international culture.

2009: Martin Guitar Company's Linda Ronstadt Limited Edition Guitar

In 2009, the Martin Guitar Company created a 00–42 model "Linda Ronstadt Limited Edition" acoustic guitar, with proceeds benefiting the Land Institute.

2011: Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

In 2011, Linda Ronstadt was awarded the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award by the Latin Recording Academy, recognizing her significant contributions to Latin music.

2012: Revision of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time

In 2012, "Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" was revised, keeping only the compilation "The Very Best Of Linda Ronstadt" and raising it to the place once occupied by "Heart Like a Wheel".

April 10, 2014: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

On April 10, 2014, Linda Ronstadt was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing her significant contributions to music.

April 2014: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In April 2014, Linda Ronstadt was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, marking a significant recognition of her contributions to music.

July 28, 2014: Awarded the National Medal of Arts and Humanities

On July 28, 2014, Linda Ronstadt was awarded the National Medal of Arts and Humanities, a high honor recognizing her impact on American arts and culture.

2016: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

In 2016, Linda Ronstadt was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy, celebrating her lasting impact on the music industry.

2016: Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award

In 2016, Linda Ronstadt was honored by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences with the Lifetime Achievement Grammy, recognizing her lasting impact on music.

July 2019: Selection as a Kennedy Center Honoree

In July 2019, Linda Ronstadt was selected as a Kennedy Center Honoree, celebrating her lifetime achievements and contributions to American culture through the performing arts.

2019: Billboard Chart Achievements in 2019

As of 2019, Linda Ronstadt had achieved significant success on Billboard charts, including three number-one pop albums, 10 top-ten pop albums, and 38 charting pop albums, alongside other notable chart positions across country and adult contemporary categories.

2019: Kennedy Center Honors and Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 2019, Linda Ronstadt received the Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements. Also in 2019, she received a star jointly with Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for their work as the group Trio.

December 2020: Canciones de Mi Padre Inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame

In December 2020, it was announced that Linda Ronstadt's Canciones de Mi Padre had been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

May 7, 2022: Renaming of the Tucson Music Hall as The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall

On May 7, 2022, during the International Mariachi Conference, the Tucson Music Hall at the Tucson Convention Center was officially renamed The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, honoring her legacy in her hometown.

2023: Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers of All Time Ranking

In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Linda Ronstadt at No. 47 on their list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, solidifying her legacy as one of the most iconic vocalists.