Linda Ronstadt Then & Now: Photos From Her Young Days To Celebrate Her 77th Birthday

By:

Christina Casiano

July 14, 2023 10:12AM EDT

Linda Ronstadt is a music icon, with a voice of gold. Celebrate the singer’s 77th birthday with a look at her life in photos.

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Linda Ronstadt: Then & Now

Linda Ronstadt: Then & Now — Linda Maria Ronstadt, born July 15, 1946, is a retired American singer whose voice could travel between genres like no other. The star started her career in the tks and would go on to earn 11 Grammys, an Emmy, and a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 2014.

Linda had a prolific career, appearing on over 120 albums and working with greats like Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Bette Midler, Frank Zappa, Philip Glass, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Johnny Cash, and more. Hit singles included ‘You’re No Good’ and ‘Blue Bayou,’ as wel as the duets ‘Somewhere Out There’ and ‘Don’t Know Much’.

Linda stepped away from the mic in 2009, giving her last concert after noticing her singing voice was facing. She later revealed she was suffering from a degenerative condition later determined to be progressive supranuclear palsy. She still makes public speaking appearances, and in 2013 published a memoir. A documentary based on her memoirs, ‘Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice’, was released in 2019.

Linda has had quite the life! For more photos of her amazing career, check out out gallery of photos from through the years.

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Linda Ronstadt On Stage

Linda Ronstadt On Stage — Linda Ronstadt smiles while singing in the 70s. She wore a blue blouse and flowers in her hair.

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Linda Ronstadt In 1977

Linda Ronstadt In 1977 — Linda Ronstadt looks 70s cool in a silky bandeau and jeans during a 1977 concert. What a babe!

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Linda Ronstadt Wins A Grammy

Linda Ronstadt Wins A Grammy — Winner! Linda Ronstadt holds her award for best pop singer at the 19th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 20, 1977. It was her second honor from the Recording Academy.

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Linda Ronstadt At The 1984 Grammys

Linda Ronstadt At The 1984 Grammys — Linda Ronstadt appears at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 28, 1984. She was all smiles.

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Linda Ronstadt In 1985

Linda Ronstadt In 1985 — Linda Ronstadt takes the stage at the 20th annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tennessee in 1985. She wore a fringed black outfit with rose embroidery.

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Linda Ronstadt At The 2008 NCLR ALMA Awards

Linda Ronstadt At The 2008 NCLR ALMA Awards — Linda Ronstadt accepts the Trailblazer award at the National Council of La Raza ALMA Awards in Pasadena, Calif. in 2008. She wore a black button-down and turquoise jewelry.

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Linda Ronstadt Accepts A Lifetime Achievement Honor

Linda Ronstadt Accepts A Lifetime Achievement Honor — Linda Ronstadt accepts the Life Time Achievement award at the Latin Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award and Trustees Award ceremony in Las Vegas. She wore all black and had on little glasses.

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Linda Ronstadt Promotes Her Memoir

Linda Ronstadt Promotes Her Memoir — Linda Ronstadt looks great in a portrait to promote the release of her memoir ‘Simple Dreams’. She wore a paisley scarf and plum sweater.

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Linda Ronstadt Recieves The National Medal Of Arts & Humanities Award

Linda Ronstadt Recieves The National Medal Of Arts & Humanities Award — Linda Ronstadt received the National Medals of Arts and Humanities Award from then-President Barack Obama in Washington D.C on Jul. 28, 2014. She shook his hand and smiled, clearly struck by the honor.

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Linda Ronstadt At The 2019 Kennedy Center Honors

Linda Ronstadt At The 2019 Kennedy Center Honors — Linda Ronstadt beams while wearing a rainbow ribbon around her neck after being honored as one of the recipients of the 42nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors in Dec. of 2019. That year’s other honorees also included Earth, Wind & Fire, actress Sally Field, Sesame Street, and conductor Michael Tilson Thomas.

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Linda Ronstadt In 2020

Linda Ronstadt In 2020 — Linda Ronstadt (right) appears on stage with Maria Muldaur (left) during the 19th Annual Movies For Grownups Awards on Jan. 11, 2020. The signer wore long pearls and a black dress.

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