Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir

Linda Ronstadt

Sep 2013 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

In this memoir, iconic singer Linda Ronstadt weaves together a captivating story of her origins in Tucson, Arizona, and her rise to stardom in the Southern California music scene of the 1960s and ‘70s.

Tracing the timeline of her remarkable life, Linda Ronstadt, whose forty-five year career has encompassed a wide array of musical styles, weaves together a captivating story of her origins in Tucson, Arizona, and her rise to stardom in the Southern California music scene of the 1960s and ‘70s.

Linda Ronstadt was born into a musical family, and her childhood was filled with everything from Gilbert and Sullivan to Mexican folk music to jazz and opera. Her artistic curiosity blossomed early, and she and her siblings began performing their own music for anyone who would listen. Now, in this beautifully crafted memoir, Ronstadt tells the story of her wide-ranging and utterly unique musical journey.

Ronstadt arrived in Los Angeles just as the folkrock movement was beginning to bloom, setting the stage for the development of country-rock. As part of the coterie of like-minded artists who played at the famed Troubadour club in West Hollywood, she helped define the musical style that dominated American music in the 1970s. One of her early backup bands went on to become the Eagles, and Linda went on to become the most successful female artist of the decade.

In Simple Dreams, Ronstadt reveals the eclectic and fascinating journey that led to her long-lasting success, including stories behind many of her beloved songs. And she describes it all in a voice as beautiful as the one that sang “Heart Like a Wheel”—longing, graceful, and authentic.

Ratings and reviews

I worshipped Linda and her singing, in my early adult years. I went to see her perform at Sun City in South Africa. I enjoyed reading her autobiography, but found it too music- orientated and not revealing enough of her inner thoughts and feelings, her commentary on the world outside the music industry, her loves and her children. In other words, Simple Dreams is a great record of her musical career and musical origins, but quite secretive about who she was as an extremely attractive and intelligent woman. I wish she would write a sequel, I am Linda, in which she might let us see more into her soul.

Ronstadt's memoir is simple and straightforward. It's all about the music. There are very few detours to boyfriends and other tabloid fodder. By making this a musical memoir her book becomes more engaging. Recommended.

Exceptional

About the author

Linda Ronstadt has received twelve Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards, and one Emmy Award, as well as several Tony and Golden Globe nominations. She lives in San Francisco with her family.