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Post by sliderocker on Apr 26, 2017 15:21:28 GMT -5
I once heard Linda say, "I am a complete atheist. She then followed that with an addendum to her previous statement where she added, "...except that I pray to a Haitian goddess for Obama. Now, I don't mean to nitpick, but how can one "pray" to a "goddess" without being somewhat religious? And what in the world could ..."a complete atheist except..." even mean?! It doesn't make any sense. And to those who are thinking what I think you are thinking, no, she was not joking. Finally, didn't Linda used to spout lots of new age gobbledygook when she was co-habitating with Governor Moonbeam (Brown)? I know that Brown was uber "spiritual," so Linda must have believed some of the same crap. After all, they were together for quite a while, and even though they never married, that close proximity for that many years has to mean that they believed a lot of the same things. At least, that is the way that it usually works.
I'm willing to guess that in the first quote Linda was being kind of a smart-ass by throwing out a seeming non-sequitur. As far as a complete atheist I guess that is the opposite of a non-complete atheist? If one had to parse the statement I guess, like a lot of us, our spoken style in casual conversation is not as precise as our brain would like it to be so she added a redundant adjective. As far as New Age (should that be capitalized?) crap goes-crap, in my opinion, is the correct word. The only answer I can give is that at the time she was young and impressionable and that particular outlook was all the rage. At least she didn't tend toward any of the other weird shit going on at the same time.
I've never bought into Linda as an atheist. Or an agnostic. When she announced she had Parkinson's, USA Today covered the story with some comments from Linda talking about her own mortality. She didn't seem to be worried, but she made a curious comment if she was indeed an atheist. She talked about being welcomed into heaven after her death. Atheists don't believe in heaven anymore than they believe in God, so that comment had me wondering what Linda truly believes in her golden years. When she did the Grace Cathedral interview, I believe the "I'm not a complete agnostic" wasn't in reference to God per se but possibly about reincarnation. It's been a while since I listened to it, so I may be remembering things wrong. But, I'm also guessing what Linda's true spiritual or religious beliefs are is something she doesn't want to talk about publicly. That's the problem too many religious people have: they're all too willing to share theirs with you and tell you must believe like they believe or no heaven for you. I've known quite a few atheists, having belonged to an atheist group for a short time on Facebook, and one trait they've all had in common was an arrogance they are right and the religious people are nutters. They are just as bad with their own fanaticism as they accuse the religious people of being. Linda has never exhibited any of that kind of arrogance, so I believe that what she believes is something she doesn't talk about. She keeps it hidden.
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Post by musedeva on Apr 27, 2017 0:09:08 GMT -5
linda and religion/////mutual exclusion....much?
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Post by musedeva on Apr 27, 2017 0:15:38 GMT -5
Yep!! I think ya Nailed it...er ...her.... I think Linda is a Pagan Liberation Theologist. (PLT)
Personally I think the New Age movement was interesting, delightful and long overdue. It freed millions from traditional religious enslavement and focused on the individual as a spiritual being and took the politics out of religion. It did for religion what Rock did for music.
Mexican Catholicism is basically pagan. Just like the Romans conquered and embraced Christianity (and made up a Bible) to save Rome so did the Catholic church conquer and embrace and incorporate the pagan worship of Guadalupe in Mexico. I am sure Linda was influenced by that as a youngster. She even traded in her Sin City jacket for a Guadalupe jacket on her Mexican road trip concerts. I am sure I have a photo of that somewhere.
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Post by the Scribe on Dec 24, 2017 1:34:19 GMT -5
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Post by Shelly on Jun 3, 2019 1:03:30 GMT -5
I know several former Catholics who became proclaimed and "practicing" athiests. It seems that the negative experiences they had made them give up not only their church but anything to do with the god it professed to serve. Linda sang religious songs in her early albums. When she has hangin' with Aaron Neville she commented that they were both Catholics. Something finally caused her to sever a relationship with the Catholic church, and evidentally with God Himself. Back in the days before she became famous, and she and her country-flavored backing band appeared a few times a year at The Palomino Club in North Hollywood, CA, she announced brazenly onstage that she had gone to Catholic school, and those nuns really sucked... Cruel treatment by Authority in the name of God has a way of staying with someone for their entire life.
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Post by the Scribe on Jun 3, 2019 2:08:54 GMT -5
Linda was quite rebellious in her youth and didn't have many nice things to say about the church. I seem to recall her mom saying she didn't think Linda would do well as a politician's wife lol. She mellowed a bit in her attitudes as she aged at least towards the religious music angle. She did quite a few bluegrass gospels numbers in her acts, recorded some with Trio and Emmylou and even Aaron Neville. And then on her Christmas album. I particularly liked her version of the old Shaker hymn Simple Gifts. I had Shakers in my family tree but they didn't last very long lol.
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Post by eddiejinnj on Jun 3, 2019 8:18:40 GMT -5
I never heard of Linda doing a song named "Simple Gifts" Is it on an album or never released Eddiejinnj
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Post by erik on Jun 3, 2019 9:12:10 GMT -5
Quote by Shelly:
I think she saw things done to other kids in Catholic school by the nuns as a youngster that really traumatized her, and she alludes to those incidents in her memoir. This was back in the 1950s, when it would seem that this kind of behavior inside the church was seemingly sanctioned. In too many ways, it still is, if all the priest sex abuse scandals and subsequent cover-ups are any indication.
Quote by ronstadtfanaz:
I can only speculate of course, but I think Linda's mellowing in the area of religion as such had a bit to do with the spiritual impact of music and the history behind it. She may not be comfortable with the idea of "organized" religion as such (and given how much it can be manipulated, can you blame anyone who is uncomfortable with it?), but the musical angle of it seems to be what, quite naturally, might be attracting her to it in her later years.
Quote by eddiejinnj:
I think she did this with Country Gazette on a much-circulated bootleg recording she made in a live performance at McCabe's Guitar Shop in Santa Monica in her pre-Heart Like A Wheel period.
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Post by eddiejinnj on Jun 3, 2019 10:58:11 GMT -5
oh ok the McCabe's session/s!!!! Thanks!! eddiejinnj
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Post by rick on Jun 3, 2019 11:47:27 GMT -5
On this topic, at one of the three career retrospective evenings I attended with Linda, she talked about how cruel the nuns were and, I am paraphrasing here, but that something was twisted inside of them (the Munster) for how cruel they could be. Speaking here as someone who was baptized Catholic, was a devout Catholic, and attended Catholic school grades 1-12, I can say I witnessed much cruelty by nuns toward other students. I can also say that I saw many living acts by nuns. That said, for a number of reasons, I couldn’t continue being a Catholic. But I believe take Linda at her word as to what she witnessed.
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Post by the Scribe on Jun 3, 2019 17:29:02 GMT -5
I never heard of Linda doing a song named "Simple Gifts" Is it on an album or never released Eddiejinnj Simple Gifts cornishwrecks.co.uk/lrfiles/1975McCabes/15_TisAGift(pitch-125).mp3 Here is Linda's dabbling into Bluegrass and Country. Most of her attempts are superb! Published on Jul 15, 2013 Linda Ronstadt and Country Gazette live from McCabe's Guitar shop 1974. (although the youtube video says 1972) Pure COUNTRY BLISS, from the Queen Herself..Happy Birthday Linda! My clock is off-video is 35 minutes long-apologies til i can get it fixed.
As always I DO NOT OWN A THING..SETLIST/PERSONNEL
Track 01. Rocky Top (Boudleax and Felice Bryant) Track 02. Crazy Arms (Ralph Mooney and Chuck Seals) Track 03. Once More (Dusty Owens) Track 04. Wicked Path Of Sin (Bill Monroe) Track 05. I Can't Help It (Hank Williams) Track 06. Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms (Bill Monroe) Track 07. The Poor Old Slave (traditional) Track 08. Angel Band (Traditional, The Stanley Brothers) Track 09. Orange Blossom Special (Ervin Rouse) - instrumental
Tracks 1-5 Linda Ronstadt on lead vocals Tracks 6-9 Linda duets with Country Gazette
Country Gazette likely lineup: Byron Berline - fiddle Roger Bush - bass Alan Munde - banjo, guitar plus guests Skip Conover (dobro) Bob Kimmel (Stone Poneys), background vocals on Tracks 8 and 9. For Person, Ruy.and Simbiland.....
Enjoy and God BlessOn the below songs if the link for a particular song doesn't work try "copy and paste" into the address bar and press enter. It will probably work that way. Copy and paste the ENTIRE line.
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brit
A Number and a Name
Posts: 6
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Post by brit on Jun 20, 2019 19:12:34 GMT -5
In Linda's present situation I want to reassure her that she will immediately wake up in heaven.I'm not religious but as a graduate mathematician I see the story of creation as the only sound and complete explanation of the universe and life on Earth.She can confidently look forward to seeing Chuck Berry again.
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Post by Dianna on Jun 20, 2019 23:30:34 GMT -5
There are also some very cool nuns.. I never had problems with the nuns at catechism.. (except 1 was very strict and everybody was afraid of her) We also have nuns in our family and we love them, a joy to be around... Linda did have some nice things to say about The Famous Nuns on A Bus...
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Post by eddiejinnj on Jun 21, 2019 7:34:47 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum, brit!!!!! It is easy to become a member if you wish!!! Hey Dianna how you been? eddiejinnj
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Post by erik on Jun 21, 2019 9:41:26 GMT -5
Quote by Dianna:
Yes she did. And if I remember right, she was (and probably still is) very friendly with Sister Helen Prejean down in Louisiana as well.
Of course, given what Linda saw and experienced as a youngster in Catholic schools in 1950s Arizona, it's not hard to imagine her getting turned off from any sort of organized religion for the longest time, and maybe even becoming an outright atheist (although I'm not sure she is really one of those either) . And it also isn't too hard, in my opinion, to be turned off by the idea of God when the way it is advocated by those on the Religious Right (whom I will not name, because why name morons?) is so utterly repellant, which was probably what was behind the comments she made about Republicans and evangelicals back in 2004.
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Post by eddiejinnj on Jun 21, 2019 16:34:03 GMT -5
Name calling in the forum imo is in bad taste. The comment from Linda is quite disturbing and the one time I was disappointed in her (that was so hard for me to say as I am such a loyal person but it is an important feeling of mine). I think that prompted her saying that she should be more gracious (I am including the 2004 remark as one she was speaking of in the gracious quote. Insight is cool and people make mistakes and misspeak). How about if she said I hate to think there are Libertarians and Hindus in the audience; it can ruin my night/performance. Those in glass houses should not throw stones. Linda has talked about how judgmental and uncompromising she can be in terms of thinking out of the box. Not sure capitalizing RR is correct technically as far as rules of capitalization. Just to clarify, my issue is naming groups you dislike and hope they are not in an audience when you are a performer and people come to see you in most cases for good money. She could have said purple people eaters and single moms on welfare and I would have the same uneasy feeling. eddiejinnj
ps; I am concerned for humanity in general that we are placing too much emphasis on a person's political affiliation, identified religion and certain occupations in order to judge/categorize people. As technology increases the world will get smaller as they say and we have to learn to get along better as it happens.
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brit
A Number and a Name
Posts: 6
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Post by brit on Jun 21, 2019 16:49:45 GMT -5
As a graduate mathematician I can assure Linda that creation is the only sound and complete explanation of the universe and all life on Earth.So she can look forward to repeating her devastating performance with Chuck Berry many more times.
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Post by eddiejinnj on Jun 21, 2019 17:15:29 GMT -5
Going off subject, if Linda was pissed she really did a great job singing with Berry then. That is what professionalism is. Boundaries, in part. eddiejinnj
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brit
A Number and a Name
Posts: 6
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Post by brit on Jun 21, 2019 18:00:18 GMT -5
Some other facts might be in order.My wife's father died of Parkinson's and it really was a merciful release.My wife has since died and it's a great comfort to think of them both permanently young and healthy.
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Post by the Scribe on Jun 22, 2019 0:25:06 GMT -5
I dare say most of Linda's fans were quite proud of her for taking a stand considering what was happening at the time politically. Today, we are still paying for what those groups did and many lives were ruined and lost. Almost 20 years later we are still in perpetual war. She didn't misspeak and she merely called Michael Moore an American hero and dedicated the song Desperado to him at the end of each concert causing the overly sensitive and guilty minded to freak out. Her comments about any groups came out after the Alladin event in an interview. There was enough publicity for people to know that Linda was going to dedicate the last song to Michael Moore to refrain from going. While Linda did say she could have been more gracious in the way she approached the topic she also said that she was proven to be correct. You wouldn't find me at a Ted Nugent concert because I know what to expect.
As a student of history, especially German history Linda was well aware the dangers of not speaking up. Calling the guilty out is actually the patriotic thing to do given our form of government.
Erik's comment was mild but a good place for a more candid comment is:
ronstadt.proboards.com/thread/5199/linda-ronstadt-politics-religion
I think social media will only make things worse especially since it is difficult to separate the truth from fake these days. Much more polarization. Critical thinking skills will be a necessity.
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Post by the Scribe on Jun 22, 2019 0:29:34 GMT -5
As a graduate mathematician I can assure Linda that creation is the only sound and complete explanation of the universe and all life on Earth.So she can look forward to repeating her devastating performance with Chuck Berry many more times. I am not sure Linda would want to do a repeat performance lol. Creation and evolution are not necessarily incompatible but I might tend to agree with you as our existence is quite illusory.
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Post by eddiejinnj on Jun 22, 2019 5:48:17 GMT -5
Calling people morons on here is not in good taste and I won't back down on that one. I was not talking about the Michael Moore incident. Like Linda said it was way blown out of proportion. It basically tmk and what I heard was a few grumbling people that left show. Being Vegas there are people who were comped for show perhaps etc so in Vegas and AC not just fans attend shows. Also, I don't think they took a Political/Religious poll of people in lobby. Come on. I believe she said that independent of that incident or perhaps in talking about it later or part of response to a question but I don't recall that. You seem to have no problem with whom she chose but you did not address my point of discussing groups that may be attending your concerts. How is she correct re: Evangelicals attending her concerts (not saying she correct about other group)? What if she said Democrats and Jews there would be outrage and rightly so. I believe wholeheartedly that people have a right to their opinion but to denounce certain groups that may be attending her concerts is just like she said not gracious. It is in this context not gracious. I am a Gay Republican (who believes there should be no parties at all but politics in general means money); how does Linda think of me? I guess she only likes the Gay part of me but I know she would like me as a person. I have kept my mouth shut for 15+ yrs on here. To call people (specific people who have done illegal/immoral acts) out is one thing but to denounce entire groups for attending her concerts is just wrong. I have spent a lot of money on 25 concerts to see Linda and tons of money on recordings and to think she would not want me in audience is subjectively insulting. I know she is a Democrat and that didn't stop me from attending her concerts (it just never factored into why I was a fan of Linda's). I believe in taking the high road as much as possible until people prove me wrong and are unethical etc and then I base my opinion on fact. I am a very kind, compassionate, logical, moderate (everything in moderation), don't spend more than you have kind of guy. It is a shame because of hate that you would not want to know me. People that don't want to know me imo are missing out. It is just sad!!!!!! If you believe what brit is saying than I believe there should be more kindness. Like what was said with social media etc we will only continue to see all the variations that are human. eddiejinnj
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Post by the Scribe on Jun 22, 2019 7:46:57 GMT -5
Calling people morons on here is not in good taste and I won't back down on that one. I was not talking about the Michael Moore incident. Like Linda said it was way blown out of proportion. It basically tmk and what I heard was a few grumbling people that left show. Being Vegas there are people who were comped for show perhaps etc so in Vegas and AC not just fans attend shows. Also, I don't think they took a Political/Religious poll of people in lobby. Come on. I believe she said that independent of that incident or perhaps in talking about it later but I don't recall that. You seem to have no problem with whom she chose but you did not address my point of discussing groups that may be attending your concerts. How is she correct re: Evangelicals attending her concerts. What if she said Democrats and Jews there would be outrage and rightly so. I believe wholeheartedly that people have a right to their opinion but to denounce certain groups that may be attending her concerts is just like she said not gracious. It is in this context not gracious. I am a Gay Republican (who believes there should be no parties at all but politics in general means money); how does Linda think of me? I guess she only likes the Gay part of me but I know she would like all of me. I have kept my mouth shut for 15+ yrs on here. To call people (specific people who have done illegal/immoral acts) out is one thing but to denounce entire groups for attending her concerts is just wrong. I have spent a lot of money on 25 concerts to see Linda and tons of money on recordings and to think she would not want me in audience is subjectively insulting. I know she is a Democrat and that didn't stop me from attending her concerts. I believe in taking the high road as much as possible until people prove me wrong and are unethical etc and then I base my opinion on fact. I am a very kind, compassionate, logical, moderate (everything in moderation), don't spend more than you have kind of guy. It is a shame because of hate that you would not want to know me. People that don't want to know me imo are missing out. It is just sad!!!!!! If you believe what brit is saying than I believe there should be more kindness. Like what was said with social media etc we will only continue to see all the variations that are human. eddiejinnj Again, it was a turbulent time from the questionable 2000 election, to a recession, more tax cuts for the wealthy, to ignoring the warnings of 9/11, lying us into two wars, use of GOP servers in the White House with millions of missing emails up to the 2004 election year and a president who said he was on a "crusade," (which has conservative and historic fundamentalist christian implications) etc. All that was focused on one political party and Michael Moore consolidated and exposed it with his popular film Farenheit 9/11 months before another turbulent election with that same president and party running. It was after its release when Linda began to dedicate her usual Desperado finale to Moore. It was a five second dedication and a hysterical conservative casino owner that exploited it and blew it out of proportion.
And it was after that when she was sought after to explain her views in articles. ("This is an election year, and I think we're in desperate trouble and it's time for people to speak up and not pipe down. It's a real conflict for me when I go to a concert and find out somebody in the audience is a Republican or fundamentalist Christian. It can cloud my enjoyment. I'd rather not know.") It was also after the Alladin so called incident when Linda asked her audiences if they had seen any good movies lately to audience laughter and she actually took a voice poll of her audience because it was an election year.
My point is there was plenty or reason to target one (R) party, one (R) president and a specific christian group that cheered him on to war months before an important (2004) election. Worse things are said by those two offended groups every day 24/7 by their own vast right wing media but I guess that is ok and not as horrific as a song dedication or feeling uncomfortable during an election year by those like Linda and Liberals who are being demonized and targeted endlessly. And part of that whole period saw a politicized book called Shut Up and Sing by right wing commentator Laura Ingraham and previous comments and controversy from the Dixie Chicks and Barbra as well.
So, you weren't the only one who had reason to feel targeted Eddie. All sides were feeling that way. Linda and others got caught up in that furor. I am sure Linda would love you just as you are (as we all do) but remember there are two sides to every story with many reasons behind it. It was part of the times. And it may be even worse nowadays. But yes, moron may not have been the word of choice outside of the war room but I am only attempting to put things into context as it was so long ago and we don't have the old forum to remind us what was going on at the time.
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Post by eddiejinnj on Jun 22, 2019 9:20:44 GMT -5
I do remember there are two sides of a story all the time as I often don't even comment with something I don't agree with usually unless it involves a Linda fact. A difference of opinion on policy etc is one thing but name calling etc I don't feel necessary considering the mission of this part of the forum. You are trivializing what was said about her audience. That is the key. I don't care if she didn't like George Bush or whatever I saw her live after 2004 a number of times until I think last live concert was 2008. Quoting Laura and the Dixie Chicks thing doesn't really get to the heart and compassion necessary to understand that she can be against Republicans and even Evangelicals but to say it bothers her they in audience just floors me. Part of the times does not mean correct. You felt targeted by Linda? Nobody should feel targeted if debate is fair, gracious (lol), and based on fact. Politics is debate or better be. So like I said boundaries are important. In this case, Linda should not have crossed boundaries and extrapolated her hate for what some Republicans were doing and transferring them to her live audience. How one can see that as fair I don't know!!!!!! It just wasn't necessary. But I have yard work to do. All have a good day!!!! eddiejinnj
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Post by the Scribe on Jun 22, 2019 9:35:49 GMT -5
But I have yard work to do. !!!! eddiejinnj Me too, before the sun is overhead it hits triple digits again.
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Post by eddiejinnj on Jun 22, 2019 12:34:15 GMT -5
No 3 digits here buddy. It been pretty cool here for this time of year. Lot of rain!!! eddiejinnj
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brit
A Number and a Name
Posts: 6
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Post by brit on Jun 22, 2019 18:16:18 GMT -5
The great 17th century French philosopher Voltaire described the situation perfectly when he said God's a comedian whose audience is afraid to laugh.
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Post by germancanadian on Jun 22, 2019 20:44:53 GMT -5
Linda said that she didn't like fundamentalist/evangelical christians, not all christians, there's a big difference. Fundamentalists can be really hateful and hypocritical.
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Post by erik on Jun 22, 2019 20:58:47 GMT -5
Quote by germancanadian:
All true. But one thing the fundamentalists are good at is sucking all the air and all the reason out of the room when it comes to God, or at least their concept of Him..
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Post by Partridge on Jun 23, 2019 4:33:55 GMT -5
I don't think it's true that Linda does not want any Republicans or Fundamentalists in her audience. That doesn't make any sense.
Here is the original quote from her about Christians and Republicans- it was after the Vegas incident, and it was an indication that she understood that audiences did not want a lot of political talk:
"I know it's hard for an audience.... If I go to a show and if I find out someone is a right-wing Christian or a Republican, and I really like their show, it still puts kind of a cloud over it to know," she said. "But I've kind of got used to that. I don't particularly like to be preached to, so I've limited my remarks to just saying I think [Moore is] a great American and a great patriot and that I recommend that they see his movie."
And I 100% agree with this. I went to a concert years ago and the performer was speaking about being on Air Force 1 with Bush and I didn't want to hear that. It did make me like him less. And then he got on his holier-than-me Jesus kick and his music got very stale after that.
On the other hand, I was a big fan of Skeeter Davis who always wore her Christianity proudly. Didn't bother me a bit because she was a happy Christian. (Yet she did get kicked off the Opry for making a Jesus-loving statement because the Opry management claimed it was political, and they didn't want politics on the Opry stage, even though Nixon had campaigned on that very stage the previous week.)
But I digress, as I often do. Somehow in a later interview, Linda's quote changed to not wanting these undesirables in her audience. That was quickly picked up by Christian and right-wing websites and heavily reported. I spoke with the reporter and he said he did not misquote Linda. However, I think it's more likely that Linda tripped over her tongue and misspoke. She has always been bad about her rehearsed pat answers. (Yes I tire of hearing she never sang anything that wasn't in her living room before she was 10.) It seems more likely to me that she was trying to re-use her audience member quote and misspoke. But if she did not misspeak, I don't care.
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