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Post by linda on Feb 17, 2015 15:10:18 GMT -5
Hi everyone! I wanted to start a blog on this subject. Is there anyone out there who has actually met Linda Ronstadt? I haven't , but I have met quite a few "famous' people. I use that term "famous" in the vein of someone who is universally recognized in a public setting, more so than I am.  I don't think that being famous really holds much water, but I do find it interesting to hear from people who have met these type people. For example, I have met and spoken to on several occasions the author David McCullough. He was a wonderful, gracious gentleman and I will remember our meetings forever. So, throw in your hat.....who has met Linda Good, bad or otherwise................. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2015 16:46:50 GMT -5
I will go:
During a tour in May 1996, I received an email from a Linda list administrator to people in those areas with Borders book stores that Linda was doing an ‘in store’ tour to meet her fans. Since this had been one of my life goals, I made sure that I was going to the book store (about 80 miles from me, although I would have traveled further).
I called the bookstore to confirm the day before (it was scheduled on a Sunday, fortunately) and as soon as the clerk answered the phone she was ready to say ‘yeah, she’ll be here – obviously they had a lot of calls.)
I made sure to leave home early to get to the book store before the scheduled visit (I think it was 11 am, not sure). There were signs in the store and I immediately went to the roped off waiting area (I was delighted to be about 10th in line). Linda appeared about on time to a smattering of applause (there was already some sparse instrumentation – I think a harp was about it).
We were delighted to have Linda sing four songs from the album (‘Dedicated to the one I Love” - a children’s album – kind of a novelty, actually). The standard was a beautiful version of the Beach Boys’ ‘In my room’.. You can tell a real singer when they sing live with almost no instrumentation and no studio gimmicks.
After the songs were over, Linda met the fans one at a time, and autographed the covers of the CD for the fans – I thought it was nice that the store had covers available for fans to have autographed – they didn’t require people to buy any CDs or books, which was nice. The store also prepared autographs beforehand (Linda had signed them ‘Sweet Dreams, Linda Ronstadt) and all you had to do was print your name on a CD.
I put quite some thought beforehand in what I was going to say, of course – what can you say to your #1 idol? I opted not to wear a Linda T-shirt – “too stalkerish”, although some of the men in line had them, and flowers also.
When my turn came (Linda was dressed very plainly with small reading glasses, almost librarian like), I just thanked her for all the years of great music. She responded in her Minnie Mouse voice (she has a tiny speaking voice, COMPLETELY different from her singing voice) ‘thank you, that’s so sweet’.
I told her I was looking forward to seeing her forthcoming concert and that was it. Of course, I waited until she left the store (how often am I going to be in the same room with her in that proximity?)…
Other things I remember;
Linda was very patient and gracious throughout (she had to be there well over two hours, about 2 ½ I guess. She also showed her maternal instincts by interrupting a song to walk over, kneel down and comfort a crying child!
All in all, quite a day!
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Post by linda on Feb 17, 2015 17:01:17 GMT -5
I will go: During a tour in May 1996, I received an email from a Linda list administrator to people in those areas with Borders book stores that Linda was doing an ‘in store’ tour to meet her fans. Since this had been one of my life goals, I made sure that I was going to the book store (about 80 miles from me, although I would have traveled further). I called the bookstore to confirm the day before (it was scheduled on a Sunday, fortunately) and as soon as the clerk answered the phone she was ready to say ‘yeah, she’ll be here – obviously they had a lot of calls.) I made sure to leave home early to get to the book store before the scheduled visit (I think it was 11 am, not sure). There were signs in the store and I immediately went to the roped off waiting area (I was delighted to be about 10th in line). Linda appeared about on time to a smattering of applause (there was already some sparse instrumentation – I think a harp was about it). We were delighted to have Linda sing four songs from the album (‘Dedicated to the one I Love” - a children’s album – kind of a novelty, actually). The standard was a beautiful version of the Beach Boys’ ‘In my room’.. You can tell a real singer when they sing live with almost no instrumentation and no studio gimmicks. After the songs were over, Linda met the fans one at a time, and autographed the covers of the CD for the fans – I thought it was nice that the store had covers available for fans to have autographed – they didn’t require people to buy any CDs or books, which was nice. The store also prepared autographs beforehand (Linda had signed them ‘Sweet Dreams, Linda Ronstadt) and all you had to do was print your name on a CD. I put quite some thought beforehand in what I was going to say, of course – what can you say to your #1 idol? I opted not to wear a Linda T-shirt – “too stalkerish”, although some of the men in line had them, and flowers also. When my turn came (Linda was dressed very plainly with small reading glasses, almost librarian like), I just thanked her for all the years of great music. She responded in her Minnie Mouse voice (she has a tiny speaking voice, COMPLETELY different from her singing voice) ‘thank you, that’s so sweet’. I told her I was looking forward to seeing her forthcoming concert and that was it. Of course, I waited until she left the store (how often am I going to be in the same room with her in that proximity?)… Other things I remember; Linda was very patient and gracious throughout (she had to be there well over two hours, about 2 ½ I guess. She also showed her maternal instincts by interrupting a song to walk over, kneel down and comfort a crying child! All in all, quite a day! Wow! Perfect. That was just what I was hoping to hear. You know how sometimes when you ask a question and you don't really want to hear something negative, well that's what I felt. Here is hoping that all of the responses are positive. Let's here more!!!! |
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Post by PoP80 on Feb 17, 2015 17:23:09 GMT -5
I met Linda at the Delacorte Theatre in July 1980 during Pirates of Penzance and basically hung around there until she left Broadway in May 1981. I knew this was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up, because I really wanted to meet her. It was the best time of my life!!! She signed numerous autographs for me and even got to know my name. Even though she was very shy and reserved around most of the fans, she was always so nice me. She has a special place in my heart and I will treasure these memories forever.
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Post by fabtastique on Feb 18, 2015 1:46:13 GMT -5
I met her at a "meet and greet" when she performed a few songs with the LA Gay Mens Chorus, this was 2005 I believe just after the release of Hummin' To Myself. I was really nervous and virtually said nothing to her but got the CD booklet for Round Midnight autographed .... it says
For Sean
Linda Ronstadt
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Post by eddiejinnj on Feb 18, 2015 8:53:54 GMT -5
I "met" her per se at the book signing sept 18 2013. I was within a couple feet of her said hi but spent most of my time explaining to janet the gift I was giving Linda as she signed my book. I was the last one and she was tired so I told her to take care of herself. I have close-up photos of her signing my book. eddiejinnj
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Post by eddiejinnj on Feb 18, 2015 8:55:34 GMT -5
that's great you got the booklet signed "for sean" fab!!!! eddiejinnj
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Post by fabtastique on Feb 18, 2015 9:08:14 GMT -5
Yes I have it in a frame at home |
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Post by linda on Feb 18, 2015 13:58:00 GMT -5
Yes I have it in a frame at home Wow, that's cool. Now, don't tell me you were afraid of her. Isn't she just over 5' tall. I'm so glad the people who have shared their experiences have had good ones. I was hoping that no one would say, oh yeah I saw her last week at the grocery store and she was such a ..............  I wonder what her neighbors think? I did hear her say recently that she likes her neighbors and the neighborhood. That's nice. |
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Post by PoP80 on Feb 18, 2015 16:17:16 GMT -5
From my encounters with Linda over the course of almost a year, I can say that she's as nice as she is talented. I once gave her a roller skate keychain and she wore it, which was thrilling. I thought I would die on the spot the first time she said hello to me by name! I still have to pinch myself sometimes that the whole Pirates experience actually happened because it seems like a dream... |
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lance
A Number and a Name
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Post by lance on Feb 18, 2015 16:49:55 GMT -5
I met her after her show in Hutchinson Kansas in 2007. She was adorable. I thanked her for coming to sing for us and she quickly said "You're welcome" with a bit of a smile. I had her autograph a cardboard Box Set CD card. When I handed it to her she looked at both sides. I think she was expecting it to be a piece of paper or a photo. The best part was just standing beside her afterwards and listening to her interact with her fans. Someone mentioned Look out for my Love and she said "Oh yeah" like she had almost forgotten she recorded it. Another mentioned The Prayer Cycle and she said how much she loved being part of that project. She signed some very cool memorabilia and laughed a lot. The following December I met Trisha Yearwood Christmas shopping and we ended up talking about Linda. She said that when she met Linda she felt like she was 14 year old again.
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Post by Guest on Feb 18, 2015 18:12:30 GMT -5
"I was hoping that no one would say, oh yeah I saw her last week at the grocery store and she was such a .............."
I have never heard any mortals who met her say anything but nice about Linda Ronstadt. She is one of us. The only exception may be when she lets her Archangel Michael out to protect us against a certain political party ideology but that is more generic. If they got to know her personally they would like and understand her and see how much more in common she has with their humanity then they know. Mention the name Linda Ronstadt to a Mexican and watch a big smile appear on their face. Her name is magic.
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Post by Robert Morse on Feb 18, 2015 18:56:31 GMT -5
I have been lucky enough to meet Linda several times. The first time was mid to late 70's (not sure of the year) in the lobby of 30 Rock after SNL and then again outside of RCMH during the Mad Love tour.
We basically hung out in Central park during the run of POP in Central Park - if you did not have a ticket you could always watch and listen from outside:) Met her several times during in Central Park and also at the DTTOIL CD tour.
The absolute highlight was getting to meet her 2 years in a row in Tucson where she performed benefits for the Waldorf School. The first year we met her at a meet and greet following her show (also fortunate to meet Mark Islam at that meet and greet:)). The second year was the highlight as Ira was able to get us backstage to meet her (always grateful to Rich for arranging that. It was a extra special as Emmylou was there too so we got pictures with both Linda and Emmy. Ira was also kind enough to get some items signed for us by each of them!! My favorite takeaway was a photo I took of Linda onstage at RCMH during the Mad Love tour - she signed that mat for me " To Rob Love, Linda Ronstadt" It has a very prominent place in my living room:)
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Post by Robert Morse on Feb 18, 2015 19:00:20 GMT -5
Just thought of a cool story.. one night after Pirates there was no one left but me and a buddy and this young girl and her Mom waiting for Linda. Linda came out (finally) and she was so kind to this girl. The girl explained that she wanted to be a singer and Linda gave her an impromptu lesson in using her head vs. her chest voice. She could not have been nicer.
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Post by Robert Morse on Feb 18, 2015 19:01:05 GMT -5
I met Linda at the Delacorte Theatre in July 1980 during Pirates of Penzance and basically hung around there until she left Broadway in May 1981. I knew this was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up, because I really wanted to meet her. It was the best time of my life!!! She signed numerous autographs for me and even got to know my name. Even though she was very shy and reserved around most of the fans, she was always so nice me. She has a special place in my heart and I will treasure these memories forever. PoP80 you are probably in some of my pictures:) |
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Post by linda on Feb 18, 2015 20:56:50 GMT -5
From my encounters with Linda over the course of almost a year, I can say that she's as nice as she is talented. I once gave her a roller skate keychain and she wore it, which was thrilling. I thought I would die on the spot the first time she said hello to me by name! I still have to pinch myself sometimes that the whole Pirates experience actually happened because it seems like a dream... That is so cool. I'm so happy to hear she is a nice person from those who met her. |
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Post by PoP80 on Feb 18, 2015 21:30:33 GMT -5
Rob--Do you have photos from the Park or Broadway? I knew a lot of the fans from Broadway, but not as many from the Delacorte.
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Post by PoP80 on Feb 18, 2015 21:40:10 GMT -5
That's a great example of what a generous person Linda is. She was friendlier to the fans during Pirates in the Park but after John Lennon was killed, she became very wary of the fans (understandably). For some reason, she trusted me and I was one of the few that she would speak to. She used to run into the stage door, hiding her face.
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Post by linda on Feb 19, 2015 13:31:21 GMT -5
I think the nicest compliment I have read so far is that she is one of us. I'm sure that would please her to know that. I wish I knew someone who could pass that along to her.
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Post by MetLindaBriefly on Feb 21, 2015 12:47:07 GMT -5
When I was 12 years old living in upstate New York I passed by a record store and saw the poster for "Hasten Down the Wind" in the window. I'd heard "That'll Be the Day" on the radio so I bought the record because I liked the single and I loved the way she looked on the album cover. I got home, listened and was blown away by "Try Me Again." In the following months I bought every earlier record of hers I could find. Even as a kid I gravitated to Linda at her most lovelorn, belting and dramatic. So I played "Long Long Time" "Love Has No Pride" and "Many Rivers to Cross" over and over again.
With each new release her voice grew more expressive. I collected every one and I also purchased any LP I could find that included a guest or background vocal from Linda.
By the time Linda released "Canciones de mi Padre" I had seen her in concert three times and she was always electrifying.
Her recordings in Spanish were such a remarkable step forward. Her performances on those songs were especially robust and emotional.
After one of the Canciones shows I waited at the back door of a sports arena where dozens of mariachi performers and dancers were filing out and getting into a pair of large tour buses.
Linda came out. A handful of us fans were waiting. She had no entourage and she looked at us with a face freshly scrubbed and free of makeup. She was absolutely gorgeous.
I stood there mesmerized as she walked right up to me and said one word, "Hi."
I opened my mouth but could not make a sound.
She seemed very entertained by this dumbstruck 22-year-old and she giggled.
She asked if I liked the show and I still couldn't speak so I nodded yes.
She giggled again and said she was glad.
Then she got into the first tour bus and it took off.
She was so down to earth and I could tell she just considered herself one member of the company. I already adored her but what little I witnessed on this occasion made me love her even more.
Many years later, I witnessed her exiting the Beacon Theater in New York City. I stood back from the crowd, gave her an excited wave and she did wave back. Standing next to me at the time was a very familiar looking woman who told me how much she loved Linda, what a class act she was and then told me that she wished she could sing like her. It was Lesley Gore, who we lost just this week.
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markv
A Number and a Name
Posts: 93
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Post by markv on Feb 21, 2015 16:23:11 GMT -5
Very interesting story by MetLindaBriefly.
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Post by PoP80 on Feb 21, 2015 18:11:49 GMT -5
Didn't know Lesley Gore was a Linda admirer--very nice to hear. Sad that she left us so soon. A common thread that those of us who have met Linda were dumbstruck and tongue-tied. After all, it was a mad love... |
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Post by erik on Feb 21, 2015 19:08:14 GMT -5
Quote by MetLindaBriefly:
A wonderful gesture from Lesley, who was a truly fine singer in her own way; she didn't have too shabby a career either.
Quote PoP80:
Having never met her, I can't say that I have had that experience, but I guess if I had, I probably would.
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Post by JasonKlose on Feb 21, 2015 20:46:54 GMT -5
When I was 12 years old living in upstate New York I passed by a record store and saw the poster for "Hasten Down the Wind" in the window. I'd heard "That'll Be the Day" on the radio so I bought the record because I liked the single and I loved the way she looked on the album cover. I got home, listened and was blown away by "Try Me Again." In the following months I bought every earlier record of hers I could find. Even as a kid I gravitated to Linda at her most lovelorn, belting and dramatic. So I played "Long Long Time" "Love Has No Pride" and "Many Rivers to Cross" over and over again. With each new release her voice grew more expressive. I collected every one and I also purchased any LP I could find that included a guest or background vocal from Linda. By the time Linda released "Canciones de mi Padre" I had seen her in concert three times and she was always electrifying. Her recordings in Spanish were such a remarkable step forward. Her performances on those songs were especially robust and emotional. After one of the Canciones shows I waited at the back door of a sports arena where dozens of mariachi performers and dancers were filing out and getting into a pair of large tour buses. Linda came out. A handful of us fans were waiting. She had no entourage and she looked at us with a face freshly scrubbed and free of makeup. She was absolutely gorgeous. I stood there mesmerized as she walked right up to me and said one word, "Hi." I opened my mouth but could not make a sound. She seemed very entertained by this dumbstruck 22-year-old and she giggled. She asked if I liked the show and I still couldn't speak so I nodded yes. She giggled again and said she was glad. Then she got into the first tour bus and it took off. She was so down to earth and I could tell she just considered herself one member of the company. I already adored her but what little I witnessed on this occasion made me love her even more. Many years later, I witnessed her exiting the Beacon Theater in New York City. I stood back from the crowd, gave her an excited wave and she did wave back. Standing next to me at the time was a very familiar looking woman who told me how much she loved Linda, what a class act she was and then told me that she wished she could sing like her. It was Lesley Gore, who we lost just this week. What a wonderful story! Sounds like it was a dream come true for you. Like Erik, I haven't had the good fortune of meeting Linda myself. But I've often thought that if it happened, that's most likely how it would be. She is just so down-to-earth that it's absolutely unreal. And you even saw her without makeup! She is a natural beauty. I hope I'll still have the opportunity that you had. I'm seeing Linda in May in Wilmington, Delaware. I'm counting down the days. It was also nice that you met Lesley Gore. She was a great singer too in her own right, but even she admired Linda's talent. So sad to see her taken away from us so early. She had a beautiful voice. |
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Post by Richard W on Feb 21, 2015 21:54:53 GMT -5
I'll bet Linda would liked to have met Lesley; interesting that Gore didn't use her name to get access. That was a great story.
I would love to have met Linda, but at the thought of it my tongue crawls down the back of my throat. I'm sure I'd drool like a slack-jawed idiot, faint from self-consciousness, or both, in that order. Probably better we never met.
Came close, though. Rode my bike past the Borders at the exact moment she was inside singing and signing for Dedicated. I found out the next day.
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Post by PoP80 on Feb 22, 2015 9:29:23 GMT -5
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Post by linda on Feb 22, 2015 15:56:58 GMT -5
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Post by linda on Feb 22, 2015 15:58:42 GMT -5
That is so cool. Good for you. I guess she really is , as my Mom wou 'll d say, a good egg. |
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Post by Dianna on Feb 22, 2015 16:28:15 GMT -5
wow sounds like there is more to that story. lol Did you work with her or with the venue? Sorry if I'm getting too nosey.. |
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Post by PoP80 on Feb 22, 2015 16:40:15 GMT -5
Dianna, I only know Linda from hanging out at Pirates of Penzance. I guess she appreciated my loyalty as a fan. Honestly, I felt kind of guilty that she went out of her way because it was such a hardship for her to write even at that time. I was really shocked that she remembered me after so many years and certainly didn't expect (or deserve) the "VIP" treatment.
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I don't think that being famous really holds much water, but I do find it interesting to hear from people who have met these type people. For example, I have met and spoken to on several occasions the author David McCullough. He was a wonderful, gracious gentleman and I will remember our meetings forever. So, throw in your hat.....who has met Linda Good, bad or otherwise.................
I wonder what her neighbors think? I did hear her say recently that she likes her neighbors and the neighborhood. That's nice.
