Article

[texasfan]

www.popdust.com/sexism-music-industry-linda-ronstadt-2323678686.html

[erik]

I saw this article; and it really shows to the extent that sexism still plays in a lot of circles in the business. Really eye-opening stuff to be sure, but what is even more amazing (and heartening) is that a lot of these younger women who were also interviewed here knew of Linda, and especially that interview she gave back in late 1969 for Fusion. Linda's influence clearly lingers on, even if she's no longer recording or performing.

[the Scribe]

Mar 26, 2017 2:44:10 GMT -5 texasfan said:

www.popdust.com/sexism-music-industry-linda-ronstadt-2323678686.html

Another thoughtful article from Jason. He put A LOT of work into that. I am sure Linda would be in agreement point by point. The entertainment industry is a rough life but with a real talent and proper motivation it still has some treacherous twists and turns especially for females. This is yet another example of Linda as trailblazer that goes unnoticed, ignored, underestimated or worse. There are some people who wouldn't give Linda credit for anything because she wasn't a songwriter (for the most part). Yet these same people will sing the praises of others, even females who also weren't songwriters but Linda was held to a different standard. Pisses me off lol. Linda handles it better than I do which is why she is the better person.

[Thoughtful]

I enjoyed this article. Thank you. Since the publication of her musical memoir and the Parkinson's revelation, at the end of 2013, the revised Renaissance recognition of Ronstadt has been impressive and I am glad that she is often mentioned knowledgably or just to drop a name by hipsters in the Americana Scene. Jason Scott seems to be a devoted smart writer in the POP realm. Of course the honors(Lifetime Grammy, National Medal of Arts, the RRHF(who cares!), the tribute bands and the concerts honoring her voice have been heartening. However, the feeling that her immense and rare talent goes under the radar - or is lumped with such lightweight talents such as Carly Simon or Karen Carpentar or Pat Benatar is due more to the fact that Linda herself really limits or avoids modern promotion of her work - there is not even an official website. But those unfair misogynist critic comments from decades ago(Marsh especially) have been almost swept aside by the recognition by musicians and others that no one male or female had a set of pipes like Linda Ronstadt. No one. It is our job to continue the advocacy. Thank you for maintaining this site - whoever you are.

[the Scribe]

thoughtful said: Thank you for maintaining this site - whoever you are.

That would be our mysterious and fearless leader, Partridge (aka many other names)

[erik]

Quote by ronstadtfanaz re. Popdust article:

This is yet another example of Linda as trailblazer that goes unnoticed, ignored, underestimated or worse.

In most mainstream publications, this is true--though that has a fair amount to do with Linda being a private person. But alongside Jason's insightful reporting here are the quotes from the artists he interviews here, who are much younger than Linda and who work in different kinds of music from what Linda ever did, and yet they know who she is, and her reputation.

[jeffmeister]

It makes me truly angry to think that Linda and the women who told their stories had to deal with this bullshit. When Linda played at Virginia Tech back in the 70s and 80s, I had wondered if she had to deal with drunken frat boys propositioning her. My only time seeing her in concert was at the start of the Cry Like a Rainstorm tour here in Roanoke. If I had known at the time, I probably would've gotten some of my friends to drive me to Blacksburg to see Linda one of the 2 (or 3? not sure) times she appeared there.

[the Scribe]

Apr 9, 2017 15:09:33 GMT -5 jeffmeister said:

It makes me truly angry to think that Linda and the women who told their stories had to deal with this bullshit. When Linda played at Virginia Tech back in the 70s and 80s, I had wondered if she had to deal with drunken frat boys propositioning her. My only time seeing her in concert was at the start of the Cry Like a Rainstorm tour here in Roanoke. If I had known at the time, I probably would've gotten some of my friends to drive me to Blacksburg to see Linda one of the 2 (or 3? not sure) times she appeared there.

It's amazing how most don't know the background stories that go with Linda or other trailblazers. To most it is just a matter of liking or not liking a song with no clue what went into the making of it...sometimes a life of strife. Jason did a good thing the way he weaved Linda's story into this piece because I don't think many of today's artists realize they are standing on Linda's shoulders and may be dismissive of her. We sure have some real talent visiting or part of our little forum. Mark's interview with Jimmy Webb is another good one to read. Even the men had their own problems albeit quite different from the women.

[erik]

Quote by ronstadtfanaz:

It's amazing how most don't know the background stories that go with Linda or other trailblazers. To most it is just a matter of liking or not liking a song with no clue what went into the making of it...sometimes a life of strife. Jason did a good thing the way he weaved Linda's story into this piece because I don't think many of today's artists realize they are standing on Linda's shoulders and may be dismissive of her.

There are some younger artists that we can name that can identify with Linda and her struggles with sexism and the fine art of finding songs that resonate with her so that she can connect with an audience. But the "bigger" artists don't seem to have that appreciation, let alone even a modicum of understanding, probably because they think they're protected by all the people around them, the managers, scenesters, groupies, hangers-on, and other various miscreants. I still cringe when I see Taylor Swift, who is now at the age (27) where Linda was when she recorded "Desperado", but who still acts like she's ten years younger, and still sings and write songs that same way.

[Guest]

Good article - and really always found that Fusion article (first read here) - sometime ago - to represent Linda at her young grooviest - she swears like a sailor - yet always thinking, trying to figure out human behavior be it the Beauties or the Beasts. She is 17 years older than me but certainly the most important role model for real true singers - whether they make it to Stardom or not. She is so exceptional