Linda's Memoir & Probable Movie

[the Scribe]

In the past we have fantasized about a Linda Ronstadt movie and who would best play her. Her impending book may turn that into an eventuality but I wonder if Linda knows her memoirs may be made into a movie? I am sure it has crossed her mind. Knowing that would it change what she would share? No doubt it would elevate her popularity and interest in her career enough that the RRHOF would be begging her to come in. It would also introduce her to a whole new generation of fans and hopefully inspire them into a new musical direction from what is out there today.

It will be refreshing to have a film biography of a success story that wasn't filled with beatings, agony and boorish Hollywood types but of a genuinely nice person that had her shit together, grounded in family, not dependent on religion for emotional or spiritual support and an early women's libber that shattered the glass ceiling for females everywhere. (and then they could make one of the true story too.... just kidding)

Linda could write a book about her experiences of just the Laurel Canyon days and it would sell like hotcakes. There is such a mystique about that location and era and she had the inside track. It would be fascinating to see it all through Linda's eyes. If her writing (and organizing) skills are up to it she could become very popular in her new career. I think she will prove to be a wonderful writer.

We fans may have a couple of exciting years coming up!



from Philly:

Hugh Jackman’s Wife Says He Doesn’t Yet Grasp How Big “Les Miz” Will Be
12/11/12 1:28am
Roger Friedman

Monday night brought the very lavish, wild premiere for “Les Miserables” to New York’s Ziegfeld Theater. By the time we got a very crowded corner of the lobby of the Museum of Modern Art for the swanky after party, Hugh Jackman’s wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, surveyed the room. We saw Hugh about 20 feet away, swarmed by adoring fans. “Hugh doesn’t even realize how big this is going to be,” Furness said in her lilting Australian accent. “It’s only just dawned on me.”

Indeed, Universal Pictures is pulling out all the stops for “Les Miz,” directed by Oscar winner Tom Hooper. There was a London premiere, and there will be one in Hollywood. Today, there’s a massive, elegant lunch for the cast and crew. Tonight, Jackman is honored by the Museum of the Moving Image. Anyone vaguely connected to the film will be there, too.

Last night, I sat with the audience through my second screening. Jon Bon Jovi and wife Dorothea were there–she’s a huge fan of the musical. “Raging Bull” star Cathy Moriarty couldn’t get enough of it. Richard Kind was over the top, as were Zach Brafman and a dozen or more celebs who braved the annoying rain. By the time the night was over I’d had long talks with ecstatic execs like Ron Meyer, Donna Langley, Adam Fogelson, and Eric Fellner. Plus, there was Hugh and Debora, Anne Hathaway, her family and husband Adam Schulman; Sacha Baron Cohen, who nearly steals the movie with Helena Bonham Carter; and the amazing Samantha Barks who’s only 22 and is poised to become a huge Broadway star. Next year, Cameron McKintosh told me, he’d like to bring Barks here in “Oliver!” She’s about to open it under his banner in Dublin.

About three quarters of the way through the movie, I ran out to take a bathroom break. Coming from the opposite end of the theater was Barks, who was wearing a long gown. I’d never met her before. “I’m barefoot,” she cried and pulled up her satin dress. “What a way to meet someone!” She is absolutely a star in waiting. I told her she should play Linda Ronstadt in the famed singer’s story. “Who’s that?” she asked. She’s a Brit, remember, and she’s 22. By now she’s memorizing “Heart Like a Wheel.”

“Les Miz” is the kind of Hollywood production audiences are hungry for–it’s massive, it’s romantic, it’s deep, and it’s never boring. You leave the theatre singing all the songs. Anne Hathaway takes your breath away when she sings “I Dreamed a Dream.” The audience started cheering almost before it was over. For Hugh Jackman, forget Wolverine or the Boy from Oz. This is performance of a lifetime. I asked him how he got the hollow cheeks in the beginning of the film. “It’s a horrible diet,” he admitted. “Don’t try it.” Deborra-Lee added: “It’s a lot of liquids.”

And just in case you wondered: Jackman plays Jean Valjean, who sounds like he already got an Oscar this year. That was Jean Dujardin. Very similar, but not the same. Hugh Jackman is heading to the Oscar finalist list, with Daniel Day Lewis, Bradley Cooper, Denzel Washington and, I think, either Christoph Waltz or Joaquin Phoenix.

Read more: www.ronstadt.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=673&page=2#ixzz2HaY3aEUS


She definitely has the look (cheekbones and nose) and can sing:



She would have to take talking lessons to sound like an Arizonan.

Topic: Who could play Linda in a movie redux. (Read 334 times)

Read more: www.ronstadt.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=569&page=1#ixzz2Hayoy6ct

[MokyWI]

That is exactly what I thought when I saw "Les Miz" a couple weeks ago. I thought she was breathtakingly beautiful in the movie.

[the Scribe]

Maybe old beau George Lucas would be interested in making a Ronstadt film bio? I never understood why he didn't do more to help her along in her career as he had so much at his fingertips to do so. Maybe we will find out in the book. Knowing as much as we here know about Linda, her childhood, family history etc. there would almost need to be two movies. One would have to be a documentary and the other a Hollywood bio that would be more for the masses.

[sliderocker]

I wonder if Linda knows her memoirs may be made into a movie? I am sure it has crossed her mind. No doubt it would elevate her popularity and interest in her career enough that the RRHOF would be begging her to come in. It would also introduce her to a whole new generation of fans and hopefully inspire them into a new musical direction from what is out there today.

The possibility of her autobiography being made into a movie may have crossed her mind. As for the book raising her popularity and interest in her recording career, that would be nice if it happens, but as for it being enough for the R&RHoF to beg her to come in, I don't think that would happen. I sometimes think all of the nminating members of the hall will have to be replaced before Linda (and others) is ever voted in. As for introducing a whole new generation of fans, maybe, inspiring them into a new musical direction, also a maybe although I tend to think if it were to happen, it wouldn't be anything on a grand scall. Maybe just a handful.

It will be refreshing to have a film biography of a success story that wasn't filled with beatings, agony and boorish Hollywood types but of a genuinely nice person that had her shit together, grounded in family, not dependent on religion for emotional or spiritual support and an early women's libber that shattered the glass ceiling for females everywhere. (and then they could make one of the true story.... just kidding)

One also could be quite surprised. Would she disappoint you if she was to write that she is a religious person who keeps her religious views to herself? A lot of people project their own beliefs onto a celebrity and assume the celebrity is just like they imagine them to be, and then they turned out not to be what they expected. Celebrities are just like us: complicated human beings whose beliefs may be similar to a lot of people's beliefs but their beliefs are not a 100% carbon copy of others. Linda may not be the person you think or hope she is.

Linda could write a book about her experiences of just the Laurel Canyon days and it would sell like hotcakes. There is such a mystique about that location and era and she had the inside track. It would be fascinating to see it all through Linda's eyes. If her writing (and organizing) skills are up to it she could become very popular in her new career. I think she will prove to be a wonderful writer.

Not to be a wet blanket here, but while I think Linda's experiences during the Laurel Canyon days would make for an interesting read, I don't know that her book would sell any more copies than what books by others that covered the same area and time. I believe there was a book a few years ago about Laurel Canyon and the lives and times of those who lived there and it wasn't a big seller. As for how well Linda's book will do, maybe one barometer of how it could do are the sales on books writetn by her contemporariers such as Neil Young, Carly Simon and Carole King. Any ideas as to the sales numbers on those books?

I know the USA Today publishes a book chart in its Thursday edition but it doesn't provide any sales figures and unlike the RIAA, the book industry does not have a certification and award accomendation to recognize best selling books. One doesn't know whether a book sold 2,000 copies or 20 million copies. I rather imagine the book might do fairly well when it's released but what is fairly well in the book world? 25,000 copies? 100,000 copies?


We fans may have a couple of exciting years coming up!

I'm looking forward to Linda's autobiography but I'm not going to put any preconceived beliefs about what I think Linda is like in person. I don't know her personally, even though I would like to have known her personally. I wouldn't want to be disappointed in Linda because of any preconceived notions I had about her. Linda is who she is, and that's the person someone with a preconceived notion about her will have to accept.

[musicaamator]

Must admit I never heard of this actress, but could see how she could play Linda if ever a biopic was made. I was thinking that Victoria Justice could/should be the one.

"I'm looking forward to Linda's autobiography but I'm not going to put any preconceived beliefs about what I think Linda is like in person. I don't know her personally, even though I would like to have known her personally. I wouldn't want to be disappointed in Linda because of any preconceived notions I had about her. Linda is who she is, and that's the person someone with a preconceived notion about her will have to accept."

As for this, I agree. There were/are many people I would like to meet, but I know they would not live up to the expectations I unfairly placed on them. So I am content with the music, photos and bios about them. And besides, I would probably be just another bumbling star-struck fan she probably has encountered many times over the years.

[the Scribe]

Would she disappoint you if she was to write that she is a religious person who keeps her religious views to herself?

umm, that would turn my hair white. Then again, maybe I should speak with John Boylan before reading the book.

[sliderocker]

Jan 10, 2013 13:57:34 GMT -5 the Scribe said:

Would she disappoint you if she was to write that she is a religious person who keeps her religious views to herself?

umm, that would turn my hair white. Then again, maybe I should speak with John Boylan before reading the book.

LOL! As for speaking to John Boylan, well, he knows her, obviously, being her manager and all. But, he can only know so much about a person, including Linda and what she chose to reveal to him. That is the way with all relationships: you know what you know about the person (and vice versa) based on what they have revealed to you and what your observations of that person have been. And what you observe about a person could just as easily be totally wrong. You can't be with that person 100% of the time or be inside their head to know what they're thinking every second of the day. It's impossible.

Linda's book should be one that presents her as she is and as she was as like all human beings, she is an evolutionary being, always changing. But, your comment about Linda being religious making your hair turn white makes me wonder the preconceived ideas any of us might have about her? I admit I have some based on the stories about her or interviews she's given in the past. But, I know all how too easy it is for those stories and interviews to not have presented all of the picture (all of what she actually said) and create a false impression in the process. Taking something out of context or not printing word for word what was said can lead to grief for the celebrity. Recall the blowup over John Lennon's "bigger than Jesus" comment that was taken out of context. It's that easy to create a firestorm, and it's sometimes intentional.

[philly]

dollars to donuts she's an atheist!

[sliderocker]

Jan 10, 2013 16:10:47 GMT -5 philly said:

dollars to donuts she's an atheist!

I'be willing willing to bet on her being an agnostic or deist, but she could still be Catholic, altough a very lapsed Catholic.

[MokyWI]

One thing is for sure. Ronstadt does not look down on homosexuals, she does not believe a man has a right to control her or other women's actions. Not to mention she is NOT a Republican...pretty safe bet she is not a holy roller. As far as believing in a higher power, I have a feeling she is not a complete atheist. Yes, I am we'll aware all Republicans are not judgmental bible thumpers. If she is an atheist I do not think less of her even though I believe myself in a higher power. Now if she has changed her mind and is now a Republican that would be disappointing to hear IMO. I have no worries of that though.

[Dianna]

Jan 10, 2013 16:10:47 GMT -5 philly said:

dollars to donuts she's an atheist!

ha ha.. if so, I hope she reads the life after life threads going on this forum.

[erik]

Quote by sliderocker:

I'be willing willing to bet on her being an agnostic or deist, but she could still be Catholic, altough a very lapsed Catholic.

I think she once called herself a "recovering Catholic" (or something to that effect). She didn't have it very easy in Catholic schools back home in Arizona because the nuns were such dictators (she called them, at least back then, "the worst fascists"), and so she may not be anywhere close to being religious. But I kind of doubt she's an atheist, although the way God's word is perverted here in America it would not be hard to understand it if she were.

[Deleted]

I think Jennifer Lawrence might be worth considering... a very attractive young woman, whose acting ability was reflected in this year's Oscar nominations

[sliderocker]

Jan 10, 2013 19:11:46 GMT -5 erik said:

I think she once called herself a "recovering Catholic" (or something to that effect). She didn't have it very easy in Catholic schools back home in Arizona because the nuns were such dictators (she called them, at least back then, "the worst fascists"), and so she may not be anywhere close to being religious. But I kind of doubt she's an atheist, although the way God's word is perverted here in America it would not be hard to understand it if she were.

I tend to believe Linda could be spiritual but not religious. I could not see her being an evangelical Christian or belonging to any religion in which its members stand in judgement of those they don't approve of. I could also not see her being an atheist because of being turned off by what goes on in religions in the name of Christianity. Yet, the thing for me is I don't want to put any preconceived ideas about what she's like as a private person. She could be quite religious and be the type of religious person (Christian or otherwise) who lives by example and doesn't use her religion to beat down anyone who disagrees with her. People don't need to be disappointed if she's not what they hope her to be. She'll still be a good person whether she's Christian, not a Christian, athiest or something in between.

[eddiejinnj]

i truly believe that linda has quite a bit of spirituality and thus may have a higher power/God she believes in. while very progressive in thinking in certain areas, linda is very traditional and almost old fashioned in certain ways. look at the workshop she did on adobe homes and she very much respects agrarian cultures etc. the political affiliation thing i won't touch on lol!!!!!! eddiejinnj

[musicaamator]

Concerning Linda's being religious or not, here's a quote she made when asked why she was recording a Xmas album:

"I want to make a quote-unquote Christmas record, although there is not a religious bone in my body. I consider Christmas only the Christian expression of the winter solstice. There is a lot of winter solstice music out there -- Greek Orthodox, Jewish music. "

Here's the link:
www.ronstadt-linda.com/artsfc95.htm

[the Scribe]

I too thought she was more paganistic/Hippie/Earthy/pre-Christian/etc. and a believer in a higher power or organized force but not one to outwardly (or inwardly) worship. People assign different meanings to the word "religious" but I am not sure if she meant atheist, or agnostic, etc. Being a "Cancer" woman by nature (if you believe in that) she ought to be extremely intuitive, nurturing and interested in things metaphysical. I have read conflicting statements from her in the past i.e. believing in re-incarnation and then not believing in it later on. She usually has very good insights into things but may have had some experiences that jaded her thought processes or beliefs. She also has an active mind which is sometimes a hindrance towards higher development but she certainly is street smart and book wise. A perfect blend. I hope she opens up about her belief system. It would be fascinating.

[Richard W]

I don't know if there is enough dramatic conflict in Linda's story to warrant a film about her. That's not to say her story isn't fascinating on an artistic level, but if you look at the musical bio films, there is always the overcoming of some major adversity (extreme poverty, drug addiction, domestic violence) or the tragic death (plane crash, suicide, murder) of the subject.

While Linda is a fascinating figure (especially to us on the forum), as a subject for a dramatic film, her story just doesn't seem to have the requisite dramatic arc.

But a documentary? Absolutely.

[musicaamator]

Jan 11, 2013 14:26:24 GMT -5 Richard W said:

I don't know if there is enough dramatic conflict in Linda's story to warrant a film about her. That's not to say her story isn't fascinating on an artistic level, but if you look at the musical bio films, there is always the overcoming of some major adversity (extreme poverty, drug addiction, domestic violence) or the tragic death (plane crash, suicide, murder) of the subject.

While Linda is a fascinating figure (especially to us on the forum), as a subject for a dramatic film, her story just doesn't seem to have the requisite dramatic arc.

But a documentary? Absolutely.

The band Rush (one of my faves) is like Linda too in that there was no controversy, drugs, sex or dissension among the members (although there was the tragic loss of the drummer's daughter and wife within one year of each other) but an amazing documentary..er, rockumentary was made on them nonetheless.

So it's possible the same documentary can be done too on Linda without having to rely on the perfunctory sex, drugs and rock and roll angle.

[the Scribe]

Speaking as the most "unobjective" Ronstadt fan here I am reminded of this article by richwar's comments. I posted it at the old forum because I saw it as a tribute to a real survivor that confounded just about everyone along the way. Maybe Linda's life doesn't have all the drama of lesser artists but she was right there for most of the things the rest of us have only read about and would probably find interesting. A steady force of nature with a lot to share and inspire. I would be in the front seat of the theatre for a movie like that.

ronstadt-linda.com/v-web/bulletin/velco2/viewtopic.php?t=9625

www.furious.com/perfect/lindaronstadt.html

The Enduring Virtue of Linda Ronstadt
It's So Easy (Nice girls finish first?)

by Calliope Kurtz
(December 2009)

When I first discovered pop music - 1972 - a vast, variegated avalanche of sound enveloped me. So many avenues to pursue, and so much with which to reckon, I had little choice but to become a partisan. There were obvious distinctions to discern - old and new (the chronology of Hot Rocks), loud and soft (Led Zeppelin, Moody Blues), male and female (Cat Stevens, Judy Collins), ornate and stark (Yes, Cactus) and stoned and sober. This particular dichotomy presented itself with less overture upon the ears of a suburban tween but there was something distinguishing the general vibe emanating off the grooves of records by Hot Tuna and, hmm, Iron Butterfly.

Far out, or square. Back then, there was a definite legitimacy granted to music made high. So it seemed, the difference between Rubber Soul, great, and Sgt. Pepper, genius, was LSD. On smack, Eric Clapton conjured a volcanic muse (Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs) while his "clean" comeback, 461 Ocean Boulevard, was utterly dullsville. Market constituencies exemplified such divergence: teetotalers favored the (pre-disco) Bee Gees, weekend beer drinkers bought Chicago albums while heads got off on Bloodrock. Such categorization wasn't 100% accurate - The Carpenters were probably more smashed than Pink Floyd - but the chasm between AM and FM suggested otherwise.

Fewer performers on the radio in those days were as straight as Linda Ronstadt. Consistent. Professional. Unhip. When everyone else weaved and wobbled in and out of the beats and measures, there was Ronstadt, metronome bullseye every time. Perfect, in her case, was pejorative. Ditto her success which (seemingly) came so easily.

There was a lot going on in the Seventies. Bowie in a dress, Mitchell and Mingus, "Anarchy in the U.K." Who had time for a jukebox slew of rockabilly and Motown covers? Top 40. Two minute ditties, all business, guitar breaks composed of braille, a singer with the funk of an Southwestern Bell operator. Didn't she discover The Eagles? Just look at the cover of Living In The USA - Ronstadt is so adventurous she's, what, rollerskating in an office building, looking scared shitless at that. Her version of "Tumblin' Dice," a trashed-out classic, is so sober, the lyrics are actually legible. Inside the Simple Dreams gatefold, Ronstadt and band are supposedly ready to rock - but, look, the bottle of Jose Cuervo is unopened.

At the time, teenage girls had cooler music. Laura Nyro. Grace Slick. Stevie Nicks. And Janis 4ever. They were real rock n rollers. They were substance abusers. Linda Ronstadt practically defied the Seventies, never stepping foot in a detox center. No onstage breakdowns. No ‘Whatever happened to.' If the paradigm of suffering for art is characterized by Billie Holiday, Ronstadt was content, another pejorative word, to go the route of Peggy Lee. "The real hard rock n rollers are dead," she told Playboy, April 1980, right at the point when her career was about to shift into something else.

I spent the entire Seventies switching the dial whenever Linda Ronstadt came on the radio. "When Will I Be Loved," "You're No Good," "It's So Easy," jingles, la di da, tap your fingers on the steering wheel, but "Blue Bayou" - puh-leese! Later, I heard Ronstadt made a "New Wave" record. Har di har, I presumed. Forcing pop on punky Elvis Costello - girl, that's some nerve. The joke was on me. Linda Ronstadt got it fairly correct with Mad Love - all mid-Sixties guitar, bass and drums without a single damning trace of synths or canned beats. And her vocals are totally credible: check the final shouts on "Hurts So Bad" - dream on Pat Benatar, Ronstadt sounds as coolly toughened as Kate Pierson.

OK, she got better shedding the country-rock schtick, or maybe a decade's experience singing has something to do with singing better. And keeping the brain cells intact, too. Twelve albums on, she captured my interest. (I went back, though, to 1967's "Different Drum" and got intrigued: a protofeminist, postmodernist torch song - penned by Michael Nesmith, another straight showbiz person - it pairs Ronstadt with strings, a telling presagement). Going back proved her course to artistic actualization. Right around the time Ronstadt's career went from "babe to district attorney" (to quote First Wives Club), she pulled a Bobby Darin and produced What's New (from 1983).

So, returning to "Tumblin' Dice," by the mid-Eighties, our superheroic debauchees were partied out, konk, nothing left but golden oldies; meanwhile, Ronstadt was just gearing up for something astounding. Artistic legitimacy. Instant zeitgeist. Maybe there's something to be said for sobriety and professionalism.

Calling Nelson Riddle out of an ignominious retirement (stints with 101 Strings and the Muzak corporation), Ronstadt's trilogy of standards (What's New, Lush Life and For Sentimental Reasons) mapped out a genre (Cyndi Lauper, Sinead O'Conner, even Joni Mitchell followed the lead), defined a decade (conservative and complacent) and certified Ronstadt a singer of first standing. (Nostalgic but not retro, Ronstadt, Riddle and producer Peter Asher created an Eighties palette for the American Songbook as each of the three LPs improved the formula). Her solo turns on Trio ("Telling Me Lies" and "I've Had Enough," alongside Dolly & Emmylou) sealed the deal. Technical mastery (finally) met emotional engagement.

Stephen Holden, reviewing both Mad Love and What's New, got the tempo of Ronstadt's evolution. The former, he notes "comes from the head, not the heart, [and] will undoubtedly alienate New Wave purists, since the essence of punk is furious spontaneity, and Ronstadt's ‘spontaneity' is calculated down to the smallest phrase and tiniest breath." Everyone loves the intensity borne of suffering for art. More intuition! More suffering! Less rehearsing! Holden asks "can rock & roll - supposedly a disposable, spontaneous pop form - yield to the sort of academicism with which [...] Ronstadt invest it? Does it lose its life as soon as it becomes ‘serious'?"

Or, cut to the brink: Ain't desperate music wrong when played with assurance?

Three years later, Holden (moving up, in a similarly uptown trajectory, from Rolling Stone to the New York Times) confronts Ronstadt's solution to the questions just posed: "[These songs] are artifacts to be affectionately explored as much for their formal qualities as for any emotional revelation. This is not to imply that Miss Ronstadt's singing is coldly detached but that her emotional tone is studiedly even. Her readings are models of balance, clarity and warmth. [...] Linda Ronstadt has always taken pride in her songwriting taste, and on What's New that taste is 100 percent sure."

I would suggest Ronstadt eventually realized she was too sober for rock n roll, so she used the commercial muscle she built up playing rock 'n' roll to escape from rock n roll, ending up in context where her competence (another pejorative term) made sense, played to strength.

1987's Canciones de Mi Padre followed to even greater acclaim. Ronstadt then duetted with Aaron Neville for Grammy-winning radio smashes ("Don't Know Much" and "All My Life") going into the 1990's. Ronstadt's version of Jimmy Webb's "Adios," with Brian Wilson layering in California mystique, provided another radio triumph. And 2004's Hummin' To Myself, a jazz combo return to standards, has practically ensured Ronstadt a good shot at postage stamp status. It's been a long route from her misbegotten performance of Dylan's "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" and it's refreshing to see an artist, especially a female one once bankable for looking cute on album jackets, so completely demolish the old 'Only the early stuff' riff.

Then again, sobriety - and its corollary, professionalism - is all about the long-distance run. Like Sinatra, it took Ronstadt over a decade to find her repertoire. Most performers who suffer for art instead of figure it out don't last that long. Lester Bangs called Ronstadt, in 1972, "one of the finest distillations ever of rock, C&W, and other vocal styles" - and did he ever miss knowing how right he was.

[sliderocker]

I don't know if there is enough dramatic conflict in Linda's story to warrant a film about her. That's not to say her story isn't fascinating on an artistic level, but if you look at the musical bio films, there is always the overcoming of some major adversity (extreme poverty, drug addiction, domestic violence) or the tragic death (plane crash, suicide, murder) of the subject.

It's likely there would be enough behind the scenes drama going on that the public knows little or nothing about. Consider how Capitol wanted her to go solo from the moment they signed the Stone Poneys. Imagine how she must've felt about that, not to mention how Kenny and Bob felt. Also, when she wanted to sing country and was being discouraged or the pressure from the record companies to always come up with hits or else. And just imagine how her success might've impacted her personal life: how many guys did she have a relationship with think of her as Linda Ronstadt (the celebrity) and not Linda Ronstadt (the person)? Her celebrity status could've had some negative impact on her private life. There's probably mroe than enough behind the scenes stuff that could be made into a movie if Linda writes about her life behind the scenes.


While Linda is a fascinating figure (especially to us on the forum), as a subject for a dramatic film, her story just doesn't seem to have the requisite dramatic arc.

Don't sell Hollywood and their penchant for creative licensing or poetic licensing short. If part of Linda's book deal includes a movie based on her life, if there's not enough drama/conflict, Hollywood has no aversion to juicing it up, even though the juice is false.

But a documentary? Absolutely.

But, most documentaries suck big time at the box office or are straight to home video or cable productions or PBS broadcasts. A documentary would be great to have but it's rather surprising one hasn't been made by now.

[Dianna]

Many people want to see bio's/ movies in which they can relate to or can connect to.. the stuff regarding the music business will only be interesting to most people if there is a lot of shady drama going on behind the scenes.. I think also with Linda's Hashimoto's thyroid disease and her weight struggles as got older in an industry where she herself said. you have to be a babe to succeed.. Let's face it, she was one of the sexiest and prettiest singers of that era... many. esp women can connect to this.

[sliderocker]

Jan 12, 2013 15:04:56 GMT -5 Dianna said:

Many people want to see bio's/ movies in which they can relate to or can connect to.. the stuff regarding the music business will only be interesting to most people if there is a lot of shady drama going on behind the scenes.. I think also with Linda's Hashimoto's thyroid disease and her weight struggles as got older in an industry where she herself said. you have to be a babe to succeed.. Let's face it, she was one of the sexiest and prettiest singers of that era... many. esp women can connect to this.

I agree...many, if not all people want to read a bio or see a bio-movie in which they can relate or connect to the celebrity, even though I think that's something of a false notion. Because, at the end of the day, the celebrity is just a person like the rest of us and probably did go through many of the same things the rest of us did before they achieved fame.

As for her celebrity period, I am curious about Linda's pre-fame life in California before she (and the Stone Poneys) hit with Different Drum. Was there a moment when she had her doubts and was thinking What am I doing here? Or wondering why the hit singles didn't keep coming after DD or Long, Long Time? I think she's always been dismissive about her music as I believe on the video for the Mike Douglas Show, she criticizes her music. That was in 1971. I've always thought it wrong for a singer to knock their music because if they believe that and say so publicly - like Linda did, that could've affected any interest by the public and affect the sales.

Linda was/is the prettiest and sexiest singer for my money, but I have to think she could probably easily relate to what Elvis went through with his relationships and his health problems. Critics nailed Elvis over the problems he had with his weight, accusing him of overeating or the weight being caused by the drugs. Both of which could've been true or partially true, yet with Linda's battle with the Hashimoto's thyroid disease, you have to wonder if Elvis's doctors missed something that coukld've changed his outcome? With Linda, I recall some critics being nasty about her weight issue. And some were still being nasty after the issue was revealed to be a problem with her thyroid. That's how cynical and jaded of a society we have become: we don't believe the truth, we believe the lie. "Don't try to confuse me with the facts! I know what I know and I know better!"

[Peter]

I contacted publisher Simon & Schuster on January 10, 2013 in regards to the publication date of Linda Ronstadt book.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Tracey Guest
Simon & Schuster

Do you have any new information in regards to your release below?

Thank you
Xxxxx Xxxx
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tracey Guest, 212-698-7533 [e-mail]
Simon & Schuster to publish Linda Ronstadt’s memoir HEART LIKE A WHEEL
New York, N.Y., Thursday, July 28, 2011 – Simon & Schuster has acquired world rights to the self-penned memoir, HEART LIKE A WHEEL, by eleven-time Grammy Award-winning singer Linda Ronstadt, it was announced today. The book will trace her rise and iconic career as one of the best-selling, trail-blazing women in contemporary music.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
In reply I received a one word response. “No”
from Simon & Schuster, Tracey Guest
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Why it has been reported that 2013 is the tentatively scheduled for publication. I can find nothing from Simon & Schuster to support this date or any date, other that media speculated reports.

I think in fairness to Linda and her fans it should be reported that all Simon & Schuster has done this far is acquired world rights to the self-penned memoir, Heart Like a Wheel. And that Simon & Schuster has never had a publishing date.

Self penned memoir is always subject to publisher’s approval and require the flexibility of the writer to editing by the publisher. If an impasse between the parties arises. The memoir may never see publication.

[MokyWI]

:-*Well that was encouraging...

[wdcats]

Not very encouraging words from Peter, Guest.

[sliderocker]

I believe the 2013 date was mentioned in the press release announcing the autobiography, but no actual month or day was actually given, and so the release date could've been January 2013 or December 2013, or maybe even later than that. I guess it could also depend on whether or not it's going to be a big book, page wise, or whether someone is helping Linda write the book. If Linda is writing her book alone, the release of the book could take longer - a coauthor, I think, would shorten the amount of time it takes for writing and completing the book and then letting the proofreaders go over the book for mistakes, and then releasing the book. If Linda is writing the book alone and using a typewriter or writing by hand (as opposed to using a computer), again, that could point to a longer time for the book being released.

As for what S&S had to say with regard to the release date, a lot of media companies (as in books and record companies) prohibit their employees from releasing any bits of information about future releases. I know of one individual who is involved on reissue projects for a record company. That person is not allowed to give out any information regarding the reissues of certain artists. It would cost that person their job. It's possible Linda had started writing her book sometime before the S&S announcement. I don't believe they would've gone to her in advance and asked her to write her autobiography. I think it more likely the book had already been started and Linda's manager or agent approached the various book companies shopping a deal for her. And S&S gave the best deal. Still, no pending release date could mean Linda is still writing the book. Or there could be another reason for the hold up, but what that is, I don't know, S&S are pretty tight lipped.

[musicaamator]

Wouldn't it be something if this (highly anticipated) book was released on July 15th?

[the Scribe]

Jan 14, 2013 8:14:04 GMT -5 musicaamator said:

Wouldn't it be something if this (highly anticipated) book was released on July 15th?

We all know Linda is a perfectionist and is one to give credit where credit is due. Writing a first book can be torture. Hopefully there is enough information on the internet to help her along, get dates right, etc. Once she develops a really good outline and a rhythm then it should be easier. Memoirs can be selective and less structured so it will be interesting to see where her focus is.

[sliderocker]

Jan 14, 2013 10:55:51 GMT -5 the Scribe said:

Jan 14, 2013 8:14:04 GMT -5 musicaamator said:

Wouldn't it be something if this (highly anticipated) book was released on July 15th?

We all know Linda is a perfectionist and is one to give credit where credit is due. Writing a first book can be torture. Hopefully there is enough information on the internet to help her along, get dates right, etc. Once she develops a really good outline and a rhythm then it should be easier. Memoirs can be selective and less structured so it will be interesting to see where her focus is.

Don't forget that Linda supposedly doesn't own a computer and doesn't get on the internet, although there was a comment or story I recall reading from a year or two back in which it was said she got online at a friend's house to get some photos her family had posted. I think that was before the announcement that she was writing a book. And while no doubt true she just wanted the photos for her own private collection, it's also possible she could've wanted the photos for an auto-biography.

As for the internet being helpful for Linda in writing her book, while there is some information, there's not really that much helpful info to be found. Memoirs are selective only because publishers don't want books that are several hundred pages long (Stephen King books excepted). The most unsuccessful books are either overpriced or have way too many pages. As much of an interesting life as Linda has led, I've got to think her book could be somewhere between 400 and 600 pages. And I think her book will be focused more on her public life and career than on her private life, although she may reveal a little bit about her private life. Course, I wouldn't expect too much info about her private life.