There’s something truly magical about watching passion light up someone’s face. That’s exactly what happened when Linda Ronstadt beamed with pride as she observed a group of young musicians performing during a cultural exchange trip to Mexico. "Children need art in their lives—real art, not the stuff you see on TV," Linda shares with Closer in an exclusive interview. "Art helps us process our feelings, connect to our roots, and understand who we really are."
This belief remains deeply ingrained in Linda’s heart, even today. Though progressive supranuclear palsy has ended her illustrious music career, the 10-time Grammy winner, now 74, insists that music is as vital to her well-being as food and water. "I may not be able to play the guitar or piano anymore, and I certainly can’t sing," she admits. "But my love for music hasn’t faded one bit. I can still create music in my mind, and it brings me immense joy."
Growing Up Surrounded by Music
Linda, whose iconic hits like “You’re No Good,” “Blue Bayou,” and “Poor Poor Pitiful Me” defined the 1970s FM radio landscape, grew up in Arizona in a household where music was always playing. "I was around two years old when I realized I wanted to sing," she recalls. "I never dreamed I’d become famous—I just knew singing was my destiny." Interestingly, Linda admits she wasn’t a fan of school as a child. "I don’t know what else I could have done besides singing," she muses. "Maybe teaching music would have been another path for me."
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Influences That Shaped Her Sound
From a young age, Linda was surrounded by diverse musical influences. Her mother’s love for opera and Gilbert and Sullivan show tunes mingled with her father’s taste for rock, country, and mariachi bands. "I wish I had spent more time learning traditional Mexican music," Linda reflects. "I knew some of it, but not enough to perform it professionally. That’s something I’ll always regret."
A Deep Connection to Her Roots
Despite her fair complexion and German-sounding last name, Linda feels a profound connection to her Mexican heritage, particularly the Sonora region of Mexico, where her great-grandfather immigrated from. "I was born just an hour away from the Mexican border," she explains. "Back then, crossing the border was easy. We’d go back and forth for lunch with friends, attend dances, baptisms, and weddings. It’s heartbreaking to see the fence they’ve put up now, but the culture on both sides of the border remains the same."
Supporting the Next Generation
Even as she battles progressive illness, Linda remains dedicated to Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy, a nonprofit organization she’s supported for nearly three decades. This San Francisco Bay Area institution teaches traditional Mexican music and dance to children. "These kids learn how to use music to bond with others and reconnect with the generations before them," she explains. "They live in a tough neighborhood, but the academy provides a safe space after school. They can do homework, eat healthy meals, and most importantly, learn to play music beautifully."
A Journey Across Borders
Recently, Linda embarked on a road trip aboard a bus filled with young singers and dancers, traveling to Banámichi, a town in Sonora, as part of a cultural exchange. This journey is the focus of the new documentary Linda and the Mockingbirds, now available on streaming platforms. The film explores border politics and highlights the transformative power of music. "Music has always been a lifeline, even for those in the darkest places like concentration camps and prisons," Linda notes. "It’s incredibly rewarding to see these children channel their deep emotions through music, despite the challenges they face."
Finding Joy in a New Chapter
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