Linda Ronstadt can't sing anymore.

Agree 100% Donjr!!

One of the best. Saw her many times. Could play so many genres well. I can't think of any another vocalist with her range and talent. Also, an excellent producer, including David Lindley of El Ray-o X.

" I can't think of any another vocalist with her range and talent. "

There probably are some, but I can't think of any either, at least not in the diverse crossover pop/rock/country/jazz domains that she frequented. Definitely unique and versatile.

My only issue with her singing was that sometimes her delivery could become a bit over the top, but she definitely had the chops to pull it off.

" I can't think of any another vocalist with her range and talent. "
There probably are some, but I can't think of any either, at least not in the diverse crossover pop/rock/country/jazz domains that she frequented. Definitely unique and versatile.

There are certainly very few, and Linda was certainly an exceptional talent. I can think of at least one other vocalist that I would put in the same league in terms of talent and diverse range, though, and that would be the Australian singer Judith Durham. She was the lead singer of The Seekers during the mid-60's, whose works encompassed pop/folk/rock/jazz/traditional and even gospel. She then went on to have a successful solo career as mainly a jazz performer, while doing occasional reunion concerts with the Seekers (right up to the present day, despite a recent serious medical issue). And her voice had a remarkable purity which Elton John rightfully once observed as being almost unrivalled among popular vocalists.

Best regards,
-- Al

the Mexican song excerpt in the NPR interview was really great. I really appreciate you posting the link. i also see little point in comparing her to the many many great vocalists dating all the way back to the 1st microphones. but she was loved by many of us in our time, and certainly didn't have to stick to a set formula, which was new to a lot of rock and rollers. and she had our undying respect and admiration in every phase of her evolution. my personal opinion is that she got even better when she tried new things.