Linda Ronstadt - The Tonight Show - 1986

Linda Ronstadt's appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1986. She sings three song standards. She had just released a box set of the three albums of songs from the Great American Songbook with Nelson Riddle.

[@siobob1]

The planet's purest, most powerful female voice - pop, rock, opera, standards, Latino- Linda could sing like a songbird and melt the hearts of guys with those big, beautiful eyes. Sinatra and Ronstadt- the best ever.

[@jeffnevin]

Show me ANY rock & roll singer in the history of the world that that can do that, ever...... Linda Ronstadt is the best singer in the history of the world

[@cathyl4953]

No vocal gymnastics like the crap singers of today. Pure and powerful.

[@skipmessier765]

It’s a crime that a talent such as Linda Ronstadt, one of the most amazing singers of our time can sing no longer. Fortunately the many recordings of her in existence keep that memory alive. Her version here of “ My Funny Valentine “ is nothing short of breathtaking ! Bless you Linda.

[@janetmoran1495]

I cried when I heard she could no longer sing. She's been my favorite since the 70's.

[@robertryan7539]

One of the all time greats. A singer of rare versatility. She did it all folk, rock , country gilbert and Sullivan and the great American songbook. 0h also Mariachi!❤

[@user-cd1pv1yz9y]

Also jazz,Cajun,even a new wave album,she's the G.O.A.T

[@glennkramer2922]

None better

[@evanlouis3336]

" Last night I was playing on stage with Chuck Berry playing rock and roll.." Wow. Linda was so unadorned, naturally cool. That voice came out of a rare and remarkable songbird. Sigh...

[@efbaggins1]

Since you referenced her comment about playing rock ‘n’ Roll “last night with Chuck Berry”, here is a video you might like seeing. The first half is part of the video you just saw, the second half is the performance she was referring to. Enjoy. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmWkg3pjacaNgLs

[@skyewilliams2247]

Linda was in a vocal universe all her own. Comparisons are like slurs. No one had her combination of power and tenderness.

[@ulysseswynnjr9207]

Miss Linda Ronstadt! … Beautiful just Beautiful! 🖤🤍🖤 God bless Your Soul! Amen. 🙏

[@artmv1149]

What can be said about Linda Ronstadt. Any praise falls short. What an amazing gift she brought to the world.

[@NeverMind-vx7pl]

Quite frankly, the greatest of all time

[@charlesjaeger1661]

Maybe Greatest Singer Ever ! Ms Linda Ronstadt

[@taraniso]

Carson was her neighbor when she lived in Malibu. He adored her, and it shows here.

[@lnl3237]

Most definitely-great respect for her artistry and professionalism. Did not know they were neighbors. Watching appearances on Carson preserved on KZbin feels like opening a time capsule. Ms. Ronstadt had just turned 40 that July. She seemed to really relish this American standard chapter in her kaleidoscope of a career.

[@imgeegeey4623]

Linda Ronstadt is all class! She didn't need bells & whistles. SHE WAS ALL BELLS & WHISTLES!!! 💖⚘😍

[@thomasallan8113]

It was not till I heard her sing songs like this that I realized she is so much more than a big voiced rock n roller.

[@barrywade8303]

The greatest female artist of all time!!!

[@alanpeterson6224]

Not too many people have actually made the world a better place. Linda's one of them.

[@ronniebishop2496]

She lifts me up!

[@philkatauskas3858]

I'm 75 and at one time I had every LP, cassette, and CD she put out. A complete and classy and unbelievably talented woman. I'm so glad I lived during her time.

[@kimnesvig254]

What a stunning, incomparable voice. And on top of that, what an adventurous courageous singer. Try to think of another singer from the past century willing and able to master so many musical forms.

[@anthonyarmstrong14]

She is the greatest.

[@kathykb8123]

Absolutely.

[@DavidSmith-qz8dp]

@@anthonyarmstrong14 a

[@billduffy1937]

Beauty to the eye and ear. What a beautiful voice.

[@estherrodriguez6804]

Wow! Linda wasn't only beautiful, but she was classy & most of all she could sing anything & everything under the sun.

[@ardentartisticstonemasonry4756]

On the 🌙 moon✌🙂🌟...nice pipes

[@aveojohnee]

And she did.

[@richardconstant5821]

Under the sun, Over the Moon.........it just blows me away the depth of her voice. I've never seen her do this "wish upon a star" and its really terrific.

[@sethpollock2251]

or on a moon

[@paulabillanes5084]

Saw her in concert and she sang songs from this era. It was awesome 💕💕💕

[@jmobass]

Truly, Linda Ronstadt is a national treasure - the powerful voice of an angel - silky smooth, full of emotion! Love you Linda! Thank you for posting this great video from the Tonight Show.

[@doalaboo7090]

Had i not heard johnny introduce her i wouldnt have known it was linda. Too much talent and perfection.

[@jeffbengert2863]

I love Linda Ronstadt. And I most admire her because she had the perseverance, despite critics and many fans, to sing what she wanted to sing. And that's all she really wanted to do was sing. As we all get older and look back on our lives, how many of us can say that.....Good for you, Linda Ronstadt. Many genuine thanks to bringing alot, a HELL of alot, of joy and emotion to my life. And you really won't ever know that (I laugh).....but I do, so I say "Thank You" to you publicly.

[@lnl3237]

Really lovely comment, Jeff. You speak for so many of us.

[@Wolfsky9]

Ohhhhhhhhh, this woman melts my heart-------a total-class act, & a voice without peer. ------------Linda, you're a national treasure. ----------------------------------Wolfsky9, 73 y/o

[@dwightdodd3734]

We are blessed indeed to have her recordings forever ! She need not be sad for she produced so much beautiful music that will exist forever....forever...how many of us can say that about our lives..........

[@lnl3237]

@@dwightdodd3734 Such a lovely expression of gratitude. She is grateful, too, and has said she feels "lucky that she got to do what she did." In her memoir, she said she felt that between the ages if 40 and 50, her vocal toolkit was as full as it ever was. This clip illustrates that to be true. Her joy in singing these songs was palpable, and our appreciation of the beauty she infused into our ordinary, but no less important lives, cannot be measured. I, too, am overwhelmed with gratitude, not only for Ms. Ronstadt, but for all those that made this technology possible. "Am I Blue?" Not for long, when I have this vast catalog of music from so many gifted artists right at my fingertips to enjoy!

[@stevenairheart4966]

Linda never disappoints. Quite possibly the most versatile singer of all time. Rock, Country, Ballads, Big Band, Tejano,--she did it all, and thrilled us time and time again. Bless you, Linda

[@stevenairheart4966]

@Aaron Digby Absolutely the best of all time.

[@jonrosen7980]

...and don't forget Broadway. Something few others can do well... 8 shows a week for a year or more.

[@eileenjones1083]

❤

[@fullplate100]

Have mercy. She says her illness keeps her from holding a tone, nowadays. Whatta talent. Bless ya, Linda.

[@joemamaurmama]

I'll love Linda until the day I die. I am circa 1959. My older sisters played Carol King, Linda Rondstadt, and Carly Simon. All of these very talented and beautiful women were playing in my house when growing up. I am very grateful. I'll love Linda forever.

[@barneydunn8458]

Man, that girl could sing. Gorgeous powerful warm pipes. Live and in color.

[@e-spy]

After watching a recent interview, I was saddened to hear Linda cannot sing anymore. Instead she hears the music in her mind, and so I thought I would listen to her as she remembers...God bless you Linda, and thank you for the beauty and fun you gave us all.

[@mayflowerlash11]

She was (and still is) a heavenly creature.

[@DrummerTeeJay]

Never heard "When You Wish Upon a Star" sung like this! Beautiful! Brilliant! Gorgeous phrasing and expression. Amazing.

[@anthonyarmstrong14]

She has no peer,because she could and did master so many genres. No other singer even attempted to do what Linda Ronstadt achieved. Americas contribution to music is immeasurable,and Linda Ronstadt is right up there amongst the immortals.

[@onepunchgeorge9251]

Well said. I've the picture of. Her out of an album.Next to Albert Einstein.!😎🇺🇸

[@dwightdodd3734]

We have been EXTREMELY fortunate to have her gift available to us on the modern media !!

[@zman2076]

Like Ella Fitzgerald you can hear every word

[@hawkrider88]

She is gorgeous, her voice is incredible and the band the best. And she hit that high note in that second song...like a bell. Wow, what a night, what a talent. Thanks SO MUCH for posting this.

[@efbaggins1]

It's comments like yours that makes posting this all worth while. Thanks!

[@mikedeason3906]

Linda's range of musical expression is wider (much wider) than any other singer I can think of. From powerhouse rock (check out the way she sings "Tumbling Dice") to Gilbert & Sullivan (Pirates of Penzance) and in between. An amazing mixture of mature womanhood and adorable child-like innocence, Linda Ronstadt is unmatched as a female singer. We're all very fortunate to have lived in her day & time!

[@juliemosquedo2954]

Her voice and her soulful heart and spirit is truly transporting to another world😊

[@IPlayOneOnT.V.]

Not only will Linda Ronstadt be remembered as a superb and moving singer for her day, if she was born in the 1920s and eventually came to sing the kind of songs she sang on this clip, she'd be an institutional icon of American music today. She was that good!

[@curtspins7626]

But she IS an icon of American music. Yeesh.

[@lexgraham2118]

I Play One On T.V. I AGREE. SHE COULD SING ANYTHING

[@georgemorgan5906]

Always The Best!!

[@danielbautista4757]

Love you Linda, thank you for all the memories

[@paulburr8001]

Wow her voice is so pretty ,makes me cry Thank You

[@daveanthony7833]

Linda is the epitome of excellence. She can take any and every genre of music and make it her own. So sad that music today lacks the inspiration of yesterday.

[@MrDon524]

Outstanding singer and entertainer, she proves here that she is one of the best all time, beautiful stunning performance 👏👏👏

[@thataintmytruck11]

SHE WAS THE MOST PRETTIEST SINGERS IN THE WORLD IN THE MID 60S TO THE MID 80S

[@cookiedog1878]

Wow! Linda took over Johnnys show! Not many guest can do that and captivate his audience! Such a pure American talent. Thank you Linda.

[@GosokuRyuYodan]

What a sweet girl! No pretension, no facade, just pure talent and humility. She hits and holds the note beautifully, then slowly breaks into a vibrato. Brilliant!

[@ronniebishop2496]

No tuning needed folks it’s Linda

[@byapcs]

Linda is THE female artiste of the 70s and 80s

[@johng8885]

She is pure class. Wonderful voice.

[@mayflowerlash11]

This woman was awesome. "Last night I was on stage with Chuck Berry singing RnR ..." and here she is wearing black gloves on a talk show. Damn she was cute.

[@frankpeter6851]

You can look up that video on youtube..it's great!

[@ztahs]

Absolutely stunning. I have been listening to this album for 30 years and it has yet to get old. Truly one of the great singers.

[@camillemays1109]

Same

[@elisabethrozegnal1355]

She's be always humble and shy but always SINGING!

[@dnmurphy48]

Sadly no, she has parkinsons and can't sing, we just have memories and youtube

[@rd3271]

What an absolute lovely lady with a voice that transcends most all others! She can sing ANYTHING!!!

[@debbiebushard3719]

Our Dad said he had to look the other way when she sang. She was drop dead gorgeous. But you had to catch her voice at the same time ,any one out there identify she's adoreable and still best in the buisness🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🍾🥂🍾🥂

[@bodine57]

Sadness and joy. What a talent! Sad that she can no longer perform, but so very glad she did what she did. 1977 - college dorm room: everyone else had Farah on the wall, I had Linda. A voice for the ages.

[@efbaggins1]

I had Linda on my dorm room wall as well. Same year! Farrah did not hold a candle to Linda!

[@stvynix3687]

How sad... Linda was much more beautiful. My dad graduated HS in 77 and he has had a Linda Rondstat record for all this time, so I think he would've chosen her. I'm gay, but I would never choose that talentless Farah over Linda in any given day.I love Linda and she has all my support. Plus, my grandpa died of parkinson's disease. I grew up listening to this woman's voice... it reminds me of family and hope. I had mariachis played at my wedding with my partner who is mexican. They played Linda for me... what a big surprise as I didn't know they'd be there! It makes me cry everytime, because I know my mexican family is there for me.They know I love Linda!

[@happygayconservative4737]

bodine57 I had a mixture of Linda and Farrah. Ultimately, Linda won.

[@mariasoto8600]

stvynix That's beautiful. I love Linda too, I'm gay too and I happen to be American with German Mexican ancestry like Linda. There's something about Mexico when it comes to music that is so strong. Music relates to everything in us, from our heart bit to a sneeze and our emotions. During the 2008 recession I heard all kinds of stories of people commiting suicide. While Mexicans sing in hardship.

[@nathanhubbard7591]

I am right there with you... Linda over Farah... not only one of the most angelic voices ever, but naturally so beautiful too

[@Rickmaki]

It doesn't get any better than that...

[@michaelstucker6739]

My siblings and I loved her in the 70's. I think my parents heard our stereos, they appreciated her talent but kind of thought of her as a hippie chick; until this night. Class Act.

[@kellputt51]

such beautiful phrasing .. simple and pure.. spellbinding... no other talent like her anymore.. may God restore her voice ... love you linda....

[@dnmurphy48]

She sings these old standards beautifully

[@philiptucci2458]

Wonderful video, Linda was stunningly beautiful and a phenomenal singer, very proud fan for 55 years

[@missspelled6852]

After watching her in concert in different videos, she just looks so much happier singing this kind of music.

[@blindleader42]

She has confirmed that life on the road, playing Rock and Roll, is pretty grueling. I recently watched part of her 1976 Stadthalle, Offenbach, Germany concert on youtube. It was in November, so with the album having come out in March, it must have been at least six months into the tour. Her voice was flawless as always, but she wasn't taking any risks or reaching for her limits, and as a result it seemed rather uninspired compared to her best. The setlist was incredible, and I would love to have been in the audience a month into that tour.

[@DashRipr0ck]

*This* is singing! Not that electronic auto-tuned crap being churned out now.

[@vondamikesell3475]

love this stuff

[@robertrodriguez7131]

DashRipr0ck this era is dead .rihanna and other tits and ass are reigning now ekkk ! Let’s call also yoko Ono ngikkkk 🤮

[@RANS87IROCZ]

@@robertrodriguez7131 and yep they use that to gain more views, just look at the recent super bowl half-time show! Sure it was hot! Lol lots of shaking the booty and being near nude to perform

[@helotick]

Music that comes out today is meant to sell, not to inspire.

[@johnraymond7176]

And backed by a top notch Doc Severin band.

[@MamaJacqueroo]

I missed this in 1986. Damn. I love Linda.

[@Mjt1262]

Linda singing from the American Song book. Quite literally an embarrassment of riches. Thank you Linda

[@dangermain486]

One of the Great voices of the 20th century... I'll always love Linda.. too bad she can't sing anymore..makes me sad.....

[@larryherbert252]

What a talent!!!! Rock singer, and American classic songs, absolute great singer

[@ENDTIMEsVideoLibrary]

She had a lot of guts to come out with something that No One on the Radio was doing still back then!! It paid off Big Time and other artists tried imitating her success with Old Standards but none of them were able to duplicate that she and Nelson Riddle did.. I loved the 80s because it was so open to creativity!!

[@JohnnyNowhere]

I don't know how I got here. She was halfway through 'When You Wish..' when I came too, and I was freaking crying. Linda was such a talent. So sad it was over with so quickly.

[@ratangaia2111]

Hell Paving Company long time singer

[@d.e.b.b5788]

Quickly????? Her career spanned over 50 years; 50 years of making the world happy, listening to her wonderful voice. And to think, we have all these recordings so we never have to do without our favorite lady singer.

[@johnfulton4921]

Linda has that affect on people because she has a god given voice a beautiful heart and a deep soul

[@scottlevin3966]

One of the Most versatile performers of all time.

[@hawkrider88]

What can I add that a million others haven't already said? She is a gift to the planet.

[@ronaldcorbett3232]

Linda is 100% mesmerizing, breathtaking, and captivating; her talent transcends other girl singers. Bless the days I could hear and watch her perform; this TV clip is light a bolt of lightning in otherwise ordinary day.

[@anneoconnor2009]

She is some awesome, beautiful woman. What a voice!

[@jamesgow3593]

I have to say, Linda and Johnny are great together Very funny and they seem to get along great. tyvm for posting this Peace

[@nuccten]

Such a wonderful little laugh. And of course a great singer.

[@rosslavin1432]

I am 61 so I knew who she was in the 70s. She was cute but I did not buy her records. I was in to the Beatles, Stones, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. But today? My appreciation from her has grown exponentially. She is far and away my favorite rock female singer. On top of that she is a songbird in every other conceivable genre. What a talent. I will always love Linda R.

[@SongbirdStone]

My Idol - I've loved her voice since I was 14 when I first heard You're No Good, then just HAD to hear everything she ever made before and after that! Just THE most divine voice and Lady ever to grace our earth! Love to you Linda :-)

[@lindacantarella7026]

Absolute perfection!

[@johngrijalva8815]

Since 1975 I have been studying everything she has sang up to the end . What an amazing​ singer. Thank you Linda

[@jacquelynnshea3186]

So much in Love with that voice. Especially cause I played tenor sax in a Big Band. She belonged there.

[@wiseal4827]

So talented, so classy, so beautiful. Vaya con dios.

[@leosag816]

Linda was fearless and listened to no one but herself. She sang in every genre and was a master vocalist. She was the best. Such joy to listen to.

[@amham48]

Talent, beauty, class...no one compares...I feel sorry for the current generation and the lack of anything close!

[@scoutfinch2466]

She lifts us up. An instrument of rare power and beauty. She could sing it all - and so she did.

[@anonymusum]

Very talented, very humble, very attractive. Maybe sometimes too humble to be be that one and only superstar.

[@debbiebushard3719]

Whhhho!!!!!!what a voice nobody sings like this with such stamina,melodic gorgeousness,nor ever will be another. All her piers know this ,all her fans and family know.⚘🥀🥀🥀 God bless you linda thank you for blessing us with a heaven sent voice inpeccable

[@Branner]

Linda at the height of her talents here. Her voice right in the pocket on all three numbers. Lyrical on Valentine.

[@bh5606]

Branner n

[@batman.darthmaul]

Amazing voice. 'Round Midnight, the collection of all three albums she did with Nelson Riddle, actually debuted at the same time as their third collaboration, For Sentimental Reasons. Even though I'm a huge, huge rock fan (AC/DC, Metallica, Slayer, et.al.), 'Round Midnight was actually the first CD I ever bought. I didn't even have a player yet.

[@josephrowey6059]

Unbelievable / glad i ran across this. Masterful /

[@andrewjwheelerjr275]

Oh my god bless you beautiful lovely lady artist of style and quality of every genre of music you can think of she is truly amazing and I love her so very much because of it too happy birthday baby goodness peace everyone😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😚😚😚😚😚😚😚😚😚😚😚😚.

[@lalique512]

BEAUTIFUL! Linda Ronstadt can sing anything...

[@hawkrider88]

It gets no better. Her voice, the band...whew! The bass player is great and just the sound of his bass is great here.

[@blendarichter9347]

A pure gem! I looove to hear Linda Ronstadt belt a song. Any song!

[@daman589986]

Wow, simply flawless.

[@JuneLynn]

How absolutely perfect and beautiful is Linda here in 1986...never got to see this the 1st time around....she can sing anything, be it pop, rock, jazz, and these gorgeous standards.....the part with her singing on the moon is breathtaking...how I wish I could have seen that in concert, never have had the pleasure of seeing her live....so sad to know about her illness now, but I'm grateful to have so much of her music on albums and cds.... 💜

[@Scorchy666]

I saw Linda during her What's New tour. She was terrific.

[@lexgraham2118]

June Lynn DON'T FORGET, MARIACHI, COUNTRY, BLUE GRASS AND OPERA. JUST AMAZING

[@lnl3237]

Imagine getting home from an evening out and putting on Johnny and finding THIS. Ms. Ronstadt sang because she just had to, but she also, wanted to give the best possible entertainment experience. She had just turned 40 in '86-her triumph of "Canciones de mi Padre" still lay ahead. In her memoir, she stated that she felt her best singing was between 40 and 50. I pray that as I type this, she is having as comfortable a day as possible. She gave us all of her musical self and taught us to love the music she loved.

[@vincentnigro1496]

Does it get any better than this? Great band, great voice, gorgeous...

[@lexgraham2118]

Vincent Nigro FOR ALL HER SUCCESS I FIND HER UNSUNG. THIS WOMAN IS ONE THE GREATEST SINGERS THAT EVER LIVED. SO VERSATILE. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY PRETTY TONE.

[@georgethomasmendivil7776]

Ladies and Gentlemen The one and only Linda Ronstadt ❤🎶🎤

[@brucekislow1690]

I fell in love with Linda Ronstadt when I was 16 years old. That was 48 years ago. The first time I heard her sing and it was Different Drum; I was hooked! She has always been my favorite female vocalist. I’ve seen her 5 times in concert over the years. The last time I saw her, she had Aaron Neville as her guest. They were phenomenal live. What an amazing career this woman has had and I am so thankful that she has been a part of my life all these years.

[@woodlands52]

+Bruce Kislow OMG BK I know how you feel. There'll never be another like her. The best talent today can't touch what she was doing then.

[@FMHammyJ]

+Bruce KislowMe too... My biggest regret is not seeing her live in her prime....I saw her a few years back, but it was a concert of her only doing Mexican songs...enjoyable, but it was apparent her voice was suffering the effects of the Parkinsons then..... she still remains my favourite female vocalist, ever.....

[@tomp8094]

She was my first crush / first love when I was growing up. I had a poster of her on the ceiling of my room and would gaze up at her as I lay in bed. I also had the privilege of seeing her perform live in concert numerous times and watched over the years as her music expanded / evolved from rock & roll to country, rythym & blues, big band orchestra, and folk songs. She had a voice for the ages with such clarity and range. Linda you are loved and your voice will never be stilled.

[@ratangaia2111]

Bruce Kislow me too

[@MegaAtomium]

She was... and will always be amazing. I saw her a dozen or so times over the years... the last time was in Cleveland in 2001... I miss the excitement and anticipation of a new Linda record.

[@jwsopko]

What a gem of an artist. last of a dying breed.

[@BarryEverett]

Thank goodness for the technology to capture delightful sounds and images of our lives. Thanks, Linda...

[@happygayconservative4737]

Beautiful, brilliant, talented. Just 3 words that come to mind.

[@MrFalconford]

When television had extraordinary talent on for viewing, thank you Linda I'll always remember you this way and counting.

[@florenciadevera1809]

Classy smart and conservative. A legend one of a kind in music industry. Proud of your origines generations families relatives and friends

[@danc3693]

She could sing anything and be among the best.

[@paulabillanes5084]

I love these classic songs. I'm so glad I bought these albums. Thank you Linda.

[@pjesf]

This is Linda at the absolute peak of her powers. Her voice had grown so much since doing Penzance and that is something that I've not seen with any other artist (one who already had an amazing voice to begin with). Her music will be with me for the rest of my life. Hopefully while on my deathbed, where I want to be surrounded by people I love

[@yoliehines4399]

Linda always been Amazing singer !!!!