Linda Ronstadt on The Tonight Show - March 3rd, 1983

From March 3rd, 1983 the entire appearance of Linda Ronstadt on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. She sings three songs, "Blue Bayou", Get Closer" and "Easy For You To Say". Also Johnny interviews Linda between the last two songs. It is a wonderful interview that reveals two things - what an intelligent and funny person Linda is and what a great interviewer Johnny was. Both at their best.

[@georgiamule]

“There are two kinds of men, those that that are in love with Linda Ronstadt, and those that are dead.” Willie Nelson

[@rogerbourke5570]

Well, fuck me, I'm dead, Willie. By the way, did you ever really learn to actually play a guitar, instead of just looking like a bum for like 50 years?

[@MisterItchy]

He's not wrong.

[@donsaxon1948]

Ha Ha !...That's awesome !

[@Sonja14athome]

I love that the audience is absolutely silent while she sings. That is true appreciation of a talent.

[@brianwade879]

Willie said that ?

[@frankmisaege3520]

Keith Richards said he wrote Tumbin' Dice but after hearing Linda sing it said "it belongs to Linda". That's a heckuva compliment.

[@TrulygreenSolution]

Linda Ronstadt was one of the finest singers across all genres! She is an American treasure and living legend!

[@wiffwaff734]

As popular singers go, she ranks right up there with the best. She could sing any type of music magnificently. The only two people who might have equaled or exceeded her in that respect during the 20th century were Mario Lanza & Kathryn Grayson.

[@patrickstell1179]

I believe her best efforts were in Spanish.

[@elzbietamayers1878]

She was undoubtedly one of the best female singers in US but still the best voice except for opera and jazz singers belongs to Karen Carpenter.

[@orlandorojas439]

@@elzbietamayers1878 Karen Carpenter did Opera?

[@RickyShaner-y7g]

Linda was fantastic. What a great voice and beautiful too , and those eyes had me mesmerized

[@janetlafrance3325]

No auto tune....pure talent

[@artysanmobile]

Auto tune serves only the careers of pretenders. The overwhelming majority of the world’s singers are literally baffled such a thing even exists.

[@DavidChorley-pg2qi]

Every single cover she ever sang, she made it her own

[@alicejimenez4006]

No reverb, just raw talent. Has different ranges not even straining. Voice like an Angel.

[@commentatron]

Too bad the TV sound engineer laid on so much reverb, clearly unnecessary for her voice.

[@JeffBostick222]

Well, actually, there's a ton of reverb but that's a side chain that gets mixed in at appropriate levels.

[@michellesiderio1010]

So true….. no strain….. a lot like Karen Carpenter…. Geniuses both….

[@patricklemmon8260]

What a once in a lifetime voice. Her almost superhuman range just takes flight. I'll never forget hearing her live. Thrills and Chills.

[@DanEdelen]

Absolute vocal perfection. Her control and pitch are astonishing.

[@gtswann]

I know right? My God, Linda just has no equal , she is just really otherworldly and leaves me just speechless with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes! What a magical woman!

[@raulgut4030]

Plus spanish❤❤❤❤

[@turkfiles]

I wish they would have had less reverb on her especially during “Blue Bayou”. Maybe an early 80’s thing or as they were talking about being in such a small venue? I always liked her music all the way back to when she burst out on to the scene. However, having been married a woman who is a singer, keyboardist, vocal coach and musical director, I have learned so much about voice from her, that I’m now much more aware of the incredible talent Linda has and is. Her voice is truly one of the best ever. It’s so sad that she has medical conditions that prevent her from singing anymore. Although, she certainly had an incredible career!

[@danevans5823]

She absolutely wrecks me every time I hear her,the combination of intelligence innocence,beauty,and that incredible voice leaves me wishing I was near her.What she is going through now seems so cruel and I pray for her to find comfort in these hard times.I know there are millions who feel the same way I do

[@jasonwiley798]

Well not innocence 😮

[@richarddees54]

i'm saddened at the adversity and illness she has faced.

[@danworstall620]

Absolutely

[@patchapman8989]

Thank the Lord that we have video and audio and tapes and etc!

[@patchapman8989]

I'm 87 years old and I could listen to her all the day and night! She just nailed it each song she sings!

[@charleslee4204]

Pure singing perfection ! Like Elvis , 100 years from now , people will still be listening !

[@EDOGG62]

Her pitch was always impeccable, her tone and power unmatchable. I've loved everything she's done in any genre she chose.

[@louisevad6091]

There are great singers. Then there is Linda in the stratosphere. Blending phrasing with impeccable pitch and carry.

[@waynewilliams8554]

Linda had perfect pitch and vocal control. Just a perfect treasure for all of us to enjoy!!

[@lucky5853]

I'll always love Linda, she's blessed with tons of talent, brains, courage and beauty ❤

[@angelo8424]

She was popular back when I was 16-19, and I would just stare at her on the albums- Absolutely gorgeous.

[@that_thing_I_do]

Me too...guilty as charged your Honor.

[@jameswoodend6029]

This amazing perfect pitch voice and this incredibly beautiful woman,u just start staring at her and forget ur hearing the voice of maybe the greatest female singer of all time

[@garyc39]

Same here

[@susannpatton2893]

No one is ever going to be this woman. One of a kind. So effortless. Try singing with her once. You will appreciate the notes she just belts out so effortlessly

[@debbieburke3162]

Believe me, those of us who sing for a living are painfully aware of what she makes sound effortless. Cause we can’t. 😂

[@veronical9383]

Effortless power and unadorned sorrow. A deep connection to the music and our hearts. A voice and vibe all her own.

[@davidgoldman6913]

This Lady deserves "R E S P E C T" 🙃 WE LOVE YOU LINDA!!! 🎶🎶🎶

[@PeterLRuden]

An incredible voice. Linda could sing rock. Linda could sing country. Linda could sing American pop standards, Linda could sing on Broadway. Linda could sing Mexican songs. Linda could sing anything and do it better than anyone else.

[@randalmcmurphy1893]

true peter ruden!

[@ronniebishop2496]

The bands always snap too on the tonight Show, no arrogant bs.

[@heavnnnsent]

Linda has always been my favorite female singer of all..... Nobody else compares to her! I have so many favorite songs choice of music and musicians is legendary

[@patfromamboy]

She’s super cute too!

[@richardlasch8400]

She sang opera too! She is the greatest

[@steverosenblum823]

One of my favorite singer of the seventies and eighties. I saw her play live a number of times and she and her band were always incredible. And such a multifaceted singer successfully spanning many genres. The loss of her voice and health to this terrible degenerative neurological disease is truly a tragedy in my view I also would like to note the red headed lead guitarist on this performance was Andrew Gold, a great musician and producer/arranger in his own right. He did the arrangement for "You're No Good" with the amazing George Harrison inspired solo and the extended instrumental ending. I view that song as one of the best arranged pop songs of the 70's. He also came from quite a musical lineage. His mother was singer Marni Nixon, who provided the singing voice for numerous actresses, notably Natalie Wood in West Side Story, Deborah Kerr in The King and I, and Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady; his father was Ernest Gold, an Austrian-born composer who won an Academy Award for his score for the movie Exodus. The apple did not fall far from the tree!

[@TrystonL7]

thank you for posting this, very interesting.

[@guywill7875]

undeniably the most versatile female singers of all time. She was able to cross several genres of popular music. She also occupied a place in rock that won her the accolade and respect of several of the greatest rock bands from the 1970s.

[@TheJohnOlivarez]

Wow Her Voice on Blue Bayou sent chill up my spine, now I'm crying what a voice, absolutely right into my inner being.

[@gotti6969]

Linda was a force of nature. There will never be another like her.

[@gtswann]

Agreed! God broke the mold when HE made that angel! Words cannot begin to describe her. Her voice can bring me to tears on nearly every song and put a lump in my throat. What a magical spell this one casts!

[@artstrology]

We have to believe there will be or else, life becomes pessimistic.

[@joecontreras5068]

@@gtswann. That bird has flown but we will always feel the breeze of her wings…the voice of an angei

[@jamesanthony5681]

Sure we will. Some pop singers in fact have had better voices.

[@artstrology]

Yes, but very few. We have to treasure them like a good wine maker. Dissuade them and we lose.@@jamesanthony5681

[@gypsyfirefly8009]

No autotune & purely perfect voice & strength. Breathtaking❤

[@joesmith-jb4ls]

What a beautiful lady. What a loss to the world that she can no longer perform. We will always and all ways love you, Linda

[@fw1421]

One of the most beautiful voices ever to come out of American music.❤️❤️❤️

[@barneydunn8458]

Man, that girl could sing. Her voice is luxurious. Other female singers bore me after one tune.

[@michaelmilberger7066]

She could sing any style. One of the greatest female singers of all time!!

[@jamesm2426]

Yes, and she was always willing to challenge herself with new venues.

[@kendrickallen6840]

Linda is the real deal, beautiful woman, beautiful voice, amazing ability to choose good songs and make them sensational!

[@patticlaes3695]

I was lucky to get to see her in concert many moons ago and she was amazing! What a powerful voice! Ha, my friends and I wanted to be just like her,ha wanted to be her! We loved belting out her songs on the radio while cruising in our cars!

[@orleanssister3667]

Linda sang circles around her contemporaries. In addition she makes today's pop/rock/country singers sound like whiny children. Ronstadt had pure power, pure emotion.

[@johncook30284]

I like trio. I like Dolly For being Genuine. Emmylou I have a few records including Tucson Sessions. So there it is .7-9 of Linda. Atlanta concert in 77 b\w was on KZbin years back. She isn't nervous on stage. I'm glad she explained that to the audience if they couldn't tell. Definitely a fan

[@jamesanthony5681]

Sang circles?? How about Whitney Houston? Aretha Frankln? There are others. I'd say it was the other way around.

[@aburden8580]

4 years ago-you decided to make your comment AND (edited).

[@walkertongdee]

Well said right on.

[@evanlouis3336]

Very special songbird. No one had her combination of power and unadorned sorrow. A songwriter's champion without vanity. Her pipes served the song - not her image - how rare.

[@jmea01]

"That's how hard it is to talk into doing something..." Johnny's perfect expression says everything without being dirty or tasteless. A master. And Linda is a great guest. likeable. talented, relatable. funny, interesting.

[@veecee3669]

Linda Ronstadt could sing a ballad to break your heart and she could belt out a hard rocking song with equal ease.

[@jimratliff2753]

Linda is 7 years older than me. That girl was such a fox and presence in music when I was a teenager and in my early 20's.....boy, could she sing and I think all of my friends loved that girl. She was the bomb to all of us. Her looks, her songs, her mannerism....the package indeed!

[@ronniebishop2496]

Still tremendous in May 2022, anyone else out there in our universe think so? Man I miss the music revolution, from my generation.

[@gtswann]

Oh Linda STILL rules my world! I am just a pile of mush when i listen to her. She has cast an unbreakable spell upon me. I am just smitten and awe struck by her.

[@HowardPaulblasingame]

Linda Ronstadt is timeless

[@6stringwood]

You simply don't find this quality of performing today. Linda had it and made every song her own. Thanks for sharing!

[@kimnesvig254]

She really does have great eyes. Not to mention the most incredible voice of the past century.

[@davidowens5898]

Such range. Such timbre. Such a wonderful voice. I was deeply grieved to hear she's lost it. Parkinsons.

[@250txc]

Sad yes but it is life ...With life there is death ... Have a good time today :)

[@robertkennett4622]

That voice... it takes you away... to the best of all places.

[@bayridge99]

Saw her at Radio City 4 months before this show. Opened with Tumbling Dice. Fabulous. God bless you Linda Ronstadt.

[@writereducator]

An intelligent, inquisitive chatterbox. She's charming.

[@user-yw8yf7so1z]

Those of us guys lucky enough to grow up to listen to Linda we are truley blessed.😊

[@sandstoney]

beautiful and talented, born to sing,she is in a class of her own

[@jet727vans]

The voice of an angel and an unsurpassed beauty. That anyone give her a thumbs down is beyond me!

[@steveowens913]

Jealous !

[@karenreardon5398]

Agreed! She can even sing opera. No female singer can come close to Linda's talent.

[@deborahmiddleton9172]

Linda Ronstadt was magnificent.

[@mauricejohnson2041]

She is the best vocalist perfect pitch and control

[@SubdolphinX]

Still is...

[@raulgut4030]

A lot of charisma👴❤❤

[@randalcolucci6833]

Where's talent like this today? And what's NOT to love about Linda. Pretty, smart, and talented. God, I've had a crush on her since 1972.

[@kevinmalone3210]

So did governor Moonbeam, Jerry Brown.

[@maddyLV21]

Haley Reinhart

[@hellskitchen10036]

I'm with you brother... every time she sings I think she's singing right to me , lol

[@bluesman3232]

1974

[@harryvandenburg]

Me too

[@deborahschwartz7623]

One in a million ... I still cry every time I hear her sing even after attending three of her concerts in the 80s.

[@Tew730]

she was so perfect in this appearance the beauty the voice those eyes the person that got to spend time looking into those eyes was very lucky those amazing eyes

[@trishatistream7894]

So beautiful and such an amazing voice. We were truly blessed by her talent. Her “What’s New” showcased her incredible voice. Nobody will ever sing those songs better than Linda.

[@bigd1345]

She's the most all around adorable woman I've ever seen.

[@tomsmith2013]

This woman has done it all - and exceptionally. Rock, country, jazz, Broadway, blues, big band, mariachi, classical, etc. No one today even comes close.

[@evanlouis3336]

Just mesmerizing. Long ago stopped wondering about what she sang, when she sang it, who she sang it with even how she sang it. All I need is to hear that voice. Authentic pipes and deep musical passion.

[@garyberuck5636]

Linda ronstadt is absolutely charming ! I have so much love for her . She is gifted in looks in personality in music , and as a lovely person . Saw her 4 times . 💜❤

[@hawkrider88]

Lucky guy.

[@kevinmalone3210]

You lucky dog. 😅

[@jacksaintjack2844]

What range! What dynamics! What power! Cute, beautiful, sassy, sexy.............The G.O.A.T

[@mdelaubergine8930]

Adorable. She was able to sing anything and nail it. A great singer and also a musician's musician.

[@adrienneterzen2604]

I love Linda so much❤One of the most beautiful and legendary singers ever.

[@noiricha]

It's called class folks ...

[@mariluaguilar5749]

I'm so ridiculously in awe of this woman. Talented beyond description, intelligent and real.

[@orleanssister3667]

The real deal. Not a pretentious bone in her adorable body. Sublime singer, interesting mind. Don't think we know her at all - just the joy and sorrow of her songs.

[@bernadette4484]

I agree.

[@hughmcinally907]

Don't know that I've ever heard anyone who can bring so much emotion to a song. Up there with Ella Fitzgerald as one of the all time greats. Thank god she was given the opportunity to share her talents with us.

[@ikeeptime]

Simply the best set of pipes of her generation.

[@vincentjoyce5100]

Any generation

[@cindycalvin6224]

I can’t get enough of her. She’s fantabulous ❤️

[@robertsimpson5136]

She could take an old standard and make everyone forget that anyone else EVER recorded it.

[@johnsiegrist1570]

Jeez… had it all.. voice.. looks.. charisma.. took command of the stage.. look you in the eye with so much confidence.. never be another like her..

[@acousticshadow4032]

This version of "Easy For You To Say" is vintage Linda. She was the cream of the crop.

[@ninaeberly8967]

Linda Ronstadt - a lovely woman with perfect pitch💞💐💞

[@zatoichiable]

Those eyes . . . i am speechless.

[@efbaggins1]

Eyes like no other

[@TommyLMason]

COMPLETELY speechless. God Almighty, I will always love this angel from Heaven, and when she goes back there, I want to go at precisely the same time. Simply no words. NO WORDS.

[@salmuleville7660]

The Queen of hi-fidelity - even more mesmerizing live.

[@topenddean]

W O W ! ! ! That's easy for her to sing! The ending of "Easy For You To Say" was absolutely hauntingly good! Easily the best voice in popular music of many genre's from the 1960's to the 2010's. The work they must have had to do to the stage sound system to allow her voice to come through the way it did must have been monumental. Staggering ability. The incomparable Linda Ronstadt...

[@richo8767]

Always liked her music. What a powerhouse vocalist

[@jimm6386]

I had the absolute pleasure of seeing Linda (fronted by Jackson Brown) at the Philadelphia Academy of Music in 1971. Her performance was immaculate - her delivery was spot on - her incredible warmth and sweetness shown through the darkness of the theatre.

[@user-if5vw8su5k]

Linda, thank you so much. You are the greatest singer ever. You are my hero. You are loved beyond imagination. ❤

[@Kirkunik1]

Saw her several times in concert....she was great. Her voice filled the place. She was one of my absolute favorites. She, Joni Mitchell, Baez were all mentors for me as a folk singer. She could wail and I loved that. She had gumption. But always a lady.

[@msmith5121]

One of the top five great female vocalist of the twentieth century. Just awesome!

[@singasong718]

God what a voice.

[@andronicuscomnenus7830]

It is so refreshing to listen to singers from an era without auto-tune. Remarkably, pop stars once had to actually be able to sing. Now they all sound like caterwauling robots.

[@efbaggins1]

Absolutely agree!

[@jenamirgholi6004]

lol

[@thomastimlin1724]

I'll give Adele credit, but yeh...

[@unclebobunclebob]

Not all. Not nearly all. Some, yes. some popular ones, yes. but you can't throw a blanket over all.

[@pjt3887]

Autotune hurts my ears. If you have perfect pitch. Autotune is abuse of the ears. Sounds like complete shit!!

[@kaydee63]

So mesmerizing, I could 100% listen to this woman sing all day, every day.

[@mjp96]

I already knew her voice, incredible. The back-and-forth with her and Johnny were the BEST!

[@1RRPilot]

The greatest female voice of her generation (and mine). Thank God for all those female vocalists, especially Linda.

[@barriekurdziel2306]

she seems so honest and compassionate --- that combo always results in great songs

[@hollywoodjaded]

Growing up in the 1970s, I loved her with every beat of my heart. Linda got me through some of my darkest hours of my youth, with her angel voice, which would pierce my darkness with her radiant light. I am forever indebted to her. She so understood what it was like to be a girl in the ‘70s; the Laurel Canyon sound; life in L.A. An incomparable, newly-traversed era lacking sign-posts: never to be experienced again. But Linda was there, and she carved a lasting path, which will remain lit forever. I love you Linda Paloma.

[@chrisfields4945]

Beautifully spoken, and I deeply relate, even though I was a gay teenage boy growing up in North Carolina!

[@ChrisDeWine]

WOW... This is the first time I've seen this clip. As always Linda's voice and control is impeccable. What I see, is the benefits that performing Pirates of Penzance has done for her stage precense.

[@gtswann]

Yes,, her voice, her song choices, the pure emotion she exudes is just something no other singer can deliver. She gives her all and it shows.

[@GaryLaaks1]

Gorgeous talented lady. Master at her craft. Thank you for your music Linda.

[@ssnoc]

The BEST female voice of them all in my opinion, Powerful without just yelling, but by singing like an angel ... And such a beautiful classy person too - We LOVE YOU Linda ❤️👏❤️👏❤️👏

[@jamesanthony5681]

Really? Better than Whitney Houston? Aretha Franklin? Streisand?

[@rogerlucero834]

Oh yeah. Maybe Ann Wilson was in her class

[@najafa3520]

tucson gets dissed, but if we NEVER do anything else great, creating LINDA RONSTADT, and having the family here, was enough!

[@johnbougae8314]

"Get Closer" her most underrated album. The greatest singer of her generation and it's not even close.

[@shawnuel]

Totally her most underrated album. Songs by Jimmy Webb (Easy For You to Say wasn't even the best Webb song from the album, IMO) The Anna McGarrigle, Joe South, Bert Russell, Dolly Parton.

[@edithcarter3554]

I so love this song. A she had a voice of gold.

[@user-sx7wo1yl7y]

I enjoyed her interview almost as much as her singing. Gad, what a joy...

[@billbright1755]

I love it when Linda sings in Spanish as well. Her desirability factor was simply off the charts. Her big brown eyes are like a fawn dear.

[@hughmcinally907]

Yeah, that was pretty cool where she slipped into Spanish. Nice nod to her culture.

[@williamashton9235]

She released a Spanish version of "Blue Bayou" ("Lago Azul") on 45. I lived in Miami, and it was on the radio.

[@seabulls69]

Gawd, she's adorable.

[@RobertRod818]

Love the feeling she puts on her singing

[@kdeltatube]

wow, "Easy for you to say" (at end) just rips your heart out. She's so awesome.

[@jess4metoo]

“Milk cows or sell hot dogs on the street” LOL I love you Linda.

[@DocDLH]

She has just the right amount of longing and emotive power to really tell the story of this song. Perfect.

[@rbbrown2106]

Linda speaks in a tiny little voice and then she breaks into song with that big, beautiful singing voice.

[@loredomattoni6248]

RB Brown linda and ann wilson best female voice

[@bigd1345]

No kiddin. Her adorable speaking voice, then she starts singing......what incredible talent she had. And she's kinda shy, such a sweet, humble lady.

[@idealismisnotdead]

And Anni-Frid Lyngstad of ABBA.

[@NancyBurleson-sf9wu]

Very special voice and character! Such a blessing!

[@fleondodgen]

If you were shy and insecure, I’m glad you became confident . If you were afraid to sing, then I’m glad that you overcame; because we all would have missed a very classy, personable, and beautiful artist. Thank you Linda, for giving a part of your life to comfort us, we the audience. Peace and Love.

[@kassandraayalasongs]

This is so sweet 🥺 I’m a long time Linda fan too 🤍

[@carlgustov7728]

OMG, what a voice that woman has, absolutely amazing and great range

[@mrblue193]

What a voice, so effortless.

[@250txc]

Right and she admitted she did not even know how to sing in her early days .. Talent ....

[@donaldsmith8690]

A great gifted singer with real talent that worked hard at her craft. I heard her say in an interview she practiced singing for six hours a day to get her voice to do what she wanted it to do.