She was one of the top recording artists of the 1970s – equally comfortable singing folk, country, pop and rock – and later excelled in Broadway operetta, Spanish-language ballads and the standards of ‘The Great American Songbook’.  And let’s just agree, she had some of the sexiest album covers of the era as well. Linda Ronstadt is about to turn 75, and no longer records or performs – because of a degenerative form of palsy.  It is indeed poignant to realize one of the great voices of our generation has been silenced.

I’d like to celebrate that amazing voice – and the woman who influenced so many genres: members of the Eagles were her early back-up band; she covered such rock’n’rollers as Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry and Roy Orbison; pioneered a revival of 1930s standards, championed Latin music, and inspired country music collaborations.  Join me for Linda’s fascinating story and eleven of her best songs, including her last solo studio recording.

The first hour’s ‘This Week in Zoomer Music‘ recalls the very first recording made by The Beatles – when they were The Quarrymen and made a private recording of a Buddy Holly song in 1958. Plus the tragic deaths of Billie Holiday and Harry Chapin, and what’s been called the greatest live performance in rock’n’roll history – Queen at ‘Live Aid’.

Plus ‘The Story Behind the Song‘ – ‘Layla’. Rock fans know this Eric Clapton classic is about his obsessive love for George Harrison’s wife Pattie Boyd. But there’s another fascinating aspect to the song – its co-author was one of rock’s greatest drummers – AND a convicted murderer !  That’s all on the next ‘Vintage Favourites’ this Sunday afternoon (July 11) starting after the 2 o’clock news.