In honor of the celebrated Tucson native and 11-time Grammy Award winner's 75th birthday, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero declared July 15, 2021 as Linda Ronstadt Day.Β
Romero, in a Facebook post Tuesday morning, honored Ronstadt for her "substantial contributions to varied musical genres" and for sharing the character and culture of her Southwest community with the rest of the world.Β
In 1976, Ronstadt arrived at the Tucson International Airport, set to later play a concert benefitting the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. She was greeted with a fox (yes, a real one!) β you can see its ears on the bottom left of the photo.
Gary Gaynor / Tucson Citizen
Ronstadt, born in Tucson on July 15, 1946, attended Catalina High School and briefly studied at the University of Arizona before moving to Los Angeles in the mid-60s to start a career in music.Β
Coming from a musically-inclined family, Ronstadt found success singingΒ folk-rock, country, Mariachi and pop music, just to name a few styles she made her mark in.Β The now 75-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide.
According to Mayor Romero, the introduction of Linda Ronstadt Day highlights the famous Tucsonan's "enormous range as she traveled from The Old Pueblo to the top 40 with the utmost personal authenticity."
14 photos of Linda Ronstadt through the years
Linda Ronstadt through the years
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Handout photo of Linda Ronstadt in 1999.
Linda Ronstadt
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Linda Ronstadt, Kenny Edwards and Bobby Kimmel, also known as the Stone Poneys, performed at Minus One Coffeehouse on Nov. 24, 1966.
Linda Ronstadt through the years
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Linda Ronstadt, one of the Hall of Fame's first five inductees, brought mariachi music to the masses with two popular LPs. Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt through the years
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Linda Ronstadt at Tucson's Symphany Cotillion Ball in 1977.
Linda Ronstadt through the years
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Linda Ronstadt signs autographs at Tucson's Symphany Cotillion Ball in 1977.
Linda Ronstadt through the years
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Linda Ronstadt signs autographs at Tucson's Symphany Cotillion Ball in 1977.
Linda Ronstadt through the years
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Linda Ronstadt, shown in this 1991 file photo, is singing the praises of teaching young children foreign languages. Ronstadt, whose album "Canciones de Mi Padre" ("Songs of My Father") won a Grammy in 1987, told state education officials in Phoenix Monday, Sept. 30, 1996, that if children aren't exposed to foreign languages early, they may not learn them at all.
Linda Ronstadt through the years
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Linda Ronstadt in 1998.
Linda Ronstadt through the years
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Linda Ronstadt circa 1983.
Linda Ronstadt through the years
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Linda Ronstadt with Nelson Riddle
Linda Ronstadt through the years
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Linda Ronstadt's tour programs from 1983 and 1984 at the University of Arizona's Esquire Apartments photographed Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Ronstadt has donated her collection of artifacts from her time with Nelson Riddle to the UA School of Music.
Linda Ronstadt through the years
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Linda Ronstadt's What's New album on top of the hand-copied orchestra parts for "What's New" by Ronstadt arranged by Nelson Riddle at the University of Arizona's Esquire Apartments photographed Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Ronstadt has donated her collection of artifacts from her time with Nelson Riddle to the UA School of Music.
Linda Ronstadt through the years
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Linda Ronstadt, right, and Sam Bush sing together at the Berger Performing Arts Center in Tucson on June 12, 2002. Most of the crowd was there to hear Linda Ronstadt sing, but by the end of the evening, Sam Bush's mandolin playing and harmonizing with Ronstadt converted many into enthusiastic fans.
Linda Ronstadt
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Linda Ronstadt and Mariachi Vargas deliver inspiring celebration of old Mexico in sold-out concert.Β
Linda Ronstadt through the years
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A likeness of Tucson native singer Linda Ronstadt was created by 86-year-old June Aguayo, who works out of her home. Aguayo is a regular staple at cultural events like Tucson Meet Yourself and has painted notable Tucsonans such as Raul Grijalva and Lalo Guerrero.
