Happy Birthday to Linda Ronstadt, who turns 74 today (July 15th)!!! Despite being born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Ronstadt, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, came to embody the '70s California soft-rock sound, alongside such acts as the Eagles and Jackson Browne.
Back in December, Linda Ronstadt drew applause for her rebuke of Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo in Washington, D.C. The incident took place during the State Department reception for Ronstadt and her fellow 2019 Kennedy Center honorees, which preceded the official gala, and where the recipients are actually awarded the medals. Pompeo, in his opening address, spoke of Ronstadt and quoted her 1975 hit cover of the Everly Brothers' “When Will I Be Loved,” asking, “As I travel the world, I wonder when will I be loved?” Ronstadt, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, has limited her public outings over the past few years.
Variety reported: “Ronstadt has been an outspoken critic of (President) Trump. When it came her turn following dinner to receive the honor and make optional remarks, Ronstadt rose to the microphone a few feet away from the host’s table and looked straight ahead. 'I’d like to say to Mr. Pompeo, who wonders when he’ll be loved, it’s when he stops enabling Donald Trump.' Then she sat down. The line drew immediate gasps from the audience, followed by slowly building applause, and then cheers.”