The favourite singer who made Linda Ronstadt leave rock: “She was really smart”

Linda Ronstadt moved away from rock because she felt the touring lifestyle and large venues did not suit her or the songs she wanted to sing. Her friendship with Rosemary Clooney and admiration for traditional pop helped draw her towards the Great American Songbook and new musical styles.

Ronstadt worked with arranger Nelson Riddle, whose earlier work included backing Rosemary Clooney. She described Clooney as a close friend who was “really smart” and had “a huge heart”. The article presents this musical shift as part of Ronstadt’s wider pattern of taking risks and resisting being confined to one genre.