In 1998, Linda Ronstadt wrote off Madonna. 400,000,000 albums sales later, the world did not agree

Linda Ronstadt said Madonna was more an entertainer and vocal stylist than a singer, praising her ability to create an evocative effect while questioning her vocal ability. The contrast matters because Madonna’s career shows that pop stardom can depend on performance, image and reinvention as much as conventional singing prowess.

Ronstadt made the remarks in 1998, comparing Madonna with singers such as Celine Dion, whom she described as having “a voice”. The article points to Madonna’s shifts in sound, from the electronic direction of *Ray of Light* to the dance music of *Confessions on a Dance Floor*, as examples of her adapting her style. It says Madonna has sold about 400 million albums worldwide.