Linda Ronstadt Celebrated with Major U.S. Cultural Honor and Star-Studded Performances

🌟 HONORING A TRUE AMERICAN VOICE
At the 2019 Kennedy Center Honors, Linda Ronstadt received a tribute worthy of her legendary status. Held on December 29 in the grand Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington, D.C., the evening became a deeply emotional celebration of a voice that helped shape the sound of American music for over sixty years.

Sitting beside Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Ronstadt — glowing with quiet dignity — watched as artists and admirers paid homage to her legacy with powerful performances, heartfelt words, and a series of standing ovations that echoed her lasting impact.

🎶 A NIGHT OF STARS PAYING TRIBUTE TO A TRUE ICON
The tribute concert opened with Carrie Underwood delivering a stunning version of “Blue Bayou” — her voice capturing the same emotional depth that Linda Ronstadt brought to the classic in 1977. It was a powerful reminder of the enduring beauty and influence of Ronstadt’s music.

Emmylou Harris and Bonnie Raitt, both close collaborators and longtime friends of Ronstadt, followed with a fiery duet of “You’re No Good.” Trading vocals and guitar solos, they reignited the energy of the 1974 chart-topper, showing how Ronstadt’s spirit still lives in every note.

The stage pulsed not only with musical brilliance, but with the energy of friendship, legacy, and feminine strength — drawing the entire audience to its feet.

🎤 SOULFUL PERFORMANCES FROM AARON NEVILLE AND ARTURO SANDOVAL
Aaron Neville took the spotlight with “Don’t Know Much,” the heartfelt duet he originally recorded with Ronstadt. His rich, soulful tone brought an intimate, emotional moment to the evening, stirring memories and tears throughout the concert hall.

In one of the most unexpected and deeply touching performances, legendary trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, accompanied by a vibrant mariachi ensemble, paid homage to Ronstadt’s Mexican roots with “Cuando Me Enamoro.” The tribute honored her groundbreaking album Canciones de Mi Padre and her trailblazing role in bringing traditional Mexican music into the American mainstream.

💬 MESSAGES FROM FRIENDS — AND A PRESIDENTIAL SALUTE
Tributes continued from across the music industry. Dolly Parton appeared in a touching video message. Glenn Frey’s widow shared heartfelt memories. Don Henley, visibly moved, watched from the audience as memories of a lifelong friendship unfolded.

Then came a moment that united the entire room: former President Barack Obama, who once awarded Ronstadt the National Medal of Arts, appeared onscreen. He called her “a force of nature” — prompting an emotional standing ovation that filled the hall with gratitude and admiration.

🕊️ A NIGHT MARKING THE END OF AN ERA
This Kennedy Center Honors marked a particularly poignant moment. It was Ronstadt’s first major public appearance since revealing her Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2013 — and, as it turned out, her last before the world changed with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Broadcast in March 2020, the event became a symbol of unity and shared memory — a powerful reminder of how music can connect generations and cultures, even in uncertain times.

Backstage, it was said that Ronstadt initially hesitated to accept the award, modestly calling herself “a rusty old car.” But as she stood at the center of it all, hands gently folded in gratitude, it was clear the night wasn’t about perfection. It was about honoring a woman whose voice shaped an era — and whose legacy will echo far beyond it.

🎼 LINDA RONSTADT: A VOICE WITHOUT BORDERS
Spanning genres from rock and country to opera and traditional Mexican music, Linda Ronstadt never fit neatly into any category. Her fearless artistry and cultural pride helped redefine what it meant to be a female artist — and a musical storyteller.

At the Kennedy Center, her influence was felt not just in the performances, but in the emotion that filled the room. It wasn’t just a tribute — it was a celebration of a life in music that continues to inspire across borders, languages, and time.