By Leonard Rodriguez
This column highlights inspiring stories of Latino leaders. For more than 500 years, Latino men and women have positively influenced the face of United States society. Let us celebrate these outstanding hispanics.
Linda Ronstadt
Born in 1946 in Tucson, Arizona, Linda Ronstadt dropped out of college to pursue singing. Her career took off when she went solo in 1974. Two years later, she earned her first Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Performer and her second the following year for Best Female Vocal Performer. During the ‘80s, she began experimenting with different styles of music and consequently earned a Grammy for Best Country Performance.
Exploring her Latina roots, she recorded “Canciones de mi Padre” which went gold and, in 1992, was honored with two Grammy Awards: one for Best Mexican American Album for “Mas Canciones” and the second for Best Tropical Latin Album for “Frenesi.” Few performers have matched Ronstadt’s versatility as a singer.
