I går modtog Linda Ronstadt den prestigefyldte pris National Medal of Arts. Overrakt af præsident Obama i egen høje person. På prisens hjemmeside læser man følgende ord om prismodtageren:

“Linda Ronstadt is recognized for her one-of-a-kind voice and her decades of remarkable music. Drawing from a broad range of influences, Ms. Ronstadt defied expectations to conquer American radio waves and help pave the way for generations of women artists.

Linda Ronstadt began her career in the folk group the Stone Poneys with guitarist Bob Kimmel and guitarist/songwriter Kenny Edwards. In 1968, she began her solo career, going on to receive ten Grammy awards, as well as an ALMA Award and a Latin Grammy for Lifetime Achievement. In 2013 she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She has at least 31 gold and platinum records with music that includes influences from pop, country, rock and roll, big band, jazz, opera, Broadway standards, and Mexican and Afro-Cuban influences. In 2013, her autobiography Simple Dreams, A Musical Memoir was published.”

Det er fuldt fortjent, at Ronstadt, der nu har lagt sangkarrieren bag sig på grund af Parkinsons sygdom, får denne udmærkelse. Hun har været en af de allerstørste sangfortolkere, siden hun brød igennem i det mytologiske år 1968.

Fotoet er et PR-foto lånt fra omtalte hjemmeside.