Watch the video at the end of this article.
Introduction
Dan Rather’s promo for Linda Ronstadt: The Big Interview, scheduled for June 23, 2013, promised audiences something far more intimate than a typical celebrity interview. Rather sat down with one of the most extraordinary and versatile voices in American music—an artist whose career crossed rock, country, pop, folk, jazz, Latin music, and the Great American Songbook. Linda Ronstadt was never easily confined to one genre. With timeless recordings such as “Blue Bayou,” “You’re No Good,” “When Will I Be Loved,” and “Different Drum,” she became one of the defining female performers of her generation and opened doors for countless women in the music industry.
The promo presented the conversation as a rare opportunity to hear Ronstadt reflect on the triumphs, risks, and personal choices behind her remarkable journey. Rather’s calm, thoughtful interviewing style made him an ideal host for such a discussion. Instead of focusing only on awards, hit records, or celebrity memories, The Big Interview aimed to reveal the person behind the famous voice. Ronstadt could speak candidly about her musical influences, her refusal to follow predictable commercial formulas, and her determination to record the songs she genuinely loved—even when those choices surprised record executives and fans.
The timing of the interview gave it additional emotional significance. In 2013, Ronstadt publicly discussed the serious health problems that had affected her ability to sing. For admirers who remembered the effortless power and beauty of her voice, hearing her confront this change with honesty and dignity was deeply moving. Yet the promo did not simply invite viewers to mourn what had been lost. It celebrated a fearless artist whose recordings continued to live beyond the limitations of time and illness.
Dan Rather’s Linda Ronstadt: The Big Interview promo ultimately promised a heartfelt portrait of courage, independence, and artistic integrity. It reminded audiences that Ronstadt’s legacy was not built on vocal talent alone, but also on curiosity, conviction, and a lifelong willingness to take creative chances. For longtime fans and new listeners alike, the interview offered a valuable chance to rediscover the woman who helped reshape American popular music.