1 00:00:00,920 --> 00:00:04,040 Speaker 1: This is Latino USA, the radio journal of News and 2 00:00:04,160 --> 00:00:05,480 Speaker 1: Kurturre Latino USA. 3 00:00:05,720 --> 00:00:10,200 Speaker 2: Latin Latino USA. I'm Maria Inojosa. We bring you stories 4 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:13,760 Speaker 2: that are underreported but that mattered to you, overlooked by 5 00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:14,840 Speaker 2: the rest of the media. 6 00:00:14,640 --> 00:00:16,720 Speaker 1: And while the country is struggling to deal with these 7 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:19,439 Speaker 1: week listen to the stories of black and Latino. 8 00:00:19,079 --> 00:00:21,280 Speaker 2: Studio United Latino Front. 9 00:00:21,160 --> 00:00:25,520 Speaker 1: A cultural renaissance organizing at the forefront of the movement. 10 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:29,160 Speaker 2: I'm Maria Ino Jossa, noaan. 11 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:35,519 Speaker 3: Ola. I'm Andrea Lopescrusalo Latino USA, Senior Editor. As part 12 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:39,120 Speaker 3: of my job, I help producers to identify the voices 13 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:41,760 Speaker 3: and the sounds that you hear in the stories that 14 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:44,920 Speaker 3: we bring to you every week. Thank you for listening 15 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:49,159 Speaker 3: to our work. Happy Trinta Anus to Latino USA, and 16 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:53,080 Speaker 3: we hope you, dear listener, stay with us for thirty 17 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:56,320 Speaker 3: more years. 18 00:00:57,920 --> 00:01:00,880 Speaker 4: You know, we can't judge our own stuff can be objective. 19 00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:03,480 Speaker 4: I'm a great believer in craft. So if you want 20 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:05,800 Speaker 4: to be a singer, learn to play an instrument and 21 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:08,880 Speaker 4: learn to play it well. But that doesn't guarantee anything. 22 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:15,160 Speaker 1: From Futuro Media and PRX, It's Latino Usa. 23 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:16,480 Speaker 2: I'm Mariano Hosa. 24 00:01:16,920 --> 00:01:21,520 Speaker 1: Today we continue to celebrate our thirtieth anniversary, bringing you 25 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:25,640 Speaker 1: voices of some of the most influential Latinos and Latinas 26 00:01:25,680 --> 00:01:35,840 Speaker 1: in the last three decades. Over twenty years ago, in 27 00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:39,160 Speaker 1: the year two thousand, I interviewed one of these icons. 28 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:43,759 Speaker 5: Some of us have been listening to Linda Ronstadt for 29 00:01:43,800 --> 00:01:56,880 Speaker 5: almost thirty years. Linda Ronstadt, who has Mexican roots, is 30 00:01:56,920 --> 00:02:00,200 Speaker 5: a performer that has profoundly influenced many of today's most 31 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:03,800 Speaker 5: successful musicians. She joins us from her studio in Tucson, Arizona. 32 00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:06,160 Speaker 5: Welcome to Latino, USA, Linda, Thank you. 33 00:02:07,400 --> 00:02:12,160 Speaker 1: I grew up listening to Linda, not ever knowing about 34 00:02:12,160 --> 00:02:13,560 Speaker 1: her Mexican heritage. 35 00:02:13,919 --> 00:02:16,240 Speaker 6: Well, I grew up on the last ten acres of 36 00:02:16,280 --> 00:02:19,080 Speaker 6: my grandfather's cattle ranch, so Arizona was one of the 37 00:02:19,120 --> 00:02:22,080 Speaker 6: last areas of the United States to get swiped from Mexico. 38 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:23,880 Speaker 6: So we always said that we didn't move the board 39 00:02:23,960 --> 00:02:28,280 Speaker 6: or moved. See. My mother didn't speak Spanish, and school 40 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:30,560 Speaker 6: you were punished if you spoke Spanish. There was no 41 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:36,520 Speaker 6: bilingual idea at that time, but the music that was 42 00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:39,400 Speaker 6: played on a regular basis in our home was usually Mexican. 43 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:42,280 Speaker 1: Then in nineteen eighty seven, Linda made a bold move 44 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 1: in the music industry, releasing a record of traditional Mexican 45 00:02:46,280 --> 00:02:49,040 Speaker 1: songs titled Ganciones Lemi Babti. 46 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:53,000 Speaker 6: I started asking from the moment I arrived in la 47 00:02:53,040 --> 00:02:54,679 Speaker 6: in nineteen sixty five, did anybody want to do this? 48 00:02:54,720 --> 00:02:56,400 Speaker 6: Let's do some Mexican stuff. Oh, let's do this, Let's 49 00:02:56,440 --> 00:02:56,680 Speaker 6: do this. 50 00:02:57,040 --> 00:03:08,200 Speaker 1: When I first interviewed Linda in the year two thousand, 51 00:03:08,639 --> 00:03:12,079 Speaker 1: she was in her fifties, still finding time to make 52 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:15,440 Speaker 1: music while raising her kids. What's going on in your 53 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:17,600 Speaker 1: heart and in your musical soul these. 54 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 6: Days, I'm a mom, take care of two kids, and 55 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 6: I mostly don't work well. The one thing that I 56 00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:26,200 Speaker 6: want to do is to keep reminding people of the 57 00:03:26,280 --> 00:03:28,560 Speaker 6: origins of music and their music, in particular. 58 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:39,240 Speaker 1: Since our conversation, Linda released one final record in two 59 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 1: thousand and six. It was an album of roots music, 60 00:03:42,640 --> 00:03:46,440 Speaker 1: incorporating pop and Cajun influences. You though. 61 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:50,200 Speaker 7: Now we must pap. 62 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:56,600 Speaker 8: Made the jaws of the world go with you. I 63 00:03:56,840 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 8: love you, but never anymore cannot believe you. 64 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:13,160 Speaker 1: In twenty eleven, Linda officially retired from music. She began 65 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:18,000 Speaker 1: losing her singing ability due to a degenerative condition known 66 00:04:18,040 --> 00:04:26,560 Speaker 1: as progressive super nuclear palsy, but Linda kept creating, this time, 67 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:31,280 Speaker 1: writing and releasing her first memoir, and in twenty twenty two, 68 00:04:31,760 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 1: she released her second writing project, Feels Like Home, a 69 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:40,200 Speaker 1: song for the Sonoran Borderlands. Linda delves into her family 70 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:44,280 Speaker 1: history and the sonic landscapes of the borderlands where she 71 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:44,760 Speaker 1: grew up. 72 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:58,200 Speaker 7: To Me. 73 00:04:55,200 --> 00:04:58,559 Speaker 1: Now at seventy six years old, Linda tells me about 74 00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:03,320 Speaker 1: her memories growing up in Tucson, Arizona, also about reckoning 75 00:05:03,480 --> 00:05:11,000 Speaker 1: with her family history and her legacy. Lynda Ronstadt, welcome 76 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:13,360 Speaker 1: back to let you know us say, it's great to 77 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:14,440 Speaker 1: have you on the show again. 78 00:05:14,680 --> 00:05:15,800 Speaker 4: Well, thank you for having me. 79 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:23,360 Speaker 2: It's really a pleasure to speak with you. Linda. You're 80 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:24,960 Speaker 2: just such an icon. I'm sorry. 81 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:26,840 Speaker 1: I know that everybody says that to you, but I'm 82 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:28,160 Speaker 1: one of those people who's. 83 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:30,080 Speaker 2: Like, she's such an icon. 84 00:05:30,880 --> 00:05:33,640 Speaker 1: I wanted to ask you about the lands that you 85 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:37,240 Speaker 1: call home. This is Sonora and Tucson. I want you 86 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:40,560 Speaker 1: to take a moment, right you say that you believe 87 00:05:40,720 --> 00:05:45,280 Speaker 1: in something that's called genetic memory. Yeah, and that there 88 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 1: is this deep connection between people, land and memory, and 89 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:53,560 Speaker 1: so can you tell us what home felt like when 90 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:54,360 Speaker 1: you were little? 91 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:59,640 Speaker 4: It's a soarrow cactuses. It's definitely like them anyplace else 92 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:01,760 Speaker 4: in the war Old. When I see those, I know 93 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:04,080 Speaker 4: I'm home. And there is a way that the light 94 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 4: hits the mountains and mountains and on all four sides 95 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:10,000 Speaker 4: of Tucson, and I know them by heart. I know 96 00:06:10,040 --> 00:06:13,720 Speaker 4: which range there are. Catalina is in the north, the 97 00:06:13,800 --> 00:06:16,520 Speaker 4: Ringcons in the east. You know, I know which direction 98 00:06:16,640 --> 00:06:18,680 Speaker 4: I'm going because I know which mountain is in front 99 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:21,120 Speaker 4: of me. And that's a good feeling. I can't see that. 100 00:06:21,800 --> 00:06:24,680 Speaker 4: I can't see the mountains here. I can see the 101 00:06:24,680 --> 00:06:26,920 Speaker 4: gold of gay Bridge. I kind of orient my son. 102 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:28,719 Speaker 4: I can see the golden gay Bridge. That's why I 103 00:06:28,839 --> 00:06:29,640 Speaker 4: in my neighborhood. 104 00:06:42,040 --> 00:06:46,240 Speaker 1: I want to take you to your memories about growing 105 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:50,479 Speaker 1: up and music in this part of southern Arizona. It 106 00:06:50,480 --> 00:06:53,200 Speaker 1: would essentially be an understatement to say that music runs 107 00:06:53,200 --> 00:06:56,520 Speaker 1: in your veins because you're Abulito. Your grandfather was a 108 00:06:56,520 --> 00:06:57,919 Speaker 1: band leader in Sonora. 109 00:06:58,160 --> 00:06:58,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, he was. 110 00:06:59,080 --> 00:07:02,680 Speaker 1: Your father was always at the piano, singing songs. Your 111 00:07:02,720 --> 00:07:06,360 Speaker 1: siblings actually sang in the local choirs, and so take 112 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:09,640 Speaker 1: us into one of those spaces where music, food, family, 113 00:07:09,760 --> 00:07:13,040 Speaker 1: and history all came together. And when you talk about it, 114 00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:16,520 Speaker 1: you talk about the bachanga. Those of us where Mexican 115 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:19,400 Speaker 1: know that a bachanga needs not fiesta, but it's like 116 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:22,640 Speaker 1: it's not just a fiesta, it's like a throwdown, right. 117 00:07:22,960 --> 00:07:25,320 Speaker 1: So can you tell me some of the sights and 118 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:29,400 Speaker 1: smells and sounds that you remember at these batchangas that 119 00:07:29,440 --> 00:07:31,160 Speaker 1: you were at when you were growing up. 120 00:07:31,440 --> 00:07:34,239 Speaker 4: I would remember just going and finding a comfortable spot 121 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:37,800 Speaker 4: in the shade and waiting for the guitars to come out. 122 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:41,440 Speaker 4: I may did it after a while, people ate, and 123 00:07:41,480 --> 00:07:45,400 Speaker 4: I've got a photograph of that my family, my grandfather's 124 00:07:45,520 --> 00:07:53,600 Speaker 4: guitar out and it's very romantic ours a kind of 125 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:56,240 Speaker 4: like that. Sometimes it happened in the backyard, but all 126 00:07:56,240 --> 00:07:57,920 Speaker 4: of the guitars are there. There was all the singing 127 00:07:57,960 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 4: at night, and then know not as necessarily professional level singing, 128 00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:03,800 Speaker 4: just singing. Everybody's sang. 129 00:08:04,160 --> 00:08:04,680 Speaker 3: You liked this. 130 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:08,760 Speaker 1: Can you tell me a particular song that you remember 131 00:08:09,040 --> 00:08:10,880 Speaker 1: from one of those bachanga's. 132 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:14,360 Speaker 4: Lovat the oro and Bovar. 133 00:08:17,160 --> 00:08:25,120 Speaker 7: No jineral, oh nauche Ronda. 134 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:30,440 Speaker 2: Did you love singing. 135 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:33,000 Speaker 4: I judged about on the harmonies and I just sort 136 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:35,920 Speaker 4: of sing fanatically what they were singing. I didn't know 137 00:08:35,920 --> 00:08:38,480 Speaker 4: what they were singing. And then when I went to 138 00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:40,720 Speaker 4: sing it professionally, I had to really do some woodshedding 139 00:08:40,800 --> 00:08:43,720 Speaker 4: day get it up to stop, you know. I sat 140 00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:47,720 Speaker 4: with it with the recordings of my favorite classic versions 141 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 4: of another Betaran fo. 142 00:08:52,240 --> 00:09:07,720 Speaker 1: No, we're going to talk politics throughout the interview, Linda, 143 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:12,160 Speaker 1: I first want to ask you about growing up and 144 00:09:12,920 --> 00:09:14,520 Speaker 1: the politics of Tucson. 145 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:17,920 Speaker 2: It was still a segregated city. Legally. 146 00:09:18,679 --> 00:09:20,400 Speaker 1: You come of age kind of at the height of 147 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:23,440 Speaker 1: the Civil rights movement, the War of Vietnam, the free 148 00:09:23,520 --> 00:09:27,600 Speaker 1: love movement, time of so much change and revolution. But 149 00:09:27,679 --> 00:09:32,840 Speaker 1: I'm wondering how did this context influence you in terms 150 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:37,760 Speaker 1: of an artist and understanding that at heart you were 151 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:38,400 Speaker 1: a musician. 152 00:09:38,960 --> 00:09:40,640 Speaker 4: It was clear to me what side to be on 153 00:09:40,920 --> 00:09:45,120 Speaker 4: when I remember watching the Little Rock, Arkansas incident on television. 154 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:48,400 Speaker 4: The white population are determined to prevent colored students from 155 00:09:48,440 --> 00:09:51,640 Speaker 4: going to the school. Their own children attend, picketing the school, 156 00:09:51,800 --> 00:09:53,240 Speaker 4: they clash with the police. 157 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:56,080 Speaker 2: The law of the land degree is integration of white. 158 00:09:56,080 --> 00:09:57,680 Speaker 4: Time must have been at least in fifth grade, because 159 00:09:57,679 --> 00:10:01,040 Speaker 4: we didn't get a television till fifth grade, And I thought, 160 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:03,000 Speaker 4: why are they keeping those people out of school? It 161 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:05,199 Speaker 4: never occurred to me that there was a prejudice against 162 00:10:05,240 --> 00:10:07,000 Speaker 4: black people because we didn't have any black people that 163 00:10:07,040 --> 00:10:09,360 Speaker 4: I could see in Tucson. They were there, but they 164 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:11,960 Speaker 4: weren't in my school, and they weren't in my life. 165 00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 4: When I saw they were there, and they were there 166 00:10:14,800 --> 00:10:20,480 Speaker 4: in a particularly vulnerable way, I wanted to be a 167 00:10:20,480 --> 00:10:23,600 Speaker 4: civil rights person. I was at school one day I 168 00:10:23,679 --> 00:10:26,600 Speaker 4: decided to go to march in Phoenix. I ranged your 169 00:10:26,679 --> 00:10:29,319 Speaker 4: ride and I told my parents I was doing something 170 00:10:29,320 --> 00:10:31,560 Speaker 4: at school I can't remember. And when I got home, 171 00:10:32,160 --> 00:10:33,719 Speaker 4: they said, well, how did you like Phoenix? I said, 172 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:36,400 Speaker 4: how'd you find out? They saw me on television picketing 173 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:37,120 Speaker 4: with at the Sun. 174 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:43,319 Speaker 1: You did have a mind of your own in terms 175 00:10:43,320 --> 00:10:46,079 Speaker 1: of politics and in terms of your life, because when 176 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:49,040 Speaker 1: you're eighteen years old, you decide that you're leaving Tucson 177 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:52,839 Speaker 1: and you're going to go to California again, Arizona California, 178 00:10:52,880 --> 00:10:55,800 Speaker 1: two very different states. At this kind of political juncture 179 00:10:55,800 --> 00:10:58,280 Speaker 1: in the United States. You didn't tell your parents you 180 00:10:58,320 --> 00:11:01,240 Speaker 1: were going to leave until the day before you were 181 00:11:01,280 --> 00:11:02,040 Speaker 1: going to take off. 182 00:11:02,720 --> 00:11:05,120 Speaker 2: This is a kind of important story in your life. There. 183 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:07,960 Speaker 1: It shows your determination, your kind of commitment, your belief 184 00:11:07,960 --> 00:11:12,760 Speaker 1: in yourself. It also showed your parents' resistance, but at 185 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:16,280 Speaker 1: the same time their kind of understanding of exactly who 186 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:19,880 Speaker 1: their daughter was. So what's the story that you want 187 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:24,319 Speaker 1: to tell us about? Just before you leave to California? 188 00:11:24,679 --> 00:11:26,680 Speaker 4: They were sorry, they thought I was going too early, 189 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:29,960 Speaker 4: and they were right, but I wanted to go, and 190 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:32,160 Speaker 4: I wanted to be where music was that I liked, 191 00:11:32,559 --> 00:11:35,400 Speaker 4: and I wanted to learn from it. So they didn't 192 00:11:35,640 --> 00:11:38,520 Speaker 4: withdraw their support, They just withdrew their approval, and that 193 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:40,560 Speaker 4: made a big difference. My dad gave me thirty bucks 194 00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:44,160 Speaker 4: so and we stuck out of there the highway and 195 00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:46,320 Speaker 4: I climbed into a trek to the pedal field guitar 196 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:47,839 Speaker 4: player I knew that was on his way to a 197 00:11:47,920 --> 00:11:50,679 Speaker 4: boughta for a gig, and he dropped me off in 198 00:11:50,720 --> 00:11:53,880 Speaker 4: Santa Monica and we started up our band. And it 199 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:58,880 Speaker 4: wasn't a very good band. The competition with Simon and Garfunkel, 200 00:11:58,960 --> 00:11:59,240 Speaker 4: you know. 201 00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:03,040 Speaker 2: Are you serious? 202 00:12:03,160 --> 00:12:05,640 Speaker 1: Like you'd see Simon and garfugging me like, oh my god, like, 203 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:07,679 Speaker 1: we're we have to compete against these guys. 204 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:10,160 Speaker 4: Oh I heard them, and I mean Paula is one 205 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:12,760 Speaker 4: of the most extraordinary guitar players I've ever heard my life. 206 00:12:12,960 --> 00:12:16,480 Speaker 4: And I just thought, oh God, this is this is 207 00:12:16,520 --> 00:12:19,640 Speaker 4: really hard. But yeah, it's fairly humbling to come to Cantil, 208 00:12:19,679 --> 00:12:21,000 Speaker 4: Los Angeles. 209 00:12:24,600 --> 00:12:27,440 Speaker 5: To beat a B drum hop. 210 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:30,280 Speaker 8: Tam TELFI away. 211 00:12:30,160 --> 00:12:34,040 Speaker 4: I run tam time gods me. 212 00:12:34,360 --> 00:12:37,040 Speaker 1: You go to LA you're playing in the folk and 213 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:40,480 Speaker 1: rock scene. It's the group called the Stone Ponies, and 214 00:12:40,559 --> 00:12:43,480 Speaker 1: then you go solo and pretty early in your career 215 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:47,559 Speaker 1: you actually have a lot of success. And so prepping 216 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:50,280 Speaker 1: for this interview, Linda, I'm so glad that I'm getting 217 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:52,680 Speaker 1: a chance to speak to you because it also gives 218 00:12:52,720 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 1: me a chance to go back and listen to your 219 00:12:56,240 --> 00:12:58,959 Speaker 1: greatest hits. Right, So that's what I've been doing for 220 00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:02,719 Speaker 1: twenty four hours. My first moment, of course, is the 221 00:13:02,840 --> 00:13:05,959 Speaker 1: song You're No Good. It was all over the radio. 222 00:13:06,760 --> 00:13:15,640 Speaker 1: I remember actually having the radio dial and having to 223 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:18,360 Speaker 1: kind of find the right radio station that was playing 224 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:20,640 Speaker 1: cool rock and roll, and that's where I would hear 225 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:21,280 Speaker 1: You're No Good. 226 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:29,880 Speaker 2: I was I don't know in my early teens. 227 00:13:30,760 --> 00:13:33,600 Speaker 1: And then you know, as I've been listening going through 228 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:35,600 Speaker 1: your songs, I'm like, oh my God. But of course 229 00:13:35,679 --> 00:13:39,520 Speaker 1: there's tracks of My Tears, another song that I can 230 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:43,520 Speaker 1: place myself in the station wagon of my families. You know, 231 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:45,640 Speaker 1: we were Mexicans, so all six of us in the 232 00:13:45,720 --> 00:13:50,480 Speaker 1: station wagon driving to Mexico from Chicago, and I'd be 233 00:13:50,600 --> 00:14:00,600 Speaker 1: listening on the radio to tracks of My Tears. At 234 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:04,360 Speaker 1: that moment, you were everywhere. You were in fact, that 235 00:14:05,400 --> 00:14:10,040 Speaker 1: woman rock star that was independent. It was very much 236 00:14:10,080 --> 00:14:13,240 Speaker 1: a kind of feminist moment in the United States. And 237 00:14:13,520 --> 00:14:16,800 Speaker 1: as I was prepping for this interview Linda, I was like, now, 238 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:20,800 Speaker 1: it's interesting because you, at this point of your life 239 00:14:20,880 --> 00:14:24,480 Speaker 1: in your career, you are super super vocal about being Latina, 240 00:14:25,160 --> 00:14:30,960 Speaker 1: politically active Latina, and I'm this Latina journalist that has, 241 00:14:31,080 --> 00:14:34,040 Speaker 1: you know, a certain level of national recognition. But I 242 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:36,800 Speaker 1: think back to what I was listening to your music, 243 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:39,760 Speaker 1: and I'm like, wow, So I was this Mexican kid 244 00:14:39,880 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 1: growing up on the South side of Chicago listening to 245 00:14:42,520 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 1: Linda Ronstadt on the radio, admiring her because she's a 246 00:14:47,360 --> 00:14:52,000 Speaker 1: badass rock star, And little did I know, like that 247 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:56,000 Speaker 1: both of us were Mexican. We were both fully Mexican 248 00:14:56,080 --> 00:14:59,480 Speaker 1: and yet completely one hundred percent American. 249 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:02,840 Speaker 4: Yeah, and also the fact that I was Mexican American 250 00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:06,640 Speaker 4: was ignored by journalists, you know. I remember talking to 251 00:15:07,040 --> 00:15:10,160 Speaker 4: my first interview with Rolling Stone, and they asked me 252 00:15:10,520 --> 00:15:13,360 Speaker 4: who my musical influences were, and I said Lolo Tran 253 00:15:13,720 --> 00:15:16,240 Speaker 4: who influenced my singing more than anyone, and they wrote 254 00:15:16,240 --> 00:15:19,920 Speaker 4: it her name is Laura Belle Turone and said I 255 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:23,560 Speaker 4: was Mexican German and didn't say anything about the Mexican part. 256 00:15:24,640 --> 00:15:28,800 Speaker 1: You do kind of go from singing in the batchangays 257 00:15:28,840 --> 00:15:31,960 Speaker 1: with your family in the backyard to moving to La 258 00:15:32,120 --> 00:15:36,640 Speaker 1: singing at local folks, seeing places, and then suddenly you're 259 00:15:36,680 --> 00:15:42,880 Speaker 1: on tour, playing stadium tours. It's very appealing for an artist, 260 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:47,040 Speaker 1: but it can also be really exhausting. And I'm wondering 261 00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:49,760 Speaker 1: when you think back to that part of your life 262 00:15:50,760 --> 00:15:54,600 Speaker 1: when the success was just everywhere, but it also meant 263 00:15:54,640 --> 00:15:57,800 Speaker 1: that you had to be on the road. Were you tired, 264 00:15:57,920 --> 00:15:59,000 Speaker 1: were you exhilarated? 265 00:15:59,120 --> 00:16:01,360 Speaker 2: Were you what? What was going on at that point 266 00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:01,880 Speaker 2: in your life. 267 00:16:02,160 --> 00:16:03,680 Speaker 4: I was reading a lot of books because the road 268 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:06,960 Speaker 4: is really boring. It's mostly traveling. We traveled long distances 269 00:16:07,040 --> 00:16:09,400 Speaker 4: on the bus because it's easier than getting on a plane. 270 00:16:10,200 --> 00:16:11,520 Speaker 4: I had a lot of time to read, so I 271 00:16:11,560 --> 00:16:13,920 Speaker 4: read a lot of stuff that was good. I did 272 00:16:13,960 --> 00:16:16,440 Speaker 4: a lot of knitting that was good. But I'm really 273 00:16:16,520 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 4: basically a homebody. I like to stay home. I like 274 00:16:19,080 --> 00:16:21,240 Speaker 4: to have relationships at the last. 275 00:16:21,400 --> 00:16:22,120 Speaker 2: Over the years. 276 00:16:22,480 --> 00:16:24,000 Speaker 4: It's hard to do it if you live somewhere and 277 00:16:24,040 --> 00:16:27,200 Speaker 4: you're leaving all the time. But I've managed to keep 278 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:29,960 Speaker 4: my friendships. I don't know how Glorid knowes what I've 279 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:32,840 Speaker 4: lost it along the way, but I did manage to 280 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:35,400 Speaker 4: keep my friendships. And I was friendly with the band. 281 00:16:35,840 --> 00:16:37,880 Speaker 4: They were my brothers out there on the road, and 282 00:16:38,880 --> 00:16:40,840 Speaker 4: I felt okay as long as the music was good. 283 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:43,560 Speaker 4: But it would come to a sale point. I'd be 284 00:16:43,640 --> 00:16:46,600 Speaker 4: doing some kind of music and the music starts selling 285 00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:49,360 Speaker 4: like your washing machine. And then you got to get 286 00:16:49,400 --> 00:16:52,160 Speaker 4: some new blood in there. And I continually wanted to 287 00:16:52,200 --> 00:16:54,200 Speaker 4: go to Mexican music, and finally. 288 00:16:53,960 --> 00:16:54,440 Speaker 9: I just did. 289 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:02,920 Speaker 1: Coming up on Latino, USA, we continue my conversation with 290 00:17:03,120 --> 00:17:06,919 Speaker 1: music icon Linda Ronstadt talking about her decision to connect 291 00:17:06,960 --> 00:17:10,560 Speaker 1: with the Mexican music of her childhood, despite the pushback 292 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:13,320 Speaker 1: she got from her record company, stay with us. 293 00:17:14,080 --> 00:17:24,119 Speaker 7: Yes, lousy guys, Lulu Semonia Semnan. 294 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:35,240 Speaker 10: My name is Jennifer Day, and I have been listening 295 00:17:35,320 --> 00:17:40,720 Speaker 10: to Latino USA for I think twenty seven years. I 296 00:17:40,880 --> 00:17:45,040 Speaker 10: taught elementary through middle school Spanish, and my seventh and 297 00:17:45,119 --> 00:17:49,880 Speaker 10: eighth graders found a ton from Latino USA. So thank 298 00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:52,400 Speaker 10: you for all the years of enriching my life. 299 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:05,720 Speaker 2: Hey, we're back. 300 00:18:06,160 --> 00:18:10,560 Speaker 1: We continue to celebrate our thirtieth anniversary bringing you voices 301 00:18:10,640 --> 00:18:14,200 Speaker 1: of some of the most influential Latinos and Latinas in 302 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:18,080 Speaker 1: the last three decades. Before the break, we were listening 303 00:18:18,119 --> 00:18:22,840 Speaker 1: to my recent conversation with music legend Linda Ronstadt. And 304 00:18:22,960 --> 00:18:26,560 Speaker 1: although many know Linda as the first Lady of Rock 305 00:18:26,840 --> 00:18:31,240 Speaker 1: from the nineteen seventies, by nineteen eighty seven, Linda wanted 306 00:18:31,280 --> 00:18:33,639 Speaker 1: to return to what had sparked her love of music, 307 00:18:33,720 --> 00:18:37,240 Speaker 1: to begin with the traditional Mexican songs she and her 308 00:18:37,320 --> 00:18:41,200 Speaker 1: family grew up playing in southern Arizona. When I first 309 00:18:41,359 --> 00:18:45,080 Speaker 1: interviewed Linda in the year two thousand, we spoke about 310 00:18:45,119 --> 00:18:51,040 Speaker 1: this decision. There was something that you said, Linda that 311 00:18:51,480 --> 00:18:54,720 Speaker 1: kind of struck me. You have performed so many different 312 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:58,080 Speaker 1: kinds of music, You've been in so many different incarnations, 313 00:18:58,800 --> 00:19:01,120 Speaker 1: but you mentioned once that rock and roll was quote 314 00:19:01,160 --> 00:19:03,640 Speaker 1: the least authentic thing that you ever did, and I'm 315 00:19:03,680 --> 00:19:05,560 Speaker 1: wondering what was going on. 316 00:19:05,880 --> 00:19:06,680 Speaker 2: Why did you say that. 317 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:09,720 Speaker 6: I think it's because it came last. I always think 318 00:19:09,800 --> 00:19:13,200 Speaker 6: that I can sing whatever I heard before I was ten, 319 00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:16,280 Speaker 6: and rock and roll came in about when I was 320 00:19:16,359 --> 00:19:19,239 Speaker 6: about six or seven, and I didn't pay very much 321 00:19:19,240 --> 00:19:22,560 Speaker 6: attention to it. Really, I didn't take it very seriously. 322 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:25,040 Speaker 3: You know, I just didn't. 323 00:19:25,440 --> 00:19:28,840 Speaker 6: But I really thought of myself as a more of 324 00:19:28,880 --> 00:19:31,040 Speaker 6: as a fox singer. I think when I started singing 325 00:19:31,160 --> 00:19:34,359 Speaker 6: professionally well, and even though I sang in English, I mean, 326 00:19:34,560 --> 00:19:37,639 Speaker 6: our regional folk music for me was in Spanish, but 327 00:19:37,800 --> 00:19:40,239 Speaker 6: you know, I just really went off a deep end 328 00:19:40,320 --> 00:19:43,320 Speaker 6: for it. When I left home, I had a Mediaci 329 00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:45,000 Speaker 6: record with me. I really wanted to figure out a 330 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:47,159 Speaker 6: way that I could make a record like La Bamba. 331 00:19:48,160 --> 00:19:50,440 Speaker 1: So explain to me, because you know, for me, and 332 00:19:50,600 --> 00:19:53,800 Speaker 1: I was Mexican, Mexican American growing up in Chicago, and 333 00:19:53,920 --> 00:19:56,359 Speaker 1: you know, there I was singing. You know, it's so 334 00:19:56,440 --> 00:19:58,840 Speaker 1: easy to fall in love and all those great songs, 335 00:19:58,880 --> 00:20:02,960 Speaker 1: and I just thought of you as one more pop singer. 336 00:20:04,160 --> 00:20:07,639 Speaker 1: And then all of a sudden something happened and you 337 00:20:07,760 --> 00:20:09,720 Speaker 1: were singing in Spanish, and I was kind of like, 338 00:20:10,400 --> 00:20:11,120 Speaker 1: what happened? 339 00:20:12,040 --> 00:20:14,560 Speaker 6: Well, I think what happened was that I couldn't find 340 00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:17,240 Speaker 6: any songs that I thought were as good is the 341 00:20:17,320 --> 00:20:19,240 Speaker 6: songs that I had sung. There were being sung in 342 00:20:19,280 --> 00:20:21,160 Speaker 6: my home when I was growing up. I kept i'd 343 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:23,040 Speaker 6: get new songs and I go, I've heard better than this. 344 00:20:23,160 --> 00:20:24,600 Speaker 6: You know, I've got better songs. 345 00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:30,119 Speaker 2: So what then inspired you to say? Okay, this is 346 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:31,760 Speaker 2: who I am, this is how I grew up. 347 00:20:31,760 --> 00:20:34,680 Speaker 1: I've been doing all of this other more mainstream stuff 348 00:20:34,720 --> 00:20:36,399 Speaker 1: to make a living, and now all of a sudden, 349 00:20:37,080 --> 00:20:39,560 Speaker 1: I want to record an album and I'm going to 350 00:20:39,640 --> 00:20:40,920 Speaker 1: title it Conies. 351 00:20:42,200 --> 00:20:45,040 Speaker 6: Well, I'll tell you what inspired me. I started asking 352 00:20:45,080 --> 00:20:47,479 Speaker 6: from the moment I arrived in LA in nineteen sixty five, 353 00:20:47,520 --> 00:20:49,359 Speaker 6: did anybody want to do this, Let's do some Mexican stuff, Oh, 354 00:20:49,400 --> 00:20:51,480 Speaker 6: let's do this, let's do this. And one day I 355 00:20:51,560 --> 00:20:54,360 Speaker 6: knew that I could. I knew that I had enough, 356 00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:56,840 Speaker 6: I'd sold enough records and I had enough power that 357 00:20:56,920 --> 00:20:58,720 Speaker 6: I didn't have to ask anymore that I could just 358 00:20:58,880 --> 00:21:01,359 Speaker 6: tell it wasn't an ass, it was a tale. And 359 00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:02,959 Speaker 6: I was kind of pleased about that, and I kind 360 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:04,960 Speaker 6: of went and I went, guess what I'm going to do? 361 00:21:25,520 --> 00:21:32,960 Speaker 8: O less done thee that say. 362 00:21:35,920 --> 00:21:39,040 Speaker 1: You know, it's interesting, Linda. I remember when we spoke 363 00:21:39,200 --> 00:21:40,840 Speaker 1: back in the year two thousand and I asked you 364 00:21:40,880 --> 00:21:44,040 Speaker 1: about your decision to release this album by the Day, 365 00:21:44,880 --> 00:21:48,760 Speaker 1: and I remember this really defiant attitude that you shared 366 00:21:48,800 --> 00:21:50,080 Speaker 1: with me of kind of I'm going to do this 367 00:21:50,240 --> 00:21:53,120 Speaker 1: whether my record company likes it or not. And I'm 368 00:21:53,119 --> 00:21:56,080 Speaker 1: wondering now, as you get older and you reflect on 369 00:21:56,160 --> 00:21:59,840 Speaker 1: that moment and the aftermath, because ultimately the album was 370 00:21:59,880 --> 00:22:04,159 Speaker 1: a total success, I'm wondering what stands out for you. 371 00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:09,040 Speaker 4: My manager, Peter asked her to be fair, really stepped up, 372 00:22:09,320 --> 00:22:10,920 Speaker 4: and I said, here, I want you to produce this 373 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:13,200 Speaker 4: record of music you don't you've never heard before, you 374 00:22:13,240 --> 00:22:15,440 Speaker 4: don't know anything about it or what it's supposed to 375 00:22:15,440 --> 00:22:18,480 Speaker 4: sound like. And he did, and he really put his 376 00:22:18,600 --> 00:22:21,440 Speaker 4: back into it, and he helped me promote it on 377 00:22:21,480 --> 00:22:23,840 Speaker 4: the road too, and so did the record company once 378 00:22:23,920 --> 00:22:27,440 Speaker 4: they realized it was inevitable. They tried really hard to 379 00:22:27,520 --> 00:22:30,199 Speaker 4: do it and it helped him make a big difference. 380 00:22:30,280 --> 00:22:32,280 Speaker 4: Joe Smith was the president of my record company then, 381 00:22:33,080 --> 00:22:34,879 Speaker 4: and he thought I was making a terrible mistake, but 382 00:22:34,960 --> 00:22:36,159 Speaker 4: he helped. He helped me do it. 383 00:22:36,840 --> 00:22:39,000 Speaker 1: But I think it's very interesting they were telling you 384 00:22:39,080 --> 00:22:42,600 Speaker 1: you're making a terrible mistake. What was so terrible and 385 00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:44,119 Speaker 1: what was the mistake that. 386 00:22:44,240 --> 00:22:46,639 Speaker 4: My audience wouldn't like it? They wanted me to do 387 00:22:46,760 --> 00:22:49,080 Speaker 4: what they're used to hearing in English, so it was 388 00:22:49,160 --> 00:22:52,040 Speaker 4: hard when they told me that I was making a mistake. 389 00:22:52,080 --> 00:22:54,280 Speaker 4: I didn't hear that. I only heard the music, so 390 00:22:54,400 --> 00:22:58,240 Speaker 4: success or failure wasn't a question for me. I just 391 00:22:58,320 --> 00:23:01,720 Speaker 4: thought that in between that learned them songs, and that's 392 00:23:01,760 --> 00:23:03,320 Speaker 4: what I wanted. It was completely selfish. 393 00:23:08,600 --> 00:23:11,399 Speaker 1: You have said, in fact that even though you were 394 00:23:11,440 --> 00:23:14,080 Speaker 1: told what a terrible mistake it's going to ruin your career. 395 00:23:15,160 --> 00:23:17,840 Speaker 1: You've said that performing consciuns I Meet by the Day, 396 00:23:18,119 --> 00:23:20,879 Speaker 1: in fact, was your favorite. Then I want to know 397 00:23:20,920 --> 00:23:24,080 Speaker 1: what was so special about performing consciun As they Meet 398 00:23:24,119 --> 00:23:30,560 Speaker 1: by the Days. 399 00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:33,520 Speaker 4: Oh yeah, I loved that show because there were so 400 00:23:33,600 --> 00:23:35,600 Speaker 4: many people there to help me. I had twelve people 401 00:23:35,680 --> 00:23:37,879 Speaker 4: at the band, and they were the best in the world. 402 00:23:38,160 --> 00:23:42,120 Speaker 4: And I had really wonderful dancers, and the show ran 403 00:23:42,240 --> 00:23:44,720 Speaker 4: like a train. I was the one that was trying 404 00:23:44,720 --> 00:23:47,520 Speaker 4: the hardest to catch up with everybody else. They've been 405 00:23:47,560 --> 00:23:49,600 Speaker 4: doing what they've been doing for years, for their whole lives, 406 00:23:50,320 --> 00:23:52,320 Speaker 4: and I just started doing it at a professional level. 407 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:55,840 Speaker 4: I was care to death, but when I got there, 408 00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:58,760 Speaker 4: I didn't think about failing until we found out that 409 00:23:58,840 --> 00:24:01,920 Speaker 4: the tickets weren't selling before we did the show. And 410 00:24:01,920 --> 00:24:04,399 Speaker 4: it turns out Mexican audience and don't buy things in advance, 411 00:24:04,840 --> 00:24:07,600 Speaker 4: is a walk up audience. So all the remoters are 412 00:24:07,600 --> 00:24:10,399 Speaker 4: freaking out across the country. And I'd go one stage 413 00:24:10,480 --> 00:24:14,000 Speaker 4: at a full house to be crammed for grandmothers and children, 414 00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:15,520 Speaker 4: and the whole family. 415 00:24:15,320 --> 00:24:17,720 Speaker 2: Would show up and I teas am I well as. 416 00:24:17,560 --> 00:24:19,200 Speaker 4: Were sitting in the audience chewing me on. 417 00:24:20,119 --> 00:24:20,720 Speaker 2: I love that. 418 00:24:24,119 --> 00:24:27,520 Speaker 1: This leads me to actually a question that this is 419 00:24:27,600 --> 00:24:29,680 Speaker 1: a hard question for me, Linda, because and I know 420 00:24:29,800 --> 00:24:31,919 Speaker 1: that this is hard for you. Of course you've been 421 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:32,440 Speaker 1: living with you. 422 00:24:32,600 --> 00:24:34,720 Speaker 4: My voice is horrible. I'm sorry about my boys. 423 00:24:35,160 --> 00:24:37,280 Speaker 1: Well, that's in fact what we're about to talk about. 424 00:24:37,359 --> 00:24:39,639 Speaker 1: Because you know, you make your living with your voice. 425 00:24:39,760 --> 00:24:43,600 Speaker 1: I make my living with my voice. In twenty eleven, 426 00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:47,040 Speaker 1: you actually go public, you announce that you're going to retire, 427 00:24:47,119 --> 00:24:48,960 Speaker 1: that you're no longer going to be able to sing 428 00:24:49,760 --> 00:24:55,080 Speaker 1: because of something you were facing called progressive super nuclear palsy. 429 00:24:55,960 --> 00:24:58,200 Speaker 1: And as I was thinking about this question, I was like, 430 00:24:58,880 --> 00:25:00,680 Speaker 1: I'm just going to be really honest with you, Linda. 431 00:25:00,720 --> 00:25:04,840 Speaker 1: I mean, this is this is probably as a professional, 432 00:25:05,280 --> 00:25:07,879 Speaker 1: one of the things that I fear the most, What 433 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:10,520 Speaker 1: will happen if something happens to my voice? 434 00:25:11,760 --> 00:25:12,760 Speaker 2: And it did? 435 00:25:13,040 --> 00:25:15,720 Speaker 1: It did happen to your voice? And it's been a 436 00:25:15,800 --> 00:25:21,119 Speaker 1: while now, a decade. How have you processed with this reality? 437 00:25:21,480 --> 00:25:24,640 Speaker 1: And because you sound incredibly positive. 438 00:25:24,840 --> 00:25:27,879 Speaker 4: Well, reality is the key word. It is reality, and 439 00:25:27,960 --> 00:25:34,000 Speaker 4: it's and it's progressive super nuclear palsy Parkins, So it's PSPP. 440 00:25:35,160 --> 00:25:37,160 Speaker 4: I'm just grateful that I can still talk at all, 441 00:25:37,520 --> 00:25:39,159 Speaker 4: because eventually I don't think I'll be able to talk. 442 00:25:39,240 --> 00:25:42,040 Speaker 4: My tongue as already getting kind of stuck. But I 443 00:25:42,160 --> 00:25:43,720 Speaker 4: just have to say around people know what you're talking 444 00:25:43,760 --> 00:25:48,440 Speaker 4: about and have to explain it. I can't really saying 445 00:25:48,520 --> 00:25:50,800 Speaker 4: I don't think when I'm alone, I just can't do it. 446 00:25:50,960 --> 00:25:53,680 Speaker 4: The mechanism just isn't there to do it. When I'm 447 00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:56,679 Speaker 4: with my family, sometimes I'll think of a harmony part 448 00:25:56,720 --> 00:25:58,720 Speaker 4: and I'll just humme it way back in my throat. 449 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:02,240 Speaker 4: But I can't that a mechanism doesn't get a single 450 00:26:02,240 --> 00:26:03,119 Speaker 4: from my brain to do it. 451 00:26:04,840 --> 00:26:13,159 Speaker 8: Go away from MOWINGO, go away from mudel, go away 452 00:26:14,240 --> 00:26:16,840 Speaker 8: from my boutside. 453 00:26:17,960 --> 00:26:22,720 Speaker 2: And no more. 454 00:26:27,280 --> 00:26:27,320 Speaker 7: So. 455 00:26:27,520 --> 00:26:31,680 Speaker 1: Linda, you know you have done a lot besides being 456 00:26:32,080 --> 00:26:36,760 Speaker 1: a huge rock star who's frankly changed American pop culture 457 00:26:36,760 --> 00:26:40,320 Speaker 1: in so many ways, but you've also become a writer. 458 00:26:41,240 --> 00:26:47,159 Speaker 1: And your most recent memoir feels like home. It's a 459 00:26:47,400 --> 00:26:50,119 Speaker 1: time when you're actually writing quite beautifully about the people 460 00:26:50,200 --> 00:26:52,639 Speaker 1: and the places at the heart of your life. The 461 00:26:52,680 --> 00:26:57,040 Speaker 1: way we're talking here, you talk about now really wanting 462 00:26:57,119 --> 00:27:01,480 Speaker 1: to research and understand your own family history. And I'm 463 00:27:01,560 --> 00:27:06,360 Speaker 1: wondering why this turn inward to really go deep into 464 00:27:06,480 --> 00:27:10,040 Speaker 1: understanding and researching your family history, and what's come up 465 00:27:10,200 --> 00:27:12,560 Speaker 1: that has kind of taken you by surprise as you've 466 00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:15,040 Speaker 1: uncovered your own family's legacy. 467 00:27:15,800 --> 00:27:18,919 Speaker 4: Well, I always knew a lot about it, because family 468 00:27:18,960 --> 00:27:22,240 Speaker 4: told stories and they kept careful records of births and 469 00:27:22,880 --> 00:27:25,760 Speaker 4: marriages and stuff like that. I knew that my family 470 00:27:25,920 --> 00:27:30,399 Speaker 4: was in the first expedition to northern California. One of 471 00:27:30,480 --> 00:27:34,160 Speaker 4: my great great grandfathers was the pathfinder for the Ports 472 00:27:34,200 --> 00:27:38,640 Speaker 4: of Law expedition that had brought you Uniposia. And when 473 00:27:38,680 --> 00:27:41,320 Speaker 4: they were going to canonize the Uniparosara tournam into a 474 00:27:41,359 --> 00:27:44,080 Speaker 4: saying I had to speak of because I knew the 475 00:27:44,200 --> 00:27:48,520 Speaker 4: real story of that Uniperosara was a maniac. They'd come 476 00:27:48,560 --> 00:27:51,400 Speaker 4: into the mission and they baptize them and say okay, 477 00:27:51,400 --> 00:27:54,000 Speaker 4: now you give blogs and you can't leave. They rouse 478 00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:57,600 Speaker 4: them in horrible dormitories that were just beds of sickness. 479 00:27:58,240 --> 00:28:03,520 Speaker 1: So in understanding your own family's history, and certainly there 480 00:28:03,560 --> 00:28:07,560 Speaker 1: were struggles, there's also the recognition that you're the descendant 481 00:28:07,960 --> 00:28:12,240 Speaker 1: of well the land owning class. Your ancestors were part 482 00:28:12,240 --> 00:28:15,159 Speaker 1: of that movement that took land away from indigenous peoples, 483 00:28:15,720 --> 00:28:18,320 Speaker 1: and because of your European roots, a lot of your 484 00:28:18,359 --> 00:28:22,840 Speaker 1: own family's history, in fact, has been preserved. You talk 485 00:28:23,000 --> 00:28:27,040 Speaker 1: about this thing of finding letters from your own ancestors 486 00:28:27,160 --> 00:28:30,200 Speaker 1: not just in Mexico City but at the University of 487 00:28:30,280 --> 00:28:34,359 Speaker 1: Arizona Archives. So Linda, I'm wondering how you think about 488 00:28:34,720 --> 00:28:38,720 Speaker 1: your privilege and the issue of identity and the roles 489 00:28:38,760 --> 00:28:43,960 Speaker 1: and responsibilities that we have and talking about yeah, class 490 00:28:44,040 --> 00:28:44,680 Speaker 1: privilege too. 491 00:28:45,280 --> 00:28:47,920 Speaker 4: We have a caste system and we share a privilege 492 00:28:48,040 --> 00:28:51,600 Speaker 4: and inherent privilege. There's a huge catch of letters in 493 00:28:51,640 --> 00:28:55,120 Speaker 4: the Huntington Library in Pasadena. It has a bunch of 494 00:28:55,160 --> 00:28:57,880 Speaker 4: my great great grandfather's letters. It was adultant from England 495 00:28:58,440 --> 00:29:03,720 Speaker 4: get married into our Wayo family, that Monal family, which 496 00:29:03,760 --> 00:29:06,080 Speaker 4: I had been in here since the sixteen hundreds. That 497 00:29:06,240 --> 00:29:09,840 Speaker 4: line is fascinating, but it tells them in both cases, 498 00:29:10,200 --> 00:29:12,000 Speaker 4: an English woe comes and married it in the family. 499 00:29:12,840 --> 00:29:15,800 Speaker 4: A Spaniard comes and married in into the family, and 500 00:29:15,960 --> 00:29:19,280 Speaker 4: they took the land. They just a Spaniard just appropriated. 501 00:29:23,920 --> 00:29:26,440 Speaker 1: Thank you for all of your work on memory and 502 00:29:26,640 --> 00:29:30,240 Speaker 1: legacy and history because I think it helps people understand 503 00:29:30,280 --> 00:29:32,440 Speaker 1: that they can do the same, and that understanding where 504 00:29:32,480 --> 00:29:35,240 Speaker 1: we come from is kind of central to understanding where 505 00:29:35,280 --> 00:29:38,080 Speaker 1: we are. Again, Linda, I have to tell you, like 506 00:29:38,200 --> 00:29:40,840 Speaker 1: prepping for this interview has made me so happy because 507 00:29:40,920 --> 00:29:44,320 Speaker 1: it took me back. But listening to your music, you know, 508 00:29:44,400 --> 00:29:48,360 Speaker 1: and your kind of rebel soul really just has made 509 00:29:48,440 --> 00:29:52,920 Speaker 1: me appreciate those moments in my life when you you 510 00:29:53,080 --> 00:29:56,600 Speaker 1: were that feminist taking the stage. You were, you know, 511 00:29:56,880 --> 00:29:59,600 Speaker 1: our Janis Joplin in many ways, and I know that 512 00:29:59,720 --> 00:30:02,400 Speaker 1: people i'll call you the first Lady of rock. You 513 00:30:02,600 --> 00:30:06,720 Speaker 1: have a contentious relationship with that title in fact, but 514 00:30:07,080 --> 00:30:10,440 Speaker 1: the truth is is that, yeah, you did really knock 515 00:30:10,560 --> 00:30:14,280 Speaker 1: down doors for so many women in music. And when 516 00:30:14,400 --> 00:30:17,600 Speaker 1: you think now as we get older, the both of us, 517 00:30:18,240 --> 00:30:21,240 Speaker 1: and you're looking back on your legacy, and you know, 518 00:30:21,360 --> 00:30:24,080 Speaker 1: people say things like you changed my life, and. 519 00:30:24,160 --> 00:30:26,360 Speaker 2: It's just like You're like, I was just doing my job. 520 00:30:26,480 --> 00:30:29,240 Speaker 1: I was just singing something I just and people you know, 521 00:30:29,560 --> 00:30:32,000 Speaker 1: like me, are like, yeah, but you touched my life 522 00:30:32,040 --> 00:30:33,040 Speaker 1: in such a profound way. 523 00:30:33,200 --> 00:30:34,880 Speaker 4: Well, I wasn't what I set out to do. I 524 00:30:35,040 --> 00:30:38,560 Speaker 4: just was singing to myself. I was trying to touch 525 00:30:38,640 --> 00:30:39,240 Speaker 4: my own life. 526 00:30:39,760 --> 00:30:42,360 Speaker 2: So how do you understand your legacy? Then? 527 00:30:43,480 --> 00:30:46,480 Speaker 4: I don't. I don't know what people will do that. 528 00:30:46,560 --> 00:30:48,200 Speaker 4: I wasn't very good when I started. I mean a 529 00:30:48,240 --> 00:30:50,880 Speaker 4: lot of bad records, but I don't know what people 530 00:30:50,880 --> 00:30:52,640 Speaker 4: will take of it. I think the things that I 531 00:30:52,680 --> 00:30:55,240 Speaker 4: did best aren't necessarily to think that we're the biggest sellers. 532 00:30:55,440 --> 00:30:57,640 Speaker 4: But you know, we can't judge our own stuff, can't 533 00:30:57,640 --> 00:31:02,280 Speaker 4: be objective. I'm a grave and craft So if you 534 00:31:02,320 --> 00:31:04,240 Speaker 4: want to be a singer, learn to play an instrument 535 00:31:04,720 --> 00:31:07,640 Speaker 4: and learn to play it. Well, that's what I think, 536 00:31:08,360 --> 00:31:12,200 Speaker 4: But that doesn't guarantee anything. It's really luck has so 537 00:31:12,280 --> 00:31:15,160 Speaker 4: much to do with it, or just what is the 538 00:31:15,240 --> 00:31:17,080 Speaker 4: position of the zeitgeist at the time. 539 00:31:17,840 --> 00:31:21,040 Speaker 5: Ah be Geed. 540 00:31:22,400 --> 00:31:35,640 Speaker 1: Mistered, Well, well, you were definitely in the right place 541 00:31:35,840 --> 00:31:39,160 Speaker 1: at the right time, with the right zeitgeist and the 542 00:31:39,320 --> 00:31:43,920 Speaker 1: right voice and the right attitude of being a fearless 543 00:31:44,360 --> 00:31:48,560 Speaker 1: American rock star. And I am just so honored that 544 00:31:48,680 --> 00:31:51,960 Speaker 1: you took the time to speak with me on lett 545 00:31:51,960 --> 00:31:54,520 Speaker 1: You know, USA, Linda, It's really been a joy to 546 00:31:54,600 --> 00:31:55,680 Speaker 1: be in conversation with you. 547 00:31:55,920 --> 00:31:58,760 Speaker 2: Thank you so much, well, thank you, thank you very much. 548 00:32:20,320 --> 00:32:23,560 Speaker 1: This episode was produced by Julia Rocha and edited by 549 00:32:23,760 --> 00:32:24,800 Speaker 1: Daisy Contreras. 550 00:32:24,960 --> 00:32:26,800 Speaker 2: It was mixed by J. J. Carubin. 551 00:32:27,000 --> 00:32:31,320 Speaker 1: The Latino USA team includes Andrea loo Fez Cruzado, Mike Sargent, 552 00:32:31,480 --> 00:32:36,160 Speaker 1: Marta Martinez, Victoria Estrada, Rinaldo, Leanoz Junior, and Patricia Survaran, 553 00:32:36,240 --> 00:32:39,960 Speaker 1: with help from Luperez. Our editorial director is Fernandes Santos. 554 00:32:40,120 --> 00:32:43,680 Speaker 1: Our director of Engineering is Stephanie Lebau. Our senior engineer 555 00:32:44,240 --> 00:32:48,040 Speaker 1: is Julia Caruso. Our associate engineer is Gabriel le Bias. 556 00:32:48,400 --> 00:32:51,760 Speaker 1: Our marketing manager is Luis Luna. Our New York Women's 557 00:32:51,800 --> 00:32:56,040 Speaker 1: Foundation Fellow is Elizabeth Lowendal Torres. Special thanks this week 558 00:32:56,120 --> 00:32:59,320 Speaker 1: to Ryan Lynch and team at the Neddie Lee Benson 559 00:32:59,440 --> 00:33:03,000 Speaker 1: Latin Berea Collection at the University of Texas at Austin 560 00:33:03,480 --> 00:33:08,880 Speaker 1: for retrieving historical content from the Latino USA Archives. Our 561 00:33:08,960 --> 00:33:11,960 Speaker 1: theme music was composed by Zeger Rouinos. I'm your host 562 00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:14,560 Speaker 1: and executive producer Mariano JSA. Join us again on our 563 00:33:14,600 --> 00:33:17,440 Speaker 1: next episode. In the meantime, find us on social media 564 00:33:17,600 --> 00:33:19,680 Speaker 1: and remember been saying it for decades. 565 00:33:19,960 --> 00:33:21,400 Speaker 2: No mayes Choo. 566 00:33:26,120 --> 00:33:31,040 Speaker 9: Latino USA thirtieth Anniversary episodes are made possible with support 567 00:33:31,240 --> 00:33:36,280 Speaker 9: from our legacy sustainers, the Brett Family Foundation, Alonso Contu, 568 00:33:36,800 --> 00:33:42,920 Speaker 9: Carmen Rito Wong Vamos Enterprises, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, 569 00:33:43,320 --> 00:33:49,240 Speaker 9: April Gessler, doctor Elmo Randolph, Belinda de la Libertad, Angela 570 00:33:49,320 --> 00:33:55,400 Speaker 9: Garcia Simms, and Priscilla Rojas. Additional donors included Raquel Aldana, 571 00:33:55,840 --> 00:34:01,120 Speaker 9: Joanne Banks, and Sarah Berman. Latino USA is made possible 572 00:34:01,160 --> 00:34:05,280 Speaker 9: in part by California Endowment, building a strong state by 573 00:34:05,320 --> 00:34:08,480 Speaker 9: improving the health of all Californians, the John D. And 574 00:34:08,600 --> 00:34:12,920 Speaker 9: Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and Michelle Mercer and Bruce Golden. 575 00:34:17,040 --> 00:34:19,040 Speaker 4: If I hear of new people like I like Billie Eilish. 576 00:34:19,080 --> 00:34:21,080 Speaker 4: I think she's pretty good. Of the new voices that 577 00:34:21,120 --> 00:34:22,560 Speaker 4: I've heard, I think she's the best of them.