Linda Ronstadt: Live in Hollywood

Linda Ronstadt in 1977.

Credit: Courtesy of Getty Images

Celebrate the superstar in an electrifying 1980 concert filmed at the height of her career.

On April 24, 1980, at Television Center Studios in Hollywood, Linda Ronstadt recorded a concert for an acclaimed HBO special that was considered by many fans to be a high point in her career. The concert, which featured electrifying performances of many of her greatest songs, captured America’s most popular female rock singer at the peak of her reign. Linda Ronstadt: Live in Hollywood airs Saturday, September 19 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

On stage, Ronstadt held the packed audience spellbound with powerful renditions of her biggest hits — “Blue Bayou,” “Poor Poor Pitiful Me” and “It’s So Easy” — plus an incredible, previously unreleased six-minute jam of her #1 smash, “You’re No Good.” The concert also showcased a trio of Top Ten hits from Ronstadt’s then-current and seventh consecutive platinum-selling album — Mad Love — with performances of “I Can’t Let Go,” “How Do I Make You” and “Hurt So Bad.”

Other stellar renditions include Ronstadt’s versions of Chuck Berry‘s “Back in the U.S.A,” The Eagles‘ “Desperado” and megahits “Heat Wave” and “Just One Look.”

Ronstadt’s backing band for the concert included Little Feat keyboardist Billy Payne and renowned session guitarist Danny Kortchmar, drummer Russ Kunkel and bassist Bob Glaub. Linda’s longtime producer, Peter Asher of Peter & Gordon fame, contributed backing vocals and percussion.