Night for the Ages: Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow, and Carrie Underwood Unite to Honor Linda Ronstadt at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, OH – June 8, 2025
Under the soaring ceilings of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, music history was not merely remembered—it was made.
In a moment that will forever be etched in the annals of musical lore, five of the most celebrated women in music—Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow, and Carrie Underwood—took to the stage in a breathtaking tribute to the legendary Linda Ronstadt. The crowd, a mix of longtime fans, industry legends, and next-generation artists, fell into a reverent hush as the spotlight illuminated the stage for a soul-searing rendition of Ronstadt’s 1974 hit, “When Will I Be Loved.”
What followed was more than a performance; it was an act of reverence. An offering. A spiritual, sonic embrace of a woman whose voice and influence transcended genre, generation, and even geography. Each note carried the weight of admiration, gratitude, and awe.
A Tribute Decades in the Making
Linda Ronstadt’s career defied categorization. From rock and country to pop, folk, and even opera and mariachi, her voice was a chameleon—distinct and unwavering. She carved space for female musicians in a male-dominated industry, never compromising her artistry or her identity. Though health issues silenced her voice in recent years, her influence continues to resonate across every corner of modern music.
Her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 was a milestone, but this performance—more than a decade later—felt like the true culmination of her legacy. As the Hall of Fame celebrated its 40th anniversary, organizers knew they needed something unforgettable. What they delivered was transcendent.
The Power of Five Voices
The performers read like a who’s who of musical royalty. Each has their own towering legacy, yet on this night, egos dissolved, and all eyes turned toward honoring a mutual hero.
Emmylou Harris, ethereal and timeless, shared a storied history with Ronstadt. Their harmonies together in the 1970s and ‘80s helped define an era. Dressed in a flowing silver gown, Harris’s voice was as crystalline as ever, weaving gentle strength into the performance.
Bonnie Raitt, blues icon and activist, brought her signature slide guitar and smoky alto to the mix. Her deep respect for Ronstadt was palpable, her every note a tribute not just to a peer, but to a sister in arms.
Stevie Nicks, the gypsy queen of rock and the first woman inducted into the Hall of Fame twice, brought haunting texture and edge. Her vibrato danced on the air, ethereal and unmistakable, sending chills through the room.
Sheryl Crow, ever versatile and grounded, embodied the modern torchbearer. With her roots-rock sensibility and heartfelt delivery, she represented a generation of artists raised on Ronstadt’s records.
Carrie Underwood, the youngest of the ensemble and perhaps the most surprising to casual fans, proved she more than belonged among these legends. Her powerhouse vocals soared, full of reverence and grace. Her presence symbolized Ronstadt’s impact on country-pop crossover artists and underscored how her legacy endures.
A Moment Suspended in Time
The song choice—“When Will I Be Loved”—was no accident. Originally written by Phil Everly and famously covered by Ronstadt, the track became a symbol of her ability to take male-centered rock and reshape it with feminine strength and emotion. The chorus—“When will I be loved?”—echoed with poignancy not just in meaning, but in memory.
From the first soft guitar strum to the final held note, time seemed to pause.
The harmonies—delivered with perfect balance and aching sincerity—evoked tears, applause, and awestruck silence. Each woman took a verse, their voices blending into a kind of sacred chemistry. It was musical alchemy. The performance built slowly, rising with emotion, until the final chorus erupted in an electrifying harmony that seemed to rise above the rafters.
In that moment, the five voices became one—a collective tribute not only to Ronstadt’s talent but to her enduring sisterhood.
Audience in Tears
Throughout the venue, the emotion was palpable.
The audience was peppered with musical icons—Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Dolly Parton, and Bruce Springsteen among them. Many were visibly moved. Brandi Carlile, seated in the front row, was seen wiping away tears, while Dolly Parton clasped her hands together in silent prayer.
Ronstadt herself, now 78 and in attendance via wheelchair, sat flanked by friends and family. As the final note lingered, she placed a hand over her heart, eyes glistening. The audience rose in a unanimous standing ovation.
Backstage, Underwood reportedly broke down in tears, telling a reporter, “It was the honor of my life to sing for Linda. She paved the way for all of us.”
Nicks, her eyeliner smudged slightly, added, “This wasn’t just a song. It was a prayer.”
Beyond the Performance
In a night filled with unforgettable moments, this tribute stood apart. It was a testament to Linda Ronstadt’s indelible mark on music—and on the women who followed in her footsteps.
But more than that, it was a reminder of music’s power to unite, to transcend time, and to honor the greats in ways that mere words cannot.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has seen many legendary performances over the decades, but this one felt different. It wasn’t just history being made—it was history being honored, revived, and reborn.
As the night drew to a close and the stage lights dimmed, one couldn’t help but feel that Linda Ronstadt’s voice—though no longer heard—had never been louder.
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Sidebar: The Legacy of Linda Ronstadt
Born: July 15, 1946, Tucson, Arizona
Genres: Rock, country, opera, mariachi, pop
Notable Albums: Heart Like a Wheel, Simple Dreams, Canciones de Mi Padre
Awards: 11 Grammy Awards, 3 American Music Awards, 1 Emmy, National Medal of Arts
Hall of Fame Induction: 2014
Diagnosis: Retired from singing due to progressive supranuclear palsy in 2013
Ronstadt’s ability to cross musical boundaries redefined what it meant to be an American artist. Her fearless exploration of different genres, cultures, and traditions paved the way for a more inclusive, rich musical landscape.
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Final Words
Music critics will no doubt dissect the technical perfection of that harmony for years to come. But perhaps the most enduring takeaway is something simpler:
When asked if Ronstadt felt loved, the answer—echoing through the voices of Harris, Raitt, Nicks, Crow, and Underwood—was a resounding, soul-shaking yes.
