The essential elements of singing are voice, musicianship, and story. It is the rare artist that has all three in abundance.
Linda RonstadtRead
The constant fear of a performer is to become what is reflected back at you.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The fear of losing authenticity as an artist can stem from audience perceptions and expectations.
In this quote, Linda Ronstadt highlights a performerβs anxiety about their identity being shaped or distorted by how they are perceived by others. When artists become overly concerned with public opinion, they risk losing their true selves and artistic integrity, leading to a conflict between personal expression and external validation.
Themes
FearPerformerAuthenticityIdentityPerception
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about staying true to oneself as an artist.
More from Linda Ronstadt
All quotes βI don't record (any type of genre of music) that I didn't hear in my family's living room by the time I was 10. It just is my rule that I don't break because ... I can't do it authentically ... I really think that you're just hard-wiring (synapses) in your brain up until the age of maybe 12 or 10, and there are certain things you can't learn in an authentic way after that.
Linda RonstadtRead
I miss singing every day. I can't sing anymore. My voice doesn't work. I have Parkinson's disease, and it sometimes takes my words away from me.
Linda RonstadtRead
I first knew Laurie Lewis by her considerable reputation as a fiddle player and a writer of songs. When an opportunity came along to sing with her I seized it. Getting to know her as a singer and a person has been pure pleasure. Her voice is a rare combination of grit and grace, strength and delicacy. Her stories are always true.
Linda RonstadtRead
Songwriting wasn't my gift. I think you have to cultivate a gift; you have to practice and develop craft around your gift so that you can execute it in more convenient, efficient ways.
Linda RonstadtRead
Ninety-nine percent of singing is listening and hearing, and so then 1 percent of it is singing.
Linda RonstadtRead
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