Today, July 15, is the birthday of my favorite female vocalist: Linda Ronstadt.

You younger readers out there have likely never heard her. If that’s the case, treat yourself to a voice that can be sometimes powerful, sometimes tender, always crystal clear.

Ronstadt ruled the airwaves in the 1970’s, racking up hit after hit, like Blue Bayou, It’s So Easy, You’re No Good, That’ll Be the Day, Poor Poor Pitiful Me, Ooh Baby Baby, Tracks of My Tears, Don’t Know Much, Adios and so many more. And she made it sound just effortless every time.

Those of you who closer to my age, if you hadn’t heard Linda in a while, give her a listen today, wish her a Happy Birthday, and celebrate one of the all-time great singers of our time.