Virtually, every one of Linda Ronstadt’s hits were cover songs. A few of the genres she not only covered, but immersed herself in, during her extensive musical career include country, rock, jazz and traditional Mexican music. Though recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, sadly, due to Parkinson’s disease, Ronstadt is no longer able to sing. Continue reading »
Our final Grammy cover was the first performance of the evening. Christina Aguilera, Florence Welch, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, and Yolanda Adams performed a medley of Aretha Franklin hits that suffered from many classic issues of star-crossed medleys, but still proved a timely reminder that Christina “Anthemgate” Aguilera could actually sing. Continue reading »
“Coal Miner’s Daughter” wasn’t just a song to Loretta Lynn; it was the story of her life. Lynn grew up in poverty, married at 13, had four children by 19. For most, it would be a recipe for disaster, but not for Lynn. When her husband Moony (named for the moonshine he ran) gave Lynn a guitar for her 24th birthday, she taught herself to play and began her journey towards country stardom. Loretta Lynn has written hundreds of songs, released over 70 albums and was one of the first women in Nashville to write songs from a woman’s point of view. Lynn was unafraid to be a liberated woman, releasing songs about birth control (“The Pill”), teen sex (“Wings Upon Your Horns”), and the Vietnam War (“Dear Uncle Sam”). Continue reading »