Linda Ronstadt has been linked to plenty of famous men over the years.
So naturally, fans have wondered about Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and even Jackson Browne.
BUT THE REAL STORY IS NOT A LOVE TRIANGLE.
It is a power story.
Linda was not chasing the Eagles.
Before the Eagles became famous, Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner had all worked in Linda Ronstadt’s circle. The founding Eagles were recruited by Linda as band members before they went out on their own.
Rare Interview of Linda Ronstadt Talking About The Eagles
But here’s what fans get wrong…
People love turning every professional connection a woman has into romance.
Linda and Don had chemistry as musicians.
Linda clearly admired Glenn’s talent and drive. She later wrote that she hired Glenn for her tour, hired Don too, and even helped connect Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner into the circle that became the Eagles.
But that does not mean she was their girlfriend.
She was their employer.
And that’s not all…
Linda did have famous relationships, including former California governor Jerry Brown, filmmaker George Lucas, actor Jim Carrey, singer Aaron Neville, and musician J.D. Souther.
But the Eagles story is different.
Don and Glenn were young musicians learning the road while Linda was already proving herself as a serious headliner.
Here’s the truth…
The real “scandal” is that people still find it easier to imagine Linda as somebody’s love interest than as the woman who helped launch one of the biggest bands of the 1970s.
She was not standing behind the Eagles.
They were standing behind her.
Does Linda Ronstadt deserve more credit for helping shape the Eagles’ early story?