Introduction

In a revealing interview, music legend Linda Ronstadt reacted to the glowing praise found in Neil Young’s autobiography. While Young now calls her his “most talented collaborator,” Linda’s perspective on their time together offers a mix of artistic admiration and the reality of working with one of rock’s most unpredictable figures.

The “Bombshell” in the Autobiography

The interviewer noted that in his book, Neil Young spoke extensively about Linda, claiming that out of everyone he has worked with, she was the most talented and his favorite collaborator. He even shared a sentimental message, saying he “misses her” and wanted to send her his love.

Linda’s reaction? Pure surprise.

“Who knew? I mean, Neil is one of the moodiest guys… you never know if it’s going to explode like a volcano or be a nice peaceful river.”

Understanding the “Moody” Genius

Linda offered a compassionate yet blunt take on Neil’s legendary mood swings. She referenced the novel The Idiot to describe the “strange states” and “shifts in the brain” Neil experienced due to his epilepsy.

Because of these “jumps,” she explained that she never quite knew where she stood with him personally. Instead, she chose to focus entirely on the craft: “I kind of left it up to the music.”

Touring: A Mixture of “Hell” and Inspiration

Linda recalled a tour where she served as the opening act for Neil—an experience she described as “just hell.” * The Struggle: The audiences were massive and restless, wanting nothing but Neil Young. Opening for him in those venues was a brutal challenge for any artist.

• The Lesson: Despite the difficulty, Linda stayed every single night to watch his set. She admitted she learned a great deal from hearing his show “night after night after night,” fueled by her belief that his music is “just brilliant.”

“You Could Have Picked Up the Phone”

Throughout the 70s, Neil frequently called Linda to sing harmonies on his records. While she enjoyed the work, she never realized the depth of his respect for her until decades later when she read his book.

She ended the segment with a humorous, lighthearted jab at her old friend:

“I’ve always been here all along… you could have picked up the phone.”

Video

https://youtu.be/C_Q-WWDPlmY