CONGRATULATIONS: Netflix Announces Release of Poignant New Documentary on Linda Ronstadt Titled “Linda Ronstadt: Songbird of the Soul” set to premier globally on…
In a heartfelt celebration of one of music’s most iconic and versatile voices, Netflix has officially announced the upcoming release of a new original documentary titled “Linda Ronstadt: Songbird of the Soul.” The film, scheduled to premiere globally on September 27, 2025, will take audiences on an emotional and unforgettable journey through the life, music, and legacy of the genre-defying vocalist who redefined what it meant to be a woman in rock.
With a voice that moved effortlessly between rock, country, folk, opera, and Latin music, Linda Ronstadt became a trailblazer for generations of artists and an enduring symbol of grace, strength, and artistic courage. Now, her remarkable story is being told in full — with Netflix promising a revealing and emotionally rich documentary that is already generating award-season buzz.
A CAREER WORTH SINGING ABOUT
Directed by Liz Garbus, the Emmy- and Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind What Happened, Miss Simone? and Love, Marilyn, “Songbird of the Soul” blends stunning archival footage, personal letters, rare photos, and intimate interviews with Ronstadt’s closest collaborators, friends, and family.
From her childhood in Tucson, Arizona to her explosive rise in 1970s Los Angeles, the documentary will chronicle every key chapter of her life: her chart-topping success, her genre-breaking decisions, and her deeply personal journey through illness and identity.
“Linda Ronstadt didn’t just sing — she soared,” Garbus said in a statement. “She made it look effortless, but behind that angelic voice was a woman of profound thought, purpose, and power. This film is an attempt to honor her voice, both literally and spiritually.”
UNFILTERED AND UNFORGETTABLE
Though she retired from performing in 2009 due to a degenerative neurological condition (now diagnosed as progressive supranuclear palsy), Ronstadt remains a towering figure in American music. With 11 Grammy Awards, over 100 million records sold, and a career that spanned more genres than most artists dare to touch, her influence is immeasurable.
In the documentary, Ronstadt opens up like never before, reflecting on her music, her roots, and her refusal to be boxed in. One particularly moving segment shows her revisiting her family’s ranch in Arizona, narrating with soft humor and deep emotion.
“I was never trying to be famous,” she says in a voiceover. “I just wanted to sing honestly — and with feeling. That’s all that mattered.”
A WHO’S WHO OF LEGENDS
The documentary also features heartfelt appearances and testimonials from a wide range of music legends and admirers — including Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Don Henley, Sheryl Crow, and Jackson Browne. All of them reflect on Ronstadt not just as a singer, but as a groundbreaker and a friend.
Dolly Parton says in the film: “Linda could sing the phone book and make you cry. But what made her special was her spirit — warm, wise, and fearless.”
One of the most emotional moments comes in a quiet exchange between Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris, as they sit in a Santa Fe garden recalling the magic of their Trio sessions with Dolly.
A SONIC TAPESTRY
Backed by an exquisite score that weaves Ronstadt’s greatest hits with acoustic reinterpretations and unreleased recordings, “Songbird of the Soul” promises an immersive musical experience. Netflix music producers have restored and remastered select live performances, including her renditions of “Blue Bayou,” “Desperado,” and “Lo Siento Mi Vida.”
The film also highlights her groundbreaking 1987 mariachi album Canciones de Mi Padre, which reconnected her with her Mexican heritage and became the best-selling non-English-language album in American history. That journey is given particular focus, showing her pride in her roots and her pioneering influence on Latin American artists today.
PRAISE AND CELEBRATION POUR IN
The moment Netflix revealed the trailer and release date, social media lit up with tributes. Fans and artists around the world took to Twitter and Instagram with hashtags like #LindaRonstadtNetflix, #SongbirdOfTheSoul, and #VoiceOfAnAngel.
Sheryl Crow posted: “Linda’s voice saved me more times than I can count. This documentary is the tribute she deserves.”
Brandi Carlile wrote: “She paved the way for us all — genre didn’t matter, only truth. I’ll be watching this one with tears and admiration.”
AN IMMORTAL VOICE, A HUMAN STORY
Though her voice is now silent, Linda Ronstadt’s presence remains powerfully resonant in every artist who dares to be bold, cross boundaries, and sing without apology.
“Linda Ronstadt: Songbird of the Soul” is more than a music documentary — it’s a love letter to an artist who lived with passion, performed with purpose, and left behind a legacy that echoes far beyond the stage.
Congratulations to Linda Ronstadt — the voice that made the world stop and listen. Your story is finally being sung.
