KCETLink in Partnership with 'Writers Bloc' Presents an Interview with Rock Icon Linda Ronstadt

BURBANK, CALIF. - Sept. 10, 2013 - Climbing to the

top of the music industry is a feat for any artist, especially if you're a

woman in the male-dominated music industry. Linda Ronstadt is one of the few

female rock icons who not only broke through the glass ceiling, but remains one

of the most adored performers of our era.

KCETLink, in partnership with the literary series Writers Bloc, will televise a special

interview on Oct. 15 at 9:00 p.m. with Ronstadt and award-winning

journalist and radio personality, Patt Morrison, discussing the rocker's latest

memoir, "Simple Dreams."  Ronstadt

exposes the long and difficult road to becoming the most successful rock singer

of the '70s and also reveals her inability to sing again due to her recent

diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.  The

live event, filmed by KCETLink, took place on Sept. 24 at the Ann and Jerry

Moss Theater at New Roads School in Santa Monica.

Ronstadt performed with the biggest names in rock--The

Doors, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Jackson Browne to name a few. Her backup

band went on to become The Eagles. In rock, country, (and her fusion of

the two genres), traditional Mexican songs, jazz and her association with

Nelson Riddle on the Great American Songbook, Ronstadt has continuously and

consistently reinvented her style and focus.

Her magnificent voice, soulful and thrilling

interpretations of her songs, and genre-bending style catapulted her to the top

with fans, but the male-dominated world of rock was surprisingly sexist and

painful. In her memoir, "Simple Dreams," Ronstadt leads us through the

landscape of her musical and personal journey. Her landmark hit with

the Stone Poneys, "Different Drum," kick-started what would become an

unbroken strand of great hits. She talks about her family's profound influence

on her musical development.as well as the fishbowl-like relationship with our

then--and current governor, Jerry Brown. 

Ronstadt also chronicles her recent diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease,

disclosing that she can no longer sing.

"We're thrilled to showcase the dynamic conversation

of such a significant music icon like Ms.Ronstadt and an influential

story-teller like Ms. Morrison," said Bohdan Zachary, Vice President, Broadcast, Syndication

& Production for KCETLink. "Sharing this inspirational story with our

diverse viewers helps us remain dedicated to providing quality, substantive

programming to the public."

The fourth production of the

series, KCETLink Presents, KCETLink continues to offer enlightening

and unique specials to audiences on KCET and Link TV, co-produced with

Sotomayor; Sony Pictures CEO Michael Lynton and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg;

and author and journalist Shereen El Feki and comedian Omar Elba.

The executive producers for the Linda

Ronstadt Writes Bloc special are

Funding for this special is made possible by a grant from Bobby and

Donna Colomby.

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ABOUT KCETLink

KCETLink is the new

national independent public transmedia organization formed by the merger

between KCET and Link Media.  A viewer-supported 501c(3) organization, its

content is distributed nationally via satellite on DirecTV and DISH Networks,

in Southern and Central California via broadcast, as well as through various

digital delivery systems.  KCET and Link TV are services of KCETLink. For

additional information about KCETLink productions, web-exclusive content,

programming schedules and events, please visit kcet.org or linktv.org.

ABOUT WRITERS BLOC

Writers Bloc (writersblocpresents.com) is a nonprofit

literary series, now in its 17th season, dedicated to bringing to Los Angeles

our favorite writers, artists and critics who have made a significant impact on

our cultural landscape. Andrea Grossman is the founder and executive producer.