Nirvana made it into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility, but it took quite a bit longer for another legend in the 2014 class.
Linda Ronstadt, the “Queen of Rock,” successful performer of rock, pop, country, Latin and who knows what other genres, had to wait 19 years after her first year of eligibility before finally entering the Hall. She got in the first time she was a finalist, years after contemporaries such as James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne and The Eagles made it in.
Chalk it up to the Rock Hall’s well-documented problem with female performers, I guess.
Ronstadt released three #1 albums in the mid- to late-70s, and eleven other top ten albums throughout her career. She showed up on the Rock, Country, Adult Contemporary, Jazz and Latin charts. She has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, and 30 million in the United States, making her the ninth most successful solo female artist.
Ronstadt retired in 2011, following the diagnosis of a medical condition that prevented her from singing. That illness kept her from attending her induction ceremony three years later.
Linda Ronstadt is a big blindspot in my own musical knowledge. Though I’m familiar with a handful of her hits, I don’t think I’ve ever heard one of her albums all the way through. She might be a bit too prolific for a proper deep dive, but I’m going to plan to revisit her catalog at some point down the road.
Feeling better now that we’re through
Feeling better cause I’m over you
I learned my lesson, it left a scar
Now I see how you really are
[Chorus]
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
Baby you’re no good
I’m gonna say it again
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
Baby you’re no good
[Verse 2]
I broke a heart that’s gentle and true
Well I broke a heart over someone like you
I’ll beg his forgiveness on bended knee
I wouldn’t blame him if he said to me
[Chorus]
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
Baby you’re no good
I’m gonna say it again
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
Baby you’re no good
[Instrumental]
[Verse 3]
I’m turning you down baby and I’m going my way
Forget about you baby cause I’m leaving to stay
[Chorus]
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
Baby you’re no good
I’m gonna say it again
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
Baby you’re no good
[Outro]
Oh, oh no
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
Baby you’re no good
Meet Me In Montauk 
I was unaware that Ronstadt had been called the “Queen of Rock,” as I don’t consider her a “rock”artist and was wondering if her softer sound, and exploration of different styles and genres, may have contributed to her delayed admission into the Rock Hall. Regardless, she certainly deserves induction.
Here’s an interesting article written in 2013 discussing possible reasons why Ronstadt had been snubbed: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-linda-ronstadt-book-parkinsons-rock-hall-fame-simple-dreams-20130927-story.html
My understanding is that her retirement came after she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease which affects the voice in many patients.
Ronstadt’s Parkinson’s diagnosis was subsequently re-evaluated as progressive supranuclear palsy. A deep dive into Linda’s catalog could be done in sections as she’s changed styles so many times. There was the 3 folk rock albums with The Stone Poneys. Then her first 11 solo albums which start country and flow towards pop rock. Then the 3 platinum-certified collaborations between Ronstadt and bandleader/arranger Nelson Riddle. And then of course her Spanish language albums. And finally her later ’90s releases. Her catalog has very distinct periods that could be explored individually. I was lucky to see her perform on stage in The Pirates of Penzance and was truly impressed with her versatility.