Linda Ronstadt Talks About Her Love For Brian Wilson’s Melodies

Back in the golden age of the 1960s rock scene, the Troubadour club in Los Angeles was the place to be. It wasn’t just where future legends like the Eagles and Bonnie Raitt got their start — it’s also where Linda Ronstadt met Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson. What followed was a sweet, quirky friendship rooted in a mutual love for music and the shared chaos of life as rising artists.

Grape Juice, Dirty Laundry, and Convertible Rides

In her memoir, Ronstadt shared some charming memories of Wilson during his bachelor days. She remembered how he’d occasionally show up at her door, a few cents short for a bottle of grape juice — something he swore by for health. She wrote:

“Several times I discovered him at my back door, studying a little pile of coins he held in his hand, which he said was ten or fifteen cents shy of the price for a bottle of grape juice.”

Ronstadt would toss in the extra change, and off they’d go — Wilson behind the wheel of his convertible, the backseat overflowing with laundry, heading to the Laundromat. She said:

“We would climb into his huge convertible with the top always down, the back stuffed with a sizable accumulation of dirty laundry.”

Shared Tunes and Studio Magic

The two bonded over their love for music, especially Phil Spector’s rich productions. Years later, they reconnected musically when Wilson joined Ronstadt for her 1989 album Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind. He added harmonies to the track “Adios,” building his parts in five separate layers — each filled with his signature sound. Ronstadt wrote:

“He came back into the control room to mix the harmony tracks into the creamy vocal smoothness instantly recognizable as the Beach Boys.”

A Genius at Work

Ronstadt was amazed by Wilson’s spontaneous creativity. He crafted harmonies on the spot and wasn’t afraid of a little dissonance. She watched him work through tricky sections at the piano, determined to get every note right.

She was especially moved by the emotion in his music. Reflecting on one of her favorite Beach Boys songs, she said:

“‘Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)’ has one of the most beautiful arcs of a melody I’ve ever heard. How can you sing about not talking, about silence? It’s paralyzing and galvanizing at the same time.”

The friendship between Ronstadt and Wilson was more than just music — it was about connection, kindness, and creativity. Their shared moments, whether filled with harmony or grape juice, show how deeply music can unite kindred spirits.