Linda Ronstadt reveals the 1920s composers who she says invented modern pop music

Singer Linda Ronstadt has always been recognized for her ability to move between different musical styles, from rock to country, including folk and traditional Mexican music. Throughout her career, she has also demonstrated a deep knowledge of the history of popular music and the artists who helped shape the soundscape we know today. In one of her reflections on the evolution of popular music, Ronstadt highlighted that the roots of modern pop can be found long before the explosion of rock and roll or the so-called British invasion of the 1960s. For the artist, some composers who worked in the 1920s were truly responsible for creating the foundations of pop music as it is known today. According to Ronstadt, these authors managed to develop a new form of composition that combined memorable melodies, accessible lyrics and musical structures capable of reaching an extremely wide audience. The work of these pioneers helped transform popular music into a mass cultural phenomenon, setting standards that continue to influence composers and artists more than a century later. The singer highlighted that many of the techniques used by contemporary composers were already present in the works produced during that period. The songs created at that time had striking choruses, sophisticated melodic constructions and an emotional approach that allowed an immediate connection with the audience. By revisiting these historic compositions, Ronstadt argues that it is possible to see how pop music has evolved without completely abandoning its origins. Even as new technologies, genres, and trends emerge, many of the fundamental elements remain the same. For the artist, understanding the importance of these composers is essential to understanding the entire trajectory of popular music in the 20th century and also in the 21st century. His recognition reinforces the idea that musical innovation is often born from artists who can anticipate trends and create formulas that remain relevant for generations.