Linda Ronstadt Singing "Long Long Time"

This was Linda' first solo hit. It's Long, Long Time, written by Gary White. This is one of the best unrequited love songs ever, a beautifully-written song that is beautifully sung.


By this time, Linda was developing into a cult singer, and she was acquiring devoted fans everywhere. This song made it to #25 on the Billboard Magazine charts. It was included on her 1970 album, Silk Purse, where she famously posed with pigs.

Linda was also nominated for her first of many Grammys. She did not win, but she did get a lot of attention.

Linda Ronstadt With The Eagles: Silver Threads and Golden Needles

Linda Ronstadt's backup band in the early 1970's went off on their own and became The Eagles, probably the most successful American band of the 1970's. Linda was delighted with their success, and of course a couple of years later she hit it big, too. 

Linda recorded this song twice. On her 1969 solo debut album Hand Sown . . . Home Grown (with her siblings singing backup), and she re-recorded it for her 1973 album, Don't Cry Now.

Here she is performing the song with The Eagles, and a good time was had by all!

Linda Ronstadt Singing "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?"

Linda Ronstadt sang "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" from her "Silk Purse" album on "The Johnny Cash Show" on March 11, 1970.

Linda Ronstadt Singing "Lovesick Blues"

Linda is singing "Lovesick Blues", which was originally made famous by Hank Williams. On her album on which this song appeared, "Silk Purse", the song sounds very hillbilly country. But here Linda is rocking the song! It gives the song a real rockabilly sound. Love the dancing "hippies" in the background. I believe this was the Playboy show again around 1970.

Linda Ronstadt Singing "The Dolphins"

Linda Ronstadt is singing "The Dolphins" from her first solo album "Hand Sown . . . Home Grown" in 1969. This song was written by Fred Neil.

Linda Ronstadt Singing "The Only Mama That'll Walk The Line"

Here is Linda barefoot and singing a rockabilly tune on The Johnny Cash Show in 1969! I love it! 

"I'm going to hit you on the head with a pan of cornbread!" The studio audience seemed to love her too!

There is a certain charming raunchiness in her performance here that she didn't have later -- with her being shoeless and possibly missing other articles of clothing as well -- the stories are legendary.

Linda Ronstadt and Johnny Cash Singing "I Never Will Marry"

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Linda Ronstadt famously sang the beautiful traditional song "I Never Will Marry" in 1977 on her classic "Simple Dreams" album. However, she also sang this lovely song on "The Johnny Cash Show" in 1969. Linda and Johnny harmonize beautifully.

Here is the album version from 1977 with Dolly Parton harmonizing on the chorus.



This song is considered a traditional country song that may have borrowed from an English folk song. It has been recorded numerous times.

Johnny Cash was of course married to June Carter Cash. Here is her version of the song:



June Carter Cash is probably so emotional singing this song because she was a member of the legendary Carter Family (the first family of country). Her family had a long history of singing this song.

Here is the classic Carter family version of this classic song:

Linda Ronstadt Singing "The Long Way Around"

Linda sang this song on her first solo album "Hand Sown . . . Home Grown" in 1969. The song was written by her former Stone Poney bandmate Kenny Edwards.

It is now being said that "Hand Sown . . . Home Grown", which was a commercial failure upon release, was the first alternative country-rock album. Linda was moving away from the folk-rock of The Stone Poneys, and trying to find her true calling musically. She was developing a country-rock sound that would eventually lead her to superstardom.

Linda Ronstadt Singing "She's A Very Lovely Woman" -- rare!

Linda Ronstadt singing "She's A Very Lovely Woman" (by Emitt Rhodes) on The Andy Williams Show around 1971.

This song was never released on an album for some reason, although I think it was released on a single. Anyway, it's great to hear Linda sing this song!

Linda Ronstadt Singing "Baby You've Been On My Mind"

Linda Ronstadt singing one of her early songs from her 1969 album "Hand Sown, Home Grown" -- her first true solo album. This appearance was on a show with comedian John Byner (he's the one that plays Frisbee with Linda). This is like an early music video with Linda lip-synching. I believe this is from 1969-1970.

Linda is singing a Bob Dylan song which was originally titled "Mama You've Been On My Mind."

Linda Ronstadt On Playboy After Dark, Part II

Linda Ronstadt singing "Living Like A Fool" on Playboy After Dark, October 1969. Linda introduces her band including future Eagle Bernie Leadon.

During the song, Hugh Hefner is standing on the sidelines with his very young girlfriend of the time, Barbie Benton. You can really tell that Barbie seems to love Linda at this early stage of Linda's career!

It's funny, because several years ago I watched a "McCloud" television episode where Barbie Benton was played a famous singer. This episode was produced in 1975 when Linda was the biggest female rock singer in America. It was obvious that Barbie's musical selections on the episode were highly influenced by Linda Ronstadt.

Linda Ronstadt On Playboy After Dark

Here is early Linda (around 1969) singing "Walking Down The Line" on Playboy After Dark. This was around the time Linda was launching her solo career.

Bernie Leadon, later a founding member of the Eagles, is one of her backup musicians here.

Enjoy!

Linda Ronstadt Singing "New Hard Times"

Here is a very young Linda singing (with various "Stone Poneys" backing her up)  "New Hard Times" from around 1967-1968. (The video says "One By One" but the song is actually called "New Hard Times.")

The song was co-written by Mayne Smith and Bobby Kimmel.

This is probably from the same broadcast I showed in my post from yesterday!

Enjoy!

Linda Ronstadt and The Stone Poneys: Different Drum

Here is a very young Linda singing her first hit "Different Drum", written by Mike Nesmith, with her group The Stone Poneys (Bobby Kimmel and the late Kenny Edwards.

Below is a rare live version of the song that was probably broadcast around 1967 or 68. The band behind her is not the original Stone Poneys. It almost seems as if they're playing a different song. However, Linda sings her little heart out.

Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris: "I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You"

Linda and Emmylou Harris singing the Hank Williams classic on the "Dolly" Parton syndicated variety show (circa 1976-1977).

Here's the magnificent recorded version, from Linda's classic Heart Like A Wheel album. 

Two angels singing.

Linda Ronstadt On The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Website! Shocker!

Linda is actually mentioned on The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website! They won't induct her into the Hall, but since they have a special section on women rockers they had to include her in the 1970's section.  Jann Wenner and Dave Marsh must be horrified.

Linda was the Queen of Rock in the 1970's and sold more records than any other female solo artist in that decade. She is listed last.
And if you don't understand the Jann Wenner reference,read this article and THIS article and especially THIS article by Fox (I hate FoxNews but it's a damn good article!) When has Madonna ever sung rock?
(I guess I just blew my chance to ever write for Rolling Stone Magazine).

Don't worry, Linda, we love you . . .