Linda Ronstadt - Different Drum

Title: Linda Ronstadt - Different Drum
Year/Genre/Sub-Genre/City: 1974, Folk Rock, Country Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Tucson, Arizona 9/26
Matrix #: ST-11269
Condition: VG+++ (LM) | Members: Linda R (46' - )
Cultural Facts:

1. She Didn't Want the Hit Released: Ronstadt loved "Different Drum" when she heard it on a Greenbriar Boys record, but Capitol replaced the Stone Poneys with session musicians and gave it a much more elaborate arrangement. She felt so uncomfortable with the new setup that she didn't want her vocal used, but the label released it anyway and it became her first major hit.
2. Music Was in the Family: Ronstadt grew up in a deeply musical Tucson family. Her grandfather Federico organized local bands, taught musicians their instruments and wrote arrangements, while Mexican songs, opera and traditional music were part of everyday family life long before Linda became famous.
3. A Career in Transition: Different Drum was assembled from both Stone Poneys recordings and Ronstadt's early solo work, essentially documenting the years when Capitol was gradually separating her from the group. The success of the title song accelerated that shift, and the Stone Poneys soon became increasingly marketed around Ronstadt herself.

9/12/26 LM