In this episode of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez roll Linda Ronstadt’s Heart Like A Wheel to select their favorite tracks and award their gold, silver and bronze medals accordingly.
Medal Winners
Released in November 1974, Heart Like a Wheel was Linda Ronstadt’s fifth solo studio album and the record that made her into a major pop superstar. The album was produced by Peter Asher, who had also become Ronstadt’s manager and was instrumental in establishing the polished yet emotionally powerful sound that would define her great albums of the 1970s.
The musicians were an extraordinary collection of Los Angeles studio players and Ronstadt associates. Andrew Gold played guitar, piano, electric piano, drums and percussion and became one of the album’s most important musical architects, while Kenny Edwards, Ronstadt’s former Stone Poneys bandmate, played bass.
The singles were particularly successful. “You’re No Good” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Ronstadt her first No. 1 pop single and “When Will I Be Loved” reached No. 2 on the Hot 100. The album itself was an even bigger success. Heart Like a Wheel became Ronstadt’s first No. 1 album on the Billboard.
Its impact went far beyond sales. Heart Like a Wheel helped establish the template for the sophisticated country-rock/pop crossover that would dominate much of Ronstadt’s career and influence artists who followed. She demonstrated that an album could move effortlessly between rock, country, R&B, folk and pop without sounding stylistically confused. Just as importantly, Ronstadt became a major interpreter of songs by emerging writers such as J.D. Souther, Lowell George and Anna McGarrigle, often bringing their work to audiences far larger than those they could reach themselves.
Ultimately, Heart Like a Wheel was the album that established the Linda Ronstadt formula: an extraordinary singer, first-rate musicians, carefully chosen songs, country roots and rock muscle, all held together by Peter Asher’s elegant production. It was both a commercial breakthrough and an artistic statement—and the beginning of one of the most successful recording careers by an American female artist of the 1970s.
Bonus Tracks
Long Long Time – Linda Ronstadt
Dark End Of The Street – Flying Burrito Brothers
The Dark End Of The Street – James Carr
Making Love (At The Dark End Of The Street) – Clarence Carter
That’ll Be The Day – Linda Ronstadt
Thank you For Being A Friend – Andrew Gold
You’re No Good – Betty Everett
The Game Of Love – Mindbenderrs
The Thrill Is Gone – B.B. King
Heart Like A Wheel – Anna McGarrigle
Drop Kick Me, Jesus – Paul Craft/Bobby Bare
I Will Never Marry – Linda Ronstadt
You Can Close Your Eyes – Jame Taylor
You Can Close Your Eyes – Linda Ronstadt
Cathy’s Clown – Everly Brothers
I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You) – Hank Williams
It Doesn’t Matter Anymore – Linda Ronstadt
It Doesn’t Matter Anymore – Buddy Holly
You’re Having My Baby – Paul Anka
One Man Woman/One Woman Man – Paul Anka
Track Listing
Side One
You’re No Good
It Doesn’t Matter Anymore
Faithless Love
The Dark End Of The Street
Heart Like A Wheel
Side Two
When Will I Be Loved
Willin’
I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You)
Keep Me From Blowing Away
You Can Close Your Eyes
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