Linda Ronstadt

Lore & Background

Ronstadt's ascent began in earnest with her 1970 album Silk Purse, which marked her first entry into the charts across the US and Canada. By 1973, Don't Cry Now became her first gold-certified release under Asylum Records. The following year, Heart Like a Wheel topped the US all-genre chart and earned two times platinum status for selling two million copies. This momentum continued with Prisoner in Disguise reaching the top five of the US charts, followed by Hasten Down the Wind, which topped charts in four other countries.

Reader's Guide

Fans can trace Ronstadt's evolution through her diverse catalog, starting with her early dual credit on Linda Ronstadt, Stone Poneys and Friends, Vol. III in 1968. Her later years featured the collaborative Trio II (1999), which earned a gold certification as her only 1990s US-certified album. The 2000s saw releases like A Merry Little Christmas and Hummin' to Myself, though these reached lower chart positions. Compilations remained potent; Duets made the US top 40 in 2014, and The Complete Trio Collection charted in the US, Australia, and the UK by 2016. Her final studio project was a 2006 collaboration with Ann Savoy.

Did You Know?

• Her first studio album, Linda Ronstadt, Stone Poneys and Friends, Vol. III (1968), was a dual credit with the Stone Poneys.
• Heart Like a Wheel certified two times platinum by the RIAA for selling two million copies.
• Canciones de Mi Padre (1987) was her first Spanish language album and later received 2× Platinum (Latin) certification from the RIAA.
• Trio II (1999) and 'Feels Like Home' (1995) were both 1990s albums to receive US sales certifications, with 'Feels Like Home' certifying gold in 1995.