Monday July 20, 2020 “Different Drum” Stone Poneys (Linda Ronstadt)
It seems that song of the day has not paid proper attention to female singers so we will try to make up for that this week, decade by decade starting in the 60’s.
“Different Drum” was written by Micahel Nesmith two years before he became a Monkee and it was finally released by the Stone Poneys one year after he had achieved Monkee stardom. Nesmith offered the song to the Monkee’s producers but they deemed it stiff and not worthy of a single. It was a top ten hit for the Stone Poneys.
The Stone Poneys only lasted for two albums/CDs before their lead singer Linda Ronstadt broke out on her quite significant solo career.
Linda started singing as a teenager with her sister Gretchen and brother Peter who would go on to be Tuscon’s chief of police from 1981-1991, and she did quite well on her own charting thirty eight singles, thirty six top ten albums, three number one albums, was noted as the most successful woman in rock and also the highest paid woman in the industry.
Her early albums were produced by Peter Asher who we met earlier as half of the British duo Peter & Gordon. Asher would produce and manage several big groups in the 60’s and 70’s including Cher, Bonnie Raitt, Andrew Gold and many others. Asher brought James Taylor to the attention of the Beatles and he was the first non-Beatles artist signed to their Apple (long before Apple the company) label.
In terms of awards and recognition, Ms. Ronstadt has nominations for Grammys, Golden Globes, Latin Grammys, Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association and is a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She is a true musical treasure.
Stay safe and well...and don’t lose the forest for the trees.
