Linda Ronstadt: Queen of the Covers Quiz

Answer: The Everly Brothers

The Stone Poneys, a short-lived group, comprised Linda Ronstadt, Kenny Edwards, and Bob Kimmel. The trio formed in '65 and released an album that produced no hit singles. Their second album contained "Different Drum" a life-changer for little (5'2") Linda Ronstadt. Before the group began touring, the two men bowed out and left Linda on her own. Years later, Kenny would return, at Linda's request, to produce a number of her highly successful albums.

Answer: (Your Love is Like a) Heat Wave

Not many artists can take a Motown R & B tune and turn it into an even harder-rockin' song, but that's what Linda Ronstadt did with "Heat Wave."
While I dubbed her "Queen of the Covers" for this quiz, her legitimate nicknames are "First Lady of Rock", "Queen of Rock," and "Queen of Country Rock."

Answer: The Tracks Of My Tears

Besides Smokey & and The Miracles, Linda has also covered male artists Chuck Berry, the Rolling Stones, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Johnny Rivers, and the Everly Brothers.

Answer: Buddy Holly

Linda's version of "That'll Be the Day" peaked at number 11 in 1976, spending 11 weeks on the Billboard chart. The Crickets' version (with Buddy Holly singing lead) made it to number one and spent 16 weeks on the Top 100 altogether. It was The Crickets' first hit.

Answer: on blue bayou

Linda's rendition of "Blue Bayou" from her album "Simple Dreams" brought her two Grammy nominations in 1977: Best Pop Female Vocal and Record of the Year. She lost the former to Barbra Streisand for "Love Theme from A Star is Born (Evergreen)" and lost the latter to her buddies, The Eagles, for "Hotel California."

Answer: Poor Poor Pitiful Me

Of course, Linda had to change the gender from Warren's version, but these two verses capture the essence of the song, in case you're not familiar with it:

"Well, I met a man out in Hollywood
Now I ain't naming names
He really worked me over good
Sorta like Jesse James

Yeah he really worked me over good
He was a credit to his gender
Put me through some changes, Lord
Sort of like a Waring blender

Poor, poor pitiful me. Poor, poor pitiful me
Oh these boys won't let me be
Lord have mercy on me
Woe is me"

(For you youngsters, a "Waring blender" was the precursor to the Cuisinart.)

Answer: Tumbling Dice

A Jagger-Richards collaboration, "Tumbling Dice" appeared on The Stones' album "Exile on Main Street." Linda put it on her "Simple Dreams" album which featured a few other cover tunes she released as singles.

Answer: breakin' all the rules

Linda Ronstadt's depth and breadth are unparalleled. She can do Country, Pop, Rock, Blues, American AND Mexican standards, and even operetta with equal aplomb. She has earned 11 Grammy awards in her 40+ year career and has tons of awards and honors, including a guitar named after her.
Linda has not married, but adopted a son and daughter. She is still singing and is politically active and a voice for support for the arts.

Answer: All of these artists

Little Anthony and the Imperials had a number ten hit with this song in 1965. The Letterman took it to number 12 in 1969. Alicia Keyes' version was released in 2010.

Answer: You're No Good

"You're No Good" was Linda's only number one hit.
One of the executives from Vee-Jay records who acquired the song intended that (male singer) Dee Clark release it. But the exec didn't like the negative way the song treated girls -- who bought most of the records in those days. So he gave it to Dee Dee Warwick (Dionne's sister), and later Betty Everett (of the original "Shoop Shoop Song" fame) took it to number 51. But Linda made it her own in '75.