When Will I Be Loved / Willing

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin Linda Ronstadt’s classic “When Will I Be Loved” from her iconic album Heart Like A Wheel. This track, released in 1975, is a country-rock anthem that transformed a 1960 Everly Brothers hit into a chart-topping sensation. Written by Phil Everly, the song was inspired by his on-again, off-again romance with Jackie Ertel-Bleyer, stepdaughter of Cadence Records founder Archie Bleyer. Everly penned it while parked outside an A&W root beer stand, a quirky detail that adds to its charm. Ronstadt’s version, featuring group vocals with Kenny Edwards and Andrew Gold, rearranged the verses and hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, only kept from the top spot by Captain & Tennille’s “Love Will Keep Us Together.” It also claimed No. 1 on the Cash Box Pop singles chart and the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, showcasing her genre-blending prowess.

Another tidbit from the song’s history involves the decision-making at Capitol Records. The label debated whether to release “When Will I Be Loved” or “You’re No Good” as the lead single from Heart Like A Wheel. They opted for “You’re No Good,” which became Ronstadt’s first No. 1 hit, but the success of “When Will I Be Loved” as the follow-up single proved her star power. The B-side, a cover of Buddy Holly’s “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore,” even charted at No. 47 Pop, showing the strength of her interpretations. Ronstadt’s ability to make the song her own was praised by fans and critics alike, with one fan, Robert “dada Nada” Ozn from Austin, Texas, noting on Songfacts that her performance touched him deeply, evoking love, loss, and cosmic impossibility. Her live performance in Offenbach, Germany, on November 16, 1976, captured on YouTube, further cemented its status as a fan favorite.

Linda Ronstadt’s journey to stardom began in Tucson, Arizona, where she was born on July 15, 1946. Growing up in a musically inclined family, she was influenced by her father’s love for Mexican folk music and her mother’s appreciation for jazz and opera. By her teens, Ronstadt was performing with her siblings in a folk trio called the New Union Ramblers. In 1964, at 18, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a music career, joining forces with Bobby Kimmel and Kenny Edwards to form the Stone Poneys. Their 1967 hit “Different Drum,” written by Michael Nesmith, launched her into the spotlight, reaching the Top 20. After the Stone Poneys disbanded, Ronstadt went solo, releasing her debut album Hand Sown… Home Grown in 1969. Her early albums saw modest success, but her breakthrough came with Heart Like A Wheel in 1974, produced by Peter Asher, which blended folk, rock, and country and established her as a leading voice in music.

Ronstadt’s genre-defying career spanned rock, country, pop, Latin, and even Broadway, earning her 10 Grammy Awards and a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. Despite her retirement in 2013 due to progressive supranuclear palsy, her legacy endures. Fans can explore her music and updates on her official website, lindaronstadt.com, or visit the unofficial fan site ronstadt-linda.com for more history. Connect with fellow Zoo Freaks on social media via her official Facebook page, Instagram, and X account. Join fan communities like the Linda Ronstadt Fan Group on Facebook to share your love for her timeless sound. Keep the vibes high, Zoo Freaks, and let Ronstadt’s voice carry you away!