You know that feeling when a song just hits right, regardless of when it was actually written? That’s exactly what happened in 1976. Linda Ronstadt took a track from the 1950s—a song that practically defined early rock and roll—and made it sound like it was born in the heart of the 70s Southern California sun. We’re talking about Linda Ronstadt That'll Be the Day.
Most people think of Buddy Holly when they hear that title. Fair enough. He wrote it. But Linda didn’t just cover it; she reclaimed it. Honestly, it’s one of the best examples of how she could take a classic and inject it with enough power to knock your socks off.
The Mid-70s Context
By 1976, Linda Ronstadt was basically the Queen of Rock. She was coming off the massive success of Heart Like a Wheel and Prisoner in Disguise. People were waiting to see what she’d do next. She went into the Sound Factory in Hollywood with producer Peter Asher and recorded Hasten Down the Wind.
That album was a big deal. It made her the first female artist in history to have three consecutive platinum albums. That’s huge. And the lead-off single to get everyone's attention? You guessed it.
The Sound of Linda Ronstadt That'll Be the Day
Buddy Holly’s original version is legendary for its nervous, hiccuping energy. It’s thin, wiry, and fast. When Linda got her hands on it, she slowed it down just a touch and turned up the muscle.
📖 Related: Gwendoline Butler Dead in a Row: Why This 1957 Mystery Still Packs a Punch
Her version is heavy.
The drums, played by Mike Botts, have this thumping, grounded feel that the 50s version lacked. And those guitars? You’ve got Waddy Wachtel and Andrew Gold trading off these gritty, overdriven licks. It wasn't "cute" rock and roll anymore. It was "stadium-level" rock.
What People Get Wrong About the Recording
There’s a common misconception that Linda just "did a karaoke version" of Buddy Holly. That’s just wrong. If you listen to the arrangement, Peter Asher and Andrew Gold did something much smarter. They took the 50s shuffle and turned it into a 70s stomp.
- The Vocals: Linda’s voice was famously loud. Legend has it she would overload the tapes because she just didn't know how to hold back. On this track, you hear that "belt" perfectly.
- The B-Side: Interestingly, the B-side of the single was "Crazy," the Willie Nelson song made famous by Patsy Cline. It shows her range. One side is a rock growl, the other is a country weep.
- The Success: The song hit #11 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also made a dent in the Country charts, which was kind of Linda’s specialty—blurring those lines until nobody cared what genre it was.
Why This Song Defined an Era
You have to remember the vibe of 1976. The "Bicentennial" year. There was a lot of nostalgia for the 1950s—think Happy Days and Grease. But while everyone else was doing kitschy "do-wop" throwbacks, Linda Ronstadt was doing something more authentic. She was connecting the dots between the roots of rock and the high-fidelity production of the L.A. scene.
👉 See also: Why ASAP Rocky F kin Problems Still Runs the Club Over a Decade Later
She didn't treat "That'll Be the Day" like a museum piece. She treated it like a living, breathing song.
The Hidden Muscle of the Band
A lot of people forget who was actually in the room for these sessions. This wasn't just Linda and some random session guys. The band featured:
- Andrew Gold: A multi-instrumentalist genius who basically shaped the sound of 70s soft rock.
- Kenny Edwards: Her longtime collaborator on bass.
- Waddy Wachtel: The guy who provided the "dirt" on the guitars.
When you see footage of them playing this live in the late 70s—especially that famous 1976 concert in Germany—they look like a gang. They’re lean, they’re loud, and they’re incredibly tight.
The Chart Stats Nobody Mentions
Everyone knows it was a hit, but let’s look at the actual impact. In Canada, the song actually peaked at #2. It was technically a bigger hit there than in the States.
✨ Don't miss: Ashley My 600 Pound Life Now: What Really Happened to the Show’s Most Memorable Ashleys
It also helped Hasten Down the Wind win the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female in 1977. This wasn't just a "radio hit"; it was a "critical darling" hit. It proved that Linda could do "The Great American Songbook" (the rock and roll version) better than anyone else.
The Buddy Holly Connection
Linda eventually recorded several Buddy Holly songs, including "It's So Easy." She had a real affinity for his writing. She once said she liked his songs because they were simple but emotionally direct. They gave her room to use her "big voice" without the music getting in the way.
Actionable Insights for Music Fans
If you’re just getting into Linda Ronstadt or you’re a longtime fan who hasn’t listened to this track in a while, here is how to actually appreciate it:
- A/B Test It: Listen to the 1957 Buddy Holly original back-to-back with Linda’s 1976 version. Pay attention to the space between the notes. Buddy’s version is about the space; Linda’s version is about filling the space with sound.
- Check Out the Live Footage: Find the 1976 "Offenbach, Germany" performance on YouTube. It’s raw. You’ll see exactly why she was the highest-paid woman in rock at the time.
- Listen to the Full Album: Don't just stop at the single. Hasten Down the Wind has incredible tracks like "Lose Again" and "Someone to Lay Down Beside Me." It gives "That'll Be the Day" the context it needs—the rock "peak" in an otherwise deeply emotional, moody album.
Basically, "That'll Be the Day" wasn't just a cover. It was a statement. It told the world that the 50s belonged to the 70s, and that a woman from Tucson could out-rock the boys any day of the week.
To really get the full experience, grab a pair of good headphones. Turn it up until you think it’s too loud, then turn it up one more notch. That’s how Linda would’ve wanted you to hear it.
After you’ve mastered the 1976 recording, your next step is to explore her 1977 follow-up, Simple Dreams. It follows the same blueprint—taking old classics like "Blue Bayou" and "It's So Easy" and making them definitive 70s anthems. It’s the logical progression for anyone trying to understand why Linda Ronstadt was the most important voice of her generation.