Linda Ronstadt’s first big hit came with the Stone Poneys.

But even then, the writing was on the wall.

LINDA RONSTADT WAS THE VOICE PEOPLE COULD NOT IGNORE.

In 1967, “Different Drum” gave the Stone Poneys their breakthrough, climbing to No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was credited to the band, but the record made one thing painfully clear.

Linda was the star.

Linda Ronstadt And The Stone Poneys Sing “Different Drum”

But here’s what made the story messy…

Linda later admitted she did not look back fondly on the Stone Poneys era. She felt the group did not share the exact creative direction she wanted, and even the recording of “Different Drum” proved how complicated things had become.

The hit used major session players from the Wrecking Crew, including Don Randi on harpsichord and Jim Gordon on drums. Linda said those players were “vastly better” than the band, but they had not evolved along the same path. (faroutmagazine.co.uk)

And that’s not all…

The Stone Poneys helped open the door.

But Linda knew she could not stay trapped inside a group that did not match the size of her voice.

After the split, she eventually built a solo career that moved through country, rock, pop, standards, and Mexican music.

Here’s a look back at Linda’s early rise…

Here’s the truth…

Linda did not betray the Stone Poneys by outgrowing them.

She followed the sound she knew was hers.

“Different Drum” was supposed to be the band’s breakthrough, but it became Linda Ronstadt’s warning shot.

Did “Different Drum” prove Linda was always meant to go solo?