When we think of Don’t Cry Now, Linda Ronstadt’s 1973 breakthrough album, we usually remember the warm harmonies, the country‑rock vibe, and the way Ronstadt’s voice can move from strength to softness with effortless clarity. But what’s lesser known — and genuinely surprising — is that this album almost didn’t make it past the recording sessions. Even more interesting: during those same sessions, Ronstadt questioned her own ability to sing.
Linda Ronstadt is celebrated as one of the most versatile voices of the 20th century. She could sing rock, country, pop, soul, and even ranchera — and do it with authority. Reviews have praised her precise phrasing, expressive emotion and her ability to make a song her own regardless of genre. Yet, she didn’t think so herself during this period.
A Tough Time in the Studio
In a recently resurfaced interview, Ronstadt described the Don’t Cry Now sessions as deeply frustrating. She said it felt like “going to the dentist every day” — that she would find the right tones only to have them slip away again. She compared it to “trying to catch onto mercury,” a vivid way of saying her voice just wouldn’t behave how she wanted. During this time she was in a bad frame of mind, discouraged, and convinced she’d forgotten how to sing.
That might sound unbelievable — after all, Don’t Cry Now became a success — but the emotion behind her words shows a deeply human side to an artist we often think of as naturally gifted. It also shows the surprising truth that even great performers can struggle intensely with self‑doubt.
What the Album Did Achieve
Despite her doubts, Don’t Cry Now became an important part of Ronstadt’s career. It was her first album on the Asylum label, and it helped shape the country‑rock sound that defined early 1970s Southern California music. It featured a mix of originals and covers — including songs by Randy Newman (“Sail Away”), Neil Young (“I Believe in You”), and Desperado, a song closely associated with the Eagles.
One song from the album, “Silver Threads and Golden Needles,” didn’t just do well on the charts — it had a historic impact on rock music. Ronstadt’s version climbed into the Billboard country charts, marking her first country hit.
The Eagles and an Unexpected Legacy
Here’s where the story gets even more interesting. Ronstadt’s path to recording Don’t Cry Now also led directly to the formation of one of the biggest bands in rock history — The Eagles. One night at The Troubadour in West Hollywood, she saw a band called Shiloh covering her version of “Silver Threads and Golden Needles” note for note — including the guitar solo.
Impressed, she asked drummer Don Henley to join her band. She also brought in guitarist Glenn Frey (who was friends with Ronstadt’s boyfriend J.D. Souther). Henley and Frey ended up rooming together on tour, and in their free time began writing songs and singing together. What started as backing musicians for Ronstadt soon became the core of The Eagles.
So while Don’t Cry Now was an album Ronstadt sometimes struggled to make — and an album she wouldn’t personally listen to for years — it helped launch the careers of musicians who would soon dominate the 1970s music scene.
A Legacy Beyond Ronstadt’s Doubts
What makes this story powerful isn’t just the music itself, but what it shows about the creative process. Even when Linda Ronstadt felt uncertain and frustrated, she kept going. Her struggles in the studio didn’t stop her from producing work that resonated with fans, critics, and other musicians alike. And it’s poetic that one of her own songs — a cover of a country standard — helped spark the formation of a band that would become one of the pillars of classic rock.
In the end, Don’t Cry Now is more than an album; it’s a testament to the messy, vulnerable, and unpredictable nature of making art. Sometimes the things artists struggle with the most are the ones that leave the biggest mark on the world.