Kenny Edwards performed lead guitar, and sang. Bobby Kimmel performed rhythm, and he sang too. The crowning glory was the distinctive voice of Linda Ronstadt. Such was the mix of three buddies who coalesced in Los Angeles in 1965 because the Stone Poneys. The misspelling of “ponies” was their very own, and so was their persuasive folk-rock sound, first heard on disc on their self-titled debut album, launched by Capitol within the US on January 30, 1967.
The group made their identify within the golf equipment of L.A., notably the famed Troubadour, however really briefly break up even earlier than they have been signed to their label deal by Capitol’s Nick, aka Nik, Venet. But they got here again collectively and honed their repute as a extra modern-sounding Peter, Paul & Mary, with greater than a touch of the Mamas and the Papas about them too.
The Stone Poneys carried out materials largely written collectively by Edwards and Kimmel, bolstered by Ronstadt’s strident vocals and their robust three-part harmonies. They would, nonetheless, get pleasure from their greatest success in direction of the tip of 1967 with a canopy, of Michael Nesmith’s “Different Drum.” That reached No.13 on the Hot 100 and helped the Poneys’ sophomore album Evergreen, Vol. 2 to No.100.
Prior to that, their eponymous debut didn’t chart, but it surely was stuffed with fairly and affecting originals akin to “If I Were You,” “Bicycle Song,” and “Back Home,” and Fred Neil’s reflective composition “Just A Little Bit Of Rain.” The latter, and the closing “2:10 Train,” have been notably positive autos for the putting vocals of Ronstadt, nonetheless solely 20 because the album was launched.
Billboard’s evaluation of the report was glowing: “This artistic success could be a commercial giant,” they beamed. In February, because the opening observe “Sweet Summer Blue and Gold” turned a single, the journal selected it as a “spotlight,” predicting that it could attain the Hot 100, but it surely failed to take action. In May, they went additional with “One On One,” which would seem on the second LP, saying “West Coast folk-rock group has a winner here” and praising “the delivery of the exceptional girl vocalist.” Sadly, they have been proved improper once more concerning the gross sales and radio potential.
After this primary LP, the Poneys pursued extra of a rock path for Evergreen, Vol. 2 and, as tensions rose, their third and last launch, 1968’s Linda Ronstadt, Stone Poneys and Friends, Vol. III. Ronstadt, as we all know, went on to be one of the vital common and recognised voices in American music, and her recognition prompted Capitol to reissue the early album in 1975. This time, inevitably, it was titled The Stone Poneys that includes Linda Ronstadt.
Buy or stream The Stone Poneys.