Classic Rock Album Olympics

In this episode of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez roll Linda Ronstadt’s Heart Like A Wheel to select their favorite tracks and award their gold, silver and bronze medals accordingly.

Medal Winners

Faithless
Love

Heart
Like A Wheel

You’re
No Good

Keep
Me From Blowing Away

When
Will I Be Loved

Bonus Tracks

Different Drum –
Stone Ponys

Different
Drum- Mike Nesmith

Long
Long Time – Linda Ronstadt

Dark
End Of The Street – Flying Burrito Brothers

The
Dark End Of The Street – James Carr

Making
Love (At The Dark End Of The Street) – Clarence Carter

It’s
So Easy – Linda Ronstadt

That’ll
Be The Day – Linda Ronstadt

Blue
Bayou – Linda Ronstadt

Heart
Of Gold – Neil Young

You’re
So Vain – Carly Simon

Lonely
Boy – Andrew Gold

Thank
you For Being A Friend – Andrew Gold

You’re
No Good – Betty Everett

The
Game Of Love – Mindbenderrs

The
Thrill Is Gone – B.B. King

Heart
Like A Wheel – Anna McGarrigle

Drop
Kick Me, Jesus - Paul Craft/Bobby Bare

I
Will Never Marry – Linda Ronstadt

You
Can Close Your Eyes – Jame Taylor

You
Can Close Your Eyes – Linda Ronstadt

You’re
No Good – Van Halen

Cathy’s
Clown – Everly Brothers

Willin’
– Little Feat

Willin’
– Linda Ronstadt

I
Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You) – Hank Williams

It
Doesn’t Matter Anymore – Linda Ronstadt

It
Doesn’t Matter Anymore – Buddy Holly

You’re
Having My Baby – Paul Anka

One
Man Woman/One Woman Man – Paul Anka



Released in November 1974, Heart Like a Wheel was Linda Ronstadt’s fifth solo studio album and the record that made her into a major pop superstar. The album was produced by Peter Asher, who had also become Ronstadt’s manager and was instrumental in establishing the polished yet emotionally powerful sound that would define her great albums of the 1970s.

The musicians were an extraordinary collection of Los Angeles studio players and Ronstadt associates. Andrew Gold played guitar, piano, electric piano, drums and percussion and became one of the album’s most important musical architects, while Kenny Edwards, Ronstadt’s former Stone Poneys bandmate, played bass.

The singles were particularly successful. “You’re No Good” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Ronstadt her first No. 1 pop single and “When Will I Be Loved” reached No. 2 on the Hot 100. The album itself was an even bigger success. Heart Like a Wheel became Ronstadt’s first No. 1 album on the Billboard.

Its impact went far beyond sales. Heart Like a Wheel helped establish the template for the sophisticated country-rock/pop crossover that would dominate much of Ronstadt’s career and influence artists who followed. She demonstrated that an album could move effortlessly between rock, country, R&B, folk and pop without sounding stylistically confused. Just as importantly, Ronstadt became a major interpreter of songs by emerging writers such as J.D. Souther, Lowell George and Anna McGarrigle,
often bringing their work to audiences far larger than those they could reach themselves.

Ultimately, Heart Like a Wheel was the album that established the Linda Ronstadt formula: an extraordinary singer, first-rate musicians, carefully chosen songs, country roots and rock muscle, all held together by Peter Asher’s elegant production. It was both a commercial breakthrough and an artistic statement—and the beginning of one of the most successful recording careers by an American female artist of the 1970s.

Track Listing

Side 1

You’re No Good

It Doesn’t Matter Anymore

Faithless Love

The Dark End Of The Street

Heart Like A Wheel

Side 2

When Will I Be Loved

Willin’

I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You)

Keep Me From Blowing Away

You Can Close Your Eyes



#LindaRonstadt #HeartLikeAWheel #PeterAsher #AndrewGold
#CountryRock #ClassicRock #RockHistory #1970sMusic #YoureNoGood
#WhenWillIBeLoved #MusicHistory #AlbumHistory #Grammy #ClassicAlbums

Contact Info

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Gary Wenstrup⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠(556) Classic Rock
Album Olympics - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠(7) Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠(17) Gary Wenstrup | LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

Intro & Outro Music by Flwers
⁠⁠⁠Flwers⁠⁠⁠
Something About The Beatles Podcast

⁠⁠⁠somethingaboutthebeatles.com⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez roll Linda Ronstadt's Heart Like A Wheel to select their favorite tracks and award their gold, silver and bronze medals accordingly.
Medal Winners
Faithless Love
Heart Like A Wheel
You're No Good
Keep Me From Blowing Away
When Will I Be Loved
Bonus Tracks
Different Drum – Stone Ponys
Different Drum- Mike Nesmith
Long Long Time – Linda Ronstadt
Dark End Of The Street – Flying Burrito Brothers
The Dark End Of The Street – James Carr
Making Love (At The Dark End Of The Street) – Clarence Carter
It's So Easy – Linda Ronstadt
That'll Be The Day – Linda Ronstadt
Blue Bayou – Linda Ronstadt
Heart Of Gold – Neil Young
You're So Vain – Carly Simon
Lonely Boy – Andrew Gold
Thank you For Being A Friend – Andrew Gold
You're No Good – Betty Everett
The Game Of Love – Mindbenderrs
The Thrill Is Gone – B.B. King
Heart Like A Wheel – Anna McGarrigle
Drop Kick Me, Jesus - Paul Craft/Bobby Bare
I Will Never Marry – Linda Ronstadt
You Can Close Your Eyes – Jame Taylor
You Can Close Your Eyes – Linda Ronstadt
You're No Good – Van Halen
Cathy's Clown – Everly Brothers
Willin' – Little Feat
Willin' – Linda Ronstadt
I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You) – Hank Williams
It Doesn't Matter Anymore – Linda Ronstadt
It Doesn't Matter Anymore – Buddy Holly
You're Having My Baby – Paul Anka
One Man Woman/One Woman Man – Paul Anka
 
Released in November 1974, Heart Like a Wheel was Linda Ronstadt's fifth solo studio album and the record that made her into a major pop superstar. The album was produced by Peter Asher, who had also become Ronstadt's manager and was instrumental in establishing the polished yet emotionally powerful sound that would define her great albums of the 1970s. 
The musicians were an extraordinary collection of Los Angeles studio players and Ronstadt associates. Andrew Gold played guitar, piano, electric piano, drums and percussion and became one of the album's most important musical architects, while Kenny Edwards, Ronstadt's former Stone Poneys bandmate, played bass. 
The singles were particularly successful. "You're No Good" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Ronstadt her first No. 1 pop single and "When Will I Be Loved" reached No. 2 on the Hot 100.  The album itself was an even bigger success. Heart Like a Wheel became Ronstadt's first No. 1 album on the Billboard.
Its impact went far beyond sales. Heart Like a Wheel helped establish the template for the sophisticated country-rock/pop crossover that would dominate much of Ronstadt's career and influence artists who followed. She demonstrated that an album could move effortlessly between rock, country, R&B, folk and pop without sounding stylistically confused. Just as importantly, Ronstadt became a major interpreter of songs by emerging writers such as J.D. Souther, Lowell George and Anna McGarrigle, often bringing their work to audiences far larger than those they could reach themselves. 
Ultimately, Heart Like a Wheel was the album that established the Linda Ronstadt formula: an extraordinary singer, first-rate musicians, carefully chosen songs, country roots and rock muscle, all held together by Peter Asher's elegant production. It was both a commercial breakthrough and an artistic statement—and the beginning of one of the most successful recording careers by an American female artist of the 1970s.
Track Listing
Side 1
You're No Good
It Doesn't Matter Anymore
Faithless Love
The Dark End Of The Street
Heart Like A Wheel
Side 2
When Will I Be Loved
Willin'
I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)
Keep Me From Blowing Away
You Can Close Your Eyes
 
#LindaRonstadt #HeartLikeAWheel #PeterAsher #AndrewGold #CountryRock #ClassicRock #RockHistory #1970sMusic #YoureNoGood #WhenWillIBeLoved #MusicHistory #AlbumHistory #Grammy #ClassicAlbums
Contact Info
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Gary Wenstrup⁠⁠⁠⁠
Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics⁠⁠⁠⁠
YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠(556) Classic Rock Album Olympics - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠
Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠(7) Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠
Podcast Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠
LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠(17) Gary Wenstrup | LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠
Intro & Outro Music by Flwers ⁠⁠⁠Flwers⁠⁠⁠ Something About The Beatles Podcast
⁠⁠⁠somethingaboutthebeatles.com⁠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We know "the people" liked it. Did you?
In this episode of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez analyze R.E.M.'s Automatic For The People add award their gold, silver and bronze medals to the album's strongest tracks.
Medal Winners
Ignoreland
Everybody Hurts
Monty Got A Raw Deal
Drive
Find The River
 Released in October 1992, Automatic For The People is widely regarded as one of the defining albums of the 1990s and a peak artistic statement in R.E.M.'s career. Following the massive success of Out of Time, the band moved away from jangly college rock toward a more introspective and melancholic sound. The album's themes revolve around mortality, aging, loss and memory, giving it a reflective tone that feels both intimate and cinematic.
The album was produced by Scott Litt alongside R.E.M.  A defining feature of the record is its use of orchestral instrumentation arranged by John Paul Jones (of Led Zeppelin).  The production emphasizes acoustic guitars, piano, mellotron, strings, and restrained percussion, marking a stark contrast from the more energetic sound of their earlier work.
R.E.M. at this time consisted of Michael Stipe, whose abstract, emotionally direct lyrics and distinctive vocal delivery anchor the album; Peter Buck, whose guitar work shifted toward mandolin, acoustic textures, and subtle melodic layering; Mike Mills, whose bass lines and harmony vocals provide emotional depth; and Bill Berry, whose understated drumming supports the album's slower, more contemplative pacing. Together, the band created a unified sound that prioritizes mood and atmosphere over traditional rock dynamics.
Commercially, Automatic for the People was a major worldwide success. It reached #2 on the Billboard 200 in the United States and charted highly across Europe, including #1 in the UK Albums Chart. The album produced several major singles. "Drive" became a top 30 hit in the United States and a standout track on alternative radio. "Man on the Moon" became one of the band's signature songs, reaching #30 on the Billboard Hot 100.  "Everybody Hurts" became one of R.E.M.'s most emotionally powerful and enduring songs, receiving extensive airplay worldwide and becoming an anthem for empathy and resilience.
The cultural significance of Automatic for the People lies in its ability to bring introspective, even somber themes into mainstream rock at a massive commercial scale. At a time when alternative rock was becoming dominant in popular culture, R.E.M. demonstrated that vulnerability and emotional honesty could coexist with chart success.
Bonus Tracks
Radio Free Europe – R.E.M.
Sexual Healing – Marvin Gaye
The Right Profile – The Clash
Rock On – David Essex
This Is The Day – The The
Fall On Me – R.E.M.
Harbor Town - R.E.M.
Nightswimming - R.E.M.
New Orleans Instrumental #1 - R.E.M.
Man On The Moon - R.E.M.
Rockin' In The Free World – Neil Young
Cinnamon Girl – Neil Young
Track Listing
Drive Side
Drive
Try Not To Breathe
The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite
Everybody Hurts
New Orleans Instrumental No. 1
Sweetness Follows
Ride Side
Monty Got A Raw Deal
Ignoreland
Star Me Kitten
Man On The Moon
Nightswimming
Find The River
 
Hashtags: #AutomaticForThePeople #REM #AlternativeRock #IndieRock #1992Music #ManOnTheMoon #EverybodyHurts #Drive #Nightswimming #ClassicAlbums #MusicHistory #AlbumHistory #90sMusic #WarnerBros #ScottLitt
Info
Website: ⁠⁠⁠Gary Wenstrup⁠⁠⁠
Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics⁠⁠⁠
YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠(556) Classic Rock Album Olympics - YouTube⁠⁠⁠
Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠(7) Facebook⁠⁠⁠
Podcast Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠
LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠(17) Gary Wenstrup | LinkedIn⁠⁠
Intro & Outro Music by Flwers ⁠⁠Flwers⁠⁠ Something About The Beatles Podcast
⁠⁠somethingaboutthebeatles.com⁠




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We know "the people" liked it. Did you?

In this episode of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez analyze R.E.M.’s Automatic For The People add award their gold, silver and bronze medals to the album’s
strongest tracks.

Medal Winners

Ignoreland

Everybody
Hurts

Monty
Got A Raw Deal

Drive

Find
The River

Released in October 1992, Automatic For The People is widely regarded as one of the defining albums of the 1990s and a peak artistic statement in R.E.M.'s career. Following the massive success of Out of Time, the band moved away from jangly college rock toward a more introspective and melancholic sound. The album’s themes revolve around mortality, aging, loss and memory, giving it a reflective tone that feels both intimate and cinematic.

The album was produced by Scott Litt alongside R.E.M. A defining feature of the record is its use of orchestral instrumentation arranged by John Paul Jones (of Led Zeppelin). The production emphasizes acoustic guitars, piano, mellotron, strings, and restrained percussion, marking a stark contrast from the more energetic sound of their earlier work.

R.E.M. at this time consisted of Michael Stipe, whose abstract, emotionally direct lyrics and distinctive vocal delivery anchor the album; Peter Buck, whose guitar work shifted toward mandolin, acoustic
textures, and subtle melodic layering; Mike Mills, whose bass lines and
harmony vocals provide emotional depth; and Bill Berry, whose
understated drumming supports the album’s slower, more contemplative pacing. Together, the band created a unified sound that prioritizes mood and atmosphere over traditional rock dynamics.

Commercially, Automatic for the People was a major worldwide success. It reached #2 on the Billboard 200 in the United States and charted highly across Europe, including #1 in the UK Albums Chart. The album produced
several major singles. “Drive” became a top 30 hit in the United States
and a standout track on alternative radio. “Man on the Moon” became one
of the band’s signature songs, reaching #30 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Everybody Hurts” became one of R.E.M.’s most emotionally powerful and enduring songs, receiving extensive airplay worldwide and becoming an anthem for empathy and resilience.

The cultural significance of Automatic for the People lies in its ability to bring introspective, even somber themes into mainstream rock at a massive commercial scale. At a time when alternative rock was becoming
dominant in popular culture, R.E.M. demonstrated that vulnerability and
emotional honesty could coexist with chart success.

Bonus Tracks

Radio
Free Europe – R.E.M.

Sexual
Healing – Marvin Gaye

The
Right Profile – The Clash

Rock
On – David Essex

This
Is The Day – The The

Fall
On Me – R.E.M.

Harbor
Town - R.E.M.

Nightswimming
- R.E.M.

New
Orleans Instrumental #1 - R.E.M.

Man
On The Moon - R.E.M.

Rockin’
In The Free World – Neil Young

Cinnamon
Girl – Neil Young

Track Listing

Drive Side

Drive

Try Not To Breathe

The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite

Everybody Hurts

New Orleans Instrumental No. 1

Sweetness Follows

Ride Side

Monty Got A Raw Deal

Ignoreland

Star Me Kitten

Man On The Moon

Nightswimming

Find The River



Hashtags: #AutomaticForThePeople #REM
#AlternativeRock #IndieRock #1992Music #ManOnTheMoon #EverybodyHurts #Drive
#Nightswimming #ClassicAlbums #MusicHistory #AlbumHistory #90sMusic #WarnerBros
#ScottLitt

Info

Website: ⁠⁠⁠Gary Wenstrup⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠(556) Classic Rock
Album Olympics - YouTube⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠(7) Facebook⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠(17) Gary Wenstrup | LinkedIn⁠⁠

Intro & Outro Music by Flwers
⁠⁠Flwers⁠⁠
Something About The Beatles Podcast

⁠⁠somethingaboutthebeatles.com⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (#28) of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez turn their attention to Moondance by Van Morrison and award their gold, silver and bronze medals for the strongest tracks. 
Released in January 1970, it was Morrison's third solo album and transformed him from a critically admired cult artist into a major commercial success. While his previous album, Astral Weeks, had been celebrated for its poetic ambition and jazz-influenced experimentation, Moondance struck a perfect balance between artistic sophistication and accessibility. Blending rock, soul, jazz, folk, blues, rhythm and blues, and Celtic influences, the album showcased Morrison's extraordinary songwriting while introducing a warmer, more up-tempo sound. 
Medal Winners – Remarkably Gary and Robert picked the exact same 3 songs in the exact same order – a first and probably a last…
Moondance
Into The Mystic
Caravan
Dissatisfied with having limited creative control during the making of Astral Weeks, Morrison assumed responsibility for producing Moondance, carefully shaping the arrangements and performances. The result was a polished yet organic recording that featured tight ensembles, memorable horn arrangements, and an effortless blend of jazz improvisation and pop craftsmanship. The album marked the beginning of Morrison's long career as a self-directed recording artist and established the musical style that would define much of his greatest work.
Van Morrison and John Platania played guitar with Jack Schroer and Collin Tilton on horns, Jef Labes on keyboards, John Klingberg on bass and Gary Mallaber on drums.  The musicians created an intimate, swinging sound that perfectly complemented Morrison's soulful voice songwriting.
Commercially, Moondance became Van Morrison's breakthrough album. It reached #29 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S., #32 on the UK Albums Chart while remaining a steady seller for decades.  Come Running was the only single released from the album and reached #39 on the charts. Over time, however, "Moondance," "Into the Mystic," "Caravan," and "And It Stoned Me" became FM radio staples. 
Moondance has influenced generations of musicians across rock, folk, jazz, Americana, and soul, including Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt and Elvis Costello.  More than fifty years after its release, Moondance remains a beloved album, celebrated for its effortless musicianship and timeless melodies.  It is consistently ranked among the greatest albums ever and stands as the defining work in Van Morrison's remarkable career.
Bonus Tracks
Moondance – Michael Buble
East Of The Sun (And West Of The Moon) – Frank Sinatra
Autumn Leaves – Nat King Cole
Brown Eyed Girl
Domino
Gloria – Them
Chuck E's In Love – Rickie Lee Jones
Midnight At The Osis – Maria Muldar
Caravan from The Last Waltz
Punky's Dilemma – Simon & Garfunkel
Come Running
And It Stoned Me
Glad Tidings
Crazy Love
Brand New Day
Everyone
I Shall Be Released – The Band
I Shall Be Released – Joe Cocker
I Shall Be Released – Nina Simone
I Shall Be Released from The Last Waltz
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 – Bob Dylan
Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker) – Rolling Stones


Track Listing
Side One
And It Stoned Me
Moondance
Crazy Love
Caravan
Into The Mystic
Side Two
Come Running
These Dreams of You
Brand New Day
Everyone
Glad Tidings
 
Hashtags: #Moondance #VanMorrison #ClassicRock #SingerSongwriter #JazzRock #FolkRock #SoulMusic #IntoTheMystic #Caravan #1970Music #ClassicAlbums #MusicHistory #AlbumHistory #VinylCommunity #WarnerBros #TimelessMusic


Contact Info
Website: ⁠⁠⁠Gary Wenstrup⁠⁠⁠
Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics⁠⁠⁠
YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠(556) Classic Rock Album Olympics - YouTube⁠⁠⁠
Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠(7) Facebook⁠⁠⁠
Podcast Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠
LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠(17) Gary Wenstrup | LinkedIn⁠⁠
Intro & Outro Music by Flwers ⁠⁠Flwers⁠⁠ Something About The Beatles Podcast
⁠⁠somethingaboutthebeatles.com⁠




Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices