Linda Ronstadt – “That’ll Be the Day” (1976): A Rock & Roll Reimagining 

When a classic met its match — and found new fire.

Originally a rockabilly anthem made famous by Buddy Holly and The Crickets in 1957, “That’ll Be the Day” got a bold, emotional revival nearly two decades later, thanks to the powerhouse voice of Linda Ronstadt. Released in 1976 on her Grammy-winning album Hasten Down the Wind, Ronstadt’s version transformed the song from youthful swagger into a defiant, country-rock statement of strength.

Where Holly’s original had a carefree, almost playful tone, Ronstadt injected grit, depth, and attitude into the lyrics. Her voice — at once soulful, commanding, and raw — turned lines like “That’ll be the day when you say goodbye” into something far more emotionally charged. It wasn’t just a cover; it was a reinterpretation through the lens of female power and heartbreak.

Produced by Peter Asher, the track featured top-notch session musicians and perfectly balanced twangy guitars with a rock-solid rhythm section. It became a commercial success, hitting No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and soaring to No. 2 in Canada, proving that Ronstadt could breathe new life into even the most well-worn classics.

But more than chart numbers, the song helped cement Ronstadt’s reputation as one of the most versatile and fearless interpreters of American music. From rock to country, folk to pop, she could do it all — and do it her way.

Her “That’ll Be the Day” wasn’t just nostalgic — it was rebellious, feminine, and fiercely modern. A reminder that great songs never die — they just wait for the right voice to bring them back to life.