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Linda Ronstadt Marks 50 Years of Acclaimed Album ‘Prisoner in Disguise’ with Special Reissue and Reflections
Music icon Linda Ronstadt is adding another significant event to her storied career, celebrating the 50th anniversary of her highly regarded 1975 album, Prisoner in Disguise. This milestone arrives shortly after Ronstadt commemorated the 55th anniversary of her Big Sur Folk Festival performance and announced her Record Store Day Black Friday release, The Early Years.
On October 8, the 79-year-old folk-rock legend shared an emotional message via her Instagram Stories, proclaiming, “Happy 50th anniversary of Prisoner in Disguise.” Her post directed fans to a newly penned letter reflecting on the album’s creation and enduring legacy, which also serves to announce a special 50th-anniversary reissue. The reissue, a 180-gram, 45RPM two-LP vinyl, has been meticulously mastered from the original analog master tapes and will be released through Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab.
In her heartfelt letter, Ronstadt expressed surprise at the passage of time, writing, “It’s hard to believe that it’s been fifty years since the initial release of my sixth solo album, Prisoner in Disguise. Thinking back over that half-century, there are several things that stand out in my memory.”
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee reminisced about the creative energy that fueled the record, which followed her chart-topping breakthrough, Heart Like a Wheel. She recalled receiving a demo from her friend Neil Young, immediately falling for “Love is a Rose,” which became the album’s opening track. Ronstadt also highlighted the contributions of other esteemed songwriters, including James Taylor, Dolly Parton, Jimmy Cliff, Lowell George, Anna McGarrigle, and the Motown trio of Holland, Dozier, and Holland, whose “wonderful songs I couldn’t wait to sing.”
Produced by Peter Asher, Prisoner in Disguise perfectly encapsulated the vibrant Southern California singer-songwriter scene of the era. Ronstadt reflected on the rich community of musicians involved, including Don Henley and Glenn Frey, who had been members of her band before forming the Eagles, and songwriter J.D.
Souther, who penned the album’s title track. She fondly remembered recording the title song, noting, “I sang the opening verse with just JD on acoustic guitar, later joined by Andrew Gold on piano, and finally, a gorgeous string and woodwind arrangement by David Campbell.
Listening to it now, I am struck mostly by JD’s utterly original harmony vocal.”
Another charming anecdote shared by Ronstadt concerned her tender rendition of Smokey Robinson’s “Tracks of My Tears.” She revealed a secret crush on Robinson during a backstage poker game at Disneyland four years prior, where she, Henley, and Frey shared a bill with the Staple Singers and Smokey and the Miracles. She humorously recounted cautioning Glenn Frey, an “aggressive card player,” not to win too much money from Robinson, fearing it would jeopardize her unspoken admiration.
In one of the letter’s most endearing passages, Ronstadt introduced “Alfred Bear,” a three-foot teddy bear Peter Asher placed in the vocal booth for her during the recording sessions. “I recall that I was distraught about something at the time, probably some guy,” she wrote.
“I guess you could say that Alfred would qualify as a support animal, for he was certainly a great comfort to me. Sadly, his name did not make it into the original credits, but I’m taking this opportunity to correct that right now.
Thank you, Alfred.”
Prisoner in Disguise soared to No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and spawned her hit version of “Heat Wave,” which reached No. 5 on the Hot 100, cementing its place as one of Ronstadt’s most cherished albums. For long-time fans, this reissue and accompanying letter are more than a nostalgic look back; they are a profound celebration of one of American music’s most expressive and influential voices.
Ronstadt concluded her reflective note with heartfelt gratitude: “Lastly, I’d like to add a sincere thank you to all the remarkable people who helped me record this album, with a special thanks to everyone who listened.”