Linda Ronstadt Reveals She Has Parkinson's Disease, 'Can't Sing A Note'

[HarveyDarkey]

Linda Ronstadt accepts the Trailblazer award onstage during the 2008 ALMA Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on August 17, 2008 in Pasadena. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)


Grammy-winning singer Linda Ronstadt, now 67, reveals that she "can't sing a note," and that it took her years to figure out why; she was suffering from Parkinson's disease.

In an interview published today on the AARP blog, the singer of such hits as "Blue Bayou" and "You're No Good" said she received the diagnosis eight months ago, but began to show symptoms eight years ago.

She had initially thought that her inability to sing was due to a tick bite and that the shaking in her hands was from shoulder surgery.

She realized "there was something wrong" with her voice, as she tells AARP. "I couldn't sing and I couldn't figure out why. I knew it was mechanical." She says it didn't occur to her to to go a neurologist all this time.

"Parkinson's is very hard to diagnose, so when I finally went to a neurologist and he said, 'Oh, you have Parkinson's disease,' I was completely shocked. I wouldn't have suspected that in a million, billion years."

Ronstadt who once belted out hits including "Heat Wave," now says, "No one can sing with Parkinson's disease. No matter how hard you try."

She says she now walks with the aid of poles and uses a wheelchair when she travels.

http://laist.com/2013/08/23/linda_ronstadt_parkinsons_disease.php

[hlthe2b]

1. Oh, what a shame...

I wish her the best....how sad

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. Wow...so sad. Her music (the whole genre -Karla Bonoff, Eagles, more) defined much of my grad school

music listening.

[PoliticAverse]

3. A blast from the past...

[warrior1]

4. Damn

[TreasonousBastard]

5. Wow! At 67 she wouldn't have much of the old voice left anyway, but this is very bad...

and not the way you want a legend to go out.

Parkinson's, man, that's horrible.

Remember her from those days of perfect pitch and rhythm.

[HarveyDarkey]

8. Saw her at her youngest with The Stone Poneys

Fell in love and stayed that way throughout her career.

[TreasonousBastard]

9. Never saw her live, but there was just something about her...

I guess "purity" sums it up. Pure voice, pure spirit, no hassles-- just take it as it comes.

[Trailrider1951]

6. Oh, that's just too sad

she had a beautiful voice. I just love her.

[BootinUp]

7. What a shame. One of my favorites.

[panader0]

10. I remember, back in the day, when the Stones played Tucson, (the Some Girls Tour)

Mick came out after the break with " A little homegrown girl" and brought out Linda for "Tumbling' Dice"
I remember The Stone Ponies, her first band.
Too bad about her voice. At least she got a lot of good stuff recorded.

[Mr.Bill]

11. Always a big fan.

I especially liked the albums she did with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, although I liked the early stuff as well. Glad I saw her about ten years ago.

[Tom_Foolery]

12. I saw her in concert in 1983...

It was a great concert. Quarterflash opened for her and blew everyone away. Linda came out and said, "Hello, Evansville, Illinois!" There is an Evansville, Illinois; but we were in Evansville, Indiana. When the crowd shouted INDIANA back at her, she laughed and said that she'd been riding in a bus for a long time and she didn't know where the hell she was. She then proceeded to do what she does best. What a beautiful person.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

13. too sad.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

14. She was a force of nature in the 70s.

Can't really put the experience into words, but anyone who witnessed her star on the rise knows exactly what I'm talking about. She had the looks, the confidence, and the talent to become huge...and that's exactly what happened.

I thought the Peter Asher albums eventually fell into formula. Her canciones and Nelson Riddle albums were impressive if only for the fact that she had the courage to strike out in new directions. For me, the essential albums are 1969's "Hand Sown ... Home Grown" through 1977's "Simple Dreams." They sound just as good today as when they were recorded.

Such sad, tragic news.

[nolabear]

15. This has been in my heavy rotation since the 1970s.

[lastlib]

16. I saw her with the Eagles, Jackson Browne and Dan Fogelberg in '78 (I think)--

An AMAZING show!! They all came on stage at the end and closed with "I Wish You Peace". Just AWESOME!!

So sad to hear that her wonderful voice is now silenced! "Love Has No Pride" is one of my favorites!

[KG]

17. the iconic album cover...

[Lady Freedom Returns]

18. Oh good god no!

[antiquie]

19. Last time I saw her was August 2, 1989

at the Benefit for the National Hispanic Arts, Education & Media Institute in the Biltmore Hotel.
Jerry Garcia, Carlos Santana, Reuben Blades, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Linda Ronstadt and others performed.

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