Linda Ronstadt has Parkinson’s, says she can no longer sing
Singer Linda Ronstadt says she has Parkinson’s disease and can no longer sing.
The 67-year-old musician made the disclosure in an AARP Magazine interview posted online Friday.
Ronstadt, an 11-time Grammy winner, said that she was diagnosed with the neurological ailment about eight months ago and “can’t sing a note.â€
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“No one can sing with Parkinson’s disease,†Ronstadt said. “No matter how hard you try.â€
Ronstadt said that she uses poles to help walk and uses a wheelchair when traveling.
She said in the interview that she noticed symptoms eight years ago, but assumed they were related to a tick disease.
“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,†said the singer, known for such rock ballads as “You’re No Good†and “When Will I Be Loved.â€
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Parkinson’s symptoms include muscle tremors, rigidity, poor balance and faulty coordination.
Besides her fame as a singer, Ronstadt in the past was romantically linked to Gov. Jerry Brown and “Star Wars†filmmaker George Lucas.
She is the author of the forthcoming memoir “Simple Dreams,†due out next month.
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