Linda Ronstadt Reveals Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis

Linda Ronstadt has Parkinson’s disease and is no longer able to sing. The legendary singer disclosed the diagnosis to AARP in a recent interview.

The Grammy winner explained that she began to show symptoms of the disease as much as eight years ago. However, she brushed off the symptoms as related to other issues.

It wasn’t until eight months ago that Ronstadt was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and it’s because of the disease that the legendary singer “can’t sing a note.”

She commented that she knew there was “something wrong with her voice,” and that it was “mechanical,” rather than being a muscle issue. However, the singer added, “I thought it might have also had something to do with the tick disease that I had.”

Because of this, she didn’t go see a neurologist to discover the cause. She also attributed her hand tremors to a shoulder operation she had a while back.

But NBC News notes that Linda Ronstadt was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after she finally made the trip to the neurologist. According to the singer, that means a permanent end to her career. Ronstadt commented, “No one can sing with Parkinson’s disease, no matter how hard you try.”

So, Ronstadt will end her singing career with 11 Grammys, two Academy of Country Music Awards, and an Emmy for the PBS special Great Performances: Canciones de Mi Padre.

According to her recent interview, the singer now has to use a wheelchair when traveling. She also has aid poles to help her when she walks around.

Ronstadt was responsible for helping to shape the folk-rock music scene in the late 1960s and early 1970s. She started as the lead singer of the Stone Poneys before embarking on her award-winning solo career. But those days are now over.

Linda Rondstadt will release her new memoir, Simple Dreams, on September 17. It doesn’t discuss her diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease.