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Linda Ronstadt has Parkinson’s, says she can no longer sing

Linda Ronstadt, accepting an award two years ago, says she has Parkinson's disease and "can't sing a note."
(Chris Pizzello/Associated Press)
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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.”

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“No one can sing with Parkinson’s disease,” Ronstadt said. “No matter how hard you try.”

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.”
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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.

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She is the author of the forthcoming memoir “Simple Dreams,” due out next month.

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