Parkinsons disease continues to take its toll on Linda Ronstadt. The legendary voice behind such 70s hits as When Will I Be Loved and Blue Bayou can no longer sing; and, in a recent interview, she revealed shes also having problems accomplishing everyday tasks.
"Its hard to wash my hair, brush my teeth, and put my clothes on. Its hard to get up and out of a chair," she told CBS San Francisco last week. When she does attempt to sing, Ronstadt can no longer find the classic voice loved by millions of listeners around the world. I cant get to the note, she says. I cant make any quality sound. I cant arrange pitch. It sounds like shouting.
Parkinsons disease continues to take its toll on Linda Ronstadt. The legendary voice behind such 70s hits as When Will I Be Loved and Blue Bayou can no longer sing; and, in a recent interview, she revealed shes also having problems accomplishing everyday tasks.
"Its hard to wash my hair, brush my teeth, and put my clothes on. Its hard to get up and out of a chair," she told CBS San Francisco last week. When she does attempt to sing, Ronstadt can no longer find the classic voice loved by millions of listeners around the world. I cant get to the note, she says. I cant make any quality sound. I cant arrange pitch. It sounds like shouting.
Still, the 68-year-old singer, who lives near the beach in San Francisco, hasnt completely given in to the disease and is trying to remain as active as possible. Im still getting around, but its getting harder and harder, she says. I walk around the neighborhood a little bit. Only a couple blocks now. I used to walk down to the beach, but I dont do that anymore.
She acknowledges that her life is very different. Thats all there is to it, but seems to have maintained a sense of humor about her fate. When I start to feel story for myself I just say, Well, Ive had a long turn at the trough.
As for her future? Well, long-term prognosis is death, I guess. Somethings going to kill you eventually, she says with a laugh. It takes a long time [for Parkinsons] to kill you. Something else will probably get you first I dont think about it. I think about whats going to happen today because I just figure, I dont have a crystal ball.
Aside from her incredible career as a recording artist sales of more than 100 million albums as a singer of rock, pop, Mariachi, and traditional standards Ronstadt also gained notoriety for some of her famous boyfriends, including California Gov. Jerry Brown. It was great fun, she says. We had a great time and hes doing such a great job now as governor. Were still friends.
Parkinsons disease continues to take its toll on Linda Ronstadt. The legendary voice behind such 70s hits as When Will I Be Loved and Blue Bayou can no longer sing; and, in a recent interview, she revealed shes also having problems accomplishing everyday tasks.
"Its hard to wash my hair, brush my teeth, and put my clothes on. Its hard to get up and out of a chair," she told CBS San Francisco last week. When she does attempt to sing, Ronstadt can no longer find the classic voice loved by millions of listeners around the world. I cant get to the note, she says. I cant make any quality sound. I cant arrange pitch. It sounds like shouting.
Still, the 68-year-old singer, who lives near the beach in San Francisco, hasnt completely given in to the disease and is trying to remain as active as possible. Im still getting around, but its getting harder and harder, she says. I walk around the neighborhood a little bit. Only a couple blocks now. I used to walk down to the beach, but I dont do that anymore.
She acknowledges that her life is very different. Thats all there is to it, but seems to have maintained a sense of humor about her fate. When I start to feel story for myself I just say, Well, Ive had a long turn at the trough.
As for her future? Well, long-term prognosis is death, I guess. Somethings going to kill you eventually, she says with a laugh. It takes a long time [for Parkinsons] to kill you. Something else will probably get you first I dont think about it. I think about whats going to happen today because I just figure, I dont have a crystal ball.
Aside from her incredible career as a recording artist sales of more than 100 million albums as a singer of rock, pop, Mariachi, and traditional standards Ronstadt also gained notoriety for some of her famous boyfriends, including California Gov. Jerry Brown. It was great fun, she says. We had a great time and hes doing such a great job now as governor. Were still friends.
Parkinsons disease continues to take its toll on Linda Ronstadt. The legendary voice behind such 70s hits as When Will I Be Loved and Blue Bayou can no longer sing; and, in a recent interview, she revealed shes also having problems accomplishing everyday tasks.
"Its hard to wash my hair, brush my teeth, and put my clothes on. Its hard to get up and out of a chair," she told CBS San Francisco last week. When she does attempt to sing, Ronstadt can no longer find the classic voice loved by millions of listeners around the world. I cant get to the note, she says. I cant make any quality sound. I cant arrange pitch. It sounds like shouting.
Still, the 68-year-old singer, who lives near the beach in San Francisco, hasnt completely given in to the disease and is trying to remain as active as possible. Im still getting around, but its getting harder and harder, she says. I walk around the neighborhood a little bit. Only a couple blocks now. I used to walk down to the beach, but I dont do that anymore.
She acknowledges that her life is very different. Thats all there is to it, but seems to have maintained a sense of humor about her fate. When I start to feel story for myself I just say, Well, Ive had a long turn at the trough.
As for her future? Well, long-term prognosis is death, I guess. Somethings going to kill you eventually, she says with a laugh. It takes a long time [for Parkinsons] to kill you. Something else will probably get you first I dont think about it. I think about whats going to happen today because I just figure, I dont have a crystal ball.
Aside from her incredible career as a recording artist sales of more than 100 million albums as a singer of rock, pop, Mariachi, and traditional standards Ronstadt also gained notoriety for some of her famous boyfriends, including California Gov. Jerry Brown. It was great fun, she says. We had a great time and hes doing such a great job now as governor. Were still friends.
Although Ronstadt was unable to make her induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in April, she did make it to the White House in July to receive a Presidential Medal of Arts from President Obama. As he was putting the medal around her neck, Obama whispered to her how he had a crush on her when he was a kid. The president is not alone.
Ronstadts scheduled to discuss Living with Parkinsons disease as part of Denvers "Unique Lives" lecture series on April 13. Other speakers at the series include Valerie Harper and Orange Is the New Black writer Piper Kerman
