[DiamondSmiles]

By Mark C. Brown 3 hours ago

One of the greatest female voices in music history has been silenced.

Linda Ronstadt announced today that she has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and will never be able to sing again.

In this auto-tune world too many people haven't been exposed to true, great voices. Ronstadt helped define '70s and '80s rock with a voice pure and true.

Not many singers would take on Roy Orbison. ("Blue Bayou"), or many of the other classics she covered, including "Desperado," "Someone to Lay Down Beside Me" and "You're No Good."

She revealed her condition on the AARP website today, saying "I couldn’t sing, and I couldn’t figure out why.... and it didn’t occur to me to go to a neurologist. I think I’ve had it for seven or eight years already, because of the symptoms that I’ve had. Then I had a shoulder operation, so I thought that’s why my hands were trembling."

The diagnosis was devastating.

“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." As a result, she said, she "can't sing a note."

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

[SuceMaTub]

Bad news. Well, at least she had her time.

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by SuceMaTub ↗

Bad news. Well, at least she had her time.

My dad had it. Linda will be lucky if she can walk unassisted and keep her presence of mind as time goes on.

My dad shuffled like Ozzy and also had dementia in the last couple of years of his life.

Horrible disease, especially in older people. They become shells of themselves :(

Michael J. Fox seems to be handling his well for now.

Richard Pryor look terrible as his death neared.

[Megamel29]

My grampa had it. It's a terrible illness. I have seen videos of people with the brain implant thing. It makes a huge difference.

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by Megamel29 ↗

My grampa had it. It's a terrible illness. I have seen videos of people with the brain implant thing. It makes a huge difference.

I didn't know about that when my dad died.

It was in 2008. I saw the implant either online or tv recently.

Parkinson is weird. My dad used to work on cars and when he fell asleep after the diagnosis, he'd move his hands as if he was working on a car or using tools.

The father of a woman with whom I used to work said her father used to mimic crocheting in his sleep.

My dad also hallucinated. He asked me who the baby was when he pointed to my handbag one time. I told him I was his baby ;)

[Megamel29]

I think my grampa's oddest behavior near the end was being too amorous for my gramma's liking. Also when he was in the hospital near the end they had to restrain him. My aunt had to pretend she was trying to cut the restraints with a plastic knife so he would settle down and go back to sleep.

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by Megamel29 ↗

I think my grampa's oddest behavior near the end was being too amorous for my gramma's liking. Also when he was in the hospital near the end they had to restrain him. My aunt had to pretend she was trying to cut the restraints with a plastic knife so he would settle down and go back to sleep.

Funny! My dad felt a bit amorous, too

My mother was not amused!

[BBKF]

This is sad. She has an incredible voice. One of the top female vocalists, I would think.

[kellyhound]

damn
just read that sean connery has alzheimer.

[knuggy]

she was smoking hot back in the day. those eyes !meow!