Rock legend confronts Parkinson’s

Singer releasing new memoir

These days, it’s hard for Linda Ronstadt to get around without her forearm crutches. The debilitating effects of Parkinson’s disease require her to relax for a few minutes before starting an interview.

But once she’s ready, the 67-yearold has full command of her voice, even though she’s no longer able to sing.

Ronstadt’s voice was one of music’s great treasures, anchoring hits like When Will I Be Loved and You’re No Good and hopscotching across genres including pop, rock, jazz and folk.

She’s sold more than 30 million albums.

While her singing voice has been silenced, she’s expressing herself in her memoir, Simple Dreams.

It touches on the many milestones in her career, though more personal matters, like her high-profile romances with Jerry Brown and others, are briefly mentioned or not at all.

It also doesn’t discuss her Parkinson’s diagnosis, which came after the book was written.

This week, Ronstadt spoke to The Associated Press about the book and battling the degenerative disease, among other topics.

How have you adapted to living with Parkinson’s?

I have to ask people to do things for me that are hard. That’s been the hardest thing, I think. It’s harder to go out and do things. I’m not driving anymore. I’m not quite sure of my reflexes. ... I don’t want to go anyplace where I might get confused. I can really drive fine, but I just don’t go out by myself that much anymore. I live like a person with a disability now.

Has Michael J. Fox (who also has Parkinson’s) reached out to you?

I have an email from him. You know, he’s been a great person to raise awareness. Bless his heart because it’s something that people need to know about. Of course, the most promising treatment is fetal stem cell, which is also a great treatment for diabetes, MS, all kinds of things. And of course, the Christian right will not allow that research. It’s a terrible thing that they’re blocking that research because it could help so many people. It could save lives. ... But they won’t get out of the way.