Linda Ronstadt Reveals Parkinson's Battle: 'I Can't Sing A Note'

'I Can't Sing A Note'

11-time Grammy Award-winner Linda Ronstadt has revealed she has Parkinson's disease, which has robbed her ability to sing.

Ronstadt says she began to show symptoms as long as eight years ago, but attributed her inability to sing then to a tick disease. When her hands began to tremble, Ronstadt said she thought the shaking was the result of a shoulder operation.

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Linda Rondstadt in 2008

She said she was "completely shocked" when she finally saw a neurologist and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. "I wouldn't have suspected that in a million, billion years.

"No one can sing with Parkinson's disease," Ronstadt told AARP music writer Alanna Nash. "No matter how hard you try."

Ronstadt sold tens of millions of records starting in the 1970s with pop hits like 'You're No Good' and 'When Will I Be Loved'. But she also segued into country, pop standards and mariachi music, among other genres.

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Linda Ronstadt in the seventies

In addition, the singer was known for her romances with California Governor Jerry Brown and filmmaker George Lucas.

Ronstadt now uses poles to walk on uneven ground and a wheelchair when travelling, the AARP story said.

Her autobiography will be released next month, but makes no mention of Parkinson's or the loss of her voice, according to AARP.

Linda Ronstadt
The 2008 ALMA Awards - Backstage(01 of17)
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PASADENA, CA - AUGUST 17: Singers Linda Ronstadt (L) and Placido Domingo speak backstage at the 2008 ALMA Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on August 17, 2008 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NCLR) (credit:Getty Images)
The 2008 ALMA Awards - Show(02 of17)
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PASADENA, CA - AUGUST 17: Tenor Placido Domingo presents singer Linda Ronstadt with the Trailblazer award onstage during the 2008 ALMA Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on August 17, 2008 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The 2008 ALMA Awards - Show(03 of17)
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PASADENA, CA - AUGUST 17: Musician Linda Ronstadt accepts the Trailblazer award onstage during the 2008 ALMA Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on August 17, 2008 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Linda Ronstadt At The Rosemary Clooney's Life Celebrated By Her Family(04 of17)
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BEVERLY HILLS - DECEMBER 10: Recording artist Linda Ronstadt performs at the Rosemary Clooney's Life And Career Celebrated by her family at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on December 10, 2002 in Beverly Hills, California. The gala benefits the Mayo Clinic Rosemary Clooney Pulmonary Research Fund. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Linda Ronstadt, Neil Portnow(05 of17)
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Linda Ronstadt, left, accepts the Life Time Achievement award from Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, at the Latin Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award and Trustees Award ceremony on Wednesday Nov. 9, 2011 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) (credit:AP)
Neil Young's 19th Annual Bridge School Benefit(06 of17)
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MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - OCTOBER 29: Linda Ronstadt performs during the 19th Annual Bridge School Benefit at Shoreline Amphitheatre on October 29, 2005 in Mountain View, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno - Season 3(07 of17)
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THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO -- Episode 679 -- Pictured: Musical guest Linda Ronstadt performs on April 27, 1995 -- (Photo by: Margaret Norton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno - Season 3(08 of17)
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THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO -- Episode 679 -- Pictured: (l-r) Singer Linda Ronstadt during an interview with host Jay Leno on April 27, 1995 -- (Photo by: Margaret Norton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Singer Linda Ronstadt in Concert(09 of17)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - 1988: Singer Linda Ronstadt belts out songs in Spanish from her 'Canciones de Mi Padre' album at a 1988 Los Angeles, California, concert. Ronstadt won the 1988 Grammy Award for 'Best Mexican-American Performance.' (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Singer Linda Ronstadt in Concert(10 of17)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - 1988: Singer Linda Ronstadt belts out songs in Spanish from her 'Canciones de Mi Padre' album at a 1988 Los Angeles, California, concert. Ronstadt won the 1988 Grammy Award for 'Best Mexican-American Performance.' (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Linda Ronstadt in Concert(11 of17)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - 1988: Singer Linda Ronstadt belts out songs in Spanish from her 'Canciones de Mi Padre' album at a 1988 Los Angeles, California, concert. Ronstadt won the 1988 Grammy Award for 'Best Mexican-American Performance.' (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Saturday Night Live(12 of17)
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SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 8 -- Pictured: (l-r) Aaron Neville, Linda Ronstadt during the musical performance of 'Don't Know Much' on December 9, 1989 -- Photo by: Raymond Bonar/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank (credit:Getty Images)
The Tonight Show With Jay Leno - Season 7(13 of17)
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THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO -- Episode 1542 -- Pictured: (l-r) Musicians Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, host Jay Leno during an interview on February 9, 1999 -- (Photo by: Margaret Norton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ron Galella Archive - File Photos(14 of17)
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NEW YORK CITY - OCTOBER 24: Singer Linda Ronstadt attending 'Dinner Dance for People of the American Way' on October 24, 1985 at the Puck Building in New York City, New York. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Ron Galella Archive - File Photos(15 of17)
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HOLLYWOOD - FEBRUARY 19: Musicians Linda Ronstadt and Paul Williams attend the 19th Annual Grammy Awards on February 19, 1977 at Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Ron Galella Archive - File Photos(16 of17)
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LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 19: Singer Linda Ronstadt attending 'Linda Ronstadt Concert' on July 19, 1984 at the Copa Room at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Betty Galella/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
The Tonight Show With Jay Leno - Season 7(17 of17)
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THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO -- Episode 1542 -- Pictured: Musicial guest Linda Ronstadt performs on February 9, 1999 -- (Photo by: Margaret Norton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)