Linda Ronstadt - ‘In My Mind, I Can Still Sing'
People|September 16, 2019
Parkinson’s Diseases To Le The Rock Icon’s Singing Voice , But As A New Documentary Shows, Her Spirits Till Burns Strong
Kim Hubbard
Linda Ronstadt - ‘In My Mind, I Can Still Sing'

No one can sing about heartbreak quite like Linda Ronstadt (cue “Long Long Time” or “Blue Bayou”). But if you ask the 73-year-old music icon what was on her mind when she poured such pain and longing into those soul-piercing ballads, you won’t hear a tale of lost love. “Oh, I thought about different things,” she says. “It might just be about going to the store for pickles and they didn’t have the kind you liked. Sorrow comes in many forms.”

That’s something she knows for sure. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, the 10-time Grammy winner and ’70s hit machine— who made her name with rock anthems like “You’re No Good” along with the ballads —has been unable to sing since 2009. The loss was devastating, but she’s matter-of-fact about that as well. “I was sad,” she says. “But there’s nothing I can do about it. I learned how to live.”

This story is from the September 16, 2019 edition of People.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 16, 2019 edition of People.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PEOPLEView All
HOW JASON GOULD RECLAIMED HIS VOICE
People US

HOW JASON GOULD RECLAIMED HIS VOICE

THE HOLLYWOOD HEIR REVEALS WHY HE WAS HESITANT TO FOLLOW IN HIS FAMOUS PARENTS' FOOTSTEPS

time-read
3 mins  |
April 08, 2024
INSIDE THE MEMORY CARD MURDERS
People US

INSIDE THE MEMORY CARD MURDERS

A WOMAN WHO STOLE A MAN'S PHONE WHILE ON A DATE LEADS POLICE IN ALASKA TO A GRUESOME DISCOVERY

time-read
4 mins  |
April 08, 2024
REBEL WILSON - 'T'M PROUD OF WHAT I'VE OVERCOME
People US

REBEL WILSON - 'T'M PROUD OF WHAT I'VE OVERCOME

IN A BOLD NEW MEMOIR, THE PITCH PERFECT STAR OPENS UP ABOUT HER PAINFUL PAST AND HER SURPRISING JOURNEY TO LOVE AND MOTHERHOOD

time-read
6 mins  |
April 08, 2024
Kate's Cancer Rocks the Monarchy
People US

Kate's Cancer Rocks the Monarchy

FACING A STORM OF RUMORS, THE ROYAL MOM OF 3 REVEALS A DEVASTATING DIAGNOSIS JUST WEEKS AFTER KING CHARLES DISCLOSED THAT HE TOO HAS CANCER. HOW THE ROYAL FAMILY IS COPING WITH THE UNPRECEDENTED CRISIS

time-read
6 mins  |
April 08, 2024
Charles Spencer's Boarding School Nightmare
People US

Charles Spencer's Boarding School Nightmare

IN A HEARTBREAKING NEW MEMOIR, THE HISTORIAN AND BROTHER OF PRINCESS DIANA REVEALS THE SECRET ABUSE HE SUFFERED BEGINNING AT AGE 8

time-read
7 mins  |
March 25, 2024
DIVING-ACCIDENT SURVIVOR MARK RAYMOND JR.'Being a Quadriplegic Is My Superpower'
People US

DIVING-ACCIDENT SURVIVOR MARK RAYMOND JR.'Being a Quadriplegic Is My Superpower'

AFTER LOSING THE ABILITY TO WALK, THIS ACTIVIST DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO HELPING THOSE WITH DISABILITIES REACH THEIR POTENTIAL

time-read
2 mins  |
March 25, 2024
AYESHA CURRY & LINDSAY LOHAN FRIENDSHIP, BABIES & DOUBLE DATES
People US

AYESHA CURRY & LINDSAY LOHAN FRIENDSHIP, BABIES & DOUBLE DATES

THE IRISH WISH COSTARS ARE BFFS, AND CURRY IS GODMOTHER TO LOHAN'S LITTLE BOY. THEY TALK ABOUT MOTHERHOOD AND THEIR NEW MOVIE

time-read
3 mins  |
March 25, 2024
MARK WAHLBERG IS FEELING BLESSED
People US

MARK WAHLBERG IS FEELING BLESSED

AT 52, THE ARTHUR THE KING ACTOR IS CHOOSIER ABOUT HIS PROJECTS, AFFORDING HIM MORE TIME WITH HIS FAMILY AT THEIR NEW HOME IN NEVADA

time-read
2 mins  |
March 25, 2024
Sexual Abuse & Exploitation THE DARK SIDE OF KIDS' TV
People US

Sexual Abuse & Exploitation THE DARK SIDE OF KIDS' TV

NICKELODEON SHOWS LOOKED LIKE FUN. FOR CHILD ACTORS, THEY WERE HARD WORK OR WORSE

time-read
2 mins  |
March 25, 2024
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE & JAMIE-LYNN SIGLER LIVING WITH MS 'We Are Helping Each Other Through This'
People US

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE & JAMIE-LYNN SIGLER LIVING WITH MS 'We Are Helping Each Other Through This'

AFTER LEARNING SHE HAD MS IN 2021, APPLEGATE TURNED TO SIGLER, WHO HAS LIVED WITH THE CHRONIC DISEASE FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS. THE ACTRESSES OPEN UP ABOUT THEIR POWERFUL FRIENDSHIP AND THEIR RAW AND REAL NEW PODCAST Messy

time-read
6 mins  |
March 25, 2024