After that, Ronstadt simply declined all invitations to do more.
Of course, one is always pleased to be asked, so tell them I said thank you.
Eight months ago, a medical diagnosis confirmed it.
(For more about Parkinson’s disease, see the box on page 4.)
In the exchange that follows, Ronstadt assesses her career and explains how her Parkinsons was detected.
Q: You wrote your musical memoir,Simple Dreams, entirely yourself.
Was that difficult for you?
A: Well, Id never written anything longer than a thank-you note before.
I never kept a diary or a journal.
Q: You talk in the book about your love for animals and your pet, Luna the cow.
A: Oh, Luna!
Q: You mean you have a tick disease now?
Q: Is that why we dont see so much of you?
A: I cant sing.
I have Parkinsons disease, which may be a result of that tick bite.
So I cant sing at all.
I kept thinking, What if I tried singing upside down?
Or standing on my head?
[Laughs] Maybe Id be able to sing better then.
So I didnt know why I couldnt sing all I knew was that it was muscular, or mechanical.
Then, when I was diagnosed with Parkinsons, I was finally given the reason.
I now understand that no one can sing with Parkinsons disease.
No matter how hard you try.
And in my case, I cant sing a note.
