Linda Ronstadt Has Parkinson’s Disease and Can No Longer Sing [VIDEO]

"You're No Good." "It's So Easy." They were part of my childhood. And now the powerful voice that sent those classics through our radio speakers in the 1970s has been muted.

Pop and rock legend Linda Ronstadt has Parkinson's disease and is no longer able to sing. The music icon recently told AARP Magazine that she was diagnosed with the debilitating neurological disorder some eight months ago and it has robbed her of her singing voice.

How sad to have one of the greatest voices of all time silenced this way. Now, I suppose, at some point, people DO retire, but acts like Tina Turner, Tony Bennett, and the late, great Frank Sinatra are among those who were still on stage past 70. I guess what I'm saying is, it's one thing to decide to quit; it's quite another to have your talent taken from you like that.

Ronstadt was a radio staple in the 70s with "..No Good" and "..Easy" plus other trademark smashes like "When Will I Be Loved" and "Blue Bayou." Those last two plus songs like "Love Is a Rose" and "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" made her a big country star as well. She was named 1974's Best New Female Artist by the Academy of Country Music and has won three Grammys in country music categories.

Because of Parkinson's disease, Linda Ronstadt now must also use poles when walking on uneven ground and a wheelchair while traveling.

Ronstadt's new memoir, Simple Dreams, will be released on September 17th.