Linda Ronstadt: Positivity and Inspiration in the Face of Parkinson's Disease

This may not be a true music story, but you may find it to be more of a medical story. However, I thought this would be appropriate, because it concerns a music legend whom we may never see equaled in our lifetimes.

Last Friday I heard some grim news that shocked the music world and absolutely broke my heart. It was reported that legendary singer Linda Ronstadt has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The pop/rock icon says she was diagnosed with the disease eight months ago, but just now came public with the news in light of her upcoming memoir "Simple Dreams," set to be released on September 17th.

Ronstadt (pictured in 1977) on the cover of her memoir

Ronstadt says she cannot sing a note, bringing an end to a remarkable 40 year career. The singer was groundbreaking in the country-rock movement of the late '60s and early '70s, becoming the first true female rock star and paving the way for generations of female artists. Ronstadt became the best-selling female artist of the 1970s, later branching out into other musical genres throughout the '80s, '90s, and 2000s, including American standards, Mexican, jazz, Cajun, and children's music.

When I heard this news it was shocking to say the least. I already knew that Linda had retired from recording and performing for the most part, having performed her last show in 2009. But the news on Friday of her diagnosis of Parkinson's disease just confirmed that perhaps the greatest female voice ever has now sadly been silenced.

But the sadness I feel is not just because Linda no longer has the ability to sing. I feel for her even more as a person than as an artist. I can relate to this life-altering situation that Linda is now facing, having dealt with a similar disease in my own family. My grandmother succumbed to Huntington's disease in 2005 and my father most recently in 2009. My two older brothers and myself are at 50% risk for the disease, which is hereditary. I will soon turn 40 but I'm not showing any signs. And as far as I know, my brothers are doing fine also. But this revelation for Linda has made me even more conscious than ever before, of a reality that I have to deal with. 

I had thought about becoming more educated about Huntington's, and I've had a number of people suggest I become an advocate for the disease. Now I know that I just have to do something about it. If there is something I can do to help raise awareness of the disease and to help find a cure, I will do it. I also want to help in any way I can for Parkinson's disease. I know that Linda will seek the best treatment for herself and get the best of care. But maybe there is something I can do.

I actually have an idea for a book, among many others. I want to write a book on neurodegenerative disorders, for which I would do research, interview people with these particular types of disorders, people who have dealt with them in their families, and then also talk about my own experiences in dealing with disease in my own family.

Ronstadt relaxing at her home in San Francisco in 2013.

Exactly one month from now, I will be on vacation in Northern California; visiting my cousin, seeing the sights, and also looking into a few job opportunities. But the highlight of my trip will no doubt be the highlight of my life. I am going to meet Linda in person in San Francisco on September 26, just one of her appearances she is doing in promotion of her memoir. This is something I've been dreaming about for a vey long time. This lady is very special to me, and it is apparent how much she is still loved and cared about by all her fans. The outpouring of love, thoughts and prayers on Facebook and Twitter has been tremendous.

To me personally, Linda means more than I can describe. Not only do I love her incredible voice and music, but I've come to respect and admire Linda as a person. I've been captivated by her beauty, but now I see that her beauty on the outside shines from within her. I appreciate the sincerity, the class, and the integrity she has shown throughout the years. In today's society and especially in the entertainment world, those are qualities that are very rare indeed. I think the only thing left for me to say that sums it all up is this. There is no one in this world I want to meet more than Linda. She has been an inspiration to me in so many ways. As Linda stated in a recent interview with AARP, "you always learn more from failure than success. I really believe that," she said. "I think adversity is a great teacher." What a super lady!