Linda Ronstadt dubbed the “First Lady of Rock,” is a legendary singer-songwriter whose distinct mezzo-soprano voice can be heard in many chart-topping songs such as “You’re No Good” and “Blue Bayou.”
Despite her age and lengthy musical career, Linda’s followers cannot hear her sing today. During an interview with Maria Shriver, the 76-year-old superstar showed that she can still sing in her head, which she has done since she was a child.
Linda Ronstadt is regarded as one of the most successful female music artists of all time, having released over 30 studio albums over her career. Her songs traversed genres, from rock to country to pop and so much more, allowing her to reach a global audience.
Even today, her art continues to inspire many musicians of all ages. Although we can no longer hear Linda perform, it is apparent that she has left a legacy that will go on forever through her unforgettable songs.
Linda Ronstadt, a music industry legend, was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), an irreversible neurological condition, in 2013.
PSP is a rare disease that affects the brain cells that control thinking, movement, and coordination.
It is similar to Parkinson’s disease. According to a clinic, PSP symptoms often begin mildly but steadily develop over time and may appear in ways similar to other neurological disorders such as dementia.
Ronstadt had been having trouble with her voice for a long time before she was diagnosed, and at first, doctors thought it was a sign of Parkinson’s because of how similar the two diseases are.
Only after a thorough examination by her medical staff was the more exact diagnosis of PSP discovered.
Despite being lethal, PSP therapies have advanced significantly in recent years, allowing those living with the disorder to control their symptoms better.
Moving forward, Ronstadt stays optimistic about her prognosis and lives an entire life despite the limitations given by her health.
Linda Ronstadt has had to deal with a sickness that prevents her from singing in public. This understanding has been challenging for her because it means that she can only experience music within the limitations of her thoughts rather than expressing herself through a clear voice.
Though this still offers her joy, it’s different; the melody is no longer determined only by Ronstadt; she may choose the song herself at times, or her brain may choose it for her. Despite her best efforts, this new mode of expression frequently evades her control and understanding.
The singer-songwriter takes comfort in the knowledge that, despite her inability to create music outside, she can engage in it internally.
It’s reassuring for Ronstadt to know that even when she can’t physically generate music, song melodies will still exist in the deepness of her imagination, almost like a silent devotion made only for her ears.
Even if these mental songs aren’t always what she wants, they remind her of something bigger than herself that will never leave, no matter how many medical problems she faces.
Linda Ronstadt was more than annoyed; she was exasperated. She had no control over the melodies exploding out like familiar Christmas carols.
The experienced soprano, who has sold millions of CDs worldwide, recalls a time when her singing talent could only be heard by herself.
In the 1980s, she wanted to honor her Mexican origin by recording an album in Spanish, which no record label appeared interested in at the time.
That’s why Ronstadt decided to take matters into her own hands and develop something distinctive that reflected her culture and identity.
The result was a ground-breaking effort that highlighted her vocal ability and cultural history throughout, as well as important messages about what it means to be a member of such a vibrant society.
This was especially true because, at the time, being Mexican-American meant there wasn’t much place for expression or acknowledgment within mainstream music genres.
Her desire to pursue this project is admirable, given how few possibilities were available for persons like herself at the time.
Despite this, Linda Ronstadt managed to create an incredible work of art that would be remembered for the rest of her life – a monument to her creative vision and inner strength.
She couldn’t listen when she remembered being advised not to go on this voyage. She received the intense sensation that Mexicans were overlooked, disrespected, and pushed to the margins of society with little recognition or exposure.
People would frequently expect them to perform basic jobs such as dishwashing in the kitchen or domestic work without any other means of advancement.
Linda Ronstadt released her first Spanish-language album, ‘Canciones de Mi Padre,’ in 1987, which featured Mexican Mariachi music.
Linda’s tireless efforts to bring traditional Mexican music to the public spotlight and bridge cultural boundaries between North America and Latin America were recognized by the Recording Academy and admitted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2021.
