Linda Ronstadt says Parkinson’s disease has robbed her of the ability to sing. The 67-year-old music legend was diagnosed eight months ago. Linda Ronstadt told AARP magazine that she “can’t sing a note.”

Linda Ronstadt said she first noticed the symptoms about eight years ago, but thought the trouble she had singing had to do with a disease she got from a tick bite. She said “my health has never recovered since then.” Linda Ronstadt was diagnosed eight months ago. Linda Ronstadt’s hands began shaking and she mistook that for the effects of a shoulder operation she’d had. Linda Ronstadt was diagnosed with the debilitating disease eight months ago

Linda Ronstadt told AARP magazine music writer Alanna Nash that she was "completely shocked" when she went to a neurologist who gave her the Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. She said "I wouldn't have suspected that in a million, billion years. No one can sing with Parkinson's disease. No matter how hard you try."

Linda Ronstadt told AARP Magazine, “I couldn’t sing, and I couldn’t figure out why. I knew it was mechanical. I knew it had to do with the muscles, but I thought it might have also had something to do with the tick disease that I had. And it didn’t occur to me to go to a neurologist. I think I’ve had it for seven or eight years already, because of the symptoms that I’ve had. Then I had a shoulder operation, so I thought that’s why my hands were trembling. Parkinson’s is very hard to diagnose, so when I finally went to a neurologist and he said, ‘Oh, you have Parkinson’s disease,’ I was completely shocked. I wouldn’t have suspected that in a million, billion years. No one can sing with Parkinson’s disease. No matter how hard you try.”

Linda Ronstadt was a music icon, selling millions of records in the 1970s, starting with her hit version of the Michael Nesmith (of the Monkees) song “Different Drum” with the Stone Poneys. Linda Ronstadt had country and pop hits with "You're No Good" and "When Will I Be Loved." Linda Ronstadt showed her versatility by recording in many genres including Broadway and pop standards and mariachi music.

The country music legend was as well known for her relationships as she was for her big, big voice. Linda Ronstadt dated California Gov. Jerry Brown and filmmaker George Lucas. Linda Ronstadt got into some small controversy when she played a concert wearing a Boy Scout’s uniform.

Now Linda Ronstadt needs to use poles to walk on uneven ground. When she is traveling, she needs to use a wheelchair.

Linda Ronstadt will be releasing her autobiography, Simple Dreams, on September 17, but she doesn’t touch on the loss of her voice or that she has been suffering with Parkinson’s disease.

Linda Ronstadt’s management has not made any comments. The full AARP Magazine interview will be released next week.