Recently, Linda Ronstadt announced that she has multiple sclerosis and can no longer sing. She’d had symptoms for seven or eight years but was diagnosed only recently because of voice issues. The news shocked and devastated her as well as fans around the world. I felt deeply saddened because she was one of the truly great voices of her time in the ’70s and ’80s. Today in the era of wannabe singers and auto-tuning, Linda had an amazing vocal range from rock (When Will I Be Loved) to operatic (Pirates of Penzance).
So today, I present her Roy Orbison cover, Blue Bayou, which hit #3 on the the Billboard 100 in 1977.
Enjoy.
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I’ve completely fallen asleep at the switch in publicizing KRA week. However, I hope to redeem myself with a post about Richard III in my own strange fashion tomorrow. Stay tuned. In the meantime, KRA 2013 Week is in its 5 day! Head over to the KRA fan initiative website here for more and take part in the yearly quizz. You can sign the petition here.
I’ve spent many a Serene Sunday listening to Linda Ronstadt. Really sorry to hear she can no longer sing. I’m going to listen to “Lush Life” today to remind me.
Yes, it’s so sad. MS is such a terrible disease.
Ah, Linda. I hope she keeps well. This was my favorite recording of hers — owned it on cassette, which has long since disappeared:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqE7HK_KUjk
So sad to hear this news. Linda R. will always be one of my favourite female vocalists.