Linda Ronstadt confronts Parkinson's

These days, it's hard for Linda Ronstadt to get around without her forearm crutches.

The debilitating effects of Parkinson's disease require her to relax for a few minutes before starting an interview. But once she's ready, the 67-year-old has full command of her voice, even though she's no longer able to sing.

Ronstadt's voice was one of music's great treasures, anchoring hits such as When Will I Be Loved and You're No Good and hop-scotching across genres including pop, rock, jazz and folk. She's sold more than 30 million albums.

While her singing voice has been silenced, she's expressing herself in her memoir, Simple Dreams.

It touches on the many milestones in her career, though more personal matters, like her high-profile romances with Jerry Brown and others, are briefly mentioned or not at all. It also doesn't discuss her Parkinson's diagnosis, which came after the book was written.

Ronstadt spoke to The Associated Press about the book and battling the degenerative disease, among other topics.

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Q: HOW HAVE YOU ADAPTED TO LIVING WITH PARKINSON'S?

A: I have to ask people to do things for me that are hard. That's been the hardest thing, I think. It's harder to go out and do things. I'm not driving anymore. I'm not quite sure of my reflexes.

I don't want to go anyplace where I might get confused. I can really drive fine but I just don't go out by myself that much anymore. I live like a person with a disability now.

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Linda Ronstadt confronts Parkinson's