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Carly Simon discloses Parkinson’s diagnosis after mobility decline
Developed over time first seen 4 months ago
Singer-songwriter Carly Simon has revealed in a letter to fans that she has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, explaining that worsening mobility problems she initially blamed on recovery from joint surgery turned out to be an early sign of the condition. The 83-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, best known for "You're So Vain", said arthritis in both knees and one hip led to three joint replacements, but her difficulty walking continued to worsen rather than improve, prompting further investigation that resulted in the Parkinson's diagnosis.
Simon said the condition affects her unpredictably, with some days leaving her too exhausted to function and others allowing her to think, work and feel more like herself. She also disclosed recent treatment for basal cell carcinoma on her face, which was successfully removed. Despite withdrawing from public life during this period, she has completed a new album, Comes in Waves, due out on 14 August, her first in nearly 20 years, recorded at her Martha's Vineyard home with her children Ben and Sally Taylor involved and produced by longtime collaborator Paul Samwell-Smith.
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In short
- Carly Simon, 83, discloses Parkinson's disease diagnosis in fan letter
- Mobility decline followed three joint replacements before diagnosis
- New album Comes in Waves, her first in 20 years, out 14 August
How this story developed
- 4 months ago Simon added a further personal detail to her account, noting that she had struggled even to rise from low chairs and couches as her mobility declined after the joint replacements, while reiterating that the illness affects her unpredictably and that lead single "Howl" from Comes in Waves is already available.
- 4 months ago Simon gave a fuller medical account, revealing that arthritis in both knees and one hip had required three separate joint replacements and that her walking difficulties kept worsening rather than improving afterwards, which is what ultimately prompted doctors to identify Parkinson's, while also naming Paul Samwell-Smith as producer of the forthcoming record.
- 4 months ago Carly Simon revealed in a letter to fans that she has Parkinson's disease, explaining that unpredictable fatigue and mobility issues she first mistook for after-effects of joint surgery led to the diagnosis, while also disclosing successful treatment for basal cell carcinoma and announcing her new album, Comes in Waves, out 14 August.
- Variety Carly Simon Reveals Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis: ‘I Have Not Stopped Living and I Have Not Stopped Working’
- Consequence Carly Simon Says She’s Living with Parkinson’s Disease
- Far Out Carly Simon reveals Parkinson’s diagnosis: “It is difficult, frustrating, and sometimes frightening”
- Rolling Stone Carly Simon discloses Parkinson’s diagnosis after mobility decline
Explained simply
Carly Simon is one of the best-known American singer-songwriters of the 1970s, famous above all for "You're So Vain", and a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Now 83, she has written to fans to explain a decline in her mobility, which she had initially put down to recovery from joint replacement surgery on her knees and hip.
She has since learned that the underlying cause is Parkinson's disease, a long-term neurological condition that affects movement and can cause symptoms such as stiffness, tremor and fatigue, and which tends to vary unpredictably from day to day. Her disclosure adds further detail to what is already known about her health, following earlier joint surgery and a separate, successfully treated skin cancer.
The story also touches on her music career, since she says the enforced quiet period during her illness allowed her to complete a new album, her first in almost two decades, recorded at her family home with her children involved in the process.
Coverage · 4 sources
- Rolling StoneCarly Simon discloses Parkinson’s diagnosis after mobility decline
- VarietyCarly Simon Reveals Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis: ‘I Have Not Stopped Living and I Have Not Stopped Working’
- ConsequenceCarly Simon Says She’s Living with Parkinson’s Disease
- Far OutCarly Simon reveals Parkinson’s diagnosis: “It is difficult, frustrating, and sometimes frightening”
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Rolling Stone as “Carly Simon Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis: ‘I Have Not Stopped Living’”.