In an interview with an Irish newspaper, Janis Ian admitted a virus that led to vocal scarring means she's no longer able to perform. 

Ian hit the charts twice with two big songs: "Society's Child" in 1965, a tune about a white girl dating a black man that was way ahead of its time and was banned by some radio stations, and then resurfaced a decade later with another poignant piece of music, "At 17."

She claims she's not bitter about having to end that part of her life at age 72, but notes she can still write songs - and she is.

 Janis Ian refuses to be bitter about being unable to sing