celebguru.com

Top 10 greatest blind musicians

Success, as manifested time and again, is not a slave of supposed essentials that people may believe to be the ultimate need for one to set out on the path leading to achievements. Many visually challenged musicians have done well on the music scene despite the obvious problems that they may have encountered while learning to use different instruments and then mastering the same to reach the pinnacle of excellence. Here we chronicle the musicians who excelled despite the odds they were up against.

1. Blind Willie Johnson

Blind Willie Johnson

His time spent at the Church of God in Christ, Marlin, Texas, encouraged him to take up music. He lost his eyesight at the age of seven but his musical growth continued. Singing the gospel accompanied by blues music, played using a guitar, on street corners, marked the beginning of his public performances. It is believed that his slide guitar playing skills were unparalleled. The music he recorded, from 1927 to 1930 with Columbia records, was a hit with people, despite the economic depression.

2. George Shearing

George Shearing

The London born famous Jazz musician grew up playing the tunes he heard, on the radio, on the piano . He was offered university scholarships for learning music. Instead, he chose to work at local pubs, gradually gaining prominence. He joined an all blind orchestra in 1937. Having achieved success as a solo pianist and in collaboration with others he moved to New York in 1947. In 1949, he recorded September in the Rain. It sold 900,000 copies. Lullaby of Birdland, recorded in 1952, was his greatest success. He was knighted in 2007.

3. Andrea Bocelli

Andrea Bocelli

The opera vocalist and pop ballad singer, termed as the Fourth Tenor, was born in Italy with partially enabled vision. His initiation into the world of music started at the age of six. He learnt to play piano, flute and saxophone. By the age of twelve, he completely lost his eyesight. He earned a doctorate in Law before pursuing his interest in music under tenor Franco Corelli. He recorded his first song in 1992 with Bono of U2 fame. His 1999 duet, The Prayer, with Celine Dion, won him a Grammy nomination for the Best New Artist.

4. Ray Charles

Ray Charles

Born in 1930, Charles Ray lost his eyesight at the age of seven. He learned piano as a child and exhibited a talent even with the lyrics. After completing his education he moved to Seattle to begin a career spanning decades. Innumerable accolades came his way, from the 17 Grammys, 8 honorary doctoral degrees to felicitations from heads of states. Genius Loves Company, his 2004 album and his last piece of work, sold more than 5 million copies.

5. Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder

The child prodigy had learnt to play instruments such as harmonica, piano and drums by the age of ten. An audition with Motown founder led to the release of his first recorded album at the age of 12. He went on to belt out great hits in the 1970s and the 1980s, bagging 25 Grammies in the process, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction came in 1989.

6. Blind Willie McTell

Blind Willie McTell

He was born in 1898 and completed his schooling in Georgia, Macon and New York while he learnt to play a 12 string guitar and harmonica. His recording career spanned three decades from 1927 to 1956. Blind Sammie, Geogia Bill, Red Hot Willie Glaze and Blind Willie are some of the albums he released with various record labels.

7. Jose Feliciano

Jose Feliciano

The Puerto Rico born artist, who moved to New York with his family as a child, learned to play guitar on his own by listening to records. He started performing in clubs at the age of 17 and signed his first recording contract at the age of 18. His Spanish work in the late 1960s made him a star in the Latin American countries. Later, he gained recognition even with his English language work. Hollywood Walk of Fame honor came in 1987. He continues to tour countries around the world with his music.

8. Andy Slater

Andy Slater

His suffering from retinitis pigmentosa did not come in the way when it came to learning music and eventually becoming a lead singer in the Velcro Lewis Group. He was the first blind student at the School of Art Institute. He strives for perfection in his work which sets the tone for the quality of his work.

9. Art Tatum

Art Tatum

He was born in 1909 in Ohio. He was partially sighted in one eye and blind in the other. He is billed as the greatest Jazz pianist of all times. As a child, his self teaching initiatives were coupled with formal training at the Toledo School of Music. He recorded for the first time in 1933 in New York. He worked on 69 tracks which remain an inspiration for many till date.

10. Nobuyuk Tsujii

Nobuyuk Tsujii

The 1988 born Japanese Pianist has gained international recognition over the last few years. The pianist started his formal training at the age of four and went on to win several prizes in music, starting from the age of seven. He has also released several music albums since. His win at the Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2009 catapulted him to international fame.

Today's Top Articles:

Scroll to Top