Unexpected musical partnerships that rocked the charts
The punk/new wave legend contracted polio as a child, which paralyzed his left leg, shoulder, and arm. He was dependent on a cane and leg braces throughout his life, but never let his physical limitations hinder his energetic stage performances.
The pioneer of jazz guitar suffered extensive first and second degree burns all over his body in a fire, leaving two of his left fingers paralyzed. He adapted and developed a distinctive two-finger guitar technique that made him famous.
Def Leppard's drummer, Rick Allen, lost his left arm in a car accident. He continued drumming using a custom-designed electronic drum kit, proving that determination can overcome severe physical obstacles.
The heavy metal guitarist from Black Sabbath lost the tips of his middle and ring finger on his right hand, in a factory accident. He was told he'd never play again. He made prostheses for his fingertips himself and retuned his guitar to make it easier to play.
He was born blind due to a congenital condition and defied his disability to become a celebrated jazz pianist and composer. He invented the characteristic 'shearing sound' through block chords and impeccable timing and triumphed over all adversity.
Sources: (Allmusic)
See also: Legendary musicians and their signature instruments
Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie became deaf at 12 years old. She relies on her ability to sense vibrations, to make music. She is a master of percussion instruments and has won multiple Grammy awards.
The Italian tenor was visually impaired at birth, and became completely blind in childhood due to a soccer accident at age 12. Nothing stopped him pursuing a career in opera and classical music, however, and he's since gained international recognition.
As a deaf rapper and songwriter, Sean Forbes has incorporated American Sign Language as well as visual storytelling into his music videos. This makes it more accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing.
Another icon of music history, Ray Charles lost his sight at a young age due to glaucoma. He developed his unique style mixing gospel, jazz, and R&B to become a Grammy Award winner.
The famous violinist contracted polio when he was four years old, which left him unable to walk without leg braces or crutches. He went on to become one of the greatest violinists of our time. "I can’t walk very well, but I’m not onstage to do walking," he told NPR.
The Spanish pianist lost almost all his sight at the age of three, due to diphtheria. By 1948, he was completely blind. He composed numerous works for guitar and piano and left a lasting influence on classical music.
Vic Chesnutt became an incomplete quadriplegic due to a 1983 car accident, when he was just 18 years old. This didn't stop the indie singer-songwriter from becoming influential, as he went on to express his thoughts and feelings through his music, frequently recording and touring.
The Puerto Rican singer and guitarist, born blind as a result of congenital glaucoma. He's known for his soulful voice and exceptional guitar skills, with hits like 'Feliz Navidad' and a successful career spanning several decades.
This successful singer has lost her hearing due to a connective tissue disease, when she was just 18 years old. She uses visual tuners and vibration to stay in tune, impressing audiences and judges on shows like 'America's Got Talent.'
Derek Paravicini was blinded in the first weeks of life by an overdose of oxygen therapy, given while he was in a neonatal care unit for prematurely born babies. Despite his vision impairment, he has the extraordinary ability to play the piano and improvise music.
The influential soul and R&B musician was paralyzed from the neck down after a stage accident. He continued his music career and advocated for social change, in 1996 releasing what would be his final album, 'New World Order.'
The rock singer and songwriter was born with spina bifida, a neural-tube defect in which the spine and the spinal cord don't develop properly. He had corrective surgery as an infant and later became a successful musician known for hits such including 'Pink Houses' and 'Jack and Diane.'
Legendary musician Stevie Wonder has been blind since childhood. Despite this, Wonder taught himself to play the harmonica at just five years old. He went on to become piano prodigy and a talented composer.
This Australian musician was born blind and struggled with chronic health problems throughout his life. He used his music to share the culture and stories of the Yolngu people of northeastern Arnhem Land.
This R&B legend was also paralyzed from the chest down following a car accident in 1982. He continued to create soulful music and became an icon of the genre.
The iconic leader of the Grateful Dead lost most of his right middle finger in a childhood accident. However, his remarkable guitar playing made him a popular figure in the world of rock music.
Les Paul was involved in a near-fatal car accident in his youth that shattered his right arm and elbow. His arm was set in a permanent, immovable position at less than 90 degrees. He would become a pioneering musician and inventor of the solid-body electric guitar, who revolutionized the world of music with his guitar designs and groundbreaking recordings.
Beethoven began to suffer hearing problems in his twenties. By the time he was in his mid-forties, he was completely deaf. When he could no longer hear the full range of frequencies in music that he had before, he adapted by using the lower notes he heard more clearly in his compositions.
The stories of these musicians are a testament to the human ability to adapt, innovate, and create profound art; even in the midst of personal adversity. Click on to discover the musicians who overcame all the obstacles, so even the most difficult circumstances couldn't silence the music!
Famous musicians with disabilities
Nothing could stop the music
MUSIC Artists
Some remarkable musicians have overcome physical disabilities to play or sing, demonstrating how nothing should stand in the way of our dreams. They managed to defy all the odds to create extraordinary melodies, proving where there's a will, there is always a way. Visually impaired legends like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles became icons and captured the hearts of millions with their soulful songs. Guitarist Django Reinhardt turned a devastating fire accident into an opportunity for innovation. In the rock world, drummer Rick Allen of Def Leppard overcame serious accidents, to reshape his instruments and reinvent his sound.
The stories of these musicians are a testament to the human ability to adapt, innovate, and create profound art; even in the midst of personal adversity. Click on to discover the musicians who overcame all the obstacles, so even the most difficult circumstances couldn't silence the music!