5 Top Famous Blind Musicians
Listed below are some famous blind musicians who have made their mark on the world of music. These include Ronnie Milsap, Stevie Wonder, Padraig O’Briain, and Nobuyuki Tsujii. If you’re curious about who these musicians are, read on to learn more.
Ronnie Milsap
Born blind, Ronnie Milsap grew up in the Great Smoky Mountains. His parents divorced when he was young and his grandparents took him in. He studied at the Governor Moorhead School for the Blind in Raleigh, North Carolina, and studied classical music, guitar, and violin. In his early teens, he decided to pursue music professionally. In 1973, he signed with RCA Records and released his first country single, “I Hate You.” It reached No. 10 on the country chart and helped establish his stardom.
At the age of 14, Milsap lost limited vision in his left eye. He had plans to become a lawyer but soon decided to take up music full-time. While attending Young Harris College in Young Harris, GA, he joined a local R&B group, Dimensions. They played at the Royal Peacock Club. Milsap then declined a scholarship to law school to focus on his passion for music. While at the Royal Peacock Club, he met Joyce Reeves, whom he married in 1965.
During the 1980s, Milsap’s career took off. He became one of the most successful male performers in country music, scoring seven consecutive No. 1 singles, including “It Was Almost Like a Song,” which peaked at No. 16 on the Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart. In 2001, he won the Academy of Country Music’s Pioneer Award.
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder and other famous blind musicians have achieved great success and notoriety, even though they cannot see well. The Grammy-winning musician has been recognized for his contributions to music, culture, and society. He is over six feet tall and was the youngest artist to have a #1 single on the Billboard charts. Many musicians who are able to see struggle to keep up with Stevie.
Stevie Wonder’s first album, ‘Music of My Mind’, came out in early 1972. The album reached number 21 in the pop charts and marked the start of a brand new career for the musician. The album was produced by Wonder himself and he played all the instruments and recorded nearly all of the parts on it. The music was lauded by critics and the album was certified as a masterpiece, but it also received criticism for being self-indulgent.
After a decade of non-stop releases, Stevie Wonder started to slow down his release schedule. He recorded a soundtrack for the movie Jungle Fever and the music from the film starred Michael Jackson. The album included songs like ‘Send One Your Love’, which topped the charts. A new Stevie Wonder album, ‘A Time To Love’, was released in 2005.
Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross performed on street corners and at dances. Before releasing his first album, Stevie Wonder attended Fitzgerald Elementary School. Later, he transferred to the Michigan School for the Blind.
Padraig O’Briain
Padraig O’Bria’s enduring legacy goes beyond music. He was a gifted Latin scholar and native Irish speaker. He was blind at the age of 26. Still, he continued to play music for a meager living in Limerick. His performance was filmed for a first-ever live DVD. In 2006, O Briain completed a third tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland, including performances at the Theatre Royal in London. He also performed nine times at the Vicar Street Theatre in Dublin. His fourth tour, including a show in the United States, was conducted in late 2007.
While blindness often accompanies disability, O’Briain was able to use his remaining sight to play traditional Irish music. He was born in County Clare and was an aspiring scholar who studied classical languages. At the age of 26, he lost his sight and went on to become a traveling musician. He became famous as the ‘Limerick Piper’.
During the 1980s, O Briain was able to make a living playing music. His fame grew and he was often called upon to perform on stage and on the television. In the 1990s, he was an ambassador for Irish music. The show was nominated for a Bafta for Best Live Television Event. During the same decade, O Briain teamed up with Jack Dee for Through Hell and High Water, an event that involved British celebrities canoeing the rapids of the Zambezi River. This event raised more than PS1 million for Comic Relief.
A century ago, a group of blind musicians began developing in Ireland. These musicians developed their craft and were able to play traditional Irish music. Turlough O’Carolan, Ireland’s greatest composer of the Baroque period, did not have to notate his music. His music consisted of single-line melodies that were embellished with harmony.
Jeff Healy
Canadian-born blind guitar virtuoso Jeff Healy has become one of the most famous blind musicians. Born without sight due to retinoblastoma, Healy started playing guitar when he was just a toddler. He started playing on his lap, using all five fingers for effects. He also bent the strings using his thumb.
The first time Jeff Healy played his guitar, he was only three years old. He began learning to play the instrument by himself, sitting in his lap and playing with the guitar. Then, as a young man, he formed his own band and began performing in and around Toronto. The band quickly found international fame, and Jeff Healy’s song “Angel Eyes” reached number five on the main American chart, despite the fact that he was born blind.
His early musical inspiration came from country stylists such as Chet Atkins. He also studied music theory on his own. In 1985, he formed a band with bassist Joe Rockman and drummer Tom Stephen. The band played hundreds of concerts each year. In 1988, Jeff Healey signed with Arista Records. His second album, “Follow My Step”, included an appearance by George Harrison.
Although he was born blind, his life is a story of survival. His parents abandoned him at the age of three, but his adoptive parents encouraged him to use his hearing to make music. He practiced guitar every day, but he was uncomfortable playing it from the hip. He adapted his guitar playing techniques by sitting on his knees and hitting the strings with his knees.
Art Tatum
Art Tatum was born in 1909 in Toledo, Ohio. As a child, he developed a keen sensitivity for intonation and pitch. Although he received limited formal training, he quickly developed a unique style of playing the piano. His contemporaries, including jazz legends Charlie Parker and Vladimir Horowitz, were awestruck by his talent.
In the 1940s, he gained wide fame with his trio. He also performed solo performances that continue to awe audiences. His performances are considered some of the finest music of the twentieth century. This article will discuss some of the major events in his life. This article provides an overview of some of his most famous works.
Tatum began his career by playing on Toledo radio when he was seventeen. Soon after, he made his first recording, and he was discovered by the legendary pianist, Adelaide Hall. In 1932, he travelled to New York and began playing in various jazz clubs. His records were commercially successful, but his popularity waned as bebop gained momentum. However, in 1989, he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His style of music influenced many of his contemporaries, and he was considered one of the greatest piano players of all time.
Though he was born blind, Art Tatum was able to achieve fame as a pianist. In fact, he played so well at a jazz club that other pianists idolized him. His music made him sound like God was in the house, and many considered him a creative genius. Others claimed that his technique concealed his lack of creativity.