Seven Disabled Musicians

Brian Wilson
One of the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson has been able to put a lot into his band, often providing backing vocals, keyboards, bass, and sometimes even lead vocals. Most importantly, Wilson is the primary songwriter for the band. In 1988, the Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, many wouldn't guess that Wilson has hardly any hearing in his right ear, which many suspect was caused by his father for hitting him in the head or a bully who used to hit him. Wilson is also said to have schizoaffective disorder, a form of bipolar disorder. In any case, Wilson has been able to put his disabilities aside and continue to play and tour with the band.

Michael Bolton
Michael Bolton is most notably known for his soft rock ballads, as well as his past a heavy metal singer for Black jack. However, many don't know that Bolton is deaf in one ear. He first came to the forefront after co-2riting How Am I Supposed to Live Without You? as well as for singing Gloria, a disco hit at the time. In the late 1980s, Bolton joined the easy listening genre and did a cover of Otis Redding's (Sittin' On) the Cock of the Bay as well as Georgia on My Mind. He also got into composing songs for other artists, including Kiss, Patti LaBelle, Kenny G, and many others.

Tony Iommi
Known for being the sole constant band member of Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi has definitely been able to overcome his disability. As a guitarist for the band, you would think that Iommi would need all of his fingers in order to play properly. However, at the age of 17, due to an industrial factory accident, Iommi lost the tips of his middle and ring finger on his right hand. To accommodate for this, Iommi took his disability in his own hands and created plastic covers to put over his fingers. To do this, he melted plastic soap bottles, molded them to his fingers, and then carved and shaped them to be suitable for playing guitar and covered them with leather. Today he wears custom made tips.

Rick Allen
At the age of five, Rick Allen seemed to know becoming a drummer was for him. Over the years Allen became even better at playing the drums, and soon tried out to become a drummer for Def Leppard, who at the time was in need of a drummer. In 1987, Allen became a member of the band, and in 1980 the band's first album was released. However, in 1984, Allen was in a car accident. Due to a seatbelt injury, he lost his arm, which was at first reattached, but then had to be taken off due to infection. To accommodate for his missing arm, Allen got specially made drum kits, since he knew he could still keep a beat with just one hand.

Ludwig van Beethoven
Despite the fact that he lived centuries ago, Beethoven today still has a lasting impact on classical music. German in decent, Beethoven is the most well-known composer when examining the transition between the Classical era into the Romantic period. In the 1790s, Beethoven slowly began to lose his hearing, but continued to play, compose, and conduct. Eventually he became entirely deaf, yet he didn't let his disability stop him. To continue to play, he used a rod that was attached to a piano soundboard that he'd bite and would vibrate so that his sound perception was increased.

Ray Charles
Ray Charles is most definitely a legend in the music industry. Not many can do what he did, which was to bring country music to an entirely new level by bringing a new soulful sound to it. He has been called a legend and genius by Frank Sinatra, and has even appeared in hit movies, like The Blues Brothers. Charles plays the piano, sings, and acts, and all while being blind. Though not born blind, his eyesight started to deteriorate around age five, and he was completely blind when he turned seven. Despite his disability, Charles was able to provide hit songs, most notably Georgia on My Mind and Hit the Road Jack.


Stevie Wonder
As an American singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and record producer, Stevie Wonder definitely deserves a spot on the list. Despite the fact that he was born blind, Wonder has been able to inspire many and continues to provide great lyrics and music. He has been successful since the early 1960s, and today continued to play his music. Signed with Motown Records at 11, Wonder has been able to produce more than 30 top ten hits in the U.S. During his career, he has also received 22 Grammy Awards and even a Lifetime Achievement Award. Wonder has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.