Posted in: Musicouching by lanne on January 6th, 2008 | 12 Comments
Every genre of music has an especially talented musician that stands out above the rest. Here are five outstanding musicians who’s talent stands out in five different genres of music.
Born Stevland Hardaway Junkins, on May 13, 1950, Stevie Wonder has been blind since infancy. At the ripe old age of 13, Stevie had his first major hit with Mowtown Records. He still records for the label today.
Born blind and into severe poverty in North Carolina, Milsap`s mother thought that her son’s blindness was a punishment from god. She could not have been more wrong. The only other country music star to have more #1 hits was Conway Twitty.
Jose was born blind on September 10 1945 in Puerto Rico. He has recorded nearly 70 albums in both English and Spanish. Because he refuses to forget his humble beginnings, he is considered a humanitarian and an ambassador of good will across the world. In spite of his success he is very humble and says he has just begun to share his talent.
Jeff was born in Toronto on March 25, 1966 as Norman Jeffery Healey. Jeff lost his sight at one year old due to cancer, yet began to play the guitar at the age of three, developing his unique style of playing it on his lap. On January 11 2007 Jeff underwent surgery to remove cancerous tissue from both lungs.
Ray was born on September 23, 1930 to parents who never married. Ray began going blind at 6 and was totally blind by age 7. Ray had several #1 recordings over the years, despite a 20 year addiction to herion. On April 24, 1979, his version of Georgia on My Mind was proclaimed the official state song of Georgia. Ray Charles died of liver cancer on June 10, 2004.
Ruby Hawk January 6th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Ronnie Milsap was one of my favorites as was Ray Charles.
Darlene McFarlane January 6th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
A good article. As much as I would like to listen to the clips, I won’t. They aren’t going to ding me for a penny until I can get rid of this ISP.
B. A. January 6th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Once again, a very interesting read. A little entertainment,,a little information. I spent a delightful time checking out your page.
Thank you.
Lucy Lockett January 6th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Exceptional article, I love all of these musicians!
francie January 7th, 2008 at 12:42 am
Good article, I really love all these artists although I do not think I know much of Jeff Healey. I enjoyed listening to all, Thanks!
louie jerome January 7th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Great article, I’m really into blues music, I play it on clarinet so the Ray Charles clipwas my favourite.
Bob Brancato February 13th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Excellent choices! May I suggest “The Blind Boys of Alabama”. They’ve been performing together for over 60 years. Try their album, “Higher Ground”. Truly amazing.
To commenter francie regarding Jeff Healey. Either rent the movie “Roadhouse” or watch cable TV. It’s on almost every day it seems!
Ben Willis April 23rd, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I wish you had a folk and/or instrumentalist catagory for Doc Watson.
Alex June 6th, 2008 at 12:54 am
Opera: Andrea Bocelli. Good Article.
Marc April 11th, 2009 at 11:17 am
What can do Jose Feliciano with over 30 instruments but especially with the guitar and vocal is incredible, out of this world!
Fizz March 12th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
The success of just these few musicians make the star of the documentary film, “Blindsided,” seem little more than a commonplace person amplified to “celebrity” status through a publicity stunt. Please. In reference to Blindsided, other people are blind. Other families have been torn apart because they don’t know how to stay logical under pressure. Big deal. As far as Blindsided the movie goes, becoming a musician through blindness is NOTHING NEW.
On the flip side, look at these guys! They made it, they’re awesome, they’re doing just fine and they seem extra great because they had to go through the hardship of being blind. Let’s not have any pity parties for the blind. I’d rather rock on with them and be thrilled to see what individuals can overcome when faced with adversities. Meaning…I guess I don’t care how they got to where they are as long as they got there.
realityspeaks January 5th, 2012 at 4:36 am
Excellent post