Photo via Universal Motown
As the French playwright Moliere said, "The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it." There are countless talented musicians in the world and throughout musical history, but rare is the musician who truly stands out in talent, drive, and humility. Overcoming personal battles is not uncommon in the arts; our experiences turn into art and drive us to create.
We owe much of our contemporary musical perception to Beethoven, who expanded on the works of Bach and Mozart. Beethoven proved again and again with his extravagant and groundbreaking work that physical limits are meant to be broken. In more contemporary times, Stevie Wonder, Rick Allen, and the late Ray Charles continue to demonstrate that creativity cannot be hindered by physical battles. In this article, we take a look at the way these powerful musicians defied the odds and made history.
1. Ludwig van Beethoven
One of the most famous and influential composers of all time, Beethoven played a crucial part in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras of Western music. Showing musical talents at an early age, he was taught by his father before he began studying with Joseph Haydn. By the age of 26, Beethoven’s hearing began fading, and ultimately, he lost it completely. His hearing loss didn't stop him from writing, and most of his highly celebrated compositions come from the period of his life when he was deaf.
2. Stevie Wonder
Due to the fact that he was born six weeks premature, Stevie Wonder developed retinopathy, causing the growth of his eyes to stop and the retinas to detach, leaving him blind. As a child, he learned to play a variety of instruments. Wonder’s gift for music was apparent, and at the age of of 11, he was signed to Motown’s Tamla label. Since then, Wonder has won countless awards and been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Halls of Fame.
3. Rick Allen
Rick Allen was only 15 years old when he joined Def Leppard, a band that has since achieved international fame and success. During a street-racing accident, Allen's arm was severed and underwent permanent surgical removal. Initially believing his career as a drummer was over, he met with some engineers to design a drum set to assist him with playing, and he learned to play one-handed. Thirty years later, Allen is still touring with Def Leppard and is known to his fans as the Thunder God.
4. Ray Charles
A pioneer in the 1950s soul music genre, Ray Charles is often referred to as "the Genius." Blind from the age of seven, Charles developed his musical talent in school where he was taught classical works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach by reading music with braille. Working his way up from playing piano in small clubs to the stages he eventually headlined, Charles left a legacy of talent and determination.
Take inspiration from these four artists. When you begin to doubt your skills, continue to persevere as they have.
Kathleen Parrish is a singer and songwriter from Seattle, WA. While she specializes in lyrics, she enjoys writing short stories, poetry, and journalism. For more information, please visit www.kathleenparrish.com.
