You love to play music. You've practiced plenty, your instrument sounds great, and everything should be all set for a great performance. There's just one thing that trips you up: the audience.
If the above statement describes you, then there's good news: you're not alone! Many performers consider themselves shy or feel affected by stage fright, and if they didn't talk about it, no one would know. These performers have all found ways to push through their shy nature for the sake of their art, and it's a good thing they did.
1. David Bowie
Photo by Adam Bielawski via Wikimedia Commons; used under Creative Commons
The late, great starman was one of many musicians who had a tough time with big audiences. It's almost hard to believe because he covered it up so well, but Bowie fought this fear by leaning on his onstage persona.
A quote from Bowie reads, "I’m not particularly a gregarious person. I had an unbearable shyness; it was much easier for me to keep on with the Ziggy thing, offstage as well as on. Who was David Bowie and who was Ziggy Stardust? It was motivated by shyness."
2. Adele
Photo by Christopher Macsurack via Wikimedia Commons; used under Creative Commons
Adele is one of the best-selling artists of the new millennium. Her records, each one named for her age at the time of their production – 19, 21, and 25 – have exceeded over 100 million sales combined.
"I'm scared of audiences," she confessed. "One show in Amsterdam I was so nervous I escaped out the fire exit. I've thrown up a couple of times. Once in Brussels I projectile vomited on someone. I just gotta bear it. But I don't like touring. I have anxiety attacks a lot."
In 2011 and 2012, Billboard named Adele Artist of the Year, Time has named her one of the most influential people in the world, and she currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running number-one album by a female solo artist in the history of the UK and US Album Charts.
3. Bob Dylan
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Folk legend Bob Dylan had a delicate charisma and often feels uncomfortable in front of the massive crowds he plays to. Johnny Cash said about Bob Dylan, "I think Bob Dylan was scared or even a little embarrassed. He's a very shy person. I can really appreciate that." Thin Lizzy guitarist Gary Moore added, "I remember Bob had soft, squidgy, little hands and was really shy...he hardly said two words."
Dylan certainly mustered up the courage to go out and play his songs, but he didn't pretend to be someone he wasn't. His plainly mannered persona was a big part of what made him such an icon in the folk community.
4. Elvis Presley
Photo by Ollie Stkins via Wikimedia Commons; used under Creative Commons
It's hard to believe the king of rock 'n' roll grew up constantly feeling shy, but Elvis has recounted that in the early stages of his career, he had great difficulty getting in front of people and performing. Elvis explained, "I took the guitar, and I watched people, and I learned to play a little bit. But I would never sing in public. I was very shy about it."
At points of his life, Elvis was too shy to perform altogether. However, with experience, he went on to become one of the most iconic stage presences in history.
5. Ella Fitzgerald
Photo by William P. Gottlieb via Wikimedia Commons; used under Creative Commons
Ella Fitzgerald has gone down in history as one of the greatest and most influential voices in music. Her work as a jazz vocalist was monumental.
"I’m very shy, and I shy away from people," Fitzgerald said. "But the moment I hit the stage, it’s a different feeling. I get nerve from somewhere; maybe it’s because it’s something I love to do." She was referred to as the Queen of Jazz as well as the First Lady of Song, and was the recipient of 14 Grammy awards and a National Medal of Arts.
It's normal to feel shy or self-conscious when you're preparing to share your art, but once you're in the process, there should be a role change where you enter a whole different thought space. Committing to your performance lends an escape from the pressures of normal social demands. Don't get tangled up in the things you normally have to worry about with people. Even if you do still feel shy now and then, at least now you know that you're in good company.
Next up: 4 Ways Even the Shyest Artists Can Develop Their Onstage Persona
Max Monahan is a bassist and a writer living in Los Angeles. He spends his time working for an audio licensing website and shredding sweet bass riffs.
