Famous Artists with Disabilities

All the artists below demonstrate that while they had a disability, they adapted to their new reality and didn’t let their disability prevent them from doing what they wanted.

Ludwig van Beethoven

The famous German composer began to lose his hearing at age 26 but continued to compose music for the rest of his life. While he still had his full hearing he would use higher notes in his compositions but as his hearing deteriorated he began to use the lower notes that he could still hear clearly in his compositions.

Ray Charles

Charles’ sight began to decline at a very young age and by age seven he was completely blind. He took up music and learned to play the saxophone, trumpet, organ, piano and clarinet. While at a school for the blind, he learned piano using the Braille method. He would read Braille with his right hand and play the music on the piano with his left, then switch, to read Braille with his left hand while simultaneously playing the notes with his right hand. At only fifteen he started touring the country playing with bands and became one of the most well known musicians of the 20th century.

Stevie Wonder

Stevland Morris was born prematurely and grew up without sight. Following his role model, Ray Charles, he turned to music, learning to play the piano, the harmonica and the drums. He was discovered by a record label at age eleven.

Joni Mitchell

Canadian singer and songwriter contracted polio during an epidemic when she was nine years old. Her polio affected her fingers so she was unable to play a standard guitar so she invented alternative tunings for her guitar. Her unique tunings made her sound distinct and unlike any others. Because of her brilliance and creative methods, Mitchell is seen as one of the most influential female artists of her time.