Music has the power to touch our hearts and souls, and some of the most famous singers have achieved incredible success despite being blind. From jazz to pop, rock to country, blind singers have made their mark in the music industry, and their voices have captured the attention of millions around the world. These artists have inspired audiences with their talent, perseverance, and determination, proving that blindness is not a barrier to success.
In this article, we will explore the lives and careers of 20 famous blind singers who have left an indelible mark on music history. We will delve into the stories of legendary artists such as Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, and José Feliciano, whose music has become a part of the cultural fabric of our society. We will also highlight the works of lesser-known blind singers such as Andrea Bocelli, Raul Midón, and Diane Schuur, whose unique styles and contributions have garnered them a dedicated following.
Through their music, these blind singers have shown us that the human spirit is capable of overcoming even the greatest obstacles, and that true artistry is not limited by physical challenges. We hope that this article will serve as a tribute to these incredible artists, and a source of inspiration for all those who aspire to achieve greatness in their own lives.
1. Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer known for his soulful voice and timeless music. He started his career in the 1960s and quickly became a Motown icon with hits like “Superstition,” “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” and “Sir Duke.” Wonder’s music often reflects his personal experiences and social consciousness, addressing issues of love, injustice, and equality. He has won numerous awards for his music, including 25 Grammy Awards, and is considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
2. Ray Charles
Ray Charles, also known as “The Genius,” was a legendary singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer who helped to shape the sound of soul music. He blended elements of R&B, gospel, jazz, and blues to create his own unique style, and his hits such as “Hit the Road Jack,” “Georgia on My Mind,” and “What’d I Say” remain classics to this day. Charles’ music often dealt with themes of love, heartbreak, and the struggles of the African American experience. He received numerous awards throughout his career, including 17 Grammy Awards, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians.
3. Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli is an Italian singer, songwriter, and record producer who has sold over 90 million records worldwide. He is known for his powerful and emotive tenor voice, and his ability to perform a wide range of musical genres, from classical to pop. Despite losing his sight at a young age due to a football accident, Bocelli’s talent and perseverance have made him one of the most successful and respected singers in the world. His hits include “Time to Say Goodbye,” “Con te partirò,” and “The Prayer,” and he has collaborated with many renowned artists throughout his career.
4. José Feliciano
José Feliciano is a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, and guitarist who has been blind since birth. He first gained international fame in the late 1960s with his cover of The Doors’ “Light My Fire,” and he has since become known for his soulful voice and skilled guitar playing. Feliciano’s music draws from a variety of styles, including Latin, pop, jazz, and folk, and he has recorded songs in both English and Spanish. He has won numerous awards throughout his career, including multiple Grammy Awards, and his music continues to inspire and delight fans around the world.
5. Clarence Carter
Clarence Carter is an American singer and songwriter who became blind at the age of one due to an accidental fire. He is known for his soulful voice and his ability to blend elements of R&B, soul, and blues into his music. Carter’s hits include “Slip Away,” “Too Weak to Fight,” and “Patches,” which won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1970. He has had a long and successful career in the music industry, and his contributions have helped to shape the sound of soul music.
6. Ginny Owens
Ginny Owens is an American singer and songwriter who has been blind since the age of three due to a degenerative eye disease. She first gained attention in the late 1990s with her debut album, “Without Condition,” which featured the hit single “If You Want Me To.” Owens’ music is known for its introspective lyrics and its blend of contemporary Christian, folk, and pop styles. She has won multiple Dove Awards, including New Artist of the Year in 2000, and she continues to inspire audiences with her heartfelt and uplifting music.
7. Ronnie Lee Milsap
Ronnie Lee Milsap is an American country music singer and pianist who has been blind since birth. He first gained fame in the 1970s with a string of hits that included “It Was Almost Like a Song,” “Smoky Mountain Rain,” and “Any Day Now.” Milsap’s music draws from a variety of genres, including country, pop, and R&B, and his soulful voice and dynamic piano playing have earned him numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. He has won six Grammy Awards, eight Country Music Association Awards, and is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
8. Blind Lemon Jefferson
Blind Lemon Jefferson was an American blues singer and guitarist who was born blind in Texas in the late 19th century. He was a seminal figure in the development of the country blues, and his music has had a lasting impact on American music. Jefferson’s recordings, which were made in the 1920s, are characterized by his soulful voice, intricate guitar playing, and powerful lyrics. Some of his most famous songs include “Matchbox Blues,” “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean,” and “Black Snake Moan.” Although he died at a young age, his legacy as a pioneering blues musician continues to be celebrated to this day.
9. Gilbert Montagne
Gilbert Montagné is a French singer and songwriter, known for his soulful voice and charismatic performances. Born in 1951 in the South of France, Montagné lost his sight at the age of one due to a congenital condition. Despite his visual impairment, he pursued a successful career in music, blending pop, rock, and disco influences in his music. His breakthrough came in 1984 with the hit single “On va s’aimer,” which became an instant classic and is still widely recognized in France and beyond. Montagné has released numerous albums and collaborated with many fellow musicians, cementing his status as one of the most iconic blind singers in French music history.
10. Blind Blake
Blind Blake was an influential American blues musician and guitarist, born in 1893 in Florida. He was known for his intricate fingerpicking style and distinctive vocals, which helped him stand out in the crowded blues scene of the 1920s and 1930s. Despite his success, very little is known about his personal life, as he rarely discussed it in interviews or recordings. Blind Blake’s recordings have had a lasting impact on the blues genre, and his songs have been covered by many other artists over the years. He is regarded as one of the greatest blind musicians of his era, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians.
11. Al Hibbler
Al Hibbler was an American baritone singer known for his deep, smooth voice and his ability to convey emotion through his music. Born in Mississippi in 1915, Hibbler lost his sight at a young age due to a botched eye operation. Despite this setback, he pursued a career in music and became a popular crooner in the 1940s and 1950s. His most famous recording is “Unchained Melody,” which was released in 1955 and has since become a classic love song. Hibbler was also an advocate for civil rights and used his platform to speak out against segregation and racism. He passed away in 2001, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the music industry.
12. Blind Willie McTell
Blind Willie McTell was an American blues musician and songwriter known for his fingerstyle guitar playing and distinctive voice. Born in Georgia in 1898, McTell lost his sight at a young age due to an illness. Despite his blindness, he developed a reputation as a skilled musician and recorded over 100 songs during his career, including the classics “Statesboro Blues” and “Broke Down Engine Blues.” McTell’s music influenced many other blues musicians and he is regarded as one of the greatest performers of his era. He passed away in 1959, but his legacy lives on in his recordings and in the continued popularity of the blues genre.
13. Diane Schuur
Diane Schuur is an American jazz singer and pianist known for her powerful vocals and versatile musical style. Born in 1953 in Washington state, Schuur lost her sight at birth due to retinopathy of prematurity. She began singing in church as a child and later studied jazz at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Schuur has released over 20 albums during her career, showcasing her impressive range and ability to interpret a wide variety of songs. She has won two Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Performance and has collaborated with many other musicians, cementing her status as one of the most respected blind singers in the jazz world.
14. Sonny Terry
Sonny Terry was an American blues musician and harmonica player, known for his unique style of playing the harmonica and his energetic stage performances. Born in 1911 in North Carolina, Terry lost his sight at a young age due to an accident. Despite his blindness, he developed a successful music career and collaborated with many other blues musicians, including Brownie McGhee. Terry’s music was deeply rooted in the African American experience and his songs often dealt with social issues and injustice. He passed away in 1986, but his legacy lives on through his recordings and the continued influence of his music on the blues genre.
15. Terri Gibbs
Terri Gibbs is an American country and pop singer, known for her powerful voice and her hit single “Somebody’s Knockin'” which reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1981. Born in Florida in 1954, Gibbs lost her sight at birth due to congenital glaucoma. Despite this setback, she pursued a career in music and released several successful albums during the 1980s. In addition to her singing career, Gibbs has also been an advocate for disability rights and has worked to raise awareness about the challenges faced by blind individuals. She continues to perform and record music to this day.
16. M. Chandrasekaran
M. Chandrasekaran was a blind Indian playback singer who gained popularity in the Tamil film industry. Despite his disability, he became a proficient musician who could play various instruments and sing in different genres, including classical, devotional, and film songs. Chandrasekaran started his career in the 1950s and went on to record over 300 songs in his lifetime. His voice had a unique texture and he could effortlessly navigate different octaves. Chandrasekaran’s dedication to music and his ability to overcome his blindness made him a revered figure in the Indian music industry.
17. Blind Art Tatum
Blind Art Tatum was an American jazz pianist renowned for his technical prowess and improvisation skills. Despite being born with cataracts that eventually led to complete blindness, Tatum taught himself to play the piano by ear and went on to become one of the most influential jazz pianists of the 20th century. His performances were characterized by his lightning-fast finger work, complex harmonies, and his ability to play multiple lines of music simultaneously. Tatum’s legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians to this day, and his recordings are considered some of the most important in jazz history.
18. Blind Alfred Reed
Blind Alfred Reed was an American country music singer and songwriter who recorded in the 1920s and 1930s. Despite being blind since childhood, Reed became a skilled fiddler and guitarist and wrote songs that addressed the social and economic issues of his time. His music was deeply rooted in the Appalachian folk tradition and reflected the hardships faced by rural communities during the Great Depression. Reed’s songs, such as “How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?” and “The Wreck of the Virginian,” remain relevant to this day and have been covered by numerous artists.
19. Willie Johnson
Willie Johnson was an American gospel blues singer and guitarist who was blind from infancy. He became known for his distinctive voice and his use of unconventional guitar techniques, such as sliding a knife across the strings. Johnson’s music was deeply rooted in his religious beliefs, and he often sang about his faith and the struggles faced by African Americans. His most famous song, “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground,” was included on the Voyager Golden Record, which was sent into space in 1977 as a representation of human culture. Johnson’s music continues to inspire and influence musicians today.
20. Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson
Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson was an American bluegrass, folk, and country musician who was blind from infancy. Despite his disability, Watson became a skilled guitarist and banjo player and was known for his virtuosic flatpicking style. He was also a gifted singer and performed a wide variety of songs, ranging from traditional folk ballads to contemporary country hits. Watson’s music was deeply rooted in his North Carolina roots, and he often incorporated elements of old-time and bluegrass music into his performances. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest acoustic musicians of his generation and influenced countless musicians across multiple genres.
Macey West is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
