We often hear about influential musicians who reshaped the industry and left a legacy of musical genius behind them, but there are several other musicians who deserve loads of credit for their dedication and brilliance. Here are a few inspirational musicians who overcame physical setbacks and persevered in their art:

Rick Allen
The drummer of Def Leppard has a truly inspiring story which has taught people how to fight for what they love regardless of what might come in their way. At the age of 21, before the band’s success, Rick lost his left arm in a car accident, leaving him devastated and depressed. Although he feared that he would no longer be able to play the drums, he teamed up with lead singer Joe Elliot to design a drum set that he could play with one arm. Not only did this kit give Rick another chance to be a musician, but it also became a staple for Def Leppard and an innovation for aspiring drummers with missing limbs around the world.

Stevie Wonder
The multi-talented musician with top hits including ‘Superstition’, ‘Isn’t She Lovely’, and ‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’, Stevie Wonder (born Stevland Hardaway Morris) is known for having beaten the odds from the very beginning. Born six weeks premature, Stevie was rushed into an incubator and lost his sight due to an excess of oxygen. Throughout his childhood, Stevie faced other challenges and, like his hero Ray Charles, turned to music and learned to sing and play several. Considering his musical success together with his distinguished career as an activist, it’s no surprise he chose “Wonder” as his stage name.

Ray Charles
Pioneer of soul music Ray Charles went through a lot of trauma during his childhood including witnessing his younger brother drowning to death at the age of 5. Shortly after, he began to lose his sight and was completely blind by the age of 7, presumably caused by glaucoma. His mother encouraged him to take up music and he learned to play the piano, organ, saxophone, clarinet, and trumpet. By the age of 15, he was already touring the US with dance brands, leading to his career that turned him into one of the 20th century’s most legendary and inspirational musicians.

If you love music and would like to start learning an instrument, get in touch with the School of Popular Music in Guernsey today to find out more about the music lessons we offer.

Feeling inspired? Stay tuned for Part 2 to find out about more inspirational musicians, and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updates.