15 Most Talented Blind Singers Of All Time   

15 Most Talented Blind Singers Of All Time   

Music knows no sight, it is felt with the heart and expressed through the soul. Since birth, we heavily rely on the five senses for survival. Blind people face unique challenges in a society that is primarily designed for sighted individuals.  

Then comes music! The absence of sight is like a catalyst for extraordinary musical talent. Guided solely by their instincts, these blind singers have defied the limits, proving that talent knows no visual bounds. With music blindness becomes an instrument, shaping the melodies that dance in the hearts of those who listen. Here are the 15 most talented blind singers of all time.  

See the 15 famous people with different colored eyes here. 

1. Stevie Wonder 

Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Born blind in 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan, Stevie Wonder is an award-winning American singer whose talent in music cannot be disputed. He got his start in music when he was young, learning to play the piano, harmonica, and drums, among other instruments.

His music has elements of different genres like soul, funk, R&B, pop, and jazz. Stevie started singing in the 60s and has more than 20 albums. He is one of the most recognizable and well-loved performers of all time despite being blind thanks to his great talent, musical brilliance, and cheerful outlook.

Read facts about Stevie Wonder here.

2. Sonny Terry 

Sonny Terry (1911-1986) was an American blues musician known for his distinctive harmonica playing and energetic performances. He was raised in North Carolina despite being born in Greensboro, Georgia. A slingshot accident caused him to lose his sight at a young age. Despite his blindness, Sonny Terry became a renowned harmonica player. 

Sonny’s talent and contributions to the blues genre earned him recognition and accolades. He is considered as one of the best harmonica players in blues music history, and his blindness did not stop him from producing heartfelt and expressive music.

3. Ray Charles 

Victor Diaz Lamich, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

American singer and pianist Ray Charles (1930–2004) was one of the most popular musicians of the 20th century. He was raised in Greenville, Florida, having been born in Albany, Georgia. He lost his vision when he was 7 years old. 

His visual impairment did not stop him from developing a deep passion for music. Ray learned by himself how to play the piano and other instruments. He had a reputation for combining many musical genres in a special way, including rhythm and blues, gospel, soul, and jazz. He had tens and tens of albums. 

4. Ginny Owens 

Ginny Owens is an American gospel music singer who lost her sight when she was 3 years old. She was born in Jackson, Mississippi in the mid-70s, and is well-known for her beautiful voice and lyrics, plus releasing inspirational songs.

Owens has received numerous accolades for her music and has also been recognized for the books she has written, her advocacy work, and inspirational speaking engagements, where she shares her story and encourages others to overcome obstacles. 

5. Andrea Bocelli 

Angela George, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Born in 1958 in Lajatico, Tuscany, Italy, Andrea Bocelli is an Italian musician who was visually impaired from early in life but he completely lost his vision before teenagehood following an accident. He sings opera, classical, pop, and crossover with a powerful and expressive voice.  

Some of Andrea’s most popular songs include Time to Say Goodbye, The Prayer, Con te partirò, Vivo per Lei, and Por ti volaré. His fans are not deterred by language and cultural barriers, thus selling millions of albums and records over the years. He has earned many awards and is a well-known global ambassador for Italian music. 

6. José Feliciano 

Blind Puerto Rican singer and guitarist José Feliciano is well-known for his deep voice and distinctive fusion of Latin, pop, rock, and folk music. He was born in the middle of the 1940s, and from an early age, he developed a love and enthusiasm for music.

In the mid-1960s, Feliciano already had exceptional guitar skills, and an expressive voice, plus a unique interpretation of popular songs. His ability to persevere, be creative, and conquer obstacles is shown by his music.

7. Diane Schuur 

Philkon Phil Konstantin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Diane Schuur, also known as “Deedles,” is an American jazz singer and pianist who was born blind in 1953 in Tacoma, Washington. She has a powerful voice, and effortlessly blends jazz, pop, and blues in her music.  

She has inspired many people with her legacy as a talented jazz musician and her determination to succeed in the face of blindness. Her music has smooth phrasing, and emotive delivery, winning her several awards including several Grammys.  

8. Terri Gibbs 

Born blind in Miami, Florida in the 1950s, Terri Gibbs is an American country and gospel music singer who achieved significant success in the music industry thanks to her talent and unique voice. 

She is a successful singer despite her visual impairment. Terri has released several albums and hit singles throughout her career. Her music falls within the country and gospel genres, showcasing her strong vocals and emotional delivery. 

9. Nobuyuki Tsujii 

Mlliu2006, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nobuyuki Tsujii is a renowned Japanese pianist known for his exceptional musical talent. He was born in the late 80s in Tokyo, Japan, and began showing an interest in music by playing the piano by ear when he was 4 years. His extraordinary musical ability developed rapidly, and he began performing by the time he was 10 years. 

Tsujii is a concert pianist who has performed with renowned orchestras all over the world and has recorded a number of records. His performances are often met with standing ovations and critical acclaim, praising his technical brilliance.  

10. Reuben Kigame 

Reuben Kigame is a Kenyan gospel singer who was born during the independence period in Nairobi, Kenya. He is known for his uplifting and inspirational music, which has elements of gospel, worship, and traditional African sounds. 

He has written and composed many songs, many of which have become popular anthems in the Christian community in Kenya. He has written many literary works, including “Embrace Me, My Africa” and “The Africa I Want,” which look into matters of identity, culture, and faith. He is a preacher as well and had ambitions of vying for Kenya’s Presidency in 2022.

11. Jeff Healey 

Masahiro Sumori, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Jeff Healey (1966-2008) was a blind Canadian musician who was known for his exceptional guitar skills and his unique approach to playing the instrument. Combining elements of blues, rock, and jazz, his songs were filled with soulful expression and technical prowess.  

Along with being a good guitarist, Jeff was also a gifted singer who gave concerts that were incredibly heartfelt.He was also an advocate for the visually impaired, taking part in various charitable initiatives and raising awareness about different eye problems. 

12. Doc Watson

Forrest L. Smith, III, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Doc Watson (1923-2012) was a blind American folk musician who was known for his exceptional guitar playing and rich baritone voice. He was born into a family with a rich musical heritage, and he began playing the guitar at a young age. 

Watson became an accomplished guitar player and singer, whose warm and expressive baritone voice added depth and emotion to his performances. He performed a wide variety of songs, including blues, country, and traditional folk ballads.

Watson released numerous albums, received awards and honors over the years, and left a lasting impact on the folk and bluegrass genres. 

13. Raul Midón 

Raul Midón is a blind highly talented American singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his distinctive voice, impressive guitar skills, and unique fusion of various musical genres. Raul, who grew up in New Mexico, has a blind twin brother. Despite his visual impairment, he displayed an innate musical talent from a young age. 

He has a unique voice, rhythmic guitar playing skills, and vibrant songwriting skills and not forgetting dope live performances. He has the unique ability to create a rich and layered sound using only his voice and guitar. Raul continues to captivate audiences around the world with his exceptional talent and passion for storytelling through song. 

14.  Marcus Roberts 

Alberto Cabello Mayero, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Marcus Roberts is an American jazz pianist and bandleader who is known for his beautiful piano playing, innovative approach to jazz, and rich musical compositions. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida, in the early 60s and became blind before his 5th birthday.

Marcus studied music in school and started playing the piano at a young age. He has released many albums over the years. 

15. Ronnie Milsap 

Ronnie Milsap is an American country music singer and pianist who was partially blind but lost all vision when he was slapped in school when he was 14 years.

He was born in Robbinsville, North Carolina in the 40s and was raised playing the piano by ear.  His music blends traditional country sounds with elements of pop, R&B, and rock. Over the years, he has received a great deal of recognition and awards.

Those are the 15 most talented blind singers of all time. True artistic expression surpasses all limitations, and the best and most beautiful things in the universe cannot be seen or even touched; rather, they must be felt with the heart. These singers’ songs will continue to entertain and inspire people for years and years to come. 

Here are the 10 Famous One-Eyed People and also see 50 famous people who wear glasses.