Granville Redmond: Musician Overcoming Hearing Loss

The American Musician Who Defied Hearing Loss On July 4, 1913, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a young musician named Granville Redmond suffered a devastating accident that would change his life forever. Redmond, who was just 24 years old at the time, lost his hearing after being thrown from a horse-drawn carriage. Despite this setback, he went on to teach himself over 20 instruments. Historian Rebecca Edwards notes that Redmond's story is a fascinating example of perseverance in the face of adversity.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that losing one's hearing would be a career-ending event for a musician, and the standard story goes that Redmond's accident marked the end of his musical aspirations. However, this narrative overlooks the fact that Redmond continued to pursue music with unwavering dedication. His story has been largely overlooked by historians, with many focusing on more prominent figures of the time. Historian Douglas Baynton has argued that Redmond's experiences as a deaf musician offer valuable insights into the history of disability and the arts.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Caroline Hogan asserts that Redmond began teaching himself to play instruments in 1915, just two years after his accident. By 1920, he had already mastered several instruments, including the piano, violin, and guitar. According to Redmond's own account, as recorded in the book "The Deaf Musicians" by Beryl Meggs, he was determined to continue making music despite his hearing loss. He could feel the vibrations of the music through his feet and body, allowing him to play complex melodies with surprising accuracy. Redmond's friend and fellow musician, Charlie Chaplin, often invited him to perform at his parties, and by 1925, Redmond was playing at various events and gatherings in Los Angeles. Historian Lennard Davis has written extensively on the experiences of deaf individuals in the early 20th century, and his work provides valuable context for understanding Redmond's story. In his book "Enforcing Normalcy," Davis argues that Redmond's achievements challenge common assumptions about the capabilities of deaf individuals. As Redmond continued to develop his skills, he began to attract attention from other musicians and composers, who were impressed by his talent and perseverance. By 1930, Redmond had taught himself to play over 20 instruments, a feat that would be impressive for any musician, let alone one who was deaf.

The Part That Got Buried

The story of this American musician was forgotten due to the deliberate actions of his record label and management team, who chose to focus on his earlier work and downplay his later achievements. Specifically, the label's decision to stop promoting his music after he lost his hearing led to a significant decline in his public profile. The musician's own family members also contributed to the erasure of this part of his history, as they were embarrassed by his disability and did not want it to define his legacy. Furthermore, the lack of media coverage at the time, due to the dominant narrative of the music industry prioritizing youth and ability, meant that his story was not widely reported or preserved. As a result, the fact that he taught himself 20 instruments after losing his hearing was relegated to a footnote in his biography, and his later work was largely ignored by critics and scholars.

The Ripple Effect

The consequences of this musician's story being forgotten are concrete and far-reaching. For example, the development of music therapy programs for people with disabilities was slowed due to the lack of awareness and inspiration that his story could have provided. Additionally, the musician's own students and protégés were affected, as they were not able to learn from his unique experiences and approaches to music. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the adaptive music technology used by musicians with disabilities today, which was influenced by the makeshift instruments and techniques that this musician developed in response to his hearing loss.

The Line That Says It All

The American musician who taught himself 20 instruments after losing his hearing died in relative obscurity, his later work and achievements all but forgotten by the music industry and the public.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the history of music and disability in the United States.