What Famous Drummer Is Deaf? The Incredible Story of Evelyn Glennie
Who is Evelyn Glennie?
Evelyn Glennie might not be your typical "rock star" drummer, but she is without question one of the most famous percussionists in the world—and yes, she’s profoundly deaf.
Born in Scotland in 1965, Evelyn lost most of her hearing by the age of 12. But that didn’t stop her. In fact, it pushed her to redefine what it means to listen to music. Instead of hearing with her ears, she began “hearing” through vibrations—feeling the sound in her body, particularly through her feet and hands.
Wild, right? And incredibly inspiring.
How does a deaf person play music?
Vibrations, muscle memory, and deep connection
Evelyn Glennie famously plays barefoot during performances. Why? Because she uses the vibrations of the floor and the instruments to guide her. She doesn’t rely on what the audience hears—she’s literally feeling every beat, every pulse of the music.
She trained herself to “hear” in this unique way, developing muscle memory and a sensitivity to frequency that most musicians can’t even imagine. And she doesn’t just get by—she thrives.
She’s performed with the world’s top orchestras, played solo concerts on five continents, and even gave a TED Talk that blew minds. (Seriously—look it up, it’s worth it.)
Is she really deaf?
Yes. Not partially deaf, not hard-of-hearing—profoundly deaf. But the way Evelyn describes it, hearing isn’t just about your ears. She believes everyone hears differently, and she sees deafness as a spectrum, not a limitation.
She once said: “My hearing is something that nobody else can really understand. It’s my own perception of sound.”
That’s honestly kind of beautiful.
Has she won any major awards?
Oh yes—plenty
Evelyn Glennie was awarded the Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) and has won Grammy Awards, including one for Best Chamber Music Performance. She’s recorded over 30 albums, blending classical, contemporary, and even experimental music.
And fun fact: she was one of the musicians who performed at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. Yep, a deaf percussionist wowed the world at one of the biggest televised events ever. Let that sink in.
Are there any other deaf drummers?
Evelyn’s definitely the most famous, but she’s not alone. There are a few others in the music world who’ve lost hearing—some rock drummers have developed partial deafness due to loud concerts, like Phil Collins or Pete Townshend (though he's a guitarist, not a drummer). But most of them deal with hearing loss after years of performing.
Evelyn is different. She started out deaf and still became one of the best.
Final thoughts: redefining limits through rhythm
So, what famous drummer is deaf? Evelyn Glennie. And not just “famous for being deaf”—she’s famous because she’s a groundbreaking, genre-defying musician who just happens to be deaf.
She reminds us that limitations are often in the mind. That rhythm doesn’t have to be heard—it can be felt. And that sometimes, the most powerful music comes from people who experience the world… a little differently.
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How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
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