Be a rockstar- adapted musical instruments

We’ve all had fantasies of going up on stage and rocking out like there‘s no tomorrow. And these guys – two quadriplegics and one paraplegic – all have one thing in common: They’re real bonafide rockers. So many of us try NOT to get noticed after becoming paralyzed, and what I love about these three dudes is that they may be paralyzed, but they definitely don’t get stage fright.

The first video is of a band in St. Petersburg, Florida called (get ready for it), the Rock -n- Chair band. I know, a bit cringe-worthy name, but they’re an impressive electric blues band that has two awesome things going for them: #1. They do Santana covers (hello, huge fan) and #2. The lead guitarist/vocalist is Paul Purcell, a paraplegic. AWESOME. He is one cool cat (love his salt and peppa hair) and I really love how he plays like no ones watching (how does he do that??).

In this video, watch the band do a few covers, including Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff.” And if you’re in a hurry, skip to minute 12 to see Paul’s primo moment on stage (all of the guys take turns singing) where he sings AND plays (I swear he’s channeling Eric Clapton). A professional musician for 20 years before his car accident, I love how Paul rocks his wheelchair right out of the picture (you can tell he knows what he‘s doing).

If you’re a fan of the bass, check out this video of a wheelchair bass player. There’s not much info on who this band is, BUT this awesome mystery man proves it’s not only possible to be a bad-arse bass player in a power chair, but you can do it with finesse under a flashing disco ball.

And I saved the best for last. He may no longer be with us (he passed away in 2009), but Vic Chesnutt is the one and only quadriplegic to ever hit rock star status. He was a folk artist who produced 17 albums, and even two of his albums were produced by Michael Stipe of R.E.M.

Vic was a low quad (a car accident in ‘83 injured him), so he could only play a few simple chords, but that was enough for him to still create hauntingly beautiful music. In this really cool video, watch him perform “Rustic City Feathers” (from his North Star Deserter album) live in Munich in 2007. Vic is of another world. He had to be.

I think it’s therapeutic for wheelchair-users to do what these guys do. I’m really missing my high school clarinet days right about now.

Have you performed from your wheelchair or tried any adapted musical instruments? How did you get over your fears?

Watch these sweet wheelchair rockers

– Rock-n-Chair performing

– Wheelchair bass player

– Vic Chesnutt live in Munich