Staff Benda Bilili (Look Beyond Appearances)

Now I know I’ve said this many times, but talent doesn’t exist- it doesn’t exist, and it never has existed! The key thing for success as a musician is determination and hard work. I’m determined to prove this to everyone!

This is why you might be interested in the story of Staff Benda Bilili, an African band from Kinshasa who caught my attention for exactly that reason. From the starting point of playing outside in their home town, they’re currently doing a tour of England. So why is this so interesting, other than being just another band success story? Why should you care?

Well, the thing about this band is: they are all disabled, most of them from polio. They have been refused jobs in their hometown and have been making a living playing the streets. Some of their instruments are made from tin cans and string! Now, these guys can go from losing their jobs and playing on the streets with bits of wood, tin cans, and string, to touring an entire country. What are you capable of doing when you really set your mind to it?

Here they are performing their song “Polio”:

Read the Full story here.

November 20, 2009 at 12:00 pm | Uncategorized | No comments