John William Boone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blind Boone
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Boone c. 1908
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | John William Boone |
| Also known as | Blind Boone, Little Willie |
| Born | May 17, 1864 Miami, Missouri, U.S. |
| Origin | Columbia, Missouri |
| Died | October 4, 1927 (aged 63) Warrensburg, Missouri, U.S |
| Genres | Ragtime |
| Occupation(s) | Composer, musician, pianist |
| Instruments | Piano |
John William "Blind" Boone (born May 17, 1864 – died October 4, 1927) was an amazing American pianist and composer of ragtime music. He became famous for his incredible piano skills and for traveling all over the United States and Canada to perform.
Early Life
John William Boone was born on May 17, 1864, in Miami, Missouri. His mother's name was Rachel. When he was just six months old, he became very sick. To save his life, doctors had to perform a surgery that caused him to lose his eyesight. This is how he became known as "Blind" Boone.
He grew up in Warrensburg, Missouri. His mother wanted him to get a good education. The town helped him attend the Missouri School for the Blind. This is where he played the piano for the very first time! However, he found the school boring and often broke the rules. He would sneak out at night to listen to piano music in local places. Because of this, he was eventually asked to leave the school.
After leaving school, Boone returned to Warrensburg. He started playing music with local musicians. In 1879, a man named John B. Lange, Jr. discovered Boone. Lange helped Boone start performing as "Blind John."
Learning and Touring
Boone's music career really took off when he stayed with George Sampson and his wife in Iowa. Mrs. Sampson was a skilled pianist. She taught Boone how to play the great European classical music. People said she taught him not just the notes, but the feelings behind the music too.
When Boone returned, Lange saw how much he had improved. They formed the Blind Boone Concert Company. They traveled a lot, performing in many towns. They became very popular and successful. By the early 1900s, they were one of the most famous acts in the country. They played more than 300 concerts every year!
In 1889, Boone married John Lange's daughter, Eugenia Lange. John Lange passed away in 1916. Boone continued to tour, even visiting New York City in 1919. He announced his retirement from touring in 1924. A newspaper said he had "combined talent with hard work to make life worth living." Blind Boone passed away on October 4, 1927, in Warrensburg. He was buried in the Columbia Cemetery.
Professional Career
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Blind Boone played thousands of concerts across the United States and Canada. He was one of the first African American artists to be recorded by the QRS piano roll company in 1912. He played eleven songs for them. Boone was so fast and played so many notes that it was hard to record him perfectly.
His most famous song, “The Marshfield Tornado,” was never recorded or written down. It was just too complicated to capture! Between 1880 and 1913, John William Boone gave 7,200 concerts. He traveled 144,000 miles, sometimes going 20 miles a day. He also gave a lot of money to charities, churches, and theaters. The original Blind Boone Concert Company included Boone, John Lange, Stella May, Ruth Lange, and Eugenia Boone.
Personal Life
Boone married Eugenia Lange in 1889. Eugenia traveled with him. She would read to him and help him learn about different places. Boone had an amazing memory. He could remember all the train routes he had taken and the many places he had visited.
Even though he couldn't see, Boone could tell colors apart by touch. He called this "seeing with my mind."
Legacy
The house where Blind Boone lived is still in Columbia, Missouri. In 2000, the city bought the home. It is being restored so people can visit it. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Boone's special custom-made Chickering piano from 1891 has been fully repaired. It was given to the Boone County Historical Society’s Museum. This large, oak grand piano is on display for everyone to see. It is also played several times a year during special concerts at the museum.
There is also a park in Warrensburg, Missouri, named "Blind Boone Park." It was created in the 1950s.
The John William Boone Heritage Foundation was started to remember Blind Boone's history. It also helps share the important role Missouri played in creating Ragtime and early Jazz music.
See also
- John W. Boone House - The Blind Boone home in Columbia, Missouri
- List of ragtime composers
- Scott Joplin - Ragtime composer and pianist
