Today, in the series on the power of music, I want to share a remarkable story that seamlessly connects with the message of Walking for Humanity. It shows how music not only brings people together but can also be literally healing.
This time it’s not about my own experiences, but about the impressive life story of drummer Ray LeVier. The blog below is an adaptation of an original English article by Rich Tozzoli, a friend of Ray. His story touched me because it so clearly shows how music makes us human and helps us persevere, even in the hardest of times.
Not Just Surviving, but Thriving
At the age of 12, Ray LeVier was severely burned and lost several fingers as well as parts of his motor skills. Yet he decided that this would not stand in the way of his future — or his passion for music. He chose not just to survive, but to thrive.
Ray was determined: he wanted to keep drumming, creating, and making music.
“For me, the power of music means healing,” he says. “Music goes beyond words. In my travels, when you visit other countries, people may not know politics, but they know music and how it touches them. Music is a powerful expression of a human being that reaches deep inside people. It’s what makes me — and those around me — feel good.”
A Difficult Beginning… but No Giving Up
When the accident happened, Ray had only just started drumming. His first thought was: “Oh no.” But soon after he thought: “There’s no way I’m just letting this go.” After surgery, he looked at his hands and said: “I have hands, and that’s all I care about. If I can hold drumsticks, I can do this.”
He credits his mother, a recognized energy healer, for helping him through those hard times. While in the hospital, she told him: Think healing thoughts, remember what makes you feel good. And he knew instantly: that was drumming. It stayed in his mind. He had to return to the drums.
But he had to approach it from a new perspective. “I thought: I can learn anything that someone with normal hand function can,” he recalls. “In my mind there was no handicap; I just had to use different muscles and strategies.” Many common drum techniques rely on fingertips and subtle bouncing of the stick — that didn’t work for him. Instead, he chose pure hard work and perseverance.
Determination as a Driving Force
That unwavering belief that he had to succeed kept pushing Ray forward. The more people told him what he couldn’t do, the sharper his focus became. He looked up to drummers like Buddy Rich and saw in them a source of inspiration to strive for. Sometimes he practiced up to twelve hours a day — and even then felt it wasn’t enough.
He says: “It’s about showing up and getting your hands dirty. You have to break through that feeling that says: this sucks. You push through the boring exercises, polish and practice, and then sometimes you break through and discover — wow — there’s a diamond under all that dirt. Then you see the fruit of where you put all your blood, sweat and tears.”
His hard work paid off. Today, Ray travels the world playing drums for many artists — including KJ Denhert, with whom he has worked for over 20 years. He recalls performing in Egypt, inside a chamber at the top of a pyramid, for people who may not have spoken his language but knew exactly what it meant when music moves you.
He also played at the Kathmandu Jazz Festival in Nepal. He remembers someone pointing outside during lunch: “Look, that’s the top of Mount Everest.” That moment touched him deeply.
Through his work, Ray has performed from Alaska to Italy, and even on islands in the Caribbean. He has appeared in countless TV productions, released several of his own albums, and is currently working on projects with greats such as guitarist Mike Stern and bassist Will Lee.
Ray compares life to a pinball machine: “If you keep the ball in the air and don’t let it fall into the gutter, you hit things, you score points in your life. It’s not always easy. It’s hard to keep everything moving. But whatever you dream of or pursue, you have to go for it — because we only have a limited time here.”
“I feel super blessed that I can do what I do as a musician, see the world, play music, and bring joy to others,” he says. “And in turn, we are blessed that people like Ray LeVier show us the way.”
Reflection & Meaning
The story of Ray LeVier shows that music is not just art — it can be healing. It transcends language, encourages resilience, and opens doors that may have seemed closed. In the depths of loss and adversity, music can be a bridge to recovery, expression, and connection.
As you read this blog, take a moment to reflect: which music touches you the most? Where do you find your outlet, comfort, or strength? And how might you bring music into your life — not only as a spectator, but as a participant? And if you’d like, share it with me by sending me an email with your story. You can reach me at:
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