Ray Myers, seen performing various everyday tasks in a souvenir folder.
In 1933, Robert Ripley expanded his wildly successful Believe It Or Not! Cartoon into a live exhibition of human oddities at the World’s Fair in Chicago. He called it the Odditorium.
One of Ripley’s stars was Ray Myers, the Armless Musician. He appeared alongside other incredible people, like as Betty Lou Williams and her parasitic twin, armless and legless wonder Frieda Pushnik, and the Rubber Skin Lady, Agnes Schmidt.
Myers, who was born with no arms in 1911 on a small farm near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, played guitar masterfully with his feet. This was his first experience being exhibited as an oddity, although it was not his first opportunity.
Souvenir Pamphlet of Armless Musician, Ray Myers
According to the pamphlet, Life Story of Ray R. Myers – World’s Famous Armless Musician, His Life Story as Told in Words and Pictures, Myers’ parents were approached by a circus wishing to employ young Ray when he was just three years old. His parents declined the offer, choosing for their son to enjoy a normal childhood—as normal as possible, at least. If Ray wanted to join a circus later, it would be his own decision.
Myers grew up learning to be self-sufficient. His musical career began with the trombone in high school. He later acquired a Hawaiian guitar and put his feet to work, strumming with a pick held in his right foot. He added to his repertoire by adopting the harmonica, which he held between his shoulder and face. Myers became a local celebrity, playing for churches and winning amateur contests. As 1933 approached, he decided to expand his audience by getting in touch with Ripley. He got his wish, trading in his small town for the world’s stage.
However, one stint with the Odditorium was enough for Myers. Rather than continue traveling as a sideshow attraction, he pursued a career in music. Myers went home with his earnings, bought a car, and learned to drive it—just as he’d learn to do everything else. One foot steered, the other accelerated and braked.
Ray Myers, additional images from the souvenir folder.
Myers drove himself on a concert tour throughout Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. He soon reconnected with Ripley on a 1936 radio broadcast, which caught the attention of country music star, Cowboy Loye. Loye invited Myers to sing his first song on the WWVA radio station in West Virginia. From there, a career in radio was born. He also appeared on stations in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Over his career, he reportedly covered more than two million miles on the road. The music stopped at the age of 75, when he lost a battle with a nine-month illness.
