Tony Romaine, a Scottish guitarist who suffered a debilitating stroke two years ago, has defied the odds and returned to the stage, performing for the first time since the incident.
Tony Romaine – Stroke Survivor Returns to the Stage
The stroke, which struck Romaine out of the blue, left him unable to move or even speak. “I was lying there all night, wide awake and thinking, ‘What the hell is going on?'” he recalls.
Faced with the daunting prospect of never playing guitar again, Romaine refused to give up. “I couldn’t imagine not doing music in my life,” he told the BBC. “When people said I probably wouldn’t be able to play again, I wasn’t going to listen to that.”
Relearning Guitar One-Handed
Despite the significant challenges presented by his stroke, which left his left arm and hand paralyzed, Romaine began the arduous process of relearning the guitar. “It’s not like I could just go to a guitar teacher,” he admits, “but once I figured out a couple of techniques it became a case of practicing them, which was easier.”
Standing Stone
Romaine’s determination paid off. He not only relearned songs from his repertoire but also began composing new material. In August 2024, he released his single “Standing Stone” and made his triumphant return to the stage in Inverness.
“I was absolutely exhausted,” he confesses. “I stood out of my wheelchair at the end and my legs were shaking.”
Romaine is now planning more shows this year, with the goal of raising money for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland. “When I was in hospital I saw people who had given up, and that made me really sad,” he explains. “I understand it, it’s a terrible thing to go through but I wouldn’t want anyone to give up – I want people to know that you can come through this.”
Tony Romaine is an Inspiration to Us All
Romaine’s story serves as an inspiration to all who face adversity. His unwavering spirit and dedication to his craft demonstrate the incredible resilience of the human spirit.
You can follow Tony on Instagram and his YouTube channel by following the links below.
