This is Bill. Bill is originally from Pittsburgh, but he lived in Louisville, Kentucky for a portion of his life. He is happy to be back in Pittsburgh now. Bill was born blind, and grew up with the church playing a big part in his life. He actually memorized most of the Old Testament (and all of the New Testament) from an audiotape he used to take out of the library. Unfortunately, he was sexually assaulted at a very young age at
his church, and his visions from it still haven’t gone away. He gets SSI benefits that cover his rent, but he has been out here singing for the past 30 years to pay for food. He stressed that he has never done a drug in his life or touched alcohol, and he hates the way people treat him on the streets. He’s been spit on many times for “pretending to be blind.” When I asked to take his picture, he said “put my picture all over the world.” Bill sits out here singing with his radio every single day, and whenever I talk to him he is nothing but gracious.
Bill once opened for John Lee Hooker at Carnegie Hall! Here’s a set list of some of his songs:
All Photos by Zach Schaffer
Danielle Robinson On January 31, 2014 at 9:44 am
Such a sad but beautiful story, thank you for sharing yourself with us!
David Baldo On April 17, 2014 at 1:14 am
Hey there Zach,
Love the article and the photographs are beautiful. It made me real happy seeing the link to his songs. That link, however, is to all my random stuff on soundcloud, and my voice surely won’t hold up next to Bill’s. Here’s the link to just his songs: http://soundcloud.com/user445220925/sets/bill-dorsey-sounds-1/
Keep up the good work!
Jackie On August 9, 2014 at 2:56 pm
Is there any way to order this music?
David Baldo On August 12, 2014 at 12:17 am
All the downloads are free on soundcloud. Just hit the downward arrow button next to the individual tracks. Glad you gave em a listen. Bill’s gospel is a real gem.
https://soundcloud.com/user445220925/sets/bill-dorsey-sounds-1
brenna On August 10, 2014 at 9:45 am
I know Bill =) I have had many conversations with him, he often sings in Oakland. That’s where i’m from… he has been around for years he is kind and gentle and very genuine. The world should have more people like Bill.
Great article Jay!
xo
#supportlocalmusic
Darrell Bell On August 10, 2014 at 3:39 pm
Find a studio willing to donate time and an engineer. Record these tracks and fine tune the products sound quality. Find someone else willing to package and donate the hardware to sell these recordings. Make 2,500 copies and then sell them online, in the strip district amount other places for $10. $25,000 for a great soul! I’m sure there is a bank or financial rep that would be willing to watch his money. This is a primary reason I wish I was rich, to help an angel like this. God bless him!
Janell Walker On May 17, 2015 at 10:25 pm
He doesn’t trust anyone to do things like this. I’ve known him for years and unfortunately he’s not very trusting of many and rightfully so due to his situation. He likes to make his own way. Beautiful personality and an even more beautiful voice. He will definitely leave a wonderful legacy/memory in Pittsburgh…we need “a billion more like him”, such a charmer!
Jerry Cardona On August 10, 2014 at 10:36 pm
I’ve known Bill for many years listening to him sing during my lunch on 5th ave in Downtown Pittsburgh…he is a part of Pittsburgh and should be recognize as so.
jamie On May 14, 2015 at 7:15 am
I knw me bill I used to give him money because I knw he was a good man trying to make it .may god continue to bless him with a wonderful spirit and life
Eagle On May 14, 2015 at 12:15 pm
For you bill ?
https://youtu.be/NtbWxJy6q40
Eagle On May 14, 2015 at 12:16 pm
https://youtu.be/NtbWxJy6q40
For you bill ?
Megan On May 15, 2015 at 9:21 am
Bill is a lovely man. I drive a bus so I always get the honor to take him up or down the hill. He calls most of the women drivers “Diamond”…. his story is much more. He told me some stories about his time spent at the School for the Blind and the racial injustices he faced as a child going there…or how he was treated as a child in his home or how Pamela’s KICKED HIM OUT of their restaurant and yelled at him—truly heartbreaking; However, Bill does not play professional victim…he is a happy and humble human being and I love every time I get to have him as a passenger…he makes work so much fun, and even when I don’t get to pick him up, I always toot the horn or stop at the red light to chat for a few seconds…makes my day! Voice of an angel, don’t judge him….he has a lot to offer!