{"id":866,"date":"2023-12-03T01:02:53","date_gmt":"2023-12-03T01:02:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/?p=866"},"modified":"2023-12-03T01:05:11","modified_gmt":"2023-12-03T01:05:11","slug":"donald-gould-the-musical-story-of-a-homeless-man","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/?p=866","title":{"rendered":"Donald Gould The Musical Story Of A Homeless Man"},"content":{"rendered":"

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What comes to mind when you hear the words \u2018Piano Man\u2019? Billy Joel, you say. Well, get ready to have your mind changed. That\u2019s right, it\u2019s time to hang it up, Billy. Move along Stevie. Hit the road, Elton, because there is a new ivory tickler in town and his name is Gould.<\/p>\n

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In a clip posted by Mashable from 2015, a long-haired man sits at a piano in the Florida streets. He tears through an electrifying cover of prog-rock power ballad \u2018Come Sail Away\u2019 \u2013 much to the amazement of passers-by.<\/p>\n

As he continues to play, one spectator repeats \u201cDo you know how hard that is to play?!\u201d \u2013 fascinated by the skill on display.
\nThe song being played by the disheveled gent, once a multi-platinum hit for stadium-rockers Styx, shows talent rarely seen outside of the concert hall.<\/p>\n

So, who is this mysterious key thumper?
\nHis name is Donald Gould aka \u2018The Homeless Piano Man\u2019.
\nMichigan resident and an already accomplished musician, Gould studied music theory at Spring Arbor University. However, tragedy befell the former Marine in 1998, when he lost his wife and subsequently, custody of his son. This tailspin led to drug addiction and eventually, life on the streets.<\/p>\n

It was the above-mentioned clip \u2013 now with a staggering 45 million views \u2013 that proved to be a saving grace, going viral shortly after it was uploaded and opening a world of possibility for the former Marine Corp musician.<\/p>\n

Shortly after becoming the talk of the internet, a GoFundMe campaign was set up in his name, raising $40,0000. This allowed Gould to attend rehabilitation and get the second chance he needed. Check out the transformation in the video below.<\/p>\n