Byron Janis: World Renown Pianist Despite Pain

After decades of pain, Byron Janis joins forces with the Arthritis Foundation.

ByABC News
April 4, 2011, 5:07 PM

April 5, 2011— -- Since his Carnegie Hall debut in 1948, Byron Janis has been known as one of the world's greatest pianists. He was regarded as a child prodigy at the age of 4 and has played for several American presidents.

And even after he was diagnosed with a progressive and painful form of arthritis – one that threatened to rob him of his career – he played on.

In 1973, doctors diagnosed him with psoriatic arthritis. The legendary pianist was told by doctors, "it doesn't get any better" and that "every concert had the potential of being a serious threat" to his health.

"It was as though a knife had gone through me," said Janis.

Following the diagnosis, his passion became a painful labor of love throughout his career, as concerts and performances caused the musician serious pain in his joints. Still, he continued to perform.

"What it took to maintain my career is hard to describe," continued Janis. "Every concert was a painful mountain to climb, but I didn't doubt the impossible was possible in spite of the doctors' prognosis that I would never play again."

"In many ways, Byron was like an elite athlete who, despite his pain and damage to his joints overcame the arthritis, and can serve as a role model to many," said Dr. Steven Abramson, professor of medicine and pathology and director of the division of rheumatology at NYU Langone Medical Center.

In 1985, former First Lady Nancy Reagan announced that Janis had arthritis, and he has been a national spokesman for the Arthritis Foundation ever since.

Most recently, Janis collaborated with the Arthritis Foundation to donate 25 percent of the proceeds from the sales of his DVD documentary, "The Byron Janis Story," his book, "Chopin and Beyond—My Extraordinary Life in Music and the Paranormal" and his upcoming album, "Byron Janis—Live from Leningrad."

"Arthritis has taught me to look inside myself for new sources of strength and creativity," he said. "It has given my life a new intensity. I have arthritis, but it does not have me."