For 32-year-old Martin Finn, words may not come easily, but music has given him a voice that resonates far beyond spoken language.
Born non-verbal, Martin has found a remarkable way to express himself through song—a gift that recently caught the attention of the Irish music duo Foster and Allen.
Martin, who honed his musical talents at Landgate School and College in Wigan, was invited to sing on the duo’s latest album, lending his voice to a cover of Westlife’s Flying Without Wings.
For his parents, John and Norma Finn, this opportunity was more than just a career milestone—it was a dream come true.
A Voice Beyond Words
Martin’s father recalls discovering his son’s extraordinary talent from an early age.
“If you asked him his name, he couldn’t respond, so to hear him singing was unbelievable,” he said. “He sings all the time, and his mum and dad are very proud of him.”
Martin’s musical journey began when a former headteacher at his school gifted him a karaoke machine. From there, he started singing along to his favorite artists, including James Blunt, Coldplay, Take That, and Snow Patrol.
Julie Hewitt, a teaching assistant at Martin’s college, has witnessed firsthand the joy that music brings him.
“It just shows you that even with a disability, your dreams can still be there,” she said. “You can still do something that you’re passionate about and that you love.”
A Moment to Remember
Since embracing his passion for singing, Martin has performed at weddings and even his local pub. But working with Foster and Allen has been a defining moment in his journey.
Tony Allen, one half of the duo, was astounded by Martin’s ability when he sent him the song to learn.
“I could not believe he had it word for word,” Allen said. “It was note for note perfect—everything about it was perfect.”
Reflecting on his long career in music, Allen said that working with Martin was one of his greatest experiences.
“People ask us what our favorite moment in our career was, and I always used to say Top of the Pops because it was magic, but being in the studio with Martin really goes above that—without a shadow of a doubt.”
His bandmate Mick Foster echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the significance of Martin’s story beyond music charts.
“If it gives hope to other people who have autistic kids, that’s more important than whether the song goes to number one or not,” he said.
For Martin, music is more than just a passion—it’s a way of communicating with the world. Thanks to his undeniable talent, the world is now listening.
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