Rex: A Musical Savant's Remarkable Strides

60 Minutes Catches Up With A Musical Savant Who's Making Great Strides Against All Odds

(CBS)  Five years ago, 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl met an 8-year-old boy named Rex, who seemed to embody in one small person some of the most intriguing mysteries of the human mind - how it is that stunning ability and profound disability can coexist within the same person.

Rex was born blind, with brain damage so severe his mother Cathleen was told he might never walk or talk or do much of anything, and yet he has talent beyond anything most of us can imagine.

60 Minutes was so captivated by Rex that we decided to follow him, to keep coming back to see what the years would bring. The last time Stahl visited Rex and his mom, he was 10. Today he's 13 and he's as joyful as ever.

But before you meet Rex today, meet Rex as Stahl first did.

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Rex Lewis-Clack then, as now, was a study in contrasts: blind and full of enthusiasm, yet unable to dress himself, or even carry on a basic conversation.

But with everything Rex couldn't do, he could perform a musical feat. Stahl played him a song he had never heard, with his old piano teacher singing along. Rex, who can't see the keys, was able to replay the entire sequence, after hearing it only once.

Rex is a musical savant, one of a handful of people in the world who share a mysterious combination of blindness, mental disability, and musical genius.

But away from the piano, he was easily upset, confused by basic concepts, such as the difference between a square and a circle, and unable to find his way around the apartment he'd lived in his whole life.

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If you're interested in learning more about Rachel Flowers and her music, click here to visit her MySpace page.

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Music seemed to be Rex’s only real connection to the world -- to normalcy. And the question was how far it could take him.

Now, five years later at age 13, he is playing Debussy for audiences around the country.

He's grown more than a foot since Stahl saw him last, and his technique on the piano has improved dramatically. But the answer to how far Rex has come is more complex, like the savant mystery itself.

Rex greeted Stahl with the same warmth and enthusiasm as ever. "Can I give you a big hug?" he asked.

But he seemed to forget that Stahl already knew his mother Cathleen.

Rex still has the magical ability to hear a piece of music one time and retain it, and he's taking that into a whole new realm by singing. Stahl watched as Rex’s voice teacher Angela Rasmussen sang him a song he’d never heard before, Schubert's Ave Maria in Latin.

Stahl thought the song was upsetting Rex, since he plugged his ears and started making noises. But we were wrong - Rex played and sang the song, again, after a single hearing - in Latin.

Sara Banta, Rex's piano teacher, is pushing him to improvise and transform music into different styles, like asking Rex to play the song Blue Moon, which he’d just heard for the first time, in the style of Mozart.

"The more he improvises, he gets into new and wilder things which is fun for him. And it's creative," Banta explained.

Banta said she doesn't do that as much with other students. "They don't do it as well."

Rex was born blind, with a giant cyst in his brain. He developed severe autistic symptoms: small noises would make him scream, and he kept his hands balled up in fists.

"That became the way he would be," says his mother Cathleen, holding her hands up, clenched. "You'd have to peel his fingers open."

[sford713]

Oh thank you Leslie Stahl. The story about Rex made my spirits soar. Incredible story. Makes me want to tune in for more.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[ms_m2you]

Good work, Leslie. I remember seeing the first story about Rex and I delight in his progress.

I am no doctor but observing Rex today I wonder, along with his being a savant and having autism, I wonder if Rex could have Williams syndrome as well. How could he "have no emotion" and yet be so sociable? Something to ponder.

I look forward to reading his mother''s book.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[donzineal]

An amazing child and an amazing heartwarming story. Such a gift, it exhibits that music has so much to offer in terms of hope and providing these gifted children with a way to allow them to show talent and be happy.

if anyone has the website address or email address for his mother pls send to me at: [e-mail]

i want to write her to praise her courage and never giving up on her so talented son. It''s so heartwarming to see Rex''s face smile and to be happy and to live a happy life thanks to music.

Sincerely,
Neal

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[jcarsmith]

Ms. Stahl, I enjoyed your program on Rex. I am an educator and it reminded me of a quote from my favourite educator, Charlotte Mason. She said, "We attempt to define a person, the most common-place person we know, but he will not submit to bounds; some unexpected beauty of nature breaks out; we find he is not what we thought, and begin to suspect that every person exceeds our power of measurement." Thank you.

[mstegman2]

I was fascinated by the story about Rex. When he was struggling to fasten his shoes I wondered if they had ever had him try this and other physical things using music. It seems to me that if he sang a very rhythmic song while trying these physical tasks, it would make it easier for him.

[mstegman2]

I was fascinated by the story about Rex. When he was struggling to fasten his shoes I wondered if they had ever had him try this and other physical things using music. It seems to me that if he sang a very rhythmic song while trying these physical tasks, it would make it easier for him.

[ronffg]

Dear Ms. Stahl: Having just watched your piece about Rex, I would like to congratulate you on a most wonderful production. In this day and age of bad news about our crumbling economy, worldwide strife and unrest, learning about Rex was a bright and heartwarming experience. We need more pieces like this and more people like you and Rex. Thank you.

[denoble79]

I''ve been watching 60 Minutes for as long as I can remember--from the age of 4 or 5 it was a Sunday night ritual for my father and me. I''ve been fascinated by so many of the stories you''ve done over the years, but few touch me like Lesley Stahl''s pieces with Rex. Every once in a while, that heartwarming scene (from the first piece) of Lesley and Rex at the piano playing "Do You Know the Way to San Jose" pops into my mind, and I choke up at just the thought of it. I was so glad to see you go back a third time to Rex''s story. I could watch Lesley and Rex endlessly. I absolutely despise reality TV, but following Lesley and Rex around is one reality show I could get behind! With the barrage of bad news these days, it''s such a relief to spend a few minutes thinking about the miracles in life, like Rex. His enthusiasm and talent are so incredibly moving and inspirational. Every time you guys run one of tho se pieces I end up in tears. Please keep up these reunions every few years. I want to know what happens next in Rex''s story, and I get such a kick out of seeing his interaction with Ms. Stahl. Thank you again, not only for Rex''s story, but for all the years of amazing stories you''ve brought to my life.

[frankhartzell1]

Fantastic report, great sound, film and reporting. One ommission, you should have mentioned the story of Blind Tom, a slave boy from the 19th century whose story is nearly identical to Rex (blind, DD and able to play anything on the piano after hearing it once)
http://www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org/savant_syndrome/savant_profiles/tom_bethune

[frankhartzell1]

Fantastic report, great sound, film and reporting. One ommission, you should have mentioned the story of Blind Tom, a slave boy from the 19th century whose story is nearly identical to Rex (blind, DD and able to play anything on the piano after hearing it once)
http://www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org/savant_syndrome/savant_profiles/tom_bethune

[frankhartzell1]

Fantastic report, great sound, film and reporting. One ommission, you should have mentioned the story of Blind Tom, a slave boy from the 19th century whose story is nearly identical to Rex (blind, DD and able to play anything on the piano after hearing it once)
http://www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org/savant_syndrome/savant_profiles/tom_bethune

[deweytoo]

This is one of the most inspirational pieces I''ve ever see. Keep up the good work and keep following Rex. What a marvel and talent. I''m so glad you did this piece!

[deweytoo]

Your reporting on Rex Clack was one of the most inspirational things I''ve ever see. What a talent and what a delightful good young man. I hope you continue to follow up on his progress.

[naomitickle]

Many of our innate abilities can be seen in the structure of the face at day one. Note how many of the autistic children''s outer edge of the ear is C shaped. This indicates the love of music. When they are cupped out, they hear sound very clearly. Put the two together, here is the musician. Rex has both of these features including the aesthetic appreciation, which is the straight underside of the eyebrow. This indicates the need for balance and harmony and has a natural feel for how things flow. Often observered in musicians and artists. I have worked with several people with various disablities, the results have been amazing and very moving.