American Idol, 2/9/11: James Durbin Stole the Show (VIDEO)

American Idol auditions in San Francisco contained the usual good, bad, and ugly array of contestants. But the very last contestant, James Durbin, stole the show!

James Durbin, 21 years old, is from Santa Cruz, California. He was teary eyed and very emotional pretty much from the time he stepped onto the audition stage until he stepped off. He exhibited heart felt emotion when explaining the tough times he had while growing up. His father was a musician, a bass player, and was away from home a lot. He died of a drug overdose when James was 9, so James never got to know him very well. He relayed that some people think he gets his talent from his father, but an James said he would never know.

He was raised by his mother after his father died. He was subsequently diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and Asperger syndrome which is a high functioning form of autism. James said he was a lost child, constantly bullied and beat up at school.

Then James Durbin met a girl, an angel named Heidi, who changed his life. They now have a baby.

Durbin, extremely emotional even during his audition, sang a rendition of "You Shook Me," a blues song made popular by Led Zeppelin. The notes he hit were reminiscent of Adam Lambert's style and enormous talent. The judges seemed so be in semi-shock. Durbin then asked Steven Tyler for permission to sing "Dream On" from Aerosmith to which Tyler said yes. Durbin sang his heart out, wiping tears from his cheeks as he sang brilliantly, probably bringing tears to most of the viewing audience.

James Durbin! Remember that name!!

Click here to see video of James Durbin's audition. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K64yxa3lJc8

Source:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/aspergers-diary/201102/asperger-idol-james-durbin-blows-american-idol-judges-away