it's definitely not a requirement to listen to a piece before you play it - musical recordings is a fairly new technological advancement. If someone were to play the latest Beethoven sonata when it was first introduced, the only way they would be able to hear it was from another player - possible, certainly, but not nearly as easy as copying a CD from your friend down the street!
On the other hand, if you're interested in an approximation of the original piece, listening (while still not required) is very helpful.
Granted that I'm speaking from a mostly classical singing background - where sheet music is always available. TABbed music doesn't seem to always be true to form (unless you're buying the official version), which would make listening to the original a requirement.
