RIP, Jeff Healey
Jeff Healey, the Toronto blues guitarist, broadcaster, and music historian, died yesterday of cancer. Healey was most widely known for his appearance as the blind guitar player in Roadhouse, and for his distinctive way of playing his guitar laid flat across his lap. I met Jeff many times at the Crow's Nest Bar over Chicago's on Queen Street, and at the open-mic days at Grossman's Tavern, and he was always a mensch, not to mention funny and blisteringly talented.
Link (Image: Jeff Healey in 2007.jpg, by Cmccarten at Wikimedia Commons)Acclaimed jazz and rock guitarist Jeff Healey was remembered Sunday as a musician of rare ability who had a wicked sense of humour and a generous nature as fans and bandmates mourned his death at age 41, following a battle with cancer.
Bandmates of Canadian rock and jazz legend Jeff Healey were among those shocked by the news of his death Sunday.
Healey died Sunday evening in a Toronto hospital surrounded by family and a bandmate, Colin Bray.
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The first time I saw Jeff play was in Calgary in 1984, at a time before he was well known. He had one single out on 45: "Can you see the light". (He may have had more, but I didn't know it!)
Sad to hear about his death.
Apparently his first album "Can you see the light" came out in 1988... but I'm sure he had the single out on 45 around 84 or 85... maybe 86? I was just a lad of 18 or 19 at the time (and apparently drinking too much, as I can't remember the year.) Looking back, I think the band was selling singles that they had pressed themselves.
Anyways, he was the same age as me and his passing tells me that part of my youth is gone forever.
Here's a youtube video of his playing that song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBBCJ68mC4c
Very sad. Apparently he'd battled retinal cancer since he was a baby. His son also carries the gene.
another of the good ones gone. RIP condolences to your family.
jeff and srv can now do this again:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqU9RZqvFKY&feature=related
Jeff and Marcus Miller http://youtube.com/watch?v=PTtyZ3lyHqI
RIP and THANK YOU Jeff!
It's SO odd: I JUST became aware of this guy THREE days ago... I've been a blues fan since the mid-seventies and I was surprised that I'd never heard of him before. Then I learn that he died yesterday.
Another one gone...
The man had talent. I haven't been this saddened by an artists passing since SRV.
My heart goes out to his family.
Know that we shall hold his memory and music near our hearts always.
I managed to miss the last concert that SRV gave at my old university (UNB). It was at that same university that I played the music of Jeff Healey on college radio, when he was a rising star. I never got to meet Jeff, but I will always love his work. I hope with his passing many of the people who never got to know if him will finally realize his musical genius.
I can only hope that the inevitable tribute concert will be the send-off that he truly deserves. Someone call Mark Knopfler right now.
r.i.p. homie! save a space at the mic, and we'll all jam in the after. my condolences to the healy family and friends. on this plane, his music makes him immortal!
Back in '89 (I think) I was invited to a video shoot for a new artist I had never heard of, at what used to be the Palace (now Avalon) in Hollywood. The video was for "See The Light" and that was the first time I saw/met Jeff Healey. He was so warm and friendly. As with most videos, they synced to playback three or four times, but then the band played a blistering live set for us. I was an instant fan.
I had a number of occasions over the years to see and talk with Jeff. He was always that same warm guy, and he never ceased to amaze me with his enormous talent. His passing saddens me more than I can express, but I'm so glad for the incredible gift he was able to share while he was with us.
Thanks Jeff.
My first exposure to him was in the movie Road House. I was so mesmerized by his playing style that I did a little digging and found out he was a real musician and not just an actor.
Still - it's not often you can find a genuine blues man with a Bacon Number of 2...
For the last several years, he exclusively played trumpet in a jazz band.
He was a helluva musician.
Jeff Healey was great, I also became aware of him thru ROADHOUSE. After that I bought 3 of his albums & loved em. So many good & talented die young, other crumbs get old,rot & cause the world trouble. and theres a God.......Where?
Saw Jeff in Leeds when he was last over n the U.K he played a great set and had plenty of amusing banter with the crowd. He stayed behind for photo's and chat with the fans at the end. A top man and musician and inspiration to what people can acheive he will be sadly missed ! Condolences to his family. R.I.P Jeff and God Bless !
What a soulful and talented man!
God's peace and grace to his friends, band and family.
I was so saddened to learn of his passing. Fortunate to see him during the Covers tour here in Asheville.
I watched his performance with SRV on Utube this afternoon and started to cry. Walked outside and there were at least two dozen hawks soaring on the thermals! I was awe struck, he could soar with the best. God bless you Jeff.
saw Jeff in 1988 in manchester, one of the best gigs i have ever been too, brilliant. sad to hear of his passing. oddly, he died on what would have been the 60th birthday of another of the guitar greats who died too young, rory gallagher.