Sad news to report. The great Canadian blues guitarist Jeff Healey died yesterday after a long battle with cancer (It had led to the removal of both of his eyes when he was a baby)
A Stones connection is that Jeff opened for them at the RPM Club pre-tour Voodoo Lounge show in Toronto in July 1994, later joining them onstage for "I Cant Get Next To You"
Jeff Healey, Dead at 41
by Paul Cashmere - March 3 2008
Blind blues guitarist Jeff Healey has died at the age of 41 after a battle with cancer.
Healey as had cancer since the age of one. He lost his sight to Retinoblastoma, an eye cancer.
Despite his handicap, Healey taught himself to play guitar and became a teenage prodigy.
The international success broke when his 'See The Light' album went on to achieve platinum sales.
Next, Healey and his band got their big break when they appeared in the Patrick Swayze movie 1989 'Road House'.
Jeff was an avid record collector and amassed a collection of more than 30,000 vinyls. He put them to good use. He started his own radio show with a playlist that featured songs from his own collection.
Jeff's death comes just one month before the release of his new album 'Mess of Blues'. It will be his first rock album in 8 years.
Healey died in St Joseph's Health Centre in his hometown of Toronto. He leaves behind a wife and two children.
I just heard that this morning - quite sad indeed.
I was fortunate enough to experience his excellent playing first hand in Dallas back in the late '80s when they used to have those free concerts in the West End on Monday nights.
3rd March 2008 08:17 AM
egon
sad news.
3rd March 2008 08:21 AM
VoodooChileInWOnderl
Too bad, sad news. Jeff was a very good example of overcoming. He deserves a header today.
3rd March 2008 08:33 AM
PartyDoll MEG
quote:VoodooChileInWOnderl wrote:
Too bad, sad news. Jeff was a very good example of overcoming. He deserves a header today.
Quick work, Voodoo!
RIP Jeff
3rd March 2008 08:42 AM
VoodooChileInWOnderl
quote:Gazza wrote:
A Stones connection is that Jeff opened for them at the RPM Club pre-tour Voodoo Lounge show in Toronto in July 1994, later joining them onstage for "I Cant Get Next To You"
That's the actual header.
Other connection is that Jeff played with Keith Richards and his X-pensive Winos at the Armory in NYC during the International Rock Awards on May 31, 1989. The musicians here are Waddy Wachtel, Eric Clapton, Jeff Healey, Tina Turner and Keithfucius, they are playing Keep A-Knockin’
Not in the picture also playing in this song we have e-streeter Clarence Clemmons and Dave Edmunds
3rd March 2008 08:52 AM
Tom
Sad news, he was an example to follow and a very talented musician
3rd March 2008 08:55 AM
Jumacfly
RIP Jeff....very sad news for every blues lover
3rd March 2008 08:56 AM
Lazy Bones
sad news, indeed! several radio stations yesterday played jeff's music all day as a tribute to a great loss. not only a great musician, but a terrific human being!
rest in peace, jeff!
[Edited by VoodooChileInWOnderl]
3rd March 2008 09:08 AM
Make It Funky
Whoa.. cancer of the eyes?? Is that some kind of joke?? I thought he had some malignancy a few years ago in his knees? Pretty sad.. seen him a few times, and as much of an arrogant prick that he was, he could play some mean guitar!! RIP.
3rd March 2008 09:48 AM
Joey
RIP Jeff !
3rd March 2008 10:37 AM
Martha
RIP
3rd March 2008 10:45 AM
Fiji Joe
Sad news indeed...
Fiji weeps
3rd March 2008 11:09 AM
GotToRollMe
RIP Jeff.
3rd March 2008 11:16 AM
axl79
Very sad news, great musician, RIP Jeff
3rd March 2008 11:59 AM
Gimme Shelter
That sucks, RIP Jeff
3rd March 2008 12:29 PM
Starbuck
wasn't he in roadhouse?
googling....
3rd March 2008 12:44 PM
Irina
RIP Jeff...
3rd March 2008 01:38 PM
thejuf
messages of condolance at www.jeffhealey.com/wishes/
a great header. Jeff must have shared some jazz secrets with Charlie.
as the message on his website goes:
'Jeff's merely gone off to play at another venue...'
excellent.
rip , Jeff.
3rd March 2008 01:53 PM
mojoman
RIP Jeff........
3rd March 2008 03:12 PM
gustavobala
oh no, first buddy, now jeff!
why lord, why
3rd March 2008 03:17 PM
MikeyC613
he also played at SARStock, very impressive
3rd March 2008 03:26 PM
Sue
Sad news indeed, RIP Jeff
quote:thejuf wrote:
'Jeff's merely gone off to play at another venue...'
That was sweet
3rd March 2008 03:41 PM
moy
not familiar with his music but seems that he was good. Great pix!
3rd March 2008 03:45 PM
VoodooChileInWOnderl
Check his website (http://www.jeffhealeyband.com/) and YouTube, you'll find great stuff
This is Jeff with the late Stevie Ray Vaughan
3rd March 2008 06:21 PM
M.O.W.A.T.
I saw him play at my cousin's club about 10 years ago. Small crowd but he played like he was playing for a stadium.
RIP Jeff.
3rd March 2008 07:02 PM
*ginda
Poor Jeff. He was dogged by cancer from his first day to his last. How fortunate for him he was able to work at something he loved and did so beautifully.
3rd March 2008 08:13 PM
samekath
wow!!! just jumped off the page when i read it...damn!!!! he played quite a bit in austin. and he was a brilliant musician. another tragic loss.
