Blind guitar wizard Jeff Healey of Toronto died Sunday of cancer. He was 41.
Stephen Pate –
(From National Post obituary)
Jeff Healey, Norman Jeffrey Healey, a Canadian blues and jazz virtuoso, left an indelible mark on music.
He’s renowned for his 1988 masterpiece “See The Light,” featuring the iconic hit “Angel Eyes.” This maestro earned a Grammy nomination for his electrifying track “Hideaway” and clinched a Juno in 1990 as Entertainer of the Year.
Among his musical gems are the soul-stirring “How Long Can a Man Be Strong” and a mesmerizing rendition of The Beatles’ classic, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”
Healey’s journey was unique; he lost his sight as a baby to a rare form of retinal cancer, a battle he valiantly fought throughout his life. He breathed life into his first guitar as a toddler, developing a distinctive playing style, setting it on his knees.
By his teenage years, Healey was already leading the four-piece sensation, the Blue Direction, captivating audiences in Toronto’s vibrant club scene. His true magnum opus emerged with the formation of the Jeff Healey Band, featuring bassist Joe Rockman and drummer Tom Stephen.
The Jeff Healey Band achieved monumental success, becoming a household name in Canada and selling over a million albums in the U.S.
Jeff Healey shared stages with legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan, George Harrison, and B.B. King, leaving audiences spellbound with his mesmerizing performances.
However, Healey’s love for music transcended boundaries. Later in his career, he ventured into jazz, diving into the genre’s golden era of the 1920s and ’30s. He released multiple jazz albums and amassed a collection of 25,000 78 rpm jazz records. His passion extended to hosting a show on Toronto’s CJRT-FM, where he shared his musical insights.
At the time of his passing, Jeff Healey was on the verge of unveiling his first rock/blues CD in eight years, “Mess of Blues,” scheduled for release in Europe in March and in Canada on April 22.
Healey’s journey was not without its share of trials. He battled cancer relentlessly, undergoing surgeries to combat its advances, yet his spirit remained unbroken.
In his personal life, he leaves behind his beloved wife, Cristie, and two cherished children, Rachel and Derek, alongside his father Bud, and stepmother Rose, and two sisters, Laura and Linda.
As of this moment, details regarding the funeral and memorial arrangements are pending, but Jeff Healey’s music and legacy will forever resonate in the hearts of music enthusiasts worldwide.
As of Sunday night, funeral and memorial arrangements had not been announced.
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