Jeff Healey 1966 – 2008
Canadian blind rocker Jeff Healey, who uniquely played his guitar flat on his lap, has died of cancer on the eve of his latest album release, his publicist said in a statement.
Healey, 41, died in a Toronto hospital of a rare cancer, retino blastoma, that he had fought since birth and which claimed his eyesight at the age of one.
“Visually, Jeff was an intriguing player to watch, because he played guitar — by any conventional standard — all wrong, with it flat across his lap,” his publicist Richard Flohil told broadcaster CTV Sunday. “But he was a remarkable, a virtuoso player.”
The Jeff Healey Band’s 1988 Grammy-nominated album “See the Light,” which included the hit “Angle Eyes,” sold more than one million copies in the United States.
He played with blues legends B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughn, and recorded with George Harrison, Mark Knopfler, and the late Jimmy Rogers.
At the time of his death, he was about to release his first rock-blues album in eight years, “Mess of Blues.” The CD will be released in March and April in North America and Europe, respectively.
Last year, Healey had surgery to remove the cancer from his legs, and later from both lungs. He also underwent radiation treatment and chemotherapy.
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Jeff back to 70’s golden years of blues rock music. Long live in heaven Jeff !!!
i found out today that Mr Jeff Healey had died i was so so lucky to have seen him twice in the UK the BEST GUITARIST I HAVE EVER SEEN and i have seen a few, BB KINGs comment that Jeff would be the best guitarist the world has ever seen was so right HE WAS A GENIUS i feel i have lost a friend you will be so so missed ,my love goes out to your family.
I am aldo learning to play jeff healey dongs on my guitar to pay tribute to him inside my heart and soul. This loss will be bad and bad and sooo Bad. My heart breaks when youtube announce that jeff died at 41. I was so shocked and I cried.
jeff healey I will miss you lots since the moment I watch your music videos.
jeff healey was one of the most ever guitar player in history. My Heart was shocked that he died and I won’t forget his musical memory. Rest in peace my friend because there will be another special place he will be jamming in our hearts. RIP Love you from the bottom of my heart and enjoy heaven and may god blessed you forever Amen
Another terrible loss for the music world.
R.I.P. Jeff….you’ll always be in our hearts and our ears.
R.I.P. Jeff!
I remember when ‘Angel eyes’ came out, it was a big hit around here and all the girls melted when it was played, LOL! I never got into any other Healey records but when I caught the guy on TV or the radio, I stayed tuned in.
A sad day indeed, thoughts & prayers to the family.
Steve
Heavy Metal Addiction
http://hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com/
Sad news indeed. So young. There’s really nothing fair at all about life. Only the good die young. wise words.