Guitarist Jeff Healey dies of cancer at 41
One of Canada's premier musicians; Juno winner, also nominated for Grammy
Canwest News Service and Times Colonist
Published: Sunday, March 02, 2008
Virtuosic Toronto guitarist Jeff Healey has died of cancer. He was 41.
Healey lost his vision as a baby to a rare form of retinal cancer and he battled the disease throughout his life. His website said he died with his wife, Cristie, at his bedside in Toronto's St. Joseph's Hospital.
Norman Jeffrey Healey was one of Canada's premier musicians, a Juno winner who was also nominated for a Grammy award. Healey was probably best known for his 1988 blues-rock album See the Light, which included the hit single Angel Eyes. But he was also a jazz fan, musician and collector who was host of a CBC Radio program, My Kinda Jazz, that featured rare material from his 30,000-plus collection of 78 r.p.m. albums.
I just read this news elsewhere. I owned his CD See The Light. He had a bluesy rock voice. I had no idea he had been battling cancer his whole life!
His latest rock album is slated for an April release....very sad news.
Sorry to admit that Jeff Healey was not previously known to me. That oversight was corrected yesterday and am impressed with his sound.
Here is a "concert" of his work on YouTube for you to explore
check out the one with Stevie Ray Vaughn and Healey's cover of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" http://www.youtube.com/results?search_qu...arch_type=
Just so you all know chasacourt is Charlie A'Court, a young musician based in Novia Scotia.
He was brought to our attention by KraftR (also from N.S.) when she organized a Listening Party for him on Boogie - which he attended.
I have his CDs and would love to see him get more attention in New England.
This is a link to the thread that was started for the Listening Party back then. It also has information on Charlie.
I also had not heard of him and so sorry for his premature death.
Bitter sweet somethings in life,I immediately listened to AH video and then ran over to Amazon and OMG I love his voice and his blusey vibe I just puchased his Live at Montreua 1999 which by the way has these greats on it.
Angel Eyes
Roadhouse Blues
Hoochie Coochie Man.
I will also be buying more of him.
This is what I so much about you people and this crazy music thing that we all love although he has passed he also has been born again with in us.I have a really hard time trying to express my thoughts and feelings,but anyway I hope it made some sense.
So true Lisa, the rediscovery of all these other artists due to our
Taylor connection This was sad news. Loved Angel Eyes, and will have a listen to the others-haven't heard him in years.
This is what I so much about you people and this crazy music thing that we all love although he has passed he also has been born again with in us.I have a really hard time trying to express my thoughts and feelings,but anyway I hope it made some sense.
You did a beautiful job of saying what so many of us value about this crazy ride we have been on for a couple of years now.
As someone said to me recently - this has become about so much more than Taylor - - and I agree.
That in no way is a slight of him or his central role in bringing us together - - and in fact I think he would approve - - because he was, and is, the catalyst for bringing a world of Good music to the forefront to be shared and discussed and enjoyed.
Just look at the number of ways he has put his own choices of songs and artists out there for us to hear and then explore further. How many things in our playlists are a direct result of something Taylor sang or spoke about ? ?
And there have been wonderful mentors along the way for those of us who were dusting off our collections and jumping back in the game - and for those for whom it was all new. Sadly a lot of those people have faded away but they planted the seeds that keep us exploring and sharing our love of good music.
Sorry to "pontificate" yet again - guess I am having a bit of a melancholy Monday ( and if that isn't a song title it should be ! ).
Lisa,
you may feel like you can't always say things the way you want to - hey, join the crowd - I think most of us feel that way - but your love of the music comes through loud and clear. I can't resist saying this - I wish I'd known about your interest 2 years ago - I think you would have loved GrayCharles, the site and the blogger - and I think he would have appreciated your spirit and honesty - and liked you just the way you are.
As much as we all enjoy discussing our individual likes and dislikes - there really is no right or wrong - music just is !
His other songs from Roadhouse are - - I'm Torn Down
When the Night Comes Falling from the Sky -
(I'm Your) Hoochie Coochie Man
Patrick Swazey is a favorite too but when I think of Roadhouse this is the first person I think of - - quite possibly the sexiest voice in film - ever.
(Yes, AH does occasionally have a fangirl moment )
that song.
Loved Angel Eyes, and will have a listen to the others-haven't heard him in years.
)