What a talented but humble man. Im a huge admirer of his work, the man himself, and his gear. to the family! Out of a turkey. With such a treasure trove of material, my Ipod plays Healey music every day. Thanks to the incredible vision and dedication of Roger and the entire team involved, I was delighted that we were able to share these astonishing works with all of you. So glad we saw you in Islington in 07. [13] In March 2016 the posthumous album Heal My Soul was released,[14] followed by the companion album Holding On in December of the same year. I had copies of the reference recordings on my iPod. I was born in 67, so I missed the Hendrixes and Creams. Jeff gave us all so much of what he saw in his time here love and music, all in abundance and without hesitation. They just couldnt contemplate the fact that he was gone. Jeff Healey's Roadhouse, a bar in Toronto which showcases blues bands is named after Healey. Yknow, he hadnt resigned himself to anything. Playing it was like air to him. Just a little electric piano in the background, to bolster some of Jeffs guitar parts.. Id never seen anything like it. We dedicated it to Jeff and in his honor. IM AROUND SAME AGE AS JEFF WOULD BE IM 51 , YES JEFF LEFT US WAY TO SOON!! And he was over the moon. But you could also hear it in his vocals., I can only guess, but All The Saints and Moodswing, theyre to do with personal turmoil, says Cristie of the lyric sheet. God bless from Iggy in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, UK. 278)", "The ARIA Report! In 2009, he was inducted into Terry Fox Hall of Fame. A friend of mine dragged me out. Jeff Healey, a Canadian guitarist, singer and songwriter whose band sold millions of blues-rock records and who also pursued a passion for old-time jazz, playing the trumpet and clarinet, died. Sometimes daily. Hello Cristie, my name is Gerry (Im female). I put off learning guitar because of laziness but since this past Christmas-My Uncle bought me an Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plustop Pro guitar and a Line 6 amplifier I have been trying to learn. What Shows Have Been Renewed or Canceled? Glad he has not been forgotten. Theyre gonna hear Jeff in a way that theyve never heard him before, Heal My Soul is released on March 25 via Provogue. So there were sort of placeholder drums, or electronic drums, and that had to be taken care of. Like he was there. He can play instruments like no other I wish I could of met Jeff omg I would tell him how much he is loved and appreciated. [2] His eyes had to be surgically removed, and he was given ocular prostheses. On March 2, 2008, he died of sarcoma cancer at the age of 41. On January 11, 2007, Jeff Healey had an operation to remove metastatic tissue from both of his lungs. Or why not treat yourself? Please let me know Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. I really got on this fb site because I liked his music alot and learned so much more from his fans and the music I got to hearthank you to you All. I live in Virginia and have seen where he used to play at The Boathouse at Bessies Place in Norfolk. Jeff will be with us all forever and his life will show us if we want to do something we can do it with whatever obstacles are in our way. A notable exception, to my mind, is the Hell To Pay album. To know that it had been sitting there all of those years we absolutely had to make sure that we got this out there., Costa remembers that there were a lot of legal issues, some decks that needed to be cleared before Heal My Soul could begin in earnest. Ed], Jeff was not happy with where his life was, says Cristie. Had the band continued beyond that point, Im quite certain that Jeff would have revisited some of these tracks, says Costa. "" denotes single that did not chart or was not released. He just thought that the lap was the proper place and learned that way. I wish you and your family well.Thank you.. I couldnt make it halfway through without bawling my eyes out. One of my favorite guitarists tough to emulate, the neighborhood is rocking to Jeff tonight here in Greece. Was just listening to Jeffs music and watched a few interviews. Was rewatching the movie Road House and wondered what became of this handsome sweet singer. While I was a fan from the day Can You See The Light was released, somehow I lost track due to many reasons. [19][20], On January 11, 2007, Healey underwent surgery to remove metastatic cancer tissue from both lungs. My band started playing While My Guitar Gently Weeps recently and it was Jeffs version we pulled up to learn rather than the original. These stories are awesome I will be reading everything I can and listening to all the music I can find to help keep his memory alive even in a small way. I was at the show at Bourbon street west and saw Jeffs show and I took some pics. Your continued loyalty has encouraged us to keep finding new ways to remember him and I thank you so very much for that. Not sure if its a sign to let you know he is in a wonderful place with good people and happy. But on about the fourth show, I stood in the wings with Coco Montoya, and we were floored. Nice to see he s still remembered and being loved by so many people in addition to his wife, kids and family. In June 2011, Woodford Park in Toronto was renamed Jeff Healey Park in his honour. My Daughter has chosen his Angel Eyes song as their first dance song. also available as 3 CD set) www.jeffhealey.com, "Blind 'Angel Eyes' Singer Jeff Healey Dies of Cancer at 41", The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music, "Award-winning musician 'followed his own passion', "Independent Music Awards 8th Annual Winners", "Park renamed to commemorate Jeff Healey - CBC News", "Our consolation is in the stardust of his songs", "Heal My Soul - Jeff Healey | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic", "Holding On: A Heal My Soul Companion - Review", "Heal My Soul: The story of the great 'lost' Jeff Healey album", "Jeff Healey Heal My Soul | Album Review", "Jeff Healey Holding On A Heal My Soul Companion", "Jeff Healey, Guitarist and Singer, Dies at 41", "Blues guitarist Jeff Healey recovering from lung cancer surgery", "australian-charts.com > Jeff Healey in Australian Charts", "Chartifacts Week Ending 11th June 1995 Issue No. Put The Shoe On The Other Foot: I think thats pretty self evident. It was the day that nobody quite believed would come, recalls Roger Costa, the late guitarists closest friend, co-administrator of his estate and executive producer of Heal My Soul. It was more than likely post-1985 (but not definitely) as he didnt really start playing out of the country until after he formed the JHB, Jeff was given his first guitar at the tender age of 3 by his parents for Christmas. He married Cristie Hall in 2004 and had a son with her. Wish we could have met him. Just click the SHOP tab up above or go to this link SHOP. Some of it was unfinished. Because, of course, the cold, hard, ugly truth is that Jeff Healey died at the age of 41 on March 2, 2008, following a three-year fight with sarcoma cancer. A bar in Toronto, ON, Canada (Jeff Healey's Roadhouse) which showcases blues bands is named after him. Keeps me sane. Glad you keep his memory alive. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/jeff-healey-11367.php. Have a wonderful Christmas, dont forget to put up his ornament and hug the kids. And hes one of the greatest musicians Ive ever known., Im just so happy that were finally here, reflects Cristie. Because Id forgotten how public a figure he was. I watch concerts of you singing your lungs out and ripping the strings up on stage. In 1992, Jeff Healey married his first wife Krista Miller. But, she counters, I knew he wasnt done. We went to Fiddle Heads restaurant before the concert, and their was Jeff with his friends. A beautiful tribute to a great man. A TRUE ARTIST!! Anyway, Yesterday I saw a video of a musician performing while she was wearing a Jeff Healey shirt. Canada, to Percy Alexander "Bud" Healey (1934-2019), and his wife Yvonne . He looks over your familyI have no doubt about that. All the best to the Healey Clan. Was fortunate enough to be front row center when JHB played Syracuse Symphony Hall early 90s. As a guitar player trying to figure out licks ,this was amazing to watch .He was flying on his guitar ! And once he started to show me what he had in mind, I could see it.. I hope he can see in Heaven and I hope to see him tearing up the stage when my time comes to pass Thank you for this website and for all you do to keep Jeffs memory alive. Thank you for being the loving wife you were to Jeff. The organization is dedicated to help those suffering from retinoblastoma, the genetic eye cancer which led to Healeys blindness at eleven months of age. Walter Trout on his long friendship with Jeff Healey. With that in mind, lets take today to remember Jeff. His music will live in my heart forever, Good day to you my relatives. Look it up! So one of the things we did was deliberately set out to make these recordings sound timeless. I met Jeff several times in Australia in a music shop I worked at. It was always, Okay, how do we beat this? The final number was the Hendrix cover Watchtower. He rode in the Limo I rented, I jammed with him to some Cream CDs after the gig on his Travel Truck/Bus.he was so down to earth and personable.and as good as they get RIP Jeff -(BAM). Sit down, stop that! He was still performing. When Jeff Healey was born in 1966 with eye cancer retinoblastoma that claimed his sight at age 1, the odds were against him at the time. He is the author of Walter Trout's official biography, Rescued From Reality, a music pundit on Times Radio and BBC TV, and an interviewer who has spoken to Brian May, Jimmy Page, Ozzy Osbourne, Ronnie Wood, Dave Grohl, Marilyn Manson, Kiefer Sutherland and many more. You can hear the frustration, nods Costa, and just the emotion of what was happening in his life at the time. Heres a link to a photo I took of Jeff that night. I saw Jeff three times in 88-89 and still pull his music out. How his vocals had a very immediate quality. Will be airing again on Texas time zone on March 10th at 2pm CMT (327) and 730pm. Hed had a bad experience in the music business, and he had become discouraged, and he had quit playing the guitar and he was playing the trumpet in a Dixieland band at his club. We are missing this amazing musician. It was just two vocal tracks and two guitar tracks, and it was gorgeous. And a little cup for money, like he was busking. Hello It turned out to be the last show hed play in London. Reaches out and touches your cold black heart, no? We All Love Him , We Hope He Will Come Back To Us education: Etobicoke Collegiate Institute, See the events in life of Jeff Healey in Chronological Order, https://www.shazam.com/gb/track/49702981/angel-eyes-live-1989, https://www.famousfix.com/list/canadian-blues-guitarists, https://www.amazon.com/Jeff-Healey/e/B000APNGDS, http://exclaim.ca/music/article/rip_jeff_healey. He was an inspiration to me and the other guitarist in the band. Do you know if there are any commercially available DVDS that teach his techniques? It hit me hard when he passed. Saw the him live before a Big Band in Va. that is why we went to hear him only could not believe it ! The two have a son named Derek. Where do I start? Usually that is what I take from my dreams. The couple had a daughter named Rachel before parting ways in 1998. To be fair, there wasnt a lot to begin with. And I think the people that dont know, are gonna hear these things and be floored. This to me is the definition of a true legend, one whom will never, ever be forgotten. Top 100 peaks from January 1990 to December 2010: This page was last edited on 21 April 2023, at 15:21. I think when the band finally split up, there was tension, but part of him was relieved. March 2nd 2008 was a day that still is very fresh in my mind and always be with me.I was a very young Jeff Healey fan when I first discovered him through the See The Light Live From London performance that my mom had taped from the tv broadcast. Anyway, he said someone came to this place and gave him a guitar, but no one had ever showed him how it was supposed to be held to play it. Earlier, he also had two sarcomas removed from his legs. The way he played, laying the guitar on his lap and attacking the neck nobody played like that. You were probably the only one there who knew that. The power and the passion, the material and theatrics. Healey discovered and helped develop the careers of other musical artists, including Terra Hazelton, Amanda Marshall,[9] Shannon Curfman, and Philip Sayce[10], In early 2009, Healey's album Mess of Blues won in The 8th Annual Independent Music Awards for Best Blues Album.[11]. The bass player would kinda follow him around, and if Jeff was getting near the edge, he would bump him a little bit, to tell him to stop, and kinda direct him around the stage. And he gave it right back to us. But, in the YT comments I read that Jeff passed away many years ago. It won the title of the Best Blues Album at the 8th Annual Independent Music Awards. Though he had lent his name to the club and often played there, Jeff Healey did not own or manage the bar. Then not finding the right take and going back to the vault. On paper, it might smack of another odds-and-sods posthumous trolley dash through the vaults. The Heal My Soul material comes from a delicate juncture in Jeffs career, which both Costa and Cristie seem wary of discussing in too much detail. Over time, Jeff felt he was serving our management company instead of vice versa. He was very accomadating and friendly. I am so honored that I was able to go to the one that you held at the Docks in Toronto. It blew me away how tight he and his band were, and the skill he had playing the guitar in the way that he did. TORONTO - Blind rock and jazz musician Jeff Healey has died after a lifelong battle against cancer. My friend in Japan liked his music also. And Freedom , Jeff Healey Still Remain Incredible Guitar Legend. I so what to compliment him on his great talent, but didnt want to bother him. Beautifully said Cristie, its still hard to believe Jeff is gone period, let alone 10 years now. I had the privilege of seeing Jeff & his band live in Wellington New Zealand performing their last concert of the See The Light world tour. It was making him bitter at that point., Relations strained during the time of these recordings, writes Rockman in the Heal My Soul sleevenotes, making things challenging beyond the norm to write, record and perform together. It doesnt seem right or real that he passed away at just 41. But these were the sort of decisions that he wasnt as invested in any more. Id already decided, at that point, this was stuff that needed to be heard. He started hosting a music show on the radio station CIUT-FM and became popular for playing vintage 78 rpm gramophone records. After 10 years, his memory still lives on in our hearts and in his music , which we are blessed to have forever. Part of that has been making sure his family, friends and fans continue to have the opportunity to hear his amazing performances through ongoing projects. Theres countless tales of artists finding that real beauty comes out of adversity., On cuts like the ferocious opener Daze Of The Night and the wistful country-tinged closer Its The Last Time, you can guess at the context. Its all either formula, or just mean noise. Healey's death came a month before the release of Mess of Blues, which was his first rock/blues album in eight years.[23]. by Rog | Mar 2, 2018 | Blog, Guest Blog | 107 comments. I am blessed with having eyesight, but many times I closed my eyes while listening to Jeff, and I pretended that was as talented as him. He graduated from the Etobicoke Collegiate Institute in Toronto. Didnt know that the day he passed was on my bday though!! Healey began playing guitar when he was three, developing his unique style of playing the instrument flat on his lap. My respects and love to his loving family. We still love and live on. It would have been very interesting to see what he would be doing now, how he would be playing. Hes really the driving force behind this. (July 18, 2003 - March 2, 2008) (his death, 1 child), (October 1992 - 1998) (divorced, 1 child), View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. Released on March 25, 2016, through Provogue, this lost album gathers 12 unreleased tracks, recorded by the guitarist as his world-conquering original band crumbled in the late 90s. Louder is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Loved all his music . Hello Cristie, funny what comes into your mind at 4 am when you cant sleep. R I P Jeff. Only thought to say how sweet a looking guy he was! Although I am 12 years older that Jeff was and played guitar longer than Jeff, he was a huge, huge inspiration to me and still is. Hi, Im just watching Roadhouse, for the 2nd time in many years. He was truly so gifted. I think it was with Bonnie Rait , yes it was . Even as his band approached meltdown, Jeff had never been more prolific in his work. Its been so important to me that Jeffs work is available to his children. Its been a long time coming, but its so worth it. I proudly display a poster from that show in our studio. March 2 nd is now upon us and is has been five years since Jeff passed away. ARG! I will always love you, Jeff. To be loved, cared for and appreciated makes living with problems or challenges more tolerable. We dont have this in music now. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada,[2] Healey was raised in the city's west end. What a great legacy. if you would like to donate to the channel here ar. Thanks Cristie for the loving words on the anniversary of Jeffs passing.You would know how many people across the globe miss this Legend For me,its the reason that I do Radio,and continue to try and play the music that we love.In my 71st year,playing the Blues with my good friend Brad on CBGs(Not Brill,But luv it just the same).Keeping in touch thru his website is great for me,so to you,your family & RogThank You for all that you do.Best rm Down UnderTecka Terry Iredale Teckas Rock & Blues Show on CRN. I drove home that night thinking I need to close my eyes and listen to guitar. I think I was at that same show at the Casino Rob,I think it was somewhere between like 97or 98, maybe a bit earlier?? I mean, Jeffs parts were all intact: everything he did was there on tape. I am also disabled and feel he was a true inspiration to all disabled people, My husband since has passed , he was the one introduced me to his music . Maybe an isolated harmony played back in the control room. 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Anyway , not to ramble on .. Was thinking of my husband and the music , I play CDs often ,but some how have lost some of my original CDs . All the very best to you and your family, you ladies have done a wonderful job raising Rachel and Derek. You hear the snarl and the growl on every note. Things to fill the gaps. In April 2010, Healeys final studio-recorded jazz album titled Last Call was issued by Stony Plain. I was sad to hear of his passing, but glad to hear that it sounds like you were a true love of his. He is an inspiration, always brings joy to my heart no matter the genre of music he is playing and I continue to pray for him his wife and his children while giving thanks for your continuing his legacy. This is before we started any of the actual work with the masters. Thank you Jeff for all the inspiration, enjoyment, and beautiful music. We also saw him in Ottawa at the Central after coming from seeing Dan Ackroyd at the NAC! The remastering process was a tightrope, explains Costa, between maintaining the spirit of Jeffs original recordings and making them resonate in modern times. I remember, the last operation he had was to remove cancerous tissue in his lungs, picks up Costa. He nods: It was a process that took about a year. 10 years is short compared to how long into the future you will be remembered. Jeff passed away just 2 months before my father, who also had cancer. But one of the things that kept popping up was how present Jeff seemed to be. His music is stilled played in our house. I would like to know what Jeffs technique for playing is called? I thought Damn! Cause you cant pull the wool over me cause Im a confidence man, Angel eyes is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Jeff Healey Is The Ultimate Guitar Legend Since Jimi Hendrix Billboard Hot 100 chart with "Angel Eyes" and reached the Top 10 in Canada with the songs "I Think I Love You Too Much" and "How Long Can a Man Be Strong". What a blessing to be able to hear his voice everyday! A subscription makes a thoughtful gift for both family and friends. God Bless! Musician, Actor. Do we have to go on after this kid?. ! I was so happy to hear him, see him play Im from Canada too Vancouver and Toronto been to both places and I stumbled upon reading this and love it thanks for the tribute and its going to be a Jeff Healey night Ive asked Google to play now , Hey Cristie, I never met Jeff but always enjoyed his music. Saw Jeff play in SanFrancisco warming up for ZZ Top. The camaraderie and unified vision was inexorably splintering. My heart goes out to you, his family and all the other fans who still love Jeffs music. When we played All The Saints for the first time, he adds, we were floored. We have so much to thank Jeff for including bringing us all together through his music, his friendship and his generosity of spirit. He knew I would love and I did ! That was a day I will never forget. [2] Healey had numerous acting scenes in the movie with Swayze, as his band was the house cover band for the bar featured in the movie. I read all these pages on him fascinating. I had been following him and his music since 1988 when I heard Confidence Man on the radio and it made me sit up and take notice ! When he first started playing the guitar, Healey often played country music in the style of Chet Atkins and Luther Perkins . But for instance, mostly with the drums, a lot of the takes werent finished. Heres how it works. Maybe an isolated harmony played back in the control room. Im a 48 year old disabled man in a wheelchair and Im a Jeff Healey fan since See the Light was released. At that point, continuing to play with the guitar flat as hed been doing for some time made sense to his brain (although by then, he was grown enough to play it on his lap). Luv Ricki xxoo, Yes, so do think and feel many of us, all over the globe! Who knows, maybe one or both of them will take up music, if thats what they truly love in life I know you and Jeff would not want it any other way. I think its also in part because of the turmoil that he was going through, and all of the stress. When he was 15, Healey formed the band Blue Direction,[4] a four-piece that primarily played bar-band cover tunes and featured bassist Jeremy Littler, drummer Graydon Chapman, and schoolmate Rob Quail on second guitar. He made a conscious [decision] that it wouldnt slow him down, explains Costa. Jeff Healey's wife, Cristie, and his father Bud Healey, at the late musician's eponymous park pennington manches paralegal, university of richmond spider,