Jeff lost his eyesight to cancer at a very young age. 1or 2 years old His father gave him a guitar when he was three and he found it easier to play it on his lap because he was so young . Unfortunately cancer claimed his life when he was 41. He was from Toronto, Canada An amazing talent gone too soon.
GREAT reaction Jone!! Jeff Healey (RIP) was the real deal, and this song/video exemplified it (not to mentioned being 'supported' by legends like Dr. John on keys!) My wife and I saw him live in 2000, and it was an incredible night of blues rock - Jeff absolutely KILLED it on every track (standout was a cover of Cream's Sunshine Of Your Love) This man felt the music! Check out more. Cheers!!
He was also an incredible trumpet player, had one of the largest private record collections, been playing guitar since he was 3, SRV and Albert Collins discovered him, lotsa hits. RIP Jeff. Pleasure to have met you at the Dinwoodie
I like how you keep talking about the "bass player" when it's Marcus Miller playing. He's one of the greatest bassists to ever live and a massive innovator of slap bass. Huge deal in the jazz/fusion world.
Canada, in the 80s, pumped out just an amazing amount of world-class music--much of it traditional and electric blues. Jeff and Colin James were two of the biggest trad/electric bluesmen. The first time I saw this, I remember having to pick my jaw off the floor. Just a god.
Jeff exemplifies what happens when a players only option is to learn not just by ear but by feel. So unique, so phenomenal and so authentic. A Canadian treasured gift to the blues who unfortunately died with a lot of music left in him. A true inspiration that handicap doesn’t stand in the way of passion.
Great reaction. This show was "Night Music," a very improbable late-night weekend live music show that featured a wide array of artists from all over the musical map. The house band here includes Marcus Miller (legend) on bass, and Omar Hakim (legend) on drums. One of the criticisms of Jeff when he first came out was that the rhythm section in his own band, the Jeff Healey Band, was solid but underwhelming, and I'm afraid I agree. Hearing him play with a squad of absolute assassins like these makes you wonder what more he could have been capable of, at least in his early days. I have been a fan of his since this album came out when I was in high school, and it was my distinct honor to see him live in concert twice. What a master.
What an amazing talent Jeff was. Incredible guitar player with a very unusual technique. I saw him on tv when he first started getting known and went straight out and bought his first album and everything he brought out after. Very sadly missed!
Your comments were spot on. Healy appeared to be having a great time with 3 of the worlds most talented musicians (jazz world for sure). Dr john (piano), Omar Hakim (drums) and Marcus Millar (bass) made this a very special performance that as recorded "live" is a gift to the world. Healy and Dr John are no longer with us and this is a wonderful moment in history we can forever refer to remember Healy and the band by.
