Blind Guitarist Jeff Healey Dies at 41

[Ghost in the Machine]

Blind Guitarist Jeff Healey Dies at 41


Posted: Today at 7:17 a.m.
Updated: Today at 9:00 a.m.

TORONTO — Blind rock and jazz musician Jeff Healey has died after a lifelong battle against cancer. He was 41.

Healey died Sunday evening in a Toronto hospital, said bandmate Colin Bray, who was in the room with Healey's family when the guitarist died.

The Grammy-nominated Healey rose to stardom as the leader of the Jeff Healey Band, a rock-oriented trio that gained international acclaim and platinum record sales with the 1988 album "See the Light." The album included the hit single "Angel Eyes."

Healey had battled cancer since age 1, when a rare form of retinal cancer known as Retinoblastoma claimed his eyesight.

His unique playing style, combined with his blues-oriented vocals, earned him a reputation as a teenage musical prodigy. He shared stages with George Harrison, B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

http://www.wral.com/entertainment/story/2514481/

R.I.P. Mr. Healey.... as my guitar gently weeps

[Poiuyt]

1. He was great in Road House

[9119495]

4. No one was great in "Road House"...still RIP

[blm]

9. Kelly Lynch's legs looked great.

;)

And Healey's guitar playing is great no matter what.

[9119495]

10. points taken...

Still, what a great example of a disaster of a film you just can't turn away from. I think it is one of the funniest films ever made...even though it was released as an action-drama.

[Poiuyt]

12. Come on! A world famous barroom bouncer who also has a PhD in philosophy?

That genius!!

[9119495]

13. Okay...The Onion AV Club (their "serious" publication)

did a piece on the "Way of the Swayze: How to be a Thoughtful Hunk"

Enjoy:

http://www.avclub.com/content/feature/the_way_of_the_swayze_how_to_be

[Fuzz]

2. Sad. Saw him live years ago at Toad's Place in New Haven

[Swamp Rat]

3. RIP

[madrchsod]

5. i wondered why he was never heard of for a long time

dam fine player. ...to much sad news

[cynatnite]

6. So sad...

He gave us such wonderful music.

[Ghost in the Machine]

7. kick

[blm]

8. Geez, that makes my heart hurt. I loved that man and his talent.

I watched him play his heart out on stage a number of times when his fingers would be bleeding and the room would be filled with pain and emotion.

[madokie]

11. I was listening to a blues station on directtv today and the dj was talking about this

played some music from a new cd that Jeff Healey has coming out in a couple weeks. I still listen to See the Light from time to time as its one of my all time favorites. Rest easy Jeff, maybe your next journey will be kinder to you.

[mitchum]

14. A great player Rest In Peace

[mcscajun]

15. Awww, FUCK!

I knew he was blind, I knew he was great; I didn't know his blindness was due to cancer and that it would claim him all too soon...far too young for his gift to be silenced.

RIP, Jeff. :cry:

[Kat45]

16. Oh! I'm so sorry to hear that.

I didn't realize that his blindness was caused by cancer. Wow! He was a good guitarist; I think I have his first album. RIP Jeff.

[reprehensor]

17. Hats off to Healey.

I'm proud to say I've got his autograph on my Tele.

He was a bad mother on the Gee-tar. Weird way of playing, but bad ass as all get out.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

18. Damn!

R.I.P.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRov2XscQJc

[stop the bleeding]

19. Damn! RIP

[Pooka Fey]

20. R.I.P. Jeff

This guy was an awesome musician. Thanks for posting.

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

21. RIP, and a tip of the hat to Mr Healey

Yet another great gone before his time. He was an absolutely incredible talent. The music world is a little emptier today. :cry: