Jeff Healey Died

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Jeff Healey Died

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Pgh_flamenco

Posts: 1506
Joined: Dec. 5 2007
From: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Jeff Healey Died

Jeff Healey, the Canadian-born, blind, blues/jazz guitarist died on Sunday. He was only 41 years old. I saw a DVD recording of him playing live years ago and was overwhelmed by how good he was. I saw another recorded performance recently and Healy could barely play at all—it seemed apparent he was in poor health.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 5 2008 6:24:41

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Jeff Healey Died (in reply to Pgh_flamenco)

I am really sorry to hear that

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 5 2008 6:26:21

Jim9guitars

Posts: 60
Joined: Aug. 25 2005
From: Kingston ON Canada

RE: Jeff Healey Died (in reply to Pgh_flamenco)

Jeff had been battling cancer for most of his life, it cost him his eyesight at age one. His unique style of playing solidbody electric face up on his lap while seated was amazing. While a lot of blues guitarists play like that when using a slide, he didn't, he learned to play everything "overhanded", chords, killer leads and all. I had occasion to speak to him on the phone once about 5 years ago, his wife was singing a few songs at a friends wedding and I was hired to back her up. I couldn't believe it, I kept thinking 'why did they hire me when her husband is Jeff Healey?'. Anyway, his wife had me talk to him about the music I was to play and he grabbed a guitar and played some ideas over the phone for me and told me what fingerings to use for the chords, he was very cool. I was very saddened to hear of his passing, I know they had at least one child. He was also a noted trumpet player and had a band that played jazz from the 30's and 40's, and he hosted a jazz radio show on CBC here in Canada for a few years featuring mainly music from his own extensive collection of 78 rpm records. He will be missed.

Jim

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 5 2008 11:27:27

kovachian

Posts: 506
Joined: Jan. 30 2008
From: Americanistan

RE: Jeff Healey Died (in reply to Pgh_flamenco)

He was a monster player and a gift to the world of music. Evidently, the cancer that claimed his sight had finally caught up to him but he fought bravely.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 5 2008 11:28:22

Conrad

Posts: 533
Joined: Jul. 16 2003
From: Toronto, ON, Canada

RE: Jeff Healey Died (in reply to Pgh_flamenco)

Ya, guys, this hit me hard. He was a charismatic, disarming entertainer. He would emulate Louis Armstrong's trumpet and vocal styles very well, too, as he was an enormous early jazz fan and a superb player. I saw him just last year playing up a blues storm quite well still but I always loved his jazz touch. He would make endearing jokes about his condition and seemed to have a triumphant spirit. I met him once as well and he was very kind to me. Canada definitely loved Jeff and I'm glad to read that he's recognized abroad.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 5 2008 14:17:57

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: Jeff Healey Died (in reply to Pgh_flamenco)

That really sux! One of my favorite movies is Road House with Patrick Swayze. Jeff's band is the house band in one of the bars. Ironically, Patrick Swayze is now battling cancer.

He died just before the release of a new album! It was suposed to be his first rock album in 8 years. Healey will be greatly missed.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 8 2008 8:22:10

duende

Posts: 3053
Joined: Dec. 15 2003
From: Sweden

RE: Jeff Healey Died (in reply to Pgh_flamenco)

Im sorry to hear that. Never collected his records but i´ve heard him and knew his playing. At a very young age as well. Bad.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 8 2008 8:40:43

Pgh_flamenco

Posts: 1506
Joined: Dec. 5 2007
From: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

RE: Jeff Healey Died (in reply to TANúñez)

quote:

One of my favorite movies is Road House with Patrick Swayze. Jeff's band is the house band in one of the bars.

I read the director of Road House came up with the idea for the movie after seeing Healey perform--Healey was the inspiration for Road House.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 8 2008 9:15:56

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: Jeff Healey Died (in reply to Pgh_flamenco)

quote:

Healey was the inspiration for Road House.

I think Healey is an inspiration for a lot of people too. No matter what your disability is, don't let it stop you from doing what you love.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 8 2008 10:23:38

cathulu

Posts: 950
Joined: Dec. 15 2006
From: Vancouver, Canukistan

RE: Jeff Healey Died (in reply to Conrad)

He will be missed. Cancer is a bloody miserable thing. Jeff's only failing according to Jim Cuddy was he sounded like Brian Mulroney! Which reminds me of Reagan and Mulroney singing when Irish Eyes are Smiling.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 8 2008 15:57:16

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: Jeff Healey Died (in reply to Pgh_flamenco)

Very sad news. I love Jeff's sound and style.
I cant believe he's gone. Way too young.
Hope he's having some good jams with Hendrix and co. now.

Im glad i have some records, so i can still hear that great tone he had.
R.I.P Jeff!! We love you!!

Side note:
He played the guitar with the back flat across his lap, with
the left hand over top of the fingerboard. I think this is alot of the reason
for his very distinctive, and bright tone.
Its interesting the way he's accepted as a "Real Blues player", even though his technique was
not "traditional" or "conventional" blues technique.

In many musical traditions, they do not accept or acknowledge players
who dont use the traditional technique.

Yikes!!
T

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 8 2008 19:26:03

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: Jeff Healey Died (in reply to ToddK)

quote:

Side note:
He played the guitar with the back flat across his lap, with
the left hand over top of the fingerboard.

I've always wondered why he played this way? I'm sure he could play the normal way. Perhaps it was in fact because of the tones he could get out of it this way.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 9 2008 2:51:35