Obit: Guitarist Jeff Healey - R.I.P (March 2008)

Subject: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: Mooh
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 08:13 PM

Just heard that Jeff Healey has died of cancer. Saw him a few weeks ago with the Jazz Wizards. No details yet.

I am so sorry, my sympathies to all who knew and loved him.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: Peace
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 08:17 PM

Sad news, buddy.

"Canadian blues guitarist Jeff Healey dies at 41
Updated Sun. Mar. 2 2008 8:13 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Legendary blues and jazz guitarist Jeff Healey has died, his publicist said Sunday. The Canadian rock musician had battled cancer his entire life.

"It was something he fought with considerable bravery," his publicist, Richard Flohil, told Newsnet late Sunday.

Healey, 41, had also lost his eyesight to a rare form of the disease, Retinoblastoma, at the age of one.

The musician had performed with such acclaimed guitar players as B. B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert Collins and George Harrison.

His full name was Norman Jeffrey Healey and he passed away Sunday in the city of his birth, Toronto, at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Healey first began playing guitar at the age of three and formed his first band while still a teenager, according to his website. He played with a very distinctive style, with laying his guitar flat across his lap.

One of his best-known songs, "Angel Eyes," came from the Grammy-nominated album See the Light.

His blues band, simply called the Jeff Healey Band, has sold more than 1 million albums in the United States. But along with rock and blues music, Healey was also an accomplished jazz musician.

In his final years he had hosted a jazz program on Jazz-FM in Toronto, playing rare tracks from his vast collection of more than 30,000 78-rpm records.

Healey leaves behind his wife, Cristie, 13-year-old daughter Rachel and three-year-old son Derek."

Subject: RE: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: bobad
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 08:24 PM

Yes, so sad. I didn't know about the medical problems that he suffered throughout his life - a brave man and he accomplished so much in spite of the hand he was dealt. He will be missed.

Subject: RE: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 08:44 PM

Another six-stringer done gone...What a loss!
Respect. But I'd kinda like to remember him like this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBBCJ68mC4c
For the Friends and Fans...
Thanks Jeff.
Rest in Peace.
bob

Subject: RE: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 08:53 PM

Sorry to hear of this. He was so young. There are some, now poignant, videos of him on youtube, including Angels Eyes and a Jeff Live in London, May 2007.

Subject: RE: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: meself
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 10:00 PM

This is sad - an enormous talent and a fine man.

I haven't heard any mention of this on CBC yet ... the news has just come on ...

Subject: RE: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: meself
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 10:03 PM

Okay, they just gave an appropriate obituary.

Subject: RE: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: black walnut
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 10:13 PM

I just listened to tonight's interview of Richard Flohil, who was Jeff Healey's publicist. You can hear it if you go to the "video" (loop) on Sympatico MSN news. Mooh, I was thinking of you as soon as I heard this sad news, because I know that you'd heard Jeff play recently. So young, and such a young family too. And the talent. We need to be thankful for the talent and passion that he shared throughout his lifetime of cancer.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: GUEST,iancarterb
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 12:27 AM

I came to Jeff's music through The Vinyl Cafe on CBC radio. Stewart McLean will miss him too. Jeff was funny as well as a killer guitarist and singer. What a bummer.
Carter

Subject: RE: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 02:53 AM

I remember the impact Jeff made when he first appeared. The general music fan might remember him from the movie "Road House", where his band played behind chicken wire for their own safety!

Subject: RE: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: fat B****rd
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 05:40 AM

I'm sad to hear this news. I'd only seen him in "Roadhouse". RIP Mr. H.

Subject: RE: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: Mooh
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 06:47 AM

When we saw him with the Jazz Wizards on February 2 this year, just one month ago, he was coughing and spluttering throughout his rather long set and encore. All he said about it was he was suffering from some virus or something and his other medical problems which he wasn't gonna get into that night. He then played his butt off on guitar and trumpet, sang, soloed, was congenial and funny, and very very entertaining. Even when his archtop guitar fell face flat on the stage he was unruffled. It was one of the best performances I've ever witnessed, from one of the musicians I've admired most. He was hot. His band played very sympathetically, deferring to Jeff's call all evening, but giving each other tons of solo space and accompaniment support.

I wanted to talk to him about three cds I purchased that night, one of which I bought for a disabled friend, but thought that under the circumstances I shouldn't bother him backstage.

A huge talent and personality, what a shame it is that he's gone.

May he rest in peace.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: Beer
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 09:07 AM

Truly sad news. Sympathies to all his love ones.
Adrien

Subject: RE: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: alanabit
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 09:18 AM

I am very sad to hear of his passing. I remember how extraordinary he was the first time I saw him on TV. I did not realise that he had such horrible health problems. What a shame that such a brave and talented man had to leave us so early.

Subject: RE: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: Wesley S
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 09:21 AM

He'll be missed. A fine passionate guitar player. And the world will never have too many of those.

Subject: RE: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: Bee
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 01:33 PM

Oh, this is very sad! I've been a fan for many, many years, and have musician friends who held him in awe.

Subject: RE: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: GUEST,Bardford
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 01:59 PM

Here is a link to a CBC report.

I saw him a long, long time ago at the King Eddy in Calgary. I don't think he was old enough to have a beer then.

A fine player, and I appreciated his appreciation for jazz.

Subject: RE: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: GUEST,DWR
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 04:06 PM

Sorry to hear this.

Jeff Healey was important in so many ways besides the music he made himself. He loved the music of Annette Hanshaw and helped immeasurably in getting her music out to the public.   He also produced albums for Alex Pangman, a contemporary favorite of mine who shared his passion for this wonderful music.

Subject: Obit: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: GUEST,JTS
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 07:52 PM

He was a heck of a guitarist. Gone too soon.
Jeff

Subject: RE: Obit: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 08:45 PM

Very sad news.
I was looking forward to seeing him this summer at the Fargo Blues Fest. He was booked for headliner at the fest Saturday night. Last time he played there (Fargo) he 'discovered' Shannon Curfman and they played together at the fest when she was around 12 or 13 years old (Jonny Lang also helped her get a start in her career).
Happy Trails Jeff...

Subject: RE: Obit: Jeff Healey - R.I.P
From: Becca72
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 11:28 AM

Just heard this news today...This makes me very sad. I came to love his music in my teens, with the release of 'Angel Eyes'. The brightest stars burn out the quickest.

Subject: RE: Obit: Guitarist Jeff Healey - R.I.P (March 2008)
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 12:43 PM

Condolences to his family. He was one of the greats. Neil

Subject: RE: Obit: Guitarist Jeff Healey - R.I.P (March 2008)
From: bankley
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 03:44 PM

loud and proud. His style was kinda like Fred McKenna on heavy steroids. Left my ears ringing for hours after a show. RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Guitarist Jeff Healey - R.I.P (March 2008)
From: gnu
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 03:54 PM

Sweet Jaysus! Oh my... what a very sad loss. What a shock, even though it was "expected", albeit too much sonner than later.

RIP to one of the greatest blues and rock musicians I have ever had the privelege to listen to. God will surely have him play on a regular gig up there. Heaven is now a better place, and we have lost ground with his passing.

Subject: RE: Obit: Guitarist Jeff Healey - R.I.P (March 200
From: Mooh
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 06:13 AM

Excerpted from a MaplePost notice...


"TORONTO, Ontario, March 4, 2008 – Arrangements for a private funeral
service for renowned Canadian musician Jeff Healey have been finalized;
however, details are not being disclosed as the family wishes to
preserve its privacy. The guitarist and bandleader – whose music
straddled different musical genres – passed away on Sunday, March 2.

"We would like to thank our family, friends and Jeff's fans for their
condolences and kind thoughts at this most difficult time," said
Cristie Healey. "Jeff's music touched many people on many different
levels. More importantly, in his personal life, Jeff was a loving
husband and a committed family man, generous and kind, extremely down
to earth, and a loyal friend. Jeff had a determination that he brought
to all aspects of his life, and this was an inspiration to all that
knew him. Now we need to say our goodbyes in private; however, we
respect the public need to participate in celebrating Jeff's life and
music and we are planning a public memorial, with details to follow."

As a child, Jeff was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer,
retinoblastoma, which resulted in his loss of sight. As a result of
early intervention, Jeff was able to enjoy 39 years free from cancer..
Unfortunately, this form of cancer is hereditary and can predispose
the carrier to other cancers later in life. With this in mind, in lieu
of flowers, Jeff's family has asked that donations to Daisy's Eye
Cancer Research Fund (to support their efforts to discover a cure)
would be greatly appreciated.

This was a cause that Jeff had supported for many years, and for which
he played numerous benefit performances. Donations may be made through
the organization's website: www.daisyseyecancerfund.ca.

Details for a celebration of Jeff's life and music will be announced
soon."

Peace, Mooh.