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Jeff Healey

1966-2008. Jeff Healey. Jeff Healey. Canadian bluesman Unorthodox guitar playing posture Blind from infancy. Etobicoke, Ontario. West-end suburb of Toronto (Canada's largest city) Jeff Healey born 25 March, 1966 Adopted at 3 months by Bud and Yvonne Healey; never knew his natural parents.

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Jeff Healey

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  1. 1966-2008 Jeff Healey

  2. Jeff Healey • Canadian bluesman • Unorthodox guitar playing posture • Blind from infancy

  3. Etobicoke, Ontario • West-end suburb of Toronto (Canada's largest city) • Jeff Healey born 25 March, 1966 • Adopted at 3 months by Bud and Yvonne Healey; never knew his natural parents

  4. Retinoblastoma • Rare but deadly cancer of the eyes • Healey was diagnosed at 8 months • Both eyes were surgically removed • Healey wore prosthetic eyes

  5. Early Years • Bud (pictured) and Yvonne Healey encouraged Jeff to pursue music • First guitar: age 3

  6. Early Influences (Click names to listen) Eric Clapton Muddy Waters John Lee Hooker

  7. Playing Posture • Traditional posture: guitar is held upright, against the torso • Healey played with the guitar flat on his lap

  8. In his teens, Healey began to establish a presence playing blues and jazz cafes throughout the Toronto area. At age 17, he formed his first band. Youth

  9. ...and on to college radio! • DJ for University of Toronto's CIUT-FM • Employed Healey's extensive collection of 78 RPM records • Healey would live to collect about 30,000 records!

  10. The Jeff Healey Band • Met at an open jam session: • Joe Rockman (bass) • Tom Stephen (drums)

  11. Discovery • JHB was spotted by blues greats Albert Collins and Stevie Ray Vaughan at this gig • Soon signed with Arista Records

  12. First LP • See the Light, September 1988 • 3x Platinum in Canada; Juno Award • “Angel Eyes” remains best-known song

  13. Road House (1989) • JHB appeared in the film and provided the soundtrack • Healey plays “Cody,” a blind white bluesman (typecasting!)

  14. Second LP • Hell to Pay released in 1990 • Juno for “Canadian Entertainer of the Year” • Famous guest musicians

  15. Subsequent Releases • Feel This, 1992 • Cover to Cover, 1995 • Greatest Hits, 1998 • Contract dismissal from Arista • Get Me Some, 2000 • Released on Eagle Records

  16. Turn of the Millennium • Renewed interest in jazz • Return to radio: My Kinda Jazz on the CBC

  17. Honourary Doctorate • McMaster University (Hamilton, ON) • Honourary Doctorate of Letters • 3 June, 2004

  18. Jeff's cancer returns • 2006: leg sarcomas • 2007: lung metastases Jeff succumbed to the disease on 2 March, 2008

  19. Posthumous Recognition • Mess of Blues was released shortly after death • Inducted into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame • Jeff Healey Park

  20. Legacy

  21. History • Blues as a genre appreciates covers of well-known “standards,” which were Healey's specialty. • We will explore three songs written (or cowritten) by Jeff: • “See the Light” • “Cruel Little Number” • “That's What They Say”

  22. “See the Light”

  23. “Cruel Little Number”

  24. “That's What they Say”

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