JEFF HEALEY, Winner, Blues Album, Mess of Blues

BEHIND THE MUSIC

--- Jeff Healey (born Norman Jeffrey Healey, March 25, 1966 – March 2, 2008) was a blind Canadian jazz and blues-rock guitarist and vocalist.

---When he was eight months old, Healey lost his sight to retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the eyes. His eyes had to be surgically removed, and he was given artificial replacements. After living cancer-free for 38 years, he developed sarcoma in his legs. Despite surgery for this, the sarcoma spread to his lungs and ultimately was the cause of his death.

---After being signed to Arista Records in 1988, his band released the album See The Light, featuring the hit single "Angel Eyes" and the song "Hideaway", which was nominated for a "Best Instrumental" Grammy Award. While the band was recording See The Light, they were also filming (and recording for the soundtrack of) the Patrick Swayze film Road House. In 1990, the band won the "Entertainer of the Year" Juno Award. The albums Hell to Pay and Feel This gave Healey 10 charting singles in Canada between 1990 and 1994, including a cover of The Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" which featured George Harrison and Jeff Lynne on backing vocals and acoustic guitar.

--- Though known primarily as a guitarist, Healey also played trumpet during live performances.

--- Over the years he toured and sat-in with many legendary performers, including, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, BB King, ZZ Top, Steve Lukather, Eric Clapton and many, many more. In 2006, Healey appeared on Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan's CD/DVD Gillan's Inn.

WATCH JEFF HEALEY PERFORM "ANGEL EYES":