Jeff Healy died on Sunday

[Kris]

Jeff Healey, Dead at 41

by Paul Cashmere - March 3 2008

Blind blues guitarist Jeff Healey has died at the age of 41 after a battle with cancer.

Healey has had cancer since the age of one. He lost his sight to Retinoblastoma, an eye cancer.

Despite his handicap, Healey taught himself to play guitar and became a teenage prodigy.

The international success broke when his 'See The Light' album went on to achieve platinum sales.

Next, Healey and his band got their big break when they appeared in the Patrick Swayze movie 1989 'Road House'.

Jeff was an avid record collector and amassed a collection of more than 30,000 vinyls. He put them to good use. He started his own radio show with a playlist that featured songs from his own collection.

Jeff's death comes just one month before the release of his new album 'Mess of Blues'. It will be his first rock album in 8 years.

Healey died in St Joseph's Health Centre in his hometown of Toronto. He leaves behind a wife and two children.

[TimS]

Sad to hear that. I had a lot of respect for Jeff as a player.
He was awesome. I have See The Light - great album.
Another to be taken far too soon.
RIP Jeff.
Tim..

[David W]

Only found out this last night.

Was a big influence in be as a guitar player. Very sad news.