March 3rd, 2008 -- Written by Rodney
Blind Musician and Canadian Jeff Healey dies at age 41.
EGossip reports:
Canadian musician Jeff Healey died in a Toronto hospital on Sunday evening after a lifelong battle with cancer.
Healey lost both of his eyes to retinoblastoma before he reached eight months old but that never stopped him from becoming one of the greatest musicians in the industry. At age three, Jeff began playing the guitar and by the time he was a teenager he had already formed a band (called Blue Direction) which became extremely popular in Toronto.
Jeff HealyJeff HealeyWhile Jeff tried hard for many years for that big ticket to stardom, it was his appearance in the movie Road House with Patrick Swayze that made his career skyrocket to the top.
People around these parts know of our love for all things RoadHouse. Patrick Swayze showed us even graceful dancers can kick ass, and small town bars with awesome Coolers can deliver the best in blues and rock.
Rock on Mr Healey. You will be missed. Roadhouse wouldnt have been the same without you owning that soundtrack.
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He also started up a local Blues Bar called Healey’s here in the city. Hat’s off to this talented musician.
Damn. Healey was an amazing story – better known around these parts. Sad day to be sure.
Saw him in concert once, put on a really good show. Sad news. :(
Dalton: You play pretty good for a blind boy.
Rest in peace sir, you are part of cinema history (and i mean that very sincerley).
@Robert(wolf)
And I thought you’d be bigger
was shocked to hear this today. he was just too talented to live.
it’s very sad, he was a very nice guy.
i had seen him play with his band the jazz wizards and terra hazelton, genius musician. my wife and i were looking forward to seeing him play again soon.
our condolences to his family.
Years ago Jeff Healey and Colin James jammed live on MuchMusic, it was awesome!
Way too young to be taken from us.
You will be missed. I can say that we played your music around a bunch of guys and none of them said anything bad about your style.
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Road_House
I just heard about this last night… So sad… A true talent lost.
RIP Jeff…
With a sad heart we say so long to an amazing musician…not goodbye for he will always be with us. Truly a great artists. We will miss you.
family of 5
Swayze has cancer… http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23488585/
That good o’l boy was tight
I only saw him on the movie Roadhouse. He is terrific. I hate was. His music will forever be out there to enjoy, thank you Jeff Healey. Your music will make alot of people very happy.