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Jeff Healey, who was blind, was an inspiring performer in the 1980s and beyond. Source: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0372254/ (May be subject to copyright) |
It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen a musician do. There he was, legally blind, sitting stationary on a stool on stage playing his guitar. He had been in that same position for the entire MuchMusic Cross Canada Road Show.
Then, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Jeff Healey stood up and started walking into the crowd. He kept right on playing and singing, did not miss a beat, and sent the crowd at Edmonton’s Cook County Saloon into a frenzy.
It was just incredible, just like the man himself.
Awhile back, I saw “Roadhouse” first the time, and fell in love with the man, the artist, the inspiration all over again.
Debut
It was late in 1988 and I was living on Fifth Kelsey in the student residence on the campus of the University of Alberta. I used to stay up late, well past midnight. Often, MuchMusic was playing in the background as we talked, did homework or whatever,
It was late in 1988 and I was living on Fifth Kelsey in the student residence on the campus of the University of Alberta. I used to stay up late, well past midnight. Often, MuchMusic was playing in the background as we talked, did homework or whatever,
I am not sure if I heard it on my own, or if someone pointed it out to me, but I think it was Dave Turnbull who called my attention to the TV screen.
There was this blind musician giving it everything with this bluesy song I had never heard before.
It was Jeff Healey singing, “Confidence Man” and it was awesome.
The song, from Healey’s debut album called, “See the Light”, did not chart in the United States and peaked at number 36 in Canada.
His next song would just explode internationally.
Looking to heaven
The next time I heard Jeff Healey was at the end of that school year, in 1989, with a soulful ballad where, again, he gave it everything.
The next time I heard Jeff Healey was at the end of that school year, in 1989, with a soulful ballad where, again, he gave it everything.
“Angel Eyes” was the second single off “See the Light” and it is one of those rare songs that did much better in the United States than Canada. That is rare because, with Canadian content regulations, Canadian songs just got a lot of air play generally enabling them to find an audience and subsequently some success.
“Angel Eyes” peaked at number 16 in Canada. In the States, it went all the way to number five on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
Seeing success
Wikipedia reveals “Hideaway”, another song from “See the Light” was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.
Wikipedia reveals “Hideaway”, another song from “See the Light” was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.
“See the Light” went all the way to number 22 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Healey won the Juno for Canadian Entertainer of the Year in 1990, and “See the Light” was nominated for a Juno for Album of the Year, also in 1990.
While they were recording “See the Light” in 1989, they were also filming “Road House” with Patrick Swayze and Sam Elliott. The movie would give Jeff Healey a significant amount of exposure as well.
The years after
Jeff Healey kept releasing great songs over the next couple years.
Jeff Healey kept releasing great songs over the next couple years.
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” came out in 1990 and went to number 27 in Canada, and to number seven on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. I did not realize this song was originally released by the Beatles in 1968.
“How Long Can a Man be Strong” came out in 1991, peaking at number eight in Canada and number 34 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
Jeff Healey would keep on writing and recording until, tragically, he died of cancer in March of 2008.
He was 41 years old
In 2014, he was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Parting thoughts
It was the summer of 1990, and I was living in student residence while I went to summer school. This fellow was living next to me, named Darien Colp, but he pretty much kept to himself. Eventually we got to talking and became friends.
It was the summer of 1990, and I was living in student residence while I went to summer school. This fellow was living next to me, named Darien Colp, but he pretty much kept to himself. Eventually we got to talking and became friends.
Then one day, out of the blue, he asked me what I was doing in a couple nights.
He had won two tickets to the MuchMusic Cross Canada Road Show at Cook County Saloon. Jeff Healey was playing, and did I want to go with him?
At that point in the summer, I had very little money, just enough to eat, but not much more.
Darien was fine with that, and ended up buying me a couple beers.
We got there and discovered something else we shared – a mutual dislike for MuchMusic veejay Steve Anthony. We both joked about tripping him up on national television and more.
Soon, Jeff Healey came on stage and was incredible.
It was a great night.
As much as I was inspired by Jeff Healeyt, I will also remember that night with a really great guy. Darien and I would see each other quite a bit the next school year. I got to know him and his girlfriend Sandy, who became his wife. I even convinced him to sit on the food and maintenance committee I chaired for the students’ association.
We were both in our final year of Education. The last time I ever saw him was at our convocation in the summer of 1991, where we wished each other luck.
So, whenever I think of Jeff Healey, I also think of an old friend and a night he made just a little more special with his kindness.
That is the power of Jeff Healey.
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