You are aware that Jeff Healy was totally blind? His parents bought him a guitar as a child, and as Jeff had to frame of reference, he taught himself to play it in his lap like that. Mad respect for the brother....
As an experienced guitar player...I'm just baffled and amazed by his finger and skill...really just...WOW! But...serious props to the rhythm section...Jesus...That Bassist and drummer just goin off! Whew....
This performance gets me emotional too. I've never seen someone so in their element. Jeff is just in the zone the whole time, doing what he was meant to do. From 5:44 - 5:48 he literally looks possessed, his body just completely taken over by the music. Incredible stuff.
I thoroughly enjoyed your reaction to this unquestionably unique musician. 🤗 I personally had the incredible fortune to experience him performing live, up close, over several nights near the start of his legendary career, and I'd never even heard of him an hour before he touched the guitar on that memorable first evening! Mid/late '80s, Victoria BC, early evening on a warm summer Thursday: Me and some of the boys headed out to a local meat market / pick up bar that usually had a DJ. (🤭 Hey, I was young, well, late 20s, and there would likely be pretty girls there! 😂). When we arrived, we were perplexed to discover there was a lineup to get in, with posters advertising a live performer (not usual) debuting that night, with praises by the likes of B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan. So, what the hell, we waited in line. Once we got in we sat at a table right by the dance floor, about 15 feet from a two foot raised stage. After ordering our beer, the band came out, obviously guiding a blind guy. My buddies and I kinda looked at each other quizzically. 🤔 They sat him down in a chair onstage, handed him an electric guitar, which he placed on his lap 😯 ... then, when they started to play ... my world changed ... forever. It was Jeff Healey and his band, before their first album came out: I had never heard of him/them before, but he, specifically, had my attention now. He proceeded to play the cleanest, most amazing, unbelievable guitar licks I'd ever heard. He played blues, he played rock, he played country, he even played a bit of what sounded like flamenco. He played Hendrix better than Hendrix, he played with his teeth, he played while literally jumping around blind like a mad man. He seemed to be having a religious experience onstage. Despite it being a dance club, NOBODY danced that night. Every person, patrons and staff alike, stood around, hypnotized, with their mouths agape, staring, hardly believing what they were seeing and hearing. I went back Friday and Saturday, and again three nights the following week, as they were playing a two week gig there. Their first album came out shortly thereafter, and then he was in a movie with Patrick Swayze, and then ... well, I sadly never got to see Jeff Healey perform live again. But I still feel blessed, and I shall never forget how amazing the experience was that first night I saw him play! 😊
Shout out to the rest of the band who are all outstanding. The other video to see is where he plays with SVR on stage and they kill it. It is sad to know that we would lose both of them not long afterward. Jeff's life like SVR was cut way too short.
He was in several TV shows and movies but the one remember him from most is Roadhouse..... he was playing on stage when patrick Swayze s character came in........
He's so good it's sick. It just ain't right that someone can play like that, even if they played it the normal common way. But the fact that he does it the way he does is insane. Back when Healey came on the scene, I almost quit playing and retired my guitars to a life of being boat paddles. His bends are phenomenal. He just about pulls the strings, clean off the fretboard. Glad you got to experience this performance. We lost a serious talent when he left this world. RIP Jeff Healy.
Jeff Healey is a Canadian Blues icon. He lost his sight to cancer when he was two and his dad bought him a guitar when he was three. He was too young to hold it the usual way so he put it in his lap. An amazing talent that left us too soon. Cancer claimed him at 41. Cheers
Hubs and I saw Jeff when he came to a small club in our capital city in 1989. The place erupted! I can't explain how crazy it was! I'm so glad you loved his performance Shawn. RIP Jeff.
Merry Christmas, Shawn! As others have mentioned, he was in the movie "Road House", but what hasn't been mentioned (that I've seen) which you'd be interested in was he covered The Doors' "Roadhouse Blues" in the movie & on the soundtrack. Also, should hit some Dr. John (the guy on piano in this clip), he wasn't part of Jeff's band but a special guest for the show. I'd start with "Right Place, Wrong Time" with him.
For a much better video check out the Jeff Healey band’s rendition of As The Years Go Passing By ( live ). He’s so amazing to watch that most people miss out on his studio tracks. I recommend Confidence Man or Angel Eyes for starters 🎸
Saw Jeff Healey Band open for ZZ Top years ago in San Francisco at the old Cow Palace He stood most the show , his bassist would bump his away from the edge of the stage and towards the mic Fun show.
I fell in love with Jeff Healey when I heard his version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps. He was just fantastic. RIP to an amazing artist. Gone way too soon.
New subscriber here, 🎄☃️🎄 Merry Christmas. Wishing you a Successful and Happy New Year. I'm going to assume someone here has already told you you can see Jeff play in Patrick Swayze's movie Roadhouse.
This was Mr. David Sanborne's house band for the show joining Jeff (here without his regular band) . Dr. John was another guest who sat in. (long term New Orleans piano player, -----"must have been the right time but the wrong place" singer)
So glad you finaally got to Jeff Healey. Saw him live back in the 80's and I didn't shut my mouth for two days. It was killer. Amazing doesn't come close.
When he was almost one year old, Healey lost his sight due to retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the eyes. His eyes had to be surgically removed, and he was given ocular prostheses.
Here's a clip from his acting on Roadhouse. Mostly he's singing but he does have some lines. Here he and his band are doing a cover of The Doors' Roadhouse Blues. ruclips.net/video/zjaI7lxTIi8/видео.html
You understand that that was not his band, The Bass player is Marcus Miller a great basss player in his own right, and the Drummer played with weather report and sting . Look these people up. They are the show's band. They couls run circle around him if they wanted That is not to say that Jeff isn't a great blues electric guitar player.
Another one to check out is Gary Moore. He is, IMHO, as a musician of 60 years (bass) that has seen many of the greats live (Hendrix, Jeff Beck, BB King and many, many more) that Gary Moore is the greatest guitar player that ever lived and his recording of "THE MESSIAH WILL COME AGAIN" is the greatest guitar performance ever recorded. Here's the link - ruclips.net/video/7k07j7LcLqw/видео.html
You are aware that Jeff Healy was totally blind? His parents bought him a guitar as a child, and as Jeff had to frame of reference, he taught himself to play it in his lap like that. Mad respect for the brother....
Take a look at that band!!! Dr. John on piano, Marcus Miller on bass and Omar Hakim on the drums!!! Talk about absolute killers!!
As an experienced guitar player...I'm just baffled and amazed by his finger and skill...really just...WOW!
But...serious props to the rhythm section...Jesus...That Bassist and drummer just goin off! Whew....
My most favorite song jeff does is "as the years go passing by". It is nothing short of amazing.
This performance gets me emotional too. I've never seen someone so in their element. Jeff is just in the zone the whole time, doing what he was meant to do. From 5:44 - 5:48 he literally looks possessed, his body just completely taken over by the music. Incredible stuff.
Jeff is a beast
I thoroughly enjoyed your reaction to this unquestionably unique musician. 🤗 I personally had the incredible fortune to experience him performing live, up close, over several nights near the start of his legendary career, and I'd never even heard of him an hour before he touched the guitar on that memorable first evening!
Mid/late '80s, Victoria BC, early evening on a warm summer Thursday: Me and some of the boys headed out to a local meat market / pick up bar that usually had a DJ. (🤭 Hey, I was young, well, late 20s, and there would likely be pretty girls there! 😂). When we arrived, we were perplexed to discover there was a lineup to get in, with posters advertising a live performer (not usual) debuting that night, with praises by the likes of B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan. So, what the hell, we waited in line.
Once we got in we sat at a table right by the dance floor, about 15 feet from a two foot raised stage. After ordering our beer, the band came out, obviously guiding a blind guy. My buddies and I kinda looked at each other quizzically. 🤔 They sat him down in a chair onstage, handed him an electric guitar, which he placed on his lap 😯 ... then, when they started to play ... my world changed ... forever. It was Jeff Healey and his band, before their first album came out: I had never heard of him/them before, but he, specifically, had my attention now.
He proceeded to play the cleanest, most amazing, unbelievable guitar licks I'd ever heard. He played blues, he played rock, he played country, he even played a bit of what sounded like flamenco. He played Hendrix better than Hendrix, he played with his teeth, he played while literally jumping around blind like a mad man. He seemed to be having a religious experience onstage. Despite it being a dance club, NOBODY danced that night. Every person, patrons and staff alike, stood around, hypnotized, with their mouths agape, staring, hardly believing what they were seeing and hearing.
I went back Friday and Saturday, and again three nights the following week, as they were playing a two week gig there. Their first album came out shortly thereafter, and then he was in a movie with Patrick Swayze, and then ... well, I sadly never got to see Jeff Healey perform live again. But I still feel blessed, and I shall never forget how amazing the experience was that first night I saw him play! 😊
Jeff & SRV were friends and,IMHO, in the same league. Yes, there is a YT video of them playing together on stage.
Jeff and SRV together playing Look at Little Sister video....FIRE!!!!!
Shout out to the rest of the band who are all outstanding. The other video to see is where he plays with SVR on stage and they kill it. It is sad to know that we would lose both of them not long afterward. Jeff's life like SVR was cut way too short.
Dr John on piano, another rabbit hole to explore.
Dr John nailed that solo he did...
He was in several TV shows and movies but the one remember him from most is Roadhouse..... he was playing on stage when patrick Swayze s character came in........
Man, whoever is recommending or choosing these tunes lately deserves a raise.
He's so good it's sick. It just ain't right that someone can play like that, even if they played it the normal common way. But the fact that he does it the way he does is insane. Back when Healey came on the scene, I almost quit playing and retired my guitars to a life of being boat paddles. His bends are phenomenal. He just about pulls the strings, clean off the fretboard.
Glad you got to experience this performance. We lost a serious talent when he left this world. RIP Jeff Healy.
If you like this, you'll like 'As the Years Go Passing By' from his 1995 live concert in Germany!
SRV Texas flood live at the el mocombo lounge! Jeff and SRV played together also.
Jeff Healey is a Canadian Blues icon. He lost his sight to cancer when he was two and his dad bought him a guitar when he was three. He was too young to hold it the usual way so he put it in his lap. An amazing talent that left us too soon. Cancer claimed him at 41.
Cheers
Saw Jeff a few times here in Toronto in the 80's. Check out the Look at little sister video with Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Just love your smile and enthusiasm!
Whenever you find yourself saying, "I can't", remember this performer.
He was also a heck of a trumpet player with his traditional jazz band...
Wow didn't know that!
There is a amazing duo with Jeff and Stevie Ray live, a must see.
"Look at Little Sister"
Hubs and I saw Jeff when he came to a small club in our capital city in 1989. The place erupted! I can't explain how crazy it was! I'm so glad you loved his performance Shawn. RIP Jeff.
Merry Christmas, Shawn! As others have mentioned, he was in the movie "Road House", but what hasn't been mentioned (that I've seen) which you'd be interested in was he covered The Doors' "Roadhouse Blues" in the movie & on the soundtrack.
Also, should hit some Dr. John (the guy on piano in this clip), he wasn't part of Jeff's band but a special guest for the show. I'd start with "Right Place, Wrong Time" with him.
Angel Eyes is my favorite song by him. Super talented guy. He was a looker too!😊
For a much better video check out the Jeff Healey band’s rendition of As The Years Go Passing By ( live ). He’s so amazing to watch that most people miss out on his studio tracks. I recommend Confidence Man or Angel Eyes for starters 🎸
Years go passing is one of my all time favorite songs.
Saw him in the 80’s in a small bar in Pittsburgh- was so amazing
Saw Jeff Healey Band open for ZZ Top years ago in San Francisco at the old Cow Palace
He stood most the show , his bassist would bump his away from the edge of the stage and towards the mic Fun show.
Jeff Healey also played with Stevie Ray Vaughan (on video) that's a must watch after this.
I fell in love with Jeff Healey when I heard his version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps. He was just fantastic. RIP to an amazing artist. Gone way too soon.
New subscriber here, 🎄☃️🎄 Merry Christmas. Wishing you a Successful and Happy New Year.
I'm going to assume someone here has already told you you can see Jeff play in Patrick Swayze's movie Roadhouse.
Great live performance
Nice to see the good Doctor John. Radiating the 88's.
This was Mr. David Sanborne's house band for the show joining Jeff (here without his regular band) . Dr. John was another guest who sat in. (long term New Orleans piano player, -----"must have been the right time but the wrong place" singer)
There is another video of Jeff sitting in with Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Jeff shreds that gd guitar 🎸 💜👵🏼☮️
So glad you finaally got to Jeff Healey. Saw him live back in the 80's and I didn't shut my mouth for two days. It was killer. Amazing doesn't come
close.
Angel Eyes is another great song to check out from Jeff Healey. It highlights his vocals beautifully.
Shawn, check out Jeff doing How Blue Can You Get live at Nottenden and then As the Years Go Passing By live in Germany. Peace from Toronto!
He was in the movie Roadhouse starring Patrick Swayze
Jeff and SRV, Look at Little Sister, pls and thanks 🎶🎵💚
Amazing. You should check out some Dr John, he's the piano player and an amazing talent in his own right.
He was in a movie called Road House with Patrick Swayze.
Kind of a cult classic film. Patrick F'n Swayze man!
I just love seeing the amazement on first timers faces seeing this man play. Unbelievable isn't he Shawn ?? Fabulous reaction buddy as always...😄👍🎸🎤
Dr John Right Place Wrong Time,
Jeff is amazing. All the recommendations below are great. Such a sad story though.
Hes in the movie, ROADHOUSE with PATRICK SWAYZEE.
Love his cover of All Along The Watchtower, Live in London
Shawn, great reaction.
❤❤❤❤❤
☮️💙💙💙🔥🔥🎸😎
He was in the original Roadhouse movie with Patrick Swayze he was part of the band the house band He only had a couple lines
When he was almost one year old, Healey lost his sight due to retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the eyes. His eyes had to be surgically removed, and he was given ocular prostheses.
You should see Jeff and SRV play together.
🧡 Check him out with is regular band - "As The Years Go Passing By" live at the Stuttgart Jazz Festival 1995
Here's a clip from his acting on Roadhouse. Mostly he's singing but he does have some lines. Here he and his band are doing a cover of The Doors' Roadhouse Blues. ruclips.net/video/zjaI7lxTIi8/видео.html
He was in roadhouse.
He was also only 20 years old here.... 🤯
Dr John on keys
Not bad for a blind guy.
You understand that that was not his band, The Bass player is Marcus Miller a great basss player in his own right, and the Drummer played with weather report and sting . Look these people up. They are the show's band. They couls run circle around him if they wanted That is not to say that Jeff isn't a great blues electric guitar player.
What's our excuse Shawn....
Another one to check out is Gary Moore. He is, IMHO, as a musician of 60 years (bass) that has seen many of the greats live (Hendrix, Jeff Beck, BB King and many, many more) that Gary Moore is the greatest guitar player that ever lived and his recording of "THE MESSIAH WILL COME AGAIN" is the greatest guitar performance ever recorded. Here's the link - ruclips.net/video/7k07j7LcLqw/видео.html
Yes, totally blind. Eye cancer since birth. Should acknowledge that during reaction