Jeff Healey, R.I.P.

Bummer -- he was one of those guys who I could always admire for his ability while thinking the form he worked in wasn't much to my taste. And as deservedly legendary as Road House is for all its stupidities, he does the most straightforward acting job in it. RIP.

You should give a speech at the funeral ;)

I agree with everything Ned said, except the part about Road House being stupid. Once you recognize that it's no less a fantasy film than the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, you realize it's fucking brilliant. And yeah, Healey's funny as hell in it.

:-(

oh shit!

http://torontoist.com/2008/03/jeff_healey_196.php

I was never a huge fan, but I always admired his soloing style. The way he played, he could bend the strings like nobody else. I never liked the more well-known singles, they lacked the ferocity the trio was often capable of.

Weirdly, I've never seen Road House.

all I know is "Angel Eyes," which was, incredibly, a Top Five hit.

He did a hella version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps".

Always got him confused with Eric Johnson though.

whoa

RIP

a friend of mine befriended with the man some years ago. apparently he was a really great guy and a real true blue music fan, with a huge jazz vinyl / 78 collection he kept in a garage; he knew the location of every record by touch. i can't say i really cared for his own stuff but he sounded like a terrific person who was really passionate about the music he loved. RIP.

:(

i can't say i really cared for his own stuff but he sounded like a terrific person who was really passionate about the music he loved.

Yeah, that's pretty much my take. I ended up writing a quick blog post before I went out this evening. And I like unperson/Phil's take -- quite astute!

So very sad ... RIP.

he knew the location of every record by touch

I once read that he could identify his records by running his fingers across the grooves (is this what you were referring to?) ... now *that* is a cool talent that I would love to have :)

RIP one cool dude!

I guess you'll have to wait until Mojo Next month for a decent obit.

I once read that he could identify his records by running his fingers across the grooves (is this what you were referring to?) ... now *that* is a cool talent that I would love to have :)

-- NoTimeBeforeTime, Monday, March 3, 2008 10:39 AM (3 hours ago) Bookmark Link

no, i was talking about how he was able to find anything he wanted in a huge library, which is nuts. but that would be more nuts!

He was a good trumpeter too, I saw his jazz band on tv. They seemed like a lot of fun.

41, way too goddamn young.

RIP

Aw, shit man, that's awful. :(

I agree that his records were largely useless, but the motherfucker could play. Definitely more impressive in concert than the studio.

RIP

I just remembered that I saw Healey play once ... I was at a gig by the Bourbon Tabernacle Choir (do any Torontonians remember them??) and Healey did a walk-on from the audience and played with them for a couple of songs. It's kind of sad that I lived in Toronto for so long and had a million opportunities to see him, but only saw him that once.

haha i remember them. never saw them tho.

he knew the location of every record by touch

the only talent I have that's even close to this is being able to tell if a jewel case has a CD in it just by picking it up!

but yeah, Jeff Healey wasn't dealt a great hand, but sure made quite a life for himself...RIP

wow, this is sad ... i can't say that i was a fan of his music (or the whole late 80s bud-light blooz music that was his genre), but this dude was classic for being in "road house" alone (not just because that movie is a well-known classic of cheese, but because he was genuinelely entertaining in that film).

RIP ;__;

Really sweet story about him I found just now -- worth a read:

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/03/02/213605.php

My partner's claim to fame is that she gave Jeff a backrub at the King Eddie in Calgary back in the late '80s. 41 is way too young to bow out, but kudos to him for fitting in a lot of life in those 41 years. I'm not a great fan of that reinterpreted electric blues style, but he had an energy and distinctness that was undeniable, and this news is just sad, really.

Sad and too soon, RIP.

The National Enquirer is reporting that Patrick Swayze has five weeks to live.

First Healey, now Swayze - clearly Road House was a cursed set.

Thank you, Ned Raggett imposter!
The Genius that is Patrick Swayze

I don't read ILE.