Jeff Healey

Sent to the Maplepost by Carolyn McInroy

Jeff Healey managed to do more in his lifetime than most "healthy" people. His musical talents weren't limited to just the guitar, and his tastes weren't limited just to one style of music.

I didn't realize until I heard the news item on CBC this morning that Jeff lived with cancer in one form or another from a very early age, and that it had led to his blindness.

When I met him, the thing about him that impressed me most (even more than his effortlessly brilliant acoustic guitar-picking!) was his good-natured charm. And what a smile!

In 1997 and1998, I went to a lot the of Monday-night pub gigs Mark Haines and Tom Leighton used to host at The Bishop and Belcher on Queen West. Many good local players showed up for these weekly jams, but a few of the most memorable for me were the ones Jeff attended.

Sometimes he was accompanied by the two other guys from his band, sometimes not. He was living nearby, and I seem to recall that he never even brought his guitar, just borrowed someone else's. And when he walked down from his place with his white cane, he usually gathered about five or six young well-wishers and fans who would come and spend the evening and buy him a few drinks.

The informal setting allowed Jeff to relax, have fun with the other players, and indulge in his favourite country songs, like "Amanda", "A Satisfied Mind", and "The Long Black Veil". There would be maybe eight or ten local musicians up there wailing away with him, and the attendees like myself threw back their heads and wailed along on the chorus.

Oh, and once he brought along a young up-and-coming jazz vocalist called Alex Pangman. We were treated to a sassy set of acoustic jazz that evening. The overwhelming impression I got from Jeff's wide-ranging musical interests was of his impeccable taste and style .

It's so sad that he had to leave his friends and family this soon, and my heart goes out to them. But thank you, Jeff, for all you did for Canadian music while you were here.

Above all, thanks for the memories of the Bishop and Belcher! (And of course, thanks to Mark and Tom as well for those good times, and all the great music.

I'll never forget Mark and Jeff playing and singing together on "Dixie Chicken" ...) Safe journey, Jeff!

Carolyn McInroy