Blues Guitarist Jeff Healey Dies

Canadian blues guitarist Jeff Healey died on Sunday, March 2nd in Toronto from lung cancer. A talented musician and soulful singer, Healey was only 41 years old at the time of his death.

Healey formed the Jeff Healey band in 1985 with drummer Tom Stephen and bassist Joe Rockman. Best-known for his role in the Patrick Swayze film Road House, Healey and the band also performed in the movie. The musician's biggest success came with his 1989 album See The Light, which sold in excess of a million copies and yielded a hit single in the beautiful, lilting song "Angel Eyes."

Inspired by guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and B.B. King, Healey originally began playing guitar at the age of three. Blind since the age of one, Healey played incredible blues, jazz and rock with his guitar laid flat across his lap. A multi-instrumental talent, Healey also played trumpet and clarinet, performing with his own traditional jazz band, the Jazz Wizards.

Writer Douglas Martin put together a great obituary for Healey in the New York Times.