Canadian rock and jazz musician Jeff Healey has died in a Toronto hospital after a lengthy battle with cancer. The blind star, who mastered playing the guitar despite his disability, died at Toronto’s St. Joseph’s Hospital on Sunday, just one day before his new album Mess of Blues, his first in eight years, was to be released in North America.
The famous guitarist, who played with his instrument flat on his lap, died of cancer in a Toronto hospital on Sunday, a spokesperson said
A legend in his own right, Jeff Healey played alongside other greats like B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughn and recorded with George Harrison, Mark Knopfler and the late Jimmy Rogers.
Healey’s battle with cancer began at the age of one, when he lost his sight as a result of retino blastoma, a rare form of cancer. Losing his eyesight resulted in his unusual form of guitar playing, holding the instrument across his lap, something he started at the age of three.
Healey was an internationally-known star who had played with dozens of musicians, including B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and recorded with George Harrison. Mark Knopfler and the late blues legend, Jimmy Rogers.
Healey was the front man for The Jeff Healey Band which sold over one million albums in the United States. His death comes only weeks before the release of his first rock album in eight years.
The Grammy-nominated musician is survived by his wife Christie and two children.
He was 41.