Sometime in the early nineties I think, I went to a blues guitar concert or two in Newcastle. The one that stood out for me was Jeff Healey – a blind guitarist who hadn’t known how it was supposed to be done, so did it his own way, playing the guitar flat across his knee. I have at least one of his CDs, and was playing it to the kids last week in the car, trying to persuade them that they would like it, and explaining to them all about him.
Today I read on the bbc news website that the cancer that took his eyes forty years ago has now taken his life.
He leaves behind two children, a wife and a family, and an album due out this month, Mess of Blues
Has anyone inspired you today?
I met him years ago when I worked for forces radio – he was an amazing man and a fantastic musician.
Very well known in Canada and his music is a regular on the radio.