Blind But He Sees Everything...

I discovered The Jeff Healey Band somewhere in the mid 90s while i was attending college. At first look at their album cover "See The Light", nothing seems special except for a band pose. Look closer and you see the frontman (Jeff Healey himself) holding his guitar on his lap. Me and my music peers then later discovered he was actually blind and had his eyes removed due to cancer while he was only eight months old. Against all odds, he found his unique way of playing the guitar on his lap and developing his own guitar techniques. It was said that because he could use all his fingers on the fretboard, that way he could use his thumb to reach notes beyond that of normal guitarists. Take a look at one of his live performance here... simply remarkable and nothing short of respect.

I first heard Jeff Healey Band's 'Angel Eyes' and a solid cover version of The Beatles 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' before tracing back the band's catalogue. Jeff Healey's raw voice along with a bluesy touch and skill on on the guitar makes for a great listen.

Check out these tracks too - 'Lost In Your Eyes', 'I Need To Be Loved', 'I Tried' and another great remake of The Beatles 'Yer Blues'.

I only discovered in the week before while surfing through the internet that Jeff Healey had passed away in March this year, due to a recurrence of the cancer. He was only 41. Blind he may be all his life but i believe he sees only a world of good and beauty through the eyes of music. Maybe it is a blessing too he did not get to see all the ugly side of the world we lived in, the wars, killing, terrorism and all that shit going around these days.

At times, we only need to look at inspirational stories like these to get us through any difficult times. I do believe that a fervent love for music, perseverance and a spirit of not giving in and giving up propelled Jeff Healey to such musical excellence. We should all embrace such spirit likewise too...