Jeff Healey tribute concert

casterway · May 5th, 2008, 06:38 PM

Musician Jeff Healey was saluted enthusiastically Saturday in Toronto, where a star-studded roster of Canadian and international talent performed their own blues and rock material as well as songs associated with, and favoured by, the late guitarist.

"We're here in celebration of Jeff Healey and his music tonight, and we want to hear some noise," said Randy Bachman, during a hardy four-song set of Let it Ride, American Woman, You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet and Takin' Care of Business. The appearance by the former Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive guitarist was a highlight, as were spots by Blue Rodeo, Colin James and ex-Cream bassist Jack Bruce, a liver-cancer survivor who had befriended and played with Healey on the European concert circuit.

"He put his arms around me when I was at my lowest," said Bruce, who joined Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan and guitarists James, Bachman and David Wilcox for a finale of Healey's signature See the Light.

A sell-out crowd of 2,500 gathered at the lakeside Sound Academy club, where Healey's widow Cristie spoke about the selfless courage of her late husband, who died of cancer at age 41 in March. She revealed that their son, Derek, shared the genetic mutation related to the retinoblastoma that had robbed Healey of his own sight during childhood, but that boy's prognosis was optimistic due to medical advances.

Shepherd · May 6th, 2008, 04:18 AM

Christ, I didnt even know he died. It always amazed me that someone who was blind could play like that. It's always sad when someone with so much talent dies young.

lunchbox · May 6th, 2008, 12:20 PM

That's Sad Man!!! I didn't know he died. I'll say a prayer for his child and widow.

ThreePlyGuy · May 6th, 2008, 02:50 PM

That kid was a very special talent indeed! The way he managed to pull tones and chords with his left hand and thumb Piano style over the Strat on his lap like that, just amazed me. I would have loved to meet the very gifted player and it's a terrible shame he was taken from us a such a tender age.

casterway · May 6th, 2008, 06:17 PM

He was quite a performer.

ROADMAN · May 6th, 2008, 10:58 PM

sounds like a great tribute to a great musician..Jeff will
be missed by us all...

mildwild · May 7th, 2008, 09:27 AM

I posted when the when the concerts were announced and was surprised what a like warm reaction the post was given.

RobQ · May 7th, 2008, 09:47 PM

I helped organize the concert, and performed in it. It was an amazing night. Extremely emotional. Some great performaces, especially from Ian Gillan, David Wilcox (playing a tele thru two cranked JCM800s - the main tele content of the show) and Randy Bachman.

There was a real air of "heaviness" backstage. Not so much somber, as intense. A lot of people had a lot of respect for Jeff as a musician and as a person, and there was a real sense of the importance of plaing a fitting tribute to his memory.

We organized this show in seven weeks. i'm very proud of the outcome.

casterway · May 7th, 2008, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobQ

I helped organize the concert, and performed in it. It was an amazing night. Extremely emotional. Some great performaces, especially from Ian Gillan, David Wilcox (playing a tele thru two cranked JCM800s - the main tele content of the show) and Randy Bachman.

There was a real air of "heaviness" backstage. Not so much somber, as intense. A lot of people had a lot of respect for Jeff as a musician and as a person, and there was a real sense of the importance of playing a fitting tribute to his memory.

We organized this show in seven weeks. i'm very proud of the outcome.

Excellent Rob!! Could you post a list of who performed, and what they performed, please?

I looked on the internet, and couldn't find a lot of detailed info.

Thanks in advance, and welcome to the forum!!!

garytelecastor · May 7th, 2008, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobQ

I helped organize the concert, and performed in it. It was an amazing night. Extremely emotional. Some great performaces, especially from Ian Gillan, David Wilcox (playing a tele thru two cranked JCM800s - the main tele content of the show) and Randy Bachman.

There was a real air of "heaviness" backstage. Not so much somber, as intense. A lot of people had a lot of respect for Jeff as a musician and as a person, and there was a real sense of the importance of plaing a fitting tribute to his memory.

We organized this show in seven weeks. i'm very proud of the outcome.

thanks for what you did for the family. I can't tell you how much his death saddened me.
Oh, and Welcome to the Forum. A big hale and hearty salute!!!!!
I have a very good friend who is one of the jazz bass staples up there. I didn't know anything about this concert. Did you guys tape it? Will it be available to the public?

ROADMAN · May 8th, 2008, 12:04 AM

welcome to the forum Rob and good on ya for the work
you put in for Jeff and his many fans...would loved to have
been there....

RobQ · May 8th, 2008, 09:06 AM

I actually was a member of the old TDP. So I'm not really new; just returning.

The show was 6 hours long so I won't list every tune. But here's the highlights.

The Jazz Wizards, Jeff's traditional jazz band, played for half an hour; songs included Stardust and Long John Blues (for which I had the honour of sitting in...)

Jeff's touring blues band took the stage for Angel Eyes. (they backed up pretty much everyone else on the bill except my set, Blue Rodeo, and David Wilcox.)

Then a set of some local guests; Danny Marks played Pipeline; Downchild did Flip Flop and Fly, Goddo did a couple of tunes.

Then our set; we were a collection of past players in Jeff's band so we called ourselves Jeff Healey's Alumni Band: me, original bassist Joe Rockman, drummer Cassius Pereira, guitarist Pat Rush, joined by Jerome Godboo for 2 songs and Kim Doolittle for one. We did Confidence Man, Stuck In The Middle, My Little Girl and a (killer) early song of Jeff's called One Foot In The Gravel.

Then another set of assorted guests, including Alan Frew, Alannah Myles, Matt Minglewood, Jimmy Bowskill, and closing with Jeff's early mentor Tony Springer (who did a soaring version of all Along the Watchtower)

The the heavy hitters came to bat.

Colin James played, among other things, Voodoo Thang, Looking Out the Window, and Speechless.

David Wilcox lit the place up with a three song set including High Sheriff of Hell.

Blue Rodeo did Try, It Hasn't Hit me Yet, and one other.

Randy Bachman did an outrageousely good set featuring Let It Ride, You Aint Seen Nothing Yet, and American Woman.

Ian Gillan did Highway Star, Smoke On The Water, When a Blind Man Cries, and a couple others.

Jack Bruce played Sunshine Of Your Love, Bad Sign, White Room, Manic Depression, and Sittin' on Top of The World.

Then Bachman, James, and Wilcox strapped on guitars and Jack and Ian sang "See the Light"

For the encore, just the 4 guys in jeff's last blues band took the (backlit) stage and a screen came down in front to show images of Jeff while they played a powerfully moving While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

There are some great photos here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...8265036&ref=mf

RobQ · May 8th, 2008, 09:10 AM

Oh, and while the whole show was recorded by local radio station Q107 for future brioadcast, there are no current plans for commercial release. We'd be into waiver-hell.

Proceeds went to Daisy's Eye Cancer Fund and also for the future care of Jeff's young son Derek, who also has retinoblastoma. We raised well over $120k, I think. Haven't tallied it all up yet.

Stevie 202 · May 8th, 2008, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobQ

Oh, and while the whole show was recorded by local radio station Q107 for future brioadcast, there are no current plans for commercial release. We'd be into waiver-hell.

Proceeds went to Daisy's Eye Cancer Fund and also for the future care of Jeff's young son Derek, who also has retinoblastoma. We raised well over $120k, I think. Haven't tallied it all up yet.

==============================================

Many thanks for this good work to all involved. Musta been something to be there!

Dennis68 · May 8th, 2008, 09:36 AM

Sounds like a great tribute to a wonderful musician and person. I, too, wish I could have seen the tribute concert. The day Jeff's death was announced I couldnt help but re-read his musically history and play many of the great songs he performed.

I also read somewhere there is a foundation or a donation source for contriubitions for cancer research that can be made in Jeff's name? Maybe someone close to the benefit or can find a link can post it? I think it's a great way to help recognize his legacy.

RobQ · May 8th, 2008, 10:03 AM

http://www.daisyseyecancerfund.ca/donate_now.php

May 5th, 2008, 06:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
casterway Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Aldergrove, British Columbia,Canada Age: 40 Posts: 2,379	Jeff Healey tribute concert Musician Jeff Healey was saluted enthusiastically Saturday in Toronto, where a star-studded roster of Canadian and international talent performed their own blues and rock material as well as songs associated with, and favoured by, the late guitarist. "We're here in celebration of Jeff Healey and his music tonight, and we want to hear some noise," said Randy Bachman, during a hardy four-song set of Let it Ride, American Woman, You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet and Takin' Care of Business. The appearance by the former Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive guitarist was a highlight, as were spots by Blue Rodeo, Colin James and ex-Cream bassist Jack Bruce, a liver-cancer survivor who had befriended and played with Healey on the European concert circuit. "He put his arms around me when I was at my lowest," said Bruce, who joined Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan and guitarists James, Bachman and David Wilcox for a finale of Healey's signature See the Light. A sell-out crowd of 2,500 gathered at the lakeside Sound Academy club, where Healey's widow Cristie spoke about the selfless courage of her late husband, who died of cancer at age 41 in March. She revealed that their son, Derek, shared the genetic mutation related to the retinoblastoma that had robbed Healey of his own sight during childhood, but that boy's prognosis was optimistic due to medical advances. __________________ There's nothing wrong with a proper repair... "I don't scratch no guitars." John Lee Hooker, when asked to carve his signature into an old acoustic.

May 6th, 2008, 12:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
lunchbox Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Venice, Fl Age: 39 Posts: 467	That's Sad Man!!! I didn't know he died. I'll say a prayer for his child and widow. __________________ TWANGALICIOUS!!!!

May 6th, 2008, 02:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
ThreePlyGuy Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southern California/Arizona Age: 59 Posts: 310	That kid was a very special talent indeed! The way he managed to pull tones and chords with his left hand and thumb Piano style over the Strat on his lap like that, just amazed me. I would have loved to meet the very gifted player and it's a terrible shame he was taken from us a such a tender age. __________________ Good luck with your projects!

May 6th, 2008, 06:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
casterway Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Aldergrove, British Columbia,Canada Age: 40 Posts: 2,379	He was quite a performer. __________________ There's nothing wrong with a proper repair... "I don't scratch no guitars." John Lee Hooker, when asked to carve his signature into an old acoustic.

May 8th, 2008, 09:36 AM	#15 (permalink)
Dennis68 Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hudson Valley Posts: 757	Sounds like a great tribute to a wonderful musician and person. I, too, wish I could have seen the tribute concert. The day Jeff's death was announced I couldnt help but re-read his musically history and play many of the great songs he performed. I also read somewhere there is a foundation or a donation source for contriubitions for cancer research that can be made in Jeff's name? Maybe someone close to the benefit or can find a link can post it? I think it's a great way to help recognize his legacy. __________________ -Dennis

May 6th, 2008, 04:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
Shepherd Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maple Ridge, Canada Posts: 150	Christ, I didnt even know he died. It always amazed me that someone who was blind could play like that. It's always sad when someone with so much talent dies young.

May 6th, 2008, 10:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
ROADMAN Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: delta b.c. canada Age: 53 Posts: 825	sounds like a great tribute to a great musician..Jeff will be missed by us all...

May 7th, 2008, 09:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
mildwild Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2004 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada Posts: 420 52 Photos	I posted when the when the concerts were announced and was surprised what a like warm reaction the post was given.

May 7th, 2008, 09:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
RobQ TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 21	I helped organize the concert, and performed in it. It was an amazing night. Extremely emotional. Some great performaces, especially from Ian Gillan, David Wilcox (playing a tele thru two cranked JCM800s - the main tele content of the show) and Randy Bachman. There was a real air of "heaviness" backstage. Not so much somber, as intense. A lot of people had a lot of respect for Jeff as a musician and as a person, and there was a real sense of the importance of plaing a fitting tribute to his memory. We organized this show in seven weeks. i'm very proud of the outcome.

May 8th, 2008, 12:04 AM	#11 (permalink)
ROADMAN Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: delta b.c. canada Age: 53 Posts: 825	welcome to the forum Rob and good on ya for the work you put in for Jeff and his many fans...would loved to have been there....

May 8th, 2008, 09:06 AM	#12 (permalink)
RobQ TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 21	I actually was a member of the old TDP. So I'm not really new; just returning. The show was 6 hours long so I won't list every tune. But here's the highlights. The Jazz Wizards, Jeff's traditional jazz band, played for half an hour; songs included Stardust and Long John Blues (for which I had the honour of sitting in...) Jeff's touring blues band took the stage for Angel Eyes. (they backed up pretty much everyone else on the bill except my set, Blue Rodeo, and David Wilcox.) Then a set of some local guests; Danny Marks played Pipeline; Downchild did Flip Flop and Fly, Goddo did a couple of tunes. Then our set; we were a collection of past players in Jeff's band so we called ourselves Jeff Healey's Alumni Band: me, original bassist Joe Rockman, drummer Cassius Pereira, guitarist Pat Rush, joined by Jerome Godboo for 2 songs and Kim Doolittle for one. We did Confidence Man, Stuck In The Middle, My Little Girl and a (killer) early song of Jeff's called One Foot In The Gravel. Then another set of assorted guests, including Alan Frew, Alannah Myles, Matt Minglewood, Jimmy Bowskill, and closing with Jeff's early mentor Tony Springer (who did a soaring version of all Along the Watchtower) The the heavy hitters came to bat. Colin James played, among other things, Voodoo Thang, Looking Out the Window, and Speechless. David Wilcox lit the place up with a three song set including High Sheriff of Hell. Blue Rodeo did Try, It Hasn't Hit me Yet, and one other. Randy Bachman did an outrageousely good set featuring Let It Ride, You Aint Seen Nothing Yet, and American Woman. Ian Gillan did Highway Star, Smoke On The Water, When a Blind Man Cries, and a couple others. Jack Bruce played Sunshine Of Your Love, Bad Sign, White Room, Manic Depression, and Sittin' on Top of The World. Then Bachman, James, and Wilcox strapped on guitars and Jack and Ian sang "See the Light" For the encore, just the 4 guys in jeff's last blues band took the (backlit) stage and a screen came down in front to show images of Jeff while they played a powerfully moving While My Guitar Gently Weeps. There are some great photos here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...8265036&ref=mf

May 8th, 2008, 09:10 AM	#13 (permalink)
RobQ TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 21	Oh, and while the whole show was recorded by local radio station Q107 for future brioadcast, there are no current plans for commercial release. We'd be into waiver-hell. Proceeds went to Daisy's Eye Cancer Fund and also for the future care of Jeff's young son Derek, who also has retinoblastoma. We raised well over $120k, I think. Haven't tallied it all up yet.

May 8th, 2008, 10:03 AM	#16 (permalink)
RobQ TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 21	http://www.daisyseyecancerfund.ca/donate_now.php