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03/03/2008: "RIP Jeff Healey"

If you have your first fight with cancer before your first birthday, you know you're probably in for a short, difficult life. Sometimes, though, you rise above the fight and achieve far beyond expectation.

Such was the case for singer/guitarist Jeff Healey, who died today in Toronto from complications of the cancer he'd fought his entire life. Struck with retinoblatoma as infant, Healey lost the use of his eyes. But that didn't stop him from achieving his dreams as a stellar guitarist. Forced to develop his own style, Healey learned to play the guitar laid flat across his lap, similar to a pedal steel. The unique positioning created a sound unique to Healey. He jammed with some of the best early in his life, and led the Jeff Healey Band to a string of hits in the late '80s. You may remember the JHB as the Double Deuce house band in the Patrick Swayze ass-kicking flick "Road House".

I loved Healey's music, which reminded me of Robin Trower at his peak. He moved from rock to jazz and was just returning to his rock roots at the time of his death - his new album is just about to be released. I'm predicting a big seller.

Healey, 41, is survived by his wife and two children.