This timeline includes life and career milestones from Jeff Healey's 41 years as a man and a musician. ;xNLx;;xNLx;Entries to this timeline include photos, video and links. Click an individual event to see more about it, and scroll back and forth through the timeline using either the scroll wheel on your mouse, or the bar at the bottom of the window.;xNLx;;xNLx;We hope you enjoy this unique journey through Jeff's life.
Norman Jeffrey "Jeff" Healey was born at St Joseph's Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Friday March 25th, 1966.
On July 20th, 1966, just shy of 4 months old, Jeff is adopted by Bud and Yvonne Healey.
At age 7 months, the surgical removal of Jeff’s right eye (and subsequently his left, 4 months later) and their replacement with artificial ones was necessitated by a form of cancer of the eyes called retinoblastoma.
Jeff is given his first guitar by his father.
In 1980, Jeff began hosting a jazz segment for the CBC after attending an open house for the broadcaster where vibraphonist Peter Appleyard convinced the people at the radio program Fresh Air to put the then-14-year-old Healey on the air after discussing jazz with him.
At the age of 15, Jeff's first band, 'Blue Direction' (with Rob Quail on second guitar, Jeremy Littler on bass and Graydon Chapman on drums) is formed
Jeff is invited to join Albert Collins and Stevie Ray Vaughan on stage at Toronto blues hotspot, Albert's Hall.
In the Fall of 1985,Jeff first meets drummer Tom Steven, then bass player Joe Rockman at legendary Toronto blues club, Grossman's Tavern and the Jeff Healey Band is born.
Jeff Healey Band releases its first indie single for the songs Adrianna and See The Light.
In 1986 a chance meeting would mark the start of a 22 year friendship and further set Jeff's career path in stone...
On November 12, 1986, the Jeff Healey Band opened for rock legends, The Band at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver. It was their first really big show, performing for their largest audience yet and just a small taste of things to come...
1st US airplay of the independent single See The Light - Rochester NY on WCMF's Homegrown show.
THE 1987 Toronto Blues Society BBQ. featured a barely twenty-one year old Jeff Healey on acoustic guitar (and vocals) accompanied by his old friend, local blues legend and fellow record collector, Steven C. Barr on harp and vocals!
Jeff hosts his first jazz radio show on University of Toronto’s CIUT station.
The Jeff Healey Band perform a sold out show at the famous Marquee Club in London, England.
The million seller debut album of the Jeff Healey Band rocketed them into the spotlight and kicked off over a decade of intense touring and recording all over the world.
Jeff debuts on network television with a performance on Late Night with David Letterman.
The Jeff Healey Band perform on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
The Jeff Healey Band receives a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for the song 'Hideaway' (they lost to Carlos Santana)
Film shoot for See The Light: Live In London.
Road House soundtrack released on Arista Records.
Road House Film released in North America.
Jeff Healey Band wins a Juno Award for Canadian Entertainer of the Year.
Hell To Pay album released on Arista Records.
The Jeff Healey Band’s second appearance on the Late Night With David Letterman Show.
In the early hours of August 27th, 1990, Stevie Ray Vaughan and four others, died in a tragic helicopter crash. In the two days prior to the tragedy, Vaughan, Jeff, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray and Jimmie Vaughan performed and spent time together. Jeff and Stevie had been good friends since their first meeting in 1985.
Co-ordinated by bassist Joe Rockman, the band completes the newly christened Forte Studios in their new Toronto headquarters on Spadina Road. The bulk of all recording by the Jeff Healey Band over the next nine years will be done here at Forte.
The “My Kinda Jazz” radio show begins on CBC hosted and curated by Jeff Healey.
Feel This album released on Arista Records.
The Jeff Healey Band’s third appearance on the Late Night With David Letterman Show.
The band goes back to its roots to record 'Live At Grossman's'...
Cover To Cover album released on Arista Records.
The Jeff Healey Band receives a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for the song 'Shapes Of Things' from the album 'Cover To Cover' (they lost to the Allman Brothers Band)
Jeff played three tunes at a tribute to Jimmy Rogers in Montreaux fronting a band of musical giants. The line-up featured our own Pat Rush, Jimmy D. Lane (Rogers’ son and an incredible player in his own right) and John Koenig (‘Blues Blues Blues’ producer) on guitars, the LEGENDARY Johnnie Johnson on piano, Ted Harvey on drums, Bob Stroger on bass and Jeff’s good friend, Fabulous Thunderbirds front man, Kim Wilson on harmonica.
In September of 1999 Jeff Healey met and jammed with legendary 'Band of Gypsys'/'Electric Flag' founder, Buddy Miles!
Get Me Some record launch at the Indian Motorcycle Club in Toronto.
Jeff Healey returns to the CBC with a new edition of My Kinda Jazz.
Get Me Some album released on Universal Records.
Blues legend John Mayall releases ‘Along For The Ride‘ an album featuring an amazing array of guests including our very own Jeff Healey singing back up vocals and playing lead guitar on an incredible track called ‘A World Of Hurt‘.
Opening night party for the first of two clubs to bear Jeff’s name over the next 8 years.
Jeff disbands The Jeff Healey Band.
Among Friends album released on Sensation Records.
Live at Montreux 1999 released on Eagle Rock.
At the 2001 Maple Blues Awards, Jeff is presented with the 'Blues With A Feeling Award' for Lifetime Achievement.
In 2002, Jeff gathered the finest musicians on the Toronto Jazz scene and formed the Jazz Wizards, a band (along with the 'Jeff Healey Blues Band') whose members would record and perform live with him until his untimely passing 6 years later.
Adventures In Jazzland released on the short lived Healey-O-Phonic label.
Healey's Club hosted the launch of Jeff Healey's short lived record label, "Healey-O-Phonic" by celebrating 2 CD releases: Jeff Healey's "Adventures In Jazzland" and Tara Hazelton's "Anybody's Baby."
Jeff is awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.
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