kallistii | One of the most amazing guitarists in the world has died.

Jeff Healy, guitarist extraordinaire died today. According to the National Post, he died of cancer, something that he fought with throughout his life. It was cancer that took his sight while he was just a baby. A fact that defined how he learned to play guitar in a unique style of laying it flat on his lap and was thus able to use all five fingers to fret notes with. His love of blues and jazz led him to share stages with some of the greatest musicians of our time, such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Goeorge Harrison and B. B. King. In addition to music, he also appeared in the film "Roadhouse", playing, it turned out, himself.

The person who wrote the movie, David Lee Henry had seen Jeff in concert years earlier, and incorporated a character based upon Jeff in his story/screenplay for Road House, and through a number of convoluted and fortuitous events, Jeff was offered the part, totally unknown to the writer! It's a great movie to see Jeff and his band play some wonderful tunes.

His cover of George Harrison's "While my Guitar Gently Weeps" seems a fitting tribute...the backup vocals and guitar on this are by George Harrison and Jeff Lynn.

Today, guitars are shedding tears.

Watch on YouTube