Los Angeles - Rock and jazz musician Jeff Healey, whose virtuoso skills as a blind guitarist gained him widespread fame in the late 1980's, has died aged 41 after a lifelong battle with cancer. Healey died Sunday night in a Toronto hospital with his wife at his bedside, according to a statement on his website. He is survived by his children, Rachel and Derek, as well as his wife, Cristie. Funeral arrangements are still being made.
Born in Toronto in March 1966, the Grammy-nominated Healey rose to stardom as the leader of the Jeff Healey Band, a rock-oriented trio that gained international acclaim and platinum record sales with the 1988 album See the Light. The album included the hit single Angel Eyes.
Healey, who was adopted at birth, had battled cancer since age 1, when a rare form of retinal cancer known as Retinoblastoma claimed his eyesight. He started playing guitar at age three,laying the instrument across his lap and developing a unique style of finger playing.
"What we have lost is a virtuoso musician," said Richard Flohil, Healey's publicist. "He followed his own passion. He was very generous, very warm-hearted, with a great sense of humour."
His death came weeks before the release of his first rock album in eight years. Mess of Blues is slated for a North American release on April 22.
