Jeff Healey tribute show
Jeff Healey tribute concert was held on May 3. Ian Gillan, Jeff Beck, Randy Bachman, David Wilcox, Colin James, and Alannah Myles were among the musicians who performed at the Sound Academy in Toronto, Canada.
Glen Miller reports:
Well, they saved the best for last as Gillan was the last major artist to come on stage for the Jeff Healey tribute last night before most of the musicians came back on stage for the grand finale to play Healey’s See The Light.
IG played 5 songs: Highway Star, Lazy, When A Blind Man Cries, Sugar Plumb and Smoke On The Water. While the music was very good, it was an exercise in survival for the sold-out crowd of 2,600 as the show lasted from 7 p.m. (beginning with a half hour of video clips of Jeff in concert, to the music beginning at 7:30 p.m. and the show lasting until 1:45 a.m.!!!
I may have set my own personal record of standing at a show as there were no chairs.Also, it had to be one of the latest times in recent memory that IG had to come on stage — 1 a.m. He was supposed to be on at 12:05 a.m, but things fell behind
schedule-wise.Anyway, Mr. Healey would have been proud.
Proceeds from the concert went to Daisy’s Eye Cancer Fund and Healey Family Trust.
The show was recorded and will be broadcast by CBC Radio 2 in July.
Thanks to Glen Miller and CBC.ca for the info.
Somehow I think it would have been better if Ian had done 1 or more Jeff Healy songs……
More interesting.
But, most importantly, more in relation to the happening, more honouring JB.
I always think it’s kinda egocentric/egotistic way to do : some festival like Live Aid and all those other festivals…..mainly promoting themselves!
But, ofcourse it’s a way to show oneselves to a crowd unfamiliair(Maybe)to their music.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:33I feel so happy, that this evening was such a succes.I only learned to know JH in 2005 on CD/DVD Gillan’s Inn and on that tour.After that I looked up all I could from this so nice and extraordinnary artist.I didn’t know that he was so sick untill the shocking news of his death.To read that so many people share the love and respect for JH makes the sadness softer!I wish that to all his family and friends and fans!
May 15th, 2008 at 13:54I feel so happy, that this evening was such a succes.I only learned to know JH in 2005 on CD/DVD Gillan’s Inn and on that tour.After that I looked up all I could from this so nice and extraordinnary artist.I didn’t know that he was so sick untill the shocking news of his death.To read that so many people share the love and respect for JH makes the sadness softer!I wish that to all his family and friends and fans!
May 15th, 2008 at 13:55Priest,
May 15th, 2008 at 14:12I feel ashamed to read your words on this blog of honnoring JH.I’m even more ashamed but forced to give you here my reply:YOU ARE A THICK MORON!!!
It gives me also deep pleasure to read once more how much JH is loved and how he has been remembered this special tribute evening! Me too want to wish less grief and permanent proudness to all his family and friends and fans!
May 15th, 2008 at 19:53I find stupid, needless criticism here a witness of bad taste, Purple Priest.
Who backed up Ian ?? Was there a “house band” or did he bring the Gillan’s Inn crew ??
May 15th, 2008 at 21:42I’m sure it was a fitting,heartfelt tribute to Jeff by everyone involved.
It’s cool that CBC recorded the show for broadcast.How about a DVD ??
I would NOT have lasted 6hrs,45 mins in a standing only venue…
Kudos to Glenn and all those who did !!!
Fantastic to hear this was such a glorious evening!
We wonder too who backed up Ian!
If possible a DVD would be precious.
Discrediting the intentions for Jeffs tribute (and sincere charity festivals)is here a disgrace.
Purple Priest should become Red Priest.(of shame!)
Bravo to all for making this JH evening come true !
PS for mike:
May 16th, 2008 at 09:19What means Kudos?
Mike & Charlotte:
May 16th, 2008 at 09:43Kudos means congratulations or praise,
The tribute to Jeff was fantastic, althyough I have to agree that the night was a bit on the long side. IG didn’t disappoint (he was the main reason my son and I were there). The backing band was Jeff Healey’s blues band. They did a fantastic job all in all. You could tell they learned the Purple songs from Made In Japan (which I found amuzing).
I’d like to set the record straight on one thing though. Jeff Beck was not there, but Jack Bruce was.
My back is still aching.
May 17th, 2008 at 15:26Wish I could have been there……..
“You’d better close your eyes and bow your head, And wait for the ricochet”…..
Cheers.
May 21st, 2008 at 04:22The show was aired on the radio in Nova Scotia last night.
CG
May 25th, 2008 at 21:49Jeff healey has been a great influence on me. And it break my heart that he died. I cried that night on march 3rd the date he died. I was shocked! And his music will forever be in my heart. All angel eyes forever! I miss you jeff and good luck in heaven. thank you for the memories.
June 29th, 2008 at 20:39I was at the show and have to say it was awsome.A great way to pay tribute to a great musician.To answer Mike it was the JH band who backed up all the musicians that played.The keyboardest was in his glory as he chimed out the licks to lazy.I was at the front of the stage but I am sure the people at the back could see the perminant grin on his face.If there was a down side to the show it had to be Alannah Myles.She was on something and could barely stand so they sat her down.Then she tryed to put a gutair around her neck but couldn,t so she just droped it on the ground.It was pathetic to see her like that.Other than that the show was great. CHEERS
July 1st, 2008 at 20:27