TORONTO - International music stars from the world of rock, blues and jazz celebrated the life of Jeff Healey Saturday with the songs he loved best.
Rocker Randy Bachman, guitarist David Wilcox, bluesman Colin James and singer Alannah Myles were among the artists who took the stage in the first of two weekend tributes to Healey, which featured classic hits from the performers and video footage of the blind guitar hero in action.
The concert also featured former Cream vocalist and bass player Jack Bruce and Deep Purple's Ian Gillan, both of whom played with Healey several times in his storied career.
"He's an all-round good egg," Gillan said, before taking the stage to play "When a Blind Man Cries."
"We worked with each other a lot and I had a great deal of respect for him.... He always used to get up and jam with us when we came into town."
The show got off to a rousing start with Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards, an upbeat brass, strings and piano combo, which had some 2,500 fans tapping their feet and bopping their heads to some old-time sass.
Later, Myles belted out her hits "Black Velvet" and "Lover of Mine;" Blue Rodeo offered up "Try" and "Hasn't Hit Me Yet;" James scorched through "Voodoo Thing" and Bruce tore through "Sunshine of Your Love."
Bachman got the crowd singing along to his Guess Who classics, "American Woman" and "Taking Care of Business." Backstage, he praised Healey for his prowess on the frets.
"You can't get any tricks from him because it's, like, this way, upside down," Bachman said while demonstrating the unique way Healey played guitar on his lap, his fingers dancing up and down the frets like a keyboard.
"Normally, when a guy's playing something you look and (notice) 'Oh, he's putting his fingers there.' With him it was like, upside down backwards, wrong fingers. I couldn't figure anything out."
Healey died March, 2008 after a long battle with cancer. He was 41.
He rose to stardom as the leader of the Jeff Healey Band, a rock-oriented trio that garnered a Juno award, international acclaim and platinum record sales with the 1988 album 'See the Light.'
His guitar prowess was characterized by a unique playing-style that wowed audiences and fellow virtuousos alike. It led him to share stages with such rock luminaries as George Harrison, Stevie Ray Vaughan and B.B. King.
King was one of several famous fans to send messages that were read allowed at Saturday's show.
"Jeff's passing is a tragic loss to the world of blues," King said. "He was courageous throughout his battle with cancer and his special talent will be greatly missed."
Healey's widow, Cristie, took the stage halfway through the concert to thank fans for their outpouring of support and salute her husband for his courage.
"He will always be with us," she said, adding she felt it was important to organize the public tributes for her husband's many fans.
"Jeff had a joy for life. He loved living, he loved his family, he loved music and it was truly a great passion for him in every sense."
Healey was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, retinoblastoma, as a child, resulting in his loss of sight and predisposing him to other cancers later in life. Cristie Healey said their son has the same genetic mutation, but thanks to advances in medical research has not had to face the same struggles as his father.
She said proceeds from this weekend's soldout concerts will go to Daisy's Eye Cancer Fund and the Healey Family Trust.
Another tribute planned for Sunday will celebrate Healey's achievements in the classic jazz world, with performers including Marty Grosz, Brad Kay and Vince Giordano.
