Twenty-Four years ago the world lost one of its great guitar players, and Jeff Healey lost a dear friend.
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 shared a bill and spent time playing and hanging out together at Alpine Valley in East Troy, Wisconsin.
Since their first meeting in 1985, he and Vaughan had been good friends. Jeff’s pal, Cory Mihaluk convinced the then barely 19 year-old Healey to accept Albert Collins‘ invitation to jam with him and Stevie at Toronto’s legendary blues club, Albert’s Hall. Many, including Jeff saw this as a defining moment in his fledgling career…
Vaughan’s untimely death at the young age of 35 stunned Jeff and left a profound mark on his life. I remember him telling me that he knew exactly where the helicopter had crashed as he and Stevie had been walking there the night before… Over the last five years of his life, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jeff would play together a number of times and Jeff was proud to call him friend.
Rest easy Stevie.
~Rog
Jeff Healey & Stevie Ray Vaughan performing ‘Look At Little Sister’ live at the CBC in 1987 – I was fortunate enough to have attended the taping of this performance and it was incredible! The fire between these two absolutely filled the room, the joy of peers pushing each other ever further. There were no egos in play at all…
Best ever two together.
Indeed. I believe the laces between these two guys are beyond the limits of this life…, far beyond. RIP …
I can’t believe it’s been 24 years since the world lost Stevie Ray. When I had heard the news it put a hole in me like someone had shot an arrow through me. I could not believe that we were never going to hear such playing again come from him. It was a great loss.
My Father got me into listening to Stevie Ray and I thank God for that every day. I still to this day listen to him.
I would love to know if there is a CD or any type of recording available of Stevie and Jeff together. I would love to purchase it. Thank you
Nothing official at the moment Kathleen, but you never know! ~Rog
There is a cd two together.But I live in Sweden soo I dont how you can get it from me.Maybe we can solv it……Niklas
You have a cd of them together ?
Sadly no. But there is this… 🙂 ~Rog
https://youtu.be/2HmLFyvFxTc
I was devastated when SRV died. He’s the greatest guitar player EVER!
I still kick myself for not going to Alberts Hall that night after a long day at work and going home only to find out the next day that my friend Pete sat with and heard SRV play with Jeff. Stevie at the time was recuperating from drugs and alcohol at the time. 2 great legends who left a legacy. Rest both of your Souls lads and play those harps,blues style.
Amen. I know I’d be sick to if I were in your shoes, but you can’t keep kickin’ yourself around. Jeff’s song “Angel Eyes” is one that my Fiancé used to sing to me before he passed away in 2002 and I cry still everytime I hear it. I feel they’re all 3 in Heaven watching over us and would not want you to be kicking yourself anymore even though I understand because I still haven’t met anyone who can touch my heart like my Angel in Heaven. Fly High Jeff, Stevie, and my Dave. You will never be forgotten and always loved.
Thanks for this post – I am happy to hear that Jeff & Stevie got to meet and play. Great video – glad it was captured for posterity.
posters of SRV and JH together would be EPIC, I’ve seen the video of them playing together and to say Stevie’s was impressed with Jeff’s guitar prowess is a massive understatement, el Jeff even got Stevie to smile a time or two and thats REAL rare
what I thought was real cool was hearing Stevie get out of his shoes a bit and play in an otherwise foreign key, that to me this was Stevie telling Jeff how much he appreciated his style of playing, Stevie sort of got into Jeffs pocket if you will..
I`m an old woman who loves Jimi Hendrix since i have been 13 years young.
And then in the 80s i explored Jeff – wow!!!!
Steve Ray of course needs no comment.
Jeff and Steve Ray together – I can get down on my knees!!!
Angel eyes in my eyes is the greatest love song ever wrote…I have wonderful memories of my first love singing it too me while dancing at our senior prom..to this day when I hear it ,the memories come rushing back like it was last year,not 25 years ago,and a tear will run down my cheek..
Cristie (with family) & Roger,
Could you all please try and work with Stevie Ray Vaughan’s estate holders along with Eric Clapton, and the rest of the East Troy performers – of that legendary 1990 jam-session, to release a on-stage video of Vaughan/Healey, Clapton/Healey, Healey/Vaughan/Clapton, Vaughan/Clapton and others with Jeff/& Company.
This would be a most welcome music video, and would sell millions.
If there is the need to cut in the music hall – for remunerations, then, do it.
Please consider the possibility
Best Regards,
Victor C. Couture ….. ‘ – ]
Hi Victor!
That sounds like a wonderful idea. There’s just a few details… We don’t even know if the show was filmed… and that weekend, while they all hung out together, Jeff didn’t play on stage with SRV. He did his own set and he later jammed with Clapton. But if we hear of any existing footage, we’ll certainly look into it! ~Rog
Great musicians
I was fortunate to see Jeff Healey play with either Stevie Ray or Johnny Winter back in the 1980’s, I think it was Stevie with Jeff in Sacramento but not 100% sure. Does anyone know or remember?
Saw all three multiple times, some of my best memories
Tears are falling and messing my digitation. Jeff was this golden boy always happy ans smiling . Stevie showed an affection for the talented young man who turned a tragedy into an example of overcoming in life.
The only time I was lucky enough to see SRV live was the night Jeff, Stevie, and Albert played at Albert’s Hall. I was front row, feet on the stage. It was an incredible night! You can actually find an audio stream of it online somewhere. I always remember Mark Knopfler in the audience with a girl in each arm and a drink in each hand.