Jeff Healey: The 1989 “See the Light” Interview (Audio)

Our Wide-Ranging Cover Story Conversation

This May 24, 1989, interview captures the late, great Jeff Healey at an important moment of transition. His Jeff Healey Band had recently performed four songs in the movie Road House, starring Patrick Swayze and Sam Elliott, and he was in the final stages of preparing his debut album, See the Light.

Since this interview was done for his first internationally published cover story, in Guitar Player magazine, Jeff and I spoke at length about his musical development, highly unusual overhand guitar technique, the challenges of being blind, how listening to other musicians was his main form of practice, and his profound love for jazz and blues musicians from bygone eras. As you’ll hear, Jeff was friendly, sincere, insightful, and easy to talk to—in short, a wonderful guy. I hope you enjoy our conversation!

Thanks to engineer/producer Nik Hunt for enhancing the sound of the original 35-year-old master tape.

Help Needed! To help me continue producing guitar-intensive interviews, articles, and podcasts such as the one featured here, please become a paid subscriber ($5 a month, $40 a year) or hit that donate button. Paid subscribers have complete access to all of the 200+ articles and podcasts posted in Talking Guitar. Thank you for your much-appreciated support!

© 2024 Jas Obrecht. All right reserved.