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Out of Darkness: The Jeff Healey Story
Short-listed for the 2011 Golden Oak Award
From the moment three-year-old Jeff Healey first laid a guitar across his lap in what was to become his signature style, it was clear he was no ordinary kid. Losing both eyes to retinoblastoma, a rare form of cancer, opened a door to another world for Jeff, a newly adopted infant. Out of darkness he created music, becoming one of the most influential blues-rock and jazz performers of our time, beginning with his first hit album, See the Light .
In this up-close and personal account, loaded with never-before-seen photographs, memorabilia, and intimate recollections of family, friends, and fellow musicians, we discover this unique music icon’s dynamic career, which saw him collaborate with everyone from George Harrison and Eric Clapton to B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan. From Jeff’s lonely start one snowy night at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Toronto to his untimely end in the same building, we come away with a potent message of empowerment and a renewed sense of hope.
From the moment three-year-old Jeff Healey first laid a guitar across his lap in what was to become his signature style, it was clear he was no ordinary kid. Losing both eyes to retinoblastoma, a rare form of cancer, opened a door to another world for Jeff, a newly adopted infant. Out of darkness he created music, becoming one of the most influential blues-rock and jazz performers of our time, beginning with his first hit album, See the Light .
In this up-close and personal account, loaded with never-before-seen photographs, memorabilia, and intimate recollections of family, friends, and fellow musicians, we discover this unique music icon’s dynamic career, which saw him collaborate with everyone from George Harrison and Eric Clapton to B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan. From Jeff’s lonely start one snowy night at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Toronto to his untimely end in the same building, we come away with a potent message of empowerment and a renewed sense of hope.
134 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
21 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Watson
25 books3 followersCindy Watson has published works for children with Skipping Stones magazine, Dovetail Press, and South Pacific Press. Originally from Toronto, Watson lives in Utterson and has a law office in Bracebridge. She makes time for a busy law career, family, and writing.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 23, 2019
Good but seemingly written for a YA audience.
December 22, 2018
Excellent writing of an incredible story!
December 21, 2018
I loved this book. The author did a great job honoring Jeff's legacy.
February 22, 2019
One of my favorite artists (at least his blues music!). I'd love to read a more in-depth look at his life someday.
September 21, 2010
Five stars for 'Out of Darkness: The Jeff Healey Story' by Cindy Watson.
176 pages/paperback/70 black and white illustrations and sidebars/978-1-55488-706-4
In the introduction, the authors tells us why Jeff Healey's life has a message for us all - "Given up for adoption as a newborn, losing both eyes to a rare form of cancer before his first birthday, suffering the return of cancer as an adult, losing his mother to breast cancer, Jeff Healey could have had all the excuses in the world not to succeed, to give up. But he chose to embrace each day, find the good in life, and squeeze every last drop of its juice to pour out for all of us to enjoy."
Out of Darkness: The Jeff Healey Story is a compelling and inspirational read. Filled with personal stories and interesting tidbits of information, the book is geared toward young adults, but its energetic and informative style still manages to hold the interest of the more mature reader. In these days of greed and self interest run amok, how gratifying it is to learn that Healey could have capitalized on his popularity to pursue ever-greater heights of fame and fortune, but instead he chose to follow his heart and concentrate on jazz, his first love.
If you’re looking for a book to inspire you or your children, this is the one. Every school library should have a copy of this book and every teacher should read aloud from its pages. What better way to teach our children the value of pushing through setbacks in order to achieve a dream? Why not provide kids with the perfect example of a young man who did just that and challenge them to follow his example?
Well done.
176 pages/paperback/70 black and white illustrations and sidebars/978-1-55488-706-4
In the introduction, the authors tells us why Jeff Healey's life has a message for us all - "Given up for adoption as a newborn, losing both eyes to a rare form of cancer before his first birthday, suffering the return of cancer as an adult, losing his mother to breast cancer, Jeff Healey could have had all the excuses in the world not to succeed, to give up. But he chose to embrace each day, find the good in life, and squeeze every last drop of its juice to pour out for all of us to enjoy."
Out of Darkness: The Jeff Healey Story is a compelling and inspirational read. Filled with personal stories and interesting tidbits of information, the book is geared toward young adults, but its energetic and informative style still manages to hold the interest of the more mature reader. In these days of greed and self interest run amok, how gratifying it is to learn that Healey could have capitalized on his popularity to pursue ever-greater heights of fame and fortune, but instead he chose to follow his heart and concentrate on jazz, his first love.
If you’re looking for a book to inspire you or your children, this is the one. Every school library should have a copy of this book and every teacher should read aloud from its pages. What better way to teach our children the value of pushing through setbacks in order to achieve a dream? Why not provide kids with the perfect example of a young man who did just that and challenge them to follow his example?
Well done.
September 30, 2023
Out Of The Darkness - The Jeff Healey Story by Cindy Watson is an inspiring, well researched biography about one of the world’s greatest guitar players.
Out Of The Darkness takes you through a 129 page journey that was Jeff’s life, including:
his adoption; loosing both eyes before his first birthday; school, his family; his musical development; his fame; and above all else, his positive attitude towards life.
The story is one that will inspire readers of all ages. Included are numerous photographs; concert posters; general information about blindness; and exercises you, your children or your students can do to learn more about what it is like what to be blind.
A short read, this is a book for all ages. It is a must read for those who want to be inspired.
Out Of The Darkness takes you through a 129 page journey that was Jeff’s life, including:
his adoption; loosing both eyes before his first birthday; school, his family; his musical development; his fame; and above all else, his positive attitude towards life.
The story is one that will inspire readers of all ages. Included are numerous photographs; concert posters; general information about blindness; and exercises you, your children or your students can do to learn more about what it is like what to be blind.
A short read, this is a book for all ages. It is a must read for those who want to be inspired.
December 21, 2015
The book wasn’t my favorite, but this story is truly inspirational. I would read it again, it changed my look on the world. I can relate to his story a little bit by the fact that I am different and I have challenges to overcome, too. Jeff’s challenges are different then mine, but it is good to know that there are other people out there who struggle. He found a way to overcome, which makes me feel like I can accomplish too. It won’t be easy, but it can be done.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews