Jeff Buckley

Short Biography

Jeff Buckley was born on November 17, 1966 in Anaheim, California, USA as Jeffrey Scott Buckley. He died on May 29, 1997 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.Trade Mark (1)His harmonious voiceTrivia (21)Son of Tim Buckley and Mary Guibert.Drowned when he was swept away by the undertow of a passing boat in the Wolf River (a tributary of the Mississippi).Born at Martin Luther Hospital in Anaheim, California.Half-brother of Corey Moorhead.He is referred to in his father's songs "Dream Letter" and "I Never Asked to Be Your Mountain". Several other artists have written songs about him. These include Rufus Wainwright's "Memphis Sky Line" (from his album "Want Two"), PJ Harvey's "Memphis" and Chris Cornell's "Wave Goodbye". His death is referred to in the Badly Drawn Boy song "You Were Right".Attended Loara High school, the same as his father and Gwen Stefani of No Doubt.He was a fan of the British indie rock band The Smiths and once said that they were the only good thing about 1980s music.Sin - é, the café where he played in the beginning of the 1990s, reopened recently after being closed since before his death.Turned down an offer to write the theme song of a Quentin Tarantino film.His body was found on June 4, 1997, a week after he drowned, in the Mississippi River.Only released one full-length album, "Grace, " during his life.Played his last gig at Barrister's in Memphis on May 26th 1997.His father was of Irish, English, and one quarter Italian, descent. His mother has French, Panamanian, and Greek ancestry.Band included guitarist Michael Tighe, bass player Mick Grondahl, and drummers Matt Johnson (1993-1996) and Parker Kindred (1996-1997).The original title for his second, posthumous, album was, "My Sweetheart the Drunk." When Jeff died, before finishing it "Sketches for" was added to the title.Attended Musician's Institute in Los Angeles.Famous fans include Jamie Cullum, Badly Drawn Boy, Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, Elizabeth Fraser, Chrissie Hynde, Patti Smith, Katie Melua, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, Fran Healy, Steve Hogarth, & Björk.Has a nephew named after him posthumously, Jeffrey James Moorhead (b. 2005), son of Jeff's half-brother Corey.Had an incredible five-octave vocal range.Was hugely influenced by famous Qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Jeff often referred to him as his Elvis.His album "Grace" was Mojo magazine's album of the year in 1994.Personal Quotes (7)I resent the fact that a parental warning sticker has to be included on an album as cover art. To me that's censorship.I don't want my reputation to take me over, I just want to be judged on my songs. I want people to come and see me because they want to, not because fashion dictates it. I don't belong in magazines, I belong on stage, in front of the audience, one-to-one. There's something that happens there. The rest is just crap.I've always felt that the quality of the voice is where the real content of a song lies. Words only suggest an experience, but the voice is that experience.I want to be ripped apart by music. I want it to be something that feeds and replenishes, or that totally sucks the life out of you. I want to be dashed against the rocks.The Smiths hasn't been equaled. That goes for the composition of the songs, the lyrics, and the performance. What Johnny Marr and he [Morrissey] did was fabulous, nobody can beat that. If I'd ever start a rock band, I'd want to approximate that level.Music is my mother and my father; it is my work and my rest...my blood...my compass...my love...[About how he wants to be remembered] ...as a good friend. You know, I don't really need to be remembered. I hope the music's remembered.