One of the greatest alternative singer-songwriters of the 90s, Jeff Buckley, tragically passed away at 30, leaving an entire generation of fans with just one studio album. He was a unique figure in the music scene having completely affected the world with his work, deeply influencing many musicians, and attracting many listeners with his voice and poetic lyrics. Buckley was born in Anaheim, California, on Nov. 17, 1966, to folk singer Tim Buckley and pianist Mary Guibert. His father was a musician, but Jeff only saw him once, and most of his upbringing came from his mother and stepfather. Growing up, he was surrounded by music ranging from Led Zeppelin to Nina Simone, whose vocal styles deeply influenced Buckley’s approach to singing.
Buckley attended the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles after high school but quickly found formal education intolerable. In the early 90s, he moved to New York City and dove head-first into the city’s trending East Village music scene. While playing solo with his electric guitar, he quickly gained traction for his powerful and angelic voice which drew comparisons to his late father.
In 1994, Buckley released his first and only completed studio album, “Grace.” It revealed his immense vocal range and influences from a wide range of music genres. Songs like “Last Goodbye,” “Mojo Pin” and the iconic cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” showed how well Buckley could express his deepest feelings in his music. “Grace” received positive reviews upon its release, although it was not an immediate commercial success. Over time, however, it would become a cult classic, praised as one of the greatest albums of the 90s. “Hallelujah’s” haunting beauty received more appreciation after his death, which sealed his legacy. Buckley’s rendition, presented with raw emotion, is known as one of the greatest cover versions of all time.
Kennedey Franco, a senior at Huntington Beach High School (HBHS) said, “His music is amazing and honestly really sad, but it’s still good, don’t get me wrong. I’ve only heard his most famous songs, but they’re really good in my opinion.”
Alyssa Phillips, another senior at HBHS, said, “All my friends love Jeff Buckley and wanted me to listen, and ever since then, I’ve just loved his music so much, like it’s insane. Out of all the songs my favorite one is ‘Eternal Life’, that one is just…the best one on the album.”
As his career peaked, Buckley began preparing his highly anticipated album, “My Sweetheart the Drunk,” but on May 29, 1997, tragedy struck, and he drowned in the Wolf River Harbor of the Mississippi River in Memphis, Tennessee. According to reports, he went for a swim, fully clothed, without any prior preparation, and was therefore caught by the river’s current. Days later, his body was found and later it was discovered that he had no traces of drugs or alcohol in his system.
Despite his untimely death at a young age, Buckley’s influence has continued to grow. Releases after his death such as “Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk” gave insight into what could have been the growth of his discography. His songs have been covered and admired by other major artists like Thom Yorke, Chris Cornell and Matt Bellamy, further cementing his impact on the music industry. Jeff Buckley’s legacy is one of beauty and melancholy. His music remains a timeless, haunting reminder of what he accomplished in his lifetime and what he could have been. Even after 30 years, Buckley’s music continues to resonate with those searching for a deep and emotional sound.
