Jeff Buckley

Born

1966-11-17

Died

1997-05-29

Birthplace

Anaheim, California, USA

Biography

Jeffrey Scott Buckley was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, born on November 17, 1966, in Anaheim, California. The son of legendary folk singer Tim Buckley, Jeff grew up mostly estranged from his father, carving out his own path in music with a blend of rock, soul, folk, and blues, marked by his angelic four-octave voice. He first gained attention playing covers and originals in New York’s East Village, particularly at Sin-é, a café that became synonymous with his early rise. His debut (and only complete studio) album, "Grace" (1994), is now regarded as a masterpiece—featuring haunting originals like "Lover, You Should’ve Come Over", and his iconic cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah", which would become his most enduring legacy. Buckley was working on his second album, tentatively titled My Sweetheart the Drunk, when he tragically drowned in the Wolf River Harbor (a channel of the Mississippi River in Memphis) on May 29, 1997, at the age of 30. His death was ruled accidental, with no drugs or alcohol involved. Though his life was brief, Buckley's music continues to influence artists across genres, and his voice—ethereal, emotional, and unmatched—remains one of the most captivating in modern music history.