Jeff Buckley ( November 17, 1966 – May 29, 1997), born Jeffrey Scott Buckley and raised as Scottie Jeffrey Moorhead, was an American singer-songwriter. Known for his beatific voice of at least 3.5 octaves, (recorded range is A2 to E♭6), Buckley was considered by critics to be one of the most promising artists of his generation after the release of his 1994 debut album Grace. However, at the height of his popularity, Buckley drowned during an evening swim. His work and style continue to be highly regarded by critics and fellow musicians.
Born in Anaheim, California, Jeff Buckley was the only son of Mary Guibert and Tim Buckley. His father was a songwriter who released a series of highly acclaimed folk and jazz albums in the late 1960s and early 1970s before his own untimely death in 1975 ( 1975 in music). His mother was of Panamanian descent, while his father was the descendant of Irish emigrants from Cork. Buckley was raised by his mother and step-father Ron Moorhead (for just a few years) in Southern California, constantly moving in and around Orange County. Additionally he had a half-brother, Corey Moorhead. During his childhood he was known as Scott "Scottie" Moorhead, but at the age of 8 he chose to go by his birth name after meeting his father for the first (and only) time; to his family he still remained Scottie.
At eighteen, Buckley moved to Los Angeles, where he graduated from the Musician's Institute's two-year course. Buckley often called his time at the Institute a "waste", yet he made life-long friends there. His diverse musical background was reflected in the bands in which he participated before going solo. In L.A., he was in the reggae band Shinehead, as well as a number of other bands in which he exclusively played guitar.