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Billboard, January 30, 1993

Jeff signs with Columbia/Sony Records, October 29, 1992

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The signing was scheduled for October 29. Record contracts can often be initiated by musicians in their own home and then sent back to the labels, but everyone at Sony, Ienner in particular, wanted to make a statement that they had landed a major artist. Wearing a black jacket, Jeff went to the legal office at 5 pm, leaned over the desk, and scrawled his signature on the last page. Then Ienner, Berkowitz, David Kahne (senior vice president of A&R, and Berkowitz's boss), and Sony buisness executives gathered in front of the Columbia logo in the reception area, and the official commemorative photo was snapped.

When the photograph of the signing finally appeared in print, in the January 30, 1993, issue of Billboard, it would have been easy to mistake it for a post-wedding-ceremony gathering of the bridegroom's closest buddies. The seven men in the photo, especially Ienner, sported broad, satisfied smiles. Standing next to Ienner, Jeff looked stiff and pale, more like someone who was signing up for a flu shot instead of a million-dollar record contract. He was the only one not flashing even the tiniest of grins.-from Dream Brother

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Let's talk about Jeff Buckley. Singer of songs, weaver of guitar strings, teacher, humanist, rabble rouser, drowned in the Mississippi river on this date 25 years ago.

I feel blessed to have heard Jeff sing in person while he was alive. I don't recall who gave me his record, Grace, when it came out. Or who told me to go see him play in NYC. I just recall the feeling-that he was a once-in-a-lifetime artist. I don't try to describe him but if I had to I'd say nobody sings like Jeff (plenty try) and when you first hear his voice, you either Get It Forever, or not. The ones who get it, they are my people.

When I met him, to interview him, I was nervous. Because I was still a kid and he was so obviously next-level in his musical knowledge. But he was also so funny. He charmed me, he charmed everyone. I remain eternally grateful to photographer @richard.beland for snapping a candid photo of us together at the Trinity Church.

When he went missing, I got a call from a friend at Sony in NY. And then, the official press release a few days later. Shock. Sadness. So soon. So unfair.

Jeff's music will live forever. It has inspired so many singers, and writers. When I play his songs they remind me that when an artist means something to you, go see them. You never know when it might be your last chance.-@liisagothica on IG

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Trinity Church, Toronto, October 28, 1994. 📷 Richard Beland

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“Get that boy a Crip uniform…can you imagine Nusrat Fatah Ali Khan in a doo rag and a Crip uniform?”-Jeff on his Elvis’s “distinguished” sense of style.

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Meeting fans at a signing in Toronto, October, ‘94.

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Much Music interview, October 28, 1994.

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Much Music, October, 1994.

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For Now Magazine's October 27, 1994 issue by Chris Buck

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For NOW Magazine's October 27, 1994 issue by Chris Buck (thanks to @sweetdreamsjeff for sharing!)

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Charles Playhouse: Boston, Massachusetts, October 24, 1994 📷 Merri Cyr

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Charles Playhouse: Boston, MA, October 24, 1994 📷 Merri Cyr

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Charles Playhouse: Boston, MA, October 24, 1994 by Merri Cyr

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Charles Playhouse: Boston, MA, October 24, 1994 📷 Merri Cyr

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Charles Playhouse: Boston, MA, October 24, 1994 📷 Merri Cyr

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The New York Times, October 14, 1994

"Jolly Street"

Merkin Concert Hall with the Jazz Passengers: NYC, October 15, 1994

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"Well the last show with the Jazz Passengers was a smash. All the singers from the album except Jimmy Scott did their songs at the Merkin Concert Hall. Jeff Buckley, Tim Buckley's son is very good looking. Mavis Staple flew in from Chicago and it was wild."-Debbie Harry, in a message sent to the DHBIS electronic mailing list, Oct. 17, 1994

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"Ah yes, I had a show with The Jazz Passengers. Debbie Harry was there, John Cale also...and one more, a beautiful Puerto Rican lady (lol), and Mavis Staples sang, too. Debbie Harry sang her own song, that was fabulous! She is fantastic. She is a Diva. I was so nervous, but I was honored."-Crossbeat, March, 1995