Career Timeline of Jeff Buckley: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jeff Buckley made an impact.

Jeff Buckley was an American singer-songwriter who gained prominence in the early 1990s through his performances in New York City's East Village. Prior to his solo career, he worked as a session guitarist in Los Angeles. He signed with Columbia Records and released his debut and only studio album, *Grace*, in 1994. Buckley embarked on extensive tours across the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Australia to support the album, solidifying his reputation as a gifted and captivating live performer.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Legacy & Impact

1988: Playing in Wild Blue Yonder

From 1988 to 1989, Jeff Buckley played in a band called the Wild Blue Yonder with John Humphrey and Danny Carey.

1989: Playing in Wild Blue Yonder

From 1988 to 1989, Jeff Buckley played in a band called the Wild Blue Yonder with John Humphrey and Danny Carey.

February 1990: Move to New York City

In February 1990, Jeff Buckley moved to New York City but found few opportunities to work as a musician initially.

April 26, 1991: Singing debut at tribute concert

On April 26, 1991, Jeff Buckley made his public singing debut at a tribute concert for his father, Greetings from Tim Buckley, held at St. Ann's Church in Brooklyn.

1991: Co-writing with Gary Lucas and moving to Lower East Side

In mid-1991, Jeff Buckley began co-writing with Gary Lucas, resulting in the songs "Grace" and "Mojo Pin". He moved to the Lower East Side, Manhattan, at the end of 1991.

March 1992: Leaving Gods and Monsters

In March 1992, the day after Gods and Monsters officially debuted, Jeff Buckley decided to leave the band.

April 1992: First appearance at Sin-é

In April 1992, Jeff Buckley first appeared at Sin-é, a venue in Lower Manhattan, quickly earning a regular Monday night slot there.

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October 1992: Signing with Columbia Records

In October 1992, Jeff Buckley signed a three-album deal with Columbia Records for nearly $1 million.

1992: Recording of "I Shall Be Released"

In 1992, Jeff Buckley recorded a version of "I Shall Be Released" over the phone on live radio, which was later released on the album For New Orleans.

February 1993: Studio recordings

In February 1993, Jeff Buckley spent three days in a studio recording his solo repertoire, singing a cappella and accompanying himself on various instruments.

August 1993: Recording debut EP

Recording dates were set for July and August 1993 for what would become Buckley's recording debut, an EP of four songs, including a cover of Van Morrison's "The Way Young Lovers Do".

November 23, 1993: Release of Live at Sin-é EP

On November 23, 1993, Jeff Buckley's live EP "Live at Sin-é" was released.

1993: Working on first album

In 1993, Jeff Buckley began working on his first album with record producer Andy Wallace and assembled a band consisting of Mick Grøndahl and Matt Johnson.

January 1994: First solo North American tour

In January 1994, Jeff Buckley embarked on his first solo North American tour in support of the "Live at Sin-é" EP.

August 23, 1994: Release of "Grace"

On August 23, 1994, Jeff Buckley released his album, "Grace", which included seven original songs and three covers.

October 19, 1994: Start of Canada and U.S. tour

On October 19, 1994, Jeff Buckley's tour of Canada and the U.S. began at CBGB.

1994: Release of "Grace"

In 1994, Jeff Buckley released his only studio album, "Grace". He then toured extensively across the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Australia to promote the album.

1995: U.S., Canada, and European tours

During 1995, Jeff Buckley and his band toured across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, playing at venues like Metro in Chicago, Sony Music Studios, Glastonbury Festival, and the Meltdown Festival. He also performed at the Paris Olympia.

1995: Recordings released on promotional EPs

Much of the material from the tours of 1995 and 1996 was recorded and released on promotional EPs, such as the Grace EP, or posthumously on albums, such as Mystery White Boy and Live à L'Olympia.

January 1996: Interview with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

In January 1996, Jeff Buckley interviewed Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for Interview and wrote liner notes for Khan's Supreme Collection, Vol. 1 compilation.

March 1, 1996: Last gig with Matt Johnson

On March 1, 1996, Jeff Buckley played his last gig with drummer Matt Johnson in his band, during the Hard Luck Tour in Australia and New Zealand.

December 1996: "Phantom Solo Tour"

In December 1996, Jeff Buckley embarked on his "phantom solo tour" of cafés in the northeast U.S., performing under various aliases to regain anonymity.

1996: Writing and Recording "My Sweetheart the Drunk" with Tom Verlaine

In 1996, Jeff Buckley began writing and recording his new album, "My Sweetheart the Drunk", with producer Tom Verlaine. They recorded tracks like "Sky Is a Landfill", "Vancouver", "Morning Theft", and "You and I" in Manhattan.

1996: Work on "My Sweetheart the Drunk"

In 1996, Jeff Buckley worked on his second album, "My Sweetheart the Drunk", in New York City with producer Tom Verlaine.

1996: Recordings released on promotional EPs

Much of the material from the tours of 1995 and 1996 was recorded and released on promotional EPs, such as the Grace EP, or posthumously on albums, such as Mystery White Boy and Live à L'Olympia.

February 4, 1997: Performance at Knitting Factory's Anniversary Concert

On February 4, 1997, Jeff Buckley played a short set at the Knitting Factory's tenth anniversary concert, showcasing new songs like "Jewel Box", "Morning Theft", "Everybody Here Wants You", "The Sky is a Landfill", and "Yard of Blonde Girls".

February 12, 1997: Band's Return to Live Performance

On February 12, 1997, after a period of inactivity following a drummer's departure, Jeff Buckley's band resumed live performances.

May 26, 1997: Last Performance at Barristers'

Jeff Buckley's last performance at Barristers' was on May 26, 1997. He had been playing there regularly to develop new material in a live setting.

1997: Resumption of work and death

In 1997, Jeff Buckley resumed work on his album after moving to Memphis, Tennessee, where he recorded four-track demos and played weekly solo shows. On May 29, 1997, while awaiting his band's arrival, he drowned in the Wolf River.

1997: Unsatisfactory Recording Sessions

In early 1997, Jeff Buckley and his band had another recording session in Manhattan, but they were unsatisfied with the results.

2001: Release of Live à L'Olympia

In 2001, Sony BMG released a live album, "Live à L'Olympia", featuring songs from Jeff Buckley's performances at the Paris Olympia and his collaboration with Alim Qasimov.

2021: Biographical film starring Reeve Carney as Buckley set to begin filming

In 2021, a biographical film titled "Everybody Here Wants You," starring Reeve Carney as Jeff Buckley, was set to begin filming. Orian Williams was to make his directorial debut, with Culmination Productions releasing the film. Mary Guibert, Buckley's mother, co-produced the film, ensuring it as the only official dramatization of Jeff's story, with music access approved by Alison Raykovich.