Jeff Buckley

At 18, he moved to Los Angeles and completed a two-year course at the Musician's Institute. Buckley described his experience there as a «waste of time», although he formed lasting friendships. Before starting his solo career, he participated in several bands, including a reggae band led by Shinehead, where he mainly played guitar.

In 1990, Buckley moved to New York. His first public performance as a singer was in 1991, at a tribute to his father at St. Ann's Church in New York. He did not receive payment for his participation, as his intention was to honor his father, stating: «This is not a springboard, this is something very personal». He performed «I Never Asked To Be Your Mountain» with Gary Lucas on guitar and sang «Once I Was» a cappella, leaving the audience in silence. Buckley commented on this event that it was not his work or his life, but he did it to say goodbye to his father, as he could not attend his funeral.

Soon, Buckley became a regular solo performer at the Sin-é café in Greenwich Village, capturing the attention of Columbia Records executives. In 1993, Columbia released an EP with four songs recorded at the Sin-é café.

Buckley collaborated with the experimental guitarist Gary Lucas and his band Gods and Monsters. In 1994, he released his debut album Grace, which contained ten tracks. Although initial sales were slow, the album received praise from critics and other musicians such as Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, Bob Dylan, Thom Yorke, Neil Peart and Paul McCartney. His interpretation of Leonard Cohen's «Hallelujah» is considered by many as the definitive version of the song and is probably his most well-known recording.