Jeff Wainwright came from a very middle-class home in Hempstead, Long Island. Jeff’s mother Kathy was a secretary at a CPA firm and his father Ron was a salesman at a large car dealership.
Jeff enjoyed a typical childhood in Long Island, going to Jones Beach in the summers, seeing the Mets play at Shea Stadium. Jeff was an average student, not giving much thought about college.
Jeff had an older sister Megan who was diagnosed with Leukemia when she was 14. Megan’s treatments became the focus of Jeff’s parents. Jeff was more or less on his own. He learned to take care of himself. He didn’t feel neglected; it was just the way it was. Megan lost her battle with Leukemia when she was 16.
Determined to make up for their neglect during Megan’s illness, Jeff’s parents bought him his first guitar. Jeff spent hours listening to Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and others trying to get down the main guitar riffs. He became frustrated that he was just average. At a party in Manhasset, he met Rio Ricci. He knew Rio as the guitar guy in Long Island. He also knew Rio’s family was wealthy.
Jeff told Rio about his frustrations in playing guitar. Rio suggested he take up the bass. He told Jeff he would jam with him to get him accustomed to bass lines.
The two boys would play for hours. They started thinking of forming a band and Vision Sky became a reality.
Vision Skye soon merged with members of the Canadian band Stanley Park. Rio, Gina and Jeff joined Trevor, Ian and Kevin the soundman to form Perfection.