Music Legends - Stevie Ray Vaughan

Stevie Ray Vaughan is considered by many one of the greatest guitarists the world has seen. Rolling Stone Magazine actually place him at No7, Classic Rock have him at No3 but maybe he should be even higher the man was unbelievable. He was born in Dallas Texas in October 1954 younger brother of another guitarist Jimmie Vaughan.



In his early days he actually wanted to be a drummer but due to his brothers influence settled on the guitar. When he reached his late teens he moved to Austin to pursue his musical career where he evetually joined a group called Paul Ray & the Cobras playing the bars & Clubs around the City. Its a City known for its music and Stevie is responsible for a big part in its nickname "The Music Capitol of the World".

Here he is putting his own style to the Jimmy Hendrix blues classic "Little Wing" :-

By 1975 he moved on joining Vocalist Lou Ann Barton, Bassist Jackie Newholme, Drummer Chris Layton & Sax player Johnny Reno to form a group called Triple Treat. Barton left to pusue a solo career & later Reno left the group. In 1979 the three remaining members including Stevie then changed the name to "Double Trouble" inspired by the Otis Rush song of the same name. Stevie did a lot of work with other musicians including playing guitar for David Bowie on his "Lets Dance" Album.

Double Trouble released their first album "Texas Flood" in 1982 with the blues classic "Pride & Joy" wrote by Stevie released as a single selling 500,000 copy's to go gold. Heres an superb live version :-

The Album "Texas Flood" was nominated for a Grammy and a track on it "Rude Mood" was voted best Rock Instrumetal.

Vaughan himself won three awards (only the 2nd man to do it following Jeff Beck) from the "Guitar Readers Poll" - Best New Talent, Best Blues player, Best Blues Electric Guitar (a award he won every year until 1991).

Here he is playing the classic "Superstition" :-

In 1986 Vaughan was addicted on Drugs and Alcohol reportably he mixed cocaine with Crown Royal Whisky and it took its toll. He was taken ill on tour in germany and doctors found the drugs were eating away his stomach lining. He was admitted to hospital in London where seen by Dr Victor Bloom who had previosly helped Eric Clapton & Pete Townsend with their own drug problems. Eventually he moved to Atlanta and into a rehab clinic where he got sober and became a teetotaler. In Jan 1990 he gave a speech at a Alcoholic Anonymous meeting to help others with their addictions.

In March 1990 he fullfilled one of his ambitions and produced a studio album with his brother Jimmie, the album is called "Family Style" by the Vaughan Brothers (one I must get for my collection).

By this time Stevie was suffering from a condition he called "Hamburger Throat" which meant it was painfull for him to sing, to counteract this before performing he would have cortisone injections in hs neck but this made his face swell.

On August 26th 1990 Stevie & Double Trouble played at the "Alpine Valley Music Theatre" in Wisconsin the highlight been a 20 minute Jam session with Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Jimmie Vaughan & Robert Cray. They played the Classic Robert Johnson blues Song "Sweet Home Chicago".

Following the concert Stevie had a long chat with Eric Clapton, they were reportably planing a Jimi Hendrix tribute concert in London. Following their meeting Stevie decided to hitch a ride in a helicopter with Claptons Roadies rather than take the long drive back to his Chicago Hotel. Shortly after take off they crashed into a Ski Slope killing all 5 on board. Stevies body was the only one found outside the helicopter suggesting he jumped just before the crash, it is assumed he initially survived but died sometime in the 6 hours before they were found. The following day his brother and Eric Clapton were called to ID the body.

It doesn't end with the death of this true legend he recieved many posthumas awards, the governer of Texas even made October 3rd his birthday the Stevie Ray Vaghan Day and there is a annual motorcyle parade followed by a concert to celebrate his life. In Austin one of the biggest tourist attractions is a statue of the man they errected in 1994 at Little Bird Lake.Many modern musicians name Stevie as one of their inspirations, John Mayer even as a SRV tatoo.So Stevie Ray Vaughan here is another tribute, RIP.