Stevie Ray Vaughan

b. October 3, 1954 d. August 27, 1990

With the astonishing way he played his guitar, Stevie Ray Vaughan helped jump start the blues guitar revival of the 80’s. SRV drew equally from bluesmen like Albert King, Otis Rush and Muddy Waters, and rock & roll players like Jimi Hendrix and Lonnie Mack as well as the stray jazz guitar player like Kenny Burrell.

Stevie grew up in Dallas, the younger brother of Jimmie Vaughan, the founder of the “Fabulous Thunderbirds”, and was gigging around town by the age of 12. By 17 he had dropped out of high school and moved to Austin. His band, Double Trouble, struggled until April 23, 1982, when they where hired to play a private performance for the Rolling Stones. David Bowie Saw him, and signed him to play guitar on his “Let’s Dance” CD. After that, legendary talent scout John Hammond signed SRV to Epic Records and his debut album, “Texas Flood” came out later that fall.

Stevie only released 4 studio albums and 1 live album with Double Trouble before his untimely death.

Stevie Ray Vaughan was killed in a helicopter crash on August 27th 1990, when he took Eric Clapton’s seat on the Helicopter after a show outside of Milwaukee.

Click here to download the Stevie Ray Vau 1024x768 image.

Click here to return to the Hall Of Fame.

mp3 All star salute to Stevie Ray Vau