Guitar Jedi Stevie Ray Vaughn
Like last week’s featured musician Buddy Holly, music lost another star in Stevie Ray Vaughn to an aircraft crash. Stevie Ray Vaughn died in a helicopter crash on August 27, 1990. He was the younger brother of Jimmie Vaughn whom we heard in person at last summer’s Texas Monthly Barbecue Festival. If Stevie had not been killed in the crash of the helicopter, he would be a top tier musician today. However, he did suffer from severe alcoholism and drug abuse that affected his health.
Stevie Ray Vaughn was born in Dallas, Texas October 3, 1954. His brother Jimmie is three years older. Stevie Ray Vaughn dropped out of high school in Dallas and moved to Austin. After becoming friends with Clifford Antone who had converted the back of his clothing store to a blues jamming area, Stevie Ray got a chance to play with Blues legend Albert King. It didn’t take King long to realize he was sharing the stage with the best white blues player to ever hold a guitar. And of course Antone’s later became Austin’s premier blues venue featuring a good many legends.
Here is Stevie Ray performing Pride & Joy and if you have time and want to learn more about this amazing blues artist: Here is also parts 1 and 2 of 5 parts about the life and times of Stevie Ray Vaughn. You can find parts 3, 4, and 5 on Youtube.
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