Today is the 16th anniversary of Stevie Ray Vaughan's untimely death in a helicopter crash. I've been listening to his music all day and again am struck by what a loss the music world suffered by losing him so early. He was only 36! All the superlatives in the world apply to his guitarmanship, songwriting, performing. He held his own in concerts with guitar legends such as Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, and Albert King. I continue to admire him for overcoming his addictions and continuing to make music the main thing in his life.
I only saw him perform live just once, in a concert with Jeff Beck and Carlos Santana in December of 1989, the year before he died. Each guitarist played their own set and then all jammed together at the end. Amazing. I'm so glad that I had the chance to hear his music in person, it was one of my most favorite concerts ever.
"Alpine Valley, In the Middle of the Night
Six Strings Down, on the Heaven-Bound Flight
Got a Pick, A Strap. Guitar on his back
Ain't Gonna Cut The Angels No Slack
Heaven Done Called Another Blues Stringer Back Home."
-Jimmie Vaughan (Stevie's brother on The Tribute to SRV)
Many moons ago, my husband and I went to an outdoor concert headlined by Huey Lewis and the News. The warm up act, believe it or not, was Stevie Ray, who was unkown to us at the time. He treated the crowd to an amazing and blistering set; he was truly outstanding as a live performer.
ReplyDeleteah, the blues and cemetaries...2 things we have in common :)
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