I can't believe how fast 20 years can go by......but Stevie Ray Vaughn left us just this week 20 years ago when his helicopter crashed on a mountain side following a show in Troy Wisconsin in which he appeared with his brother Jimmie, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy and others. I remember thinking how I wished I could see that show which featured all my favorite blues players on one stage. SRV being my favorite. I awoke the morning after the last show to scattered radio reports that a helicopter carrying some of the musicians from the show had crashed on a fog shrouded mountain side.......reports were sketchy and varied about who was on that helicopter and they ranged from Eric Clapton and SRV to Eric Clapton and his entourage to SRV, Clapton and Robert Cray. In the end it was SRV and a few people from Eric Claptons management group who perished. I was devastated with the news that SRV had been killed at the young age of 35 years and now just as then I can't help wondering.....what would have been? The music we missed out on due to the untimely death of a still rising star. The ticket you see in the upper right hand corner of the picture is my ticket stub from the first time I ever saw SRV play live! I waited since 4:00am at the Sears in Braintree for the ticket agency to open so I could get 4 seats for me and my buddies to go see him.......10th row center on the floor at Lowell Memorial Auditorium.....a small, intimate venue. His performance was "Jaw Dropping" to say the least. We left that show different than when we went in. Such control, such power......and so much talent. I saw him play live 6-8 times before his death. Once he opened for Robert Plant at Great Woods (ticket stub middle in picture) that was a great show but because he was the opening act I was disappointed he did not play longer than his 45 minutes. The ticket stub in the middle of the picture was from the last time I saw him play. He was teamed up with Jeff Beck. SRV was promoting his "In Step" album and Beck his "Guitar Shop" album and this was quite possibly the best show I had seen.....they were both amazing! They finished the show with a Howling Wolf song called "Goin' Down" (a recording you can hear from SRV's boxed set). They both traded riffs and solos on this last song......SRV broke a string midway through and continued without missing a beat twirling the guitar behind his neck, behind his back....just amazing! Best song I have ever seen at a show......it was powerful! I still shiver when I hear this song.....maybe because it was the last I had seen of Stevie Ray Vaughn. Maybe because it really was that power and emotion that SRV could derive from his Sunburst 59 Strat. 20 years later and I still get excited when an album is released with "new" material as there have been a few posthumous releases since his death. He was truly something to see play live and I will never forget it.:grins:

Sorry to be so long winded......music really forms the tapestry of our lives....don't you agree?:uhuh:

Lets post some of his videos here as a tribute!:uhuh:

I remember that day very well. I was working in a warehouse, listening to the radio. They initially thought it was Clapton and there were hours of speculation. I went to lunch and was eating BK in my car, glued to the radio, when they confirmed it was SRV. Not afraid to say it, but I balled. His playing changed my life. I was 14yrs old when I heard Pride and Joy on the radio. I knew I had to be able to do that and went to the closet and got out my sisters old acoustic guitar. 28 years later I still play almost every day.

and a here ya go.....

YouTube - Stevie Ray Vaughan - Testify (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC71fFdCsbk)

haven't heard any guitar player come along
that could replace his style during the last 20 years either.

he's one of the greats....not just a man playing a guitar
they kind of merged into "one" type of talent.

one for BF - this the one?

YouTube - Stevie Ray Vaughan & Jeff Beck - Goin Down 11/08/1989 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RWWuv_MwM4)

the Live at El Mocombo dvd/vhs is a MUST have

YouTube - Stevie Ray Vaughan - Lenny (Live at El Mocambo) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YIHvK5WN7I&feature=related)

Yup! Thanks RIJ....that was awesome!!:uhuh:

I have the El Mocambo VHS! Great, great stuff!

I have the El Mocambo VHS! Great, great stuff!

me too - I need to get it on dvd or blue ray!

YouTube - Stevie Ray Vaughan - Mary Had A Little Lamb (LIVE) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRDdnsaxF1Q)
YouTube - Stevie Ray Vaughan Riviera Paradise 102789 Amarillo TX (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL2-2y9AfYc)

Check out Kenny Wayne Shepard!!
He can hammer the axe.

Seen him twice! I am a fan and he is quite good! He spent part of his youth sitting on SRV's amp.....true story! However he is nowhere near as powerful and gifted a guitar player and he can't sing! That alone is detrimental to being a true bluesman. They all sing!

I remember the day ! I listened to him non stop in 1987
I don't think the guy even came close to reaching his potential !
And in my (and many others) opinion he was better than anyone around (including Clapton)

I have to agree Ron! I have seen many, many of the best players live....he was by far the best I ever saw!!! I love Clapton and its a tough call.....SRV was simply the best!

I relate SRV similar with Bo Jackson playing football for the Raiders.
Both freaks of nature and no question had Bo played football only ( and not got injured in that playoff game ) would have shattered all the records.
Who knows how big SRV would be now !

YouTube - Stevie Ray Vaughan Couldn't Stand Weather 102789 Amarillo TX (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPyCXEBVxLA&feature=search)

Probably my favorite 1-2 tracks on any album

YouTube - Stevie Ray Vaughan - Crossfire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsHXd4rQnW0&feature=related)

and

YouTube - Stevie Ray Vaughan - Crossfire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsHXd4rQnW0&feature=related)

Oh, and this was the absolutely best Austin City Limits show ever. They should have just stopped productions after this one.

RIP Stevie