The Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan

Description

Stephen Ray Vaughan was born in Dallas, Texas, on October 3, 1954, the year the famous Fender Stratocaster went into production. Stevie Ray placed his fingers on his first six-string guitar at the age of 7, left school in 1971, and moved to Austin in 1972, to become the most influential and electrifying Blues guitarist of all time. After honing his skills in several bands during the 70s, Stevie Ray formed his own group, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, in 1978. Driven by his art and determined to revitalize Blues for contemporary audiences, Stevie Ray established himself as the charismatic leader of the trio and also as an electric guitarist with evangelistic lyrics, supported by drummer Chris Layton and bassist Timmy Shannon. Recommended by the legendary John Hammond, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble recorded their first album, Texas Flood, for Epic Records in 1983. Certified double Platinum by the RIAA, Texas Flood opened the doors to a long series of other Gold, Platinum, and Multi-Platinum records for Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, marking an unprecedented achievement for all Blues artists. Stevie Ray Vaughan passed away on August 27, 1990, in a helicopter accident, just after a concert with Double Trouble and Eric Clapton at the Alpine Valley Resort in Wisconsin. Although his career lasted only seven years, Stevie Ray Vaughan's lasting contribution to Blues can still be heard in younger guitarists like John Mayer, Derek Trucks, and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam.