Stevie Ray Vaughan (RIP)

[peckinpahhombre]

I saw him in 1983. I was 14. One of the highlights of my life. The only other that exceeds it is seeing Johnny Cash live.

 

[johnnyreb]

Listening to "Life by the Drop" yesterday, it kind of took on a different meaning!

 

[layinpipe]

Live recorded version of "Life Without You" where he breaks in the middle of the song to pour his heart out to the crowd about his past drug and alcohol problems, then proceeds to shred that strat into oblivion with a scorching solo. You can actually FEEL his emotions in that solo, still gives me chills every time i hear it. I just wish i was around in his heyday to see him play just once live. I was 6 when he died.
There is also an awesome recording of him playing an encore set with Clapton, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, and his older brother Jimmie Vaughan on the night he was killed following the concert. Crazy stuff, man.

 

[mrjerke]

SRV is possibly my favorite artist of all time. Such a huge influence on myself as a musician. His emotion in his playing is beyond comprehension. There will never be another one like him.

 

[chops]

SRV is one of my favorite artists. I remember hearing him for the first time as a teenager, being in awe, and playing his music over and over. 'Sky is Crying' was my accompaniment on my recent long drive to NC.

 

[danielplainview]

The great ones always leave us to soon. One of a very few whites guys to get the blues right.

 

[shutterbugg]

IMHO SRV was the greatest electric guitarist who ever lived.

 

[cobguy]

SRV didn't really even "play" guitar ... he tapped into the Universe and Channeled it!
I've watched so many of his live performances and oftentimes you can see that he's "gone".
Unfortunately, shooting stars always seem to flare across the sky for only very short times.

 

[bigvan]

SRV didn't really even "play" guitar ... he tapped into the Universe and Channeled it!

No, he played it. I saw him from the 3rd row in 1985 and he was definitely playing the guitar.
I think his first album, "Texas Flood" is his best. I also would REALLY like to hear "Family Style" without Nile Rogers' slick production and cutesy audio tricks ("now DRAW!")
I recently bought a turntable and am picking up vinyl LPs little by little. Apparently they're re-releasing "Texas Flood" on vinyl (which is GREAT) but there's also going to be a 45 rpm version; still a 12" lp but at 45 rpm which is a higher resolution. Anyone ever heard of such a thing?

 

[cobguy]

No, he played it. I saw him from the 3rd row in 1985 and he was definitely playing the guitar.

Lol ... yes I saw him live as well.
I've reached a higher meditative state through drumming but his was otherworldly. :worship:

 

[bentmike]

His version of Little Wing is amazing.

 

[foggymountain]

Peck: One of the highlights of my life was hearing Valerie Wellington live circa 1990, and having her pick up our check. I loved Stevie Ray Vaughn also, but Valerie was the greatest blues singer since Bessie Smith, and she is/was mostly unknown. (She played Big Maybelle in Great Balls of Fire). Mr. S R Vaughn decided to get his pilot high after a concert. Then they flew into a mountain.

 

[bigvan]

Mr. S R Vaughn decided to get his pilot high after a concert. Then they flew into a mountain.

That's quite an accusation. Even a cursory search of the internet will show that autopsies found no evidence of drugs or alcohol in either Stevie's or the pilots system.
I have no idea why you feel the need to libel the dead, Foggy.

 

[ssjones]

SRV had a ton of abuse problems, but at the time of his death (and recording the album "In Step"), he was reputed to have been clean.

 

[foggymountain]

I forget where I read this, but I do apologize if I was wrong.