Stevie Ray Vaughan
The Revival of Texas Blues
Origins and Early Years
Stephen Ray Vaughan was born on October 3, 1954, in Dallas, Texas. Influenced by his older brother Jimmie Vaughan as well as Albert King, Jimi Hendrix, and Buddy Guy, he moved to Austin and formed Double Trouble with Chris Layton (drums) and Tommy Shannon (bass).
Breakthrough to the World
Discovered by David Bowie—who invited him to play guitar on Let’s Dance—and by John Hammond of Columbia Records, Vaughan released Texas Flood (1983), an album that almost single-handedly revived electric blues during the 1980s.
Couldn’t Stand the Weather (1984) and Soul to Soul (1985) further confirmed his brilliance. After overcoming substance addiction, In Step (1989) earned him a Grammy Award.
SRV played with exceptionally heavy strings (.013 gauge) and a very high action, producing a huge tone and remarkable sustain, but requiring considerable physical strength. His fingers were covered with thick calluses, and he could break strings during concerts without missing a beat. His wide, expressive vibrato is often regarded as one of the finest in modern blues.
Death and Legacy
Stevie Ray Vaughan died in a helicopter crash on August 27, 1990, in Alpine Valley, Wisconsin, at the age of 35. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015 and remains one of the most influential blues guitarists of all time.
Iconic Guitar
SRV is inseparable from “Number One”, his famous 1963 Fender Stratocaster featuring an alder body, extra-heavy strings (.013 gauge), and custom pickups. He played with an exceptional level of physical intensity that became a defining part of his sound and style.
