Stevie Ray Vaughan
Tears for Stevie.....
I was searching for a photo of Stevie when I came across this. WOW. This really spoke volumes to me. He truly was one of the greatest blues/rock guitarist...the person with this tattoo wanted to communicate that permantely on his arm! Awesome!
I had the complete and total honor of meeting Stevie once. It was at the Golden Bear in Huntingon Beach. It was a hot summer day and when we got there in the evening the sun was setting over the ocean. Very California. But walking into the club, suddenly it felt like we were worlds away in a real Blues club. The room was dark, filled with smoke and the smell of beer. Stevie came out and just started playing. I don't think he took a break for hours.
Afterwards, my friend, Nuel, and I went up to meet him. I don't think he had smiled once on stage all night, and he was wearing his usual hat...but when we met he shook my hand and gave me a warm smile. I think I just said something stupid like "that was great". I remember noticing that he was totally soaked in sweat, and seemed really wiped out like he had given every ounce of his energy and passion to his performance. Yet in a way, he played like no one else was in the room...just him, his Fender and his band.
We've lost a lot of the great musicians to tragedy. For some reason this one (and Michael Hutchens) got to me the most. I have tears remembering hearing the news. Was it because I had met him? Or did I just resonate with him as a person? I know it was more than the music. He seemed kind of shy and humble to me. He had overcome a drug addiction, he had just started a new tour - this was truly tragic. He so damn good.
The tragic end came on August 26, 1990. Stevie and Double Trouble had just finished a gig that included an encore jam with Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, and Robert Cray. After the concert they boarded a helicopter bound for Chicago. Minutes after it took off, the helicopter crashed, killing Stevie and the other four passengers. He was only 35 years old.
3 comments:
No doubt He is one the greatest. As a guitarist, it always amazes me to hear him play. Thanks for the post.
Pan
Yeah, he was amazing. I stand in awe when I hear his music. It makes me realize how little I truly know about the instrument that I love.
I never knew whhat it meant when a guitarist would say he nade it come alive or the music was being transportted through him like a lightening Bolt. But just like a Bolt of lightning the it goes through with incredible electric sound feeling and energy like you have never experienced in your life then in a flash its gone. Leaving you thunderstruck godsmacked and wanting more.
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