Questions
Who was Stevie Ray Vaughan?
He was a blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter born October 3, 1954, in Dallas, Texas. He led the trio Double Trouble and became one of the most influential blues players of his era.
What was the name of his band?
Double Trouble, which he formed in 1978 with bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton.
How did he get his big break?
His 1982 set at the Montreux Jazz Festival got him noticed by David Bowie, and Jackson Browne offered his recording studio, which helped launch the career of Vaughan and Double Trouble.
Did he really play on a David Bowie album?
Yes. After Montreux, Bowie invited him to record guitar on six of the eight songs on the 1983 album Let’s Dance, including the title track and China Girl.
What was his most famous guitar?
His battered 1963-bodied Stratocaster nicknamed Number One, which he called his first wife. His other Strat, Lenny, later sold at auction for $623,500 in 2004.
When did he start playing guitar?
He reportedly got his first guitar at age seven in 1961, a toy guitar from Sears with a Western motif, and was inspired to play by his older brother Jimmie Vaughan.
Who were his biggest influences?
He drew on Jimi Hendrix, Albert King, Lonnie Mack, B.B. King, and Buddy Guy, blending blues, rock, and jazz.
What made his guitar sound so heavy?
He used unusually thick strings, around .013 to .058 gauge, and tuned a half-step below standard, which contributed to his big, aggressive tone.
What were his most successful albums?
His debut Texas Flood (1983) sold half a million copies, and In Step (1989) was his most commercially successful, winning a Grammy and featuring Crossfire, his only number one hit.
Is it true he almost died before the helicopter crash?
Yes. At his peak he reportedly consumed about a quart of whiskey and a quarter ounce of cocaine daily, and after a near-fatal collapse in Germany in September 1986 he entered rehab and got sober.
Did his recovery influence his music?
It did. The album In Step reflected his sobriety, and its liner notes referenced the twelve-step program.
How did he die?
He died in a helicopter crash near East Troy, Wisconsin, on August 27, 1990, at age 35. The National Transportation Safety Board attributed it to pilot error in poor visibility, and toxicology found no drugs or alcohol in his system.
Who paid tribute at his funeral?
His funeral drew roughly 3,000 mourners, reportedly including Jeff Healey, ZZ Top, Stevie Wonder, and Bonnie Raitt.
What is his lasting legacy?
He and Double Trouble were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015, Rolling Stone twice ranked him among the top twenty guitarists of all time, and his music has sold over 15 million albums in the United States alone.
