Stevie Ray Vaughan

Background

Stephen Ray Vaughan, better known as Stevie, was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who created a colossal impact on blues music. He was born on October 3, 1954, in Dallas, Texas. He was a Libra and the second-born of his parents. Vaughan’s childhood was far from rosy. He suffered the wrath of his father’s alcohol-induced temper, which often included violence. However, he didn’t let the abuse deter him from his love of music. Vaughan was inspired to play the guitar by his brother, Jimmie Vaughan, at seven. He committed himself to learn the instrument before Jimmie gifted him his hand-me-down guitar, a Gibson ES-125T. He joined his first band: the Chantones, soon after. Due to the band’s lack of proficiency, Vaughan joined another band: Brooklyn Underground, and played professionally in bars and clubs.

In 1972, Vaughan dropped out of high school and moved to Austin to focus on his growing music career. By 1978, he joined forces with Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton to form Double Trouble. The band got signed to Epic Records in March 1983, and a few months later, they achieved mainstream success with their debut studio album “Texas Flood.” After a series of successful concert tours and later television appearances, Vaughan became a leading figure in the blues revival of the 1980s. He earned fame in Europe, paving the way for guitarists like Robert Cray, Robben Ford, etc. Vaughan and Double Trouble released four more albums as a group. The trio’s last album, “The Sky is Crying,” was released posthumously in 1991 after Vaughan’s demise.

Vaughan had his demons, but he worked through them in rehab before touring in 1986. His life was cut short on August 27, 1990, when he was killed with four others in a helicopter crash in East Troy, Wisconsin. His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the helicopter company, which got settled out of court. Even in death, Vaughan’s music witnessed more success. At the time of his death, Vaughan was in a relationship with Janna Lapidus. He was previously married to Lenora Bailey from 1979 to 1988. Vaughan was survived by his family and friends. He had no children.