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Stevie Ray Vaughan Biography
American musician Stephen Ray Vaughan is best known as the guitarist and lead vocalist of the blues rock band Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. Despite the fact that his mainstream career lasted only seven years, he is considered one of the finest guitarists of all time and one of the most influential musicians in the history of blues music.
Vaughan, born and raised in Dallas on October 3, 1954, first took up the guitar at the age of seven after being influenced by his older brother Jimmie. He left high school in 1972 and relocated to Austin, where he started to amass a fan base after performing at area clubs. Double Trouble was formed in 1978 when Vaughan teamed up with Tommy Shannon on bass and Chris Layton on drums. It quickly rose to prominence as one of Texas’ most well-known bands. David Bowie saw him performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1982. Before being found by John Hammond, who persuaded major label Epic Records to sign Vaughan and his band to a record deal, Bowie called him for a studio engagement, which led to Vaughan performing blues guitar on the album Let’s Dance (1983). They quickly found popular success with their critically praised debut album Texas Flood. With numerous successful network television appearances and lengthy concert tours, Vaughan rose to prominence as the face of the 1980s blues resurgence. He gained recognition in Europe by playing his guitar behind his back or by biting the strings as Jimi Hendrix did, and this led to breakthroughs for guitarists like Robert Cray, Jeff Healey, Robben Ford, and Walter Trout, among others.
Vaughan suffered from alcoholism and drug addiction for the duration of his life. He also suffered with the strains of celebrity and his marriage to Lenora “Lenny” Bailey, both personally and professionally. In November 1986, after completing his recovery, he started traveling once more with Double Trouble. In Step, his fourth and final studio album peaked at number 33 in the US charts in 1989 and had his lone number-one song, “Crossfire,” making it one of Vaughan’s most well-received and lucrative releases. He rose to become one of the most in-demand blues artists in the world, headlining both the Beale Street Music Festival in 1990 and Madison Square Garden in 1989.
Following a performance with Double Trouble at Alpine Valley Music Theatre, Vaughan and four other people perished in a helicopter crash in East Troy, Wisconsin, on August 27, 1990. After an inquiry determined that the accident was caused by pilot error, Vaughan’s family sued Omniflight Helicopters for wrongful death. The case was eventually resolved out of court. With multiple posthumous releases, Vaughan’s work continues to enjoy economic success; over 15 million records have been sold in the US alone. He was placed eighth on Rolling Stone’s list of all-time guitarists by David Fricke in 2003. Vaughan and his Double Trouble bandmates Chris Layton, Tommy Shannon, and Reese Wynans were posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.
Discography
| Live at Carnegie Hall |  |
| The Sky Is Crying | |
| In Step | |
| Live Alive | |
| Soul To Soul | |
| Couldn’t Stand The Weather | |
| Texas Flood | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Was Stevie Ray Vaughns Most Popular Song?
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s most popular song is “Pride and Joy”. The song was released in 1983 as part of his debut album, Texas Flood. “Pride and Joy” peaked at number six on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and remains one of Vaughan’s most well-known songs.
What Was Stevie Ray Vaughan’S Best Solo?
There’s no easy answer to this question since Stevie Ray Vaughan was such an incredible guitarist with a huge catalog of great solos. However, some of his most popular and iconic solos include “Pride and Joy” from his debut album Texas Flood, “Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)” from Electric Ladyland by Jimi Hendrix, and “Crossfire” from In Step. Vaughan was known for his incredible feel and phrasing, as well as his ability to evoke emotion through his playing. While there are many great Stevie Ray Vaughan solos out there, these are just a few of his best.
How Many Hits Did Stevie Ray Vaughan Have?
Stevie Ray Vaughan had several hits throughout his career, including “Pride and Joy,” “Texas Flood,” “Couldn’t Stand the Weather,” and “Crossfire.” He is considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time and has influenced countless other musicians.
Most Searched For Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble Songs
| Pride and Joy | |
| Little Wing | |
| Mary Had a Little Lamb | |
| Texas Flood | |
| Lenny | |
| The House Is Rockin’ | |
| Life by the Drop | |
| Voodoo Child (Slight Return) | |
| Scuttle Buttin’ | |
| Love Struck Baby | |