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Stivy VonAmerican guitarist and singer. One of the most famous and influential guitarists in the world.
Date of Birth: 03.10.1954
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Stevie Ray Vaughan
IntroductionStevie Ray Vaughan was an American guitarist and singer, widely recognized as one of the most famous and influential guitarists in the world. Born on October 3, 1954, in Dallas, Texas, he became known as Stevie "Ray" Vaughan. His talent and unique style earned him a place on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time and Classic Rock magazine's list of the top 100 "coolest guitar heroes."
Early Life and Musical Influence
Stevie was born and raised in Oak Cliff, a suburb of Dallas. Although neither of his parents had a strong musical background, they were avid music lovers and often took Stevie and his older brother, Jimmy, to concerts to see the stars of their time, such as Fats Domino, Jimmy Reed, and Bob Wills. Despite initially wanting to play drums, Stevie was given a guitar by Michael Quinn when he was seven years old. His brother Jimmy taught him his first guitar lessons. In an interview with Guitarist magazine, Stevie said, "My brother Jimmy had the most influence on my playing. He was the reason I started playing. I used to watch him play and thought it was so cool." He played entirely by ear and never learned to read sheet music. By the time he was thirteen, he was already performing in clubs, where he met many of his idols.
Early Career
A few years later, Stevie left Sunset High School in Oak Cliff and moved to Austin to focus on his music career. His talent caught the attention of guitarist Johnny Winter and blues club owner Clifford Antone. Stevie's first recorded group was called Paul Ray and the Cobras. They played in clubs and bars in Austin in the mid-1970s and released a single. Stevie later participated in the recording of two other singles with the Cobras. He eventually left the Cobras, passing the role of lead guitarist to Danny Freeman, and in late 1975, he formed a new group called Triple Threat. The lineup included bassist Jackie Newhouse, drummer Chris Layton, vocalist Lou Ann Barton, and saxophonist Johnny Reno. Barton left the group in 1978 to pursue a solo career, followed by Reno in 1979. The remaining three musicians started performing under the name "Double Trouble," inspired by an Otis Rush song of the same name. Stevie became the lead vocalist, and Tommy Shannon, a bassist who had previously worked on Johnny Winter's early albums, replaced Newhouse in 1981.
Rise to Fame
As a new star in Austin, Stevie Ray Vaughan soon caught the attention of musicians like David Bowie and Jackson Browne. Both Browne and Bowie first saw Stevie at the famous Montreux Jazz Festival, where his exceptional guitar skills and captivating performances left a lasting impression. Stevie's career continued to skyrocket, and he released several successful albums with his band, Double Trouble. However, his life was tragically cut short when he died in a helicopter crash on August 27, 1990, at the age of 35.
Legacy
Stevie Ray Vaughan's legacy as a guitarist and vocalist remains influential today. His unique blend of blues, rock, and soul continues to inspire countless musicians around the world. His untimely death only heightened his status as a guitar legend, and his music lives on as a testament to his extraordinary talent and enduring legacy.
