Stevie Ray Vaughan

It cannot be denied that Stevie Ray Vaughan is one of the best guitarist ever..In 2003, RollingStone magazine ranked Stevie Ray Vaughan #7 in their list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Stevie Ray Vaughan was born and grew up in Dallas, Texas on 3 October 1954. He learned to play the guitar as a kid, influenced by his older brother, guitarist Jimmie Vaughan. He was dropped out from his High School in 1972 and playing blues guitar in bands in Austin, Texas.

His first album "Texas Flood" was released in 1983. Receiving positive reviews in both blues and rock publications and reaching number 38 on the charts. Stevie Ray and His band "Double Trouble" set off on a successful tour and many radio sation plays their song.

Their second album, "Couldn't Stand the Weather", which was released in May of 1984was more successful then their first album. In this year, Stevie and Double Trouble made numerous TV appearances, performing on Rockpalast, MuchMusic, and Solid Gold. In November, Vaughan won two W.C. Handy National Blues Awards: "Entertainer of the Year" and "Blues Instrumentalist of the Year".

The Third album "Soul to Soul" was recorded on 1985 and was also quite successful, reaching number 34 on the charts. Stevie received his fifth Grammy nomination: "Best Rock Instrumental Performance" for one of its songs, "Say What!". Although his professional career was soaring, Stevie was sinking deep into drug addiction and alcoholism. Despite his declining health, Vaughan continued to push himself, releasing the double live album Live Alive in October of 1986 and launching an extensive American tour in early 1987.

In 1988 Stevie and Double Trouble recorded "In Step" as their fourth studio album and praised by some as the band's best work since Texas Flood. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album. In the spring of 1990, Stevie Ray recorded an album with his brother Jimmie Vaughan which was scheduled for release in the fall of the year.

On August 26, 1990, their East Troy, WI, gig concluded with an encore jam featuring guitarists Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, and Robert Cray. After the concert, Stevie Ray boarded a helicopter bound for Chicago. Minutes after its 12:30 a.m. takeoff, the helicopter crashed, killing Vaughan and the other four passengers. He died so young,only 35 years old. Many people cannot believe that they just loss one of the best guitarist.

"Family Style", Stevie Ray's duet album with Jimmie, appeared in October and entered the charts at number seven. Family Style began a series of posthumous releases that were as popular as the albums Vaughan released during his lifetime.

"The Sky Is Crying", was the first of several posthumous Stevie releases to achieve chart success, was released in October of 1991; it entered the charts at number ten and went platinum three months after its release.

After His death, many musician record song to remembrance of Stevie Ray Vaughan. One of them is Steve Vai and Eric Johnson.

In 1991, The Texas Government announced that 3 Oktober or Stevie Ray's birthday become "Stevie Ray Vaughan Day". An annual motorcycle ride and concert in Central Texas benefits the Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial Scholarship Fund.

In 1992, the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation released the Stevie Ray Vaughan Signature Stratocaster.

In 1994, Austin citizen erected the Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial Statue at Auditorium Shores on Ladybird Lake, the site of a number of Vaughan's concerts.

In 2007, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation released a second tribute to Stevie, an exact replica of his second beloved guitar "Lenny". Lenny is the name of his wife (Leonora). Leonora give Stevie this guitar on His 26 birthday.

In 2008, Stevie Ray Vaughan will become eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Future Rock Hall entry for Stevie Ray Vaughan

The last guitar that Vaughan had played before his death is on display in the Hard Rock Cafe in Gatlinburg.