Talk:Stevie Ray Vaughan

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If true, does anyone know which songs Stevie Ray Vaughan played with Jackson Browne?

You would have to ask the people lucky enough to be there when they jammed back in '82.

It's true that Jackson Browne saw him at Montreux and immediately loved his music so much that he offered to support him financially for work that eventually became the Texas Flood album. As far as I know, Jackson Browne never played with Stevie Ray Vaughan, at least from the standpoint of appearing together on any officially-released songs.

The paragraph on SRV's lack of ability to read music ("Perhaps the most amazing thing about Stevie Ray Vaughan is that he never learned to read music.") violated the peacock terms rule. There is also no supporting evidence for the assertion that SRV could not read music. --TheJeffMiller 15:27, 3 October 2005 (UTC)

In the remastered version of Texas Flood, on the SRV Speaks track Stevie Ray Vaughan himself says "since I can't read music and everything...", which is some supporting evidence that could be added in. -Guest, Oct 7

It's an excerpt from a Timothy White interview, wherein Stevie (like Hendrix) candidly admits to not being able to read music. Guitar World interviews substantiate this, and if you want me to don a dust mask and go into the attic, I will. If you go to Amazon and look up the remastered version of Texas Flood, you can listen to a sample of 'SRV Speaks' wherein Vaughan clearly confirms his musical illiteracy. Additionally, on October 28, 1985, Vaughan reiterates his lack of musical knowledge to "Rockline" interviewer Bob Coburn, and adds that he failed a course on music theory before he dropped out of high school.

---

I hate to be the one to throw this but from what I understand in researching this and from remembering the immediate reports and stories after his terrible untimely death, I believe the whole Clapton gave up his seat thing is more nonsense and urban legend than reality.

Why is it ironic that Clapton gave up his seat on the helicopter that crashed causing his death?

There is no irony there. Often people call coincidental or otherwise interesting statements ironic when in fact there is no irony. I think Bush called his now-infamous Hezbollah remark ironic as well.

Good point, I don't see any irony in this fact either. It is interesting though, much like Waylon Jenning giving up his seat to Ritchie Valens in a coin toss. Maybe "incedently" would be a better choice of words207.157.121.50 10:19, 14 October 2005 (UTC)mightyafrowhitey

Contents 1 I'm dumbfounded here 2 Influences 3 Equipment 4 Time of death 5 race 6 Voodoo Chile or Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 7 Why did they boo? 8 First Wife 9 Django Reinhardt as an influence 10 "Years Active?" 11 Depressing outline 12 Last Tour Recordings 13 Grave location 14 SRV & Double Trouble

[edit] I'm dumbfounded here

Q:I do not know a lot about stevie, did he have a wife or kids?

He had a wife, Lenora, whom he married at Austin, Texas venue the Rome Inn in December of 1979. The Rome Inn was the first gig Double Trouble ever landed, in 1978, and over the next two years they would continue to play there often. It is said that the marriage ceremony took place between the two sets. Vaughan wrote the song "Lenny" about his wife, and would often do the song as a seated encore on the guitar his wife gave him, which Stevie also called Lenny. Vaughan once said that he wrote Pride and Joy for his wife as well, but was forced to compose Lenny because she believed the song was actually written about an old girlfriend. She is mentioned by name in 'Pride and Joy' during some verses.

"John Mayer famously lists Vaughan as one of his chief influences."

First of all, you might as well say that Stevie's favorite color is yellow.

Seriously though, out of the pantheon of musicians who have hailed Stevie as an influence, we are singling out John Mayer's reference as "famous?"

Please, someone who knows how to edit the wiki (I talk a big game but claim ignorance on all things technical) please remove this sentence immediately.

To Dumfounded: If you can post a message to a talk page, then you can edit the SRV page as well. Just go to the page, click the "Edit this page" link, and have at it. FWIW, at a minimum, I believe the word "famously" should be deleted from the line you mentioned.--TheJeffMiller 18:13, 6 October 2005 (UTC)

To The Jeff: Thank you sir. That was surprisingly easy. I decided to remove the sentence entirely. It just didn't stand alone as being very important. In the long list of Stevie's accomplishments, I don't think that influencing John Mayer deserves its own paragraph.

A little like crediting Shakespeare for inspiring Carrot-Top, don't you think?

I remember reading somewhere that Stevie had really bad stomach uncers from his habit of disolving a gram of cocaine in his bottle of Jack Daniels, which he would drink during gigs.207.157.121.50 10:25, 14 October 2005 (UTC)mightyafrowhitey

Dear Mr. IP Address

I think it was an eight-ball in a can of budweiser. Either way, I think you heard it on VH1 BTM. I don't think we should trust them. Not that it didn't necessarily happen - we know he was a heavy drug user and that his health suffered - but I've never heard the Jack Daniels thing.

I'm pretty sure his hospitalization in Europe was stomach-related though. I think that's when he got wise.

It was stomach-related.

A little like crediting Shakespeare for inspiring Carrot-Top, don't you think?

How is referencing john Mayer as being majorly influenced by the man anything like that? For a start, John Mayer's citation of being influenced by SRV has increased sales of his albums in the last few years. It's not beyond the reproach of Wikipedia to include this. Though Mayer is a drop in the pond of the guitarists here, he is known now as one of the world's most influential guitarists (as is noted in this month's Rolling Stone Magazine). I'm not saying to necessarily note it in the way it was, but it bears notation somewhere in this page. Mayer cites SRV as one of his biggest influences, alongside Sting, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, but each of them he claims to have allowed into his heart via Vaughan (such as hearing Little Wing and because of that wanting to hear Hendrix etc). As to SRV being Shakespeare? He's great, but he's not that lauded himself. Carrot top Vs John Mayer is again almost like determining chalk and cheese. More like chalk and brimstone derived directly from hell! Anyway, I think it's worthy of noting, even if it's simply a sentence.

--linca^linca 05:07, 14 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Influences

I was wondering wther it would be worthwhile adding a section listing his immediate influences, such as Freddy King, etc. Andrew Spinner 17:12, 24 December 2005 (UTC)

I believe you meant Albert King didn't you? I am an avid SRV historian and amateur musician and out of everything I have ever read I have never heard or seen Freddy King's name mentioned as an influence to SRV. other noteworthy influences are Jimi Hendrix of course and over all according to Stevie himself in numerous interviews (too numerous to list here) his Brother Jimmy was his biggest influence.

Freddie King is a huge influence on SRV, and pretty much any other guitar player out of Texas. SRV often opened with 'Hideaway' and SRV often cited the "three kings" (albert, bb, freddie) as major influences.

I have listened to some Freddy King tunes and it sounds to me like he could have well been an influence.he originated from Texas until he moved to chicago in 1949, where he jammed with Howlin Wolf and Muddy Waters. but like you I dont remmember hearing him mentioned when it relates to SRV but listen to some of Freddy's playin and you might have to ask yourself if there is some influence.

point taken, I guess you could say there may have been more ifluences than just the ones he mentions. I have oftened wondered how or what he felt about Jimmy Page, Rory gallagher, and Alvin Lee although these fellow guitarists weren't early blues musicians they have all claimed the same influences as Stevie did and since they were all around before him, I wonder if they had any influence on him....just curious has anyone out there heard any of these musicians mentioned in interviews or other media by Stevie?

I have read somewhere in the liner notes of a SRV CD that he also was strongly influenced by Lonnie Mack. This should be included. Check out this entry in WP: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonnie_Mack

[edit] Equipment

I deleted a made-up fact about his guitar 'Red'. The handedness of a guitar neck does not affect the sound or feel of a guitar in any significant way. 00:04 March 1 2007 (GMT)

Did a few corrections to this section, in order to make it more understandable for people who don't know a lot about guitars. For instance, the "rosewood neck" was corrected to "rosewood fingerboard" (Fender never used rosewood for the necks of its mass production Stratocasters - only for the fingerboards). Elp gr 09:57, 20 March 2006 (UTC)

I have read that the original neck on #1 was replaced due to excessive wear (and general abuse - such as during 'Third Stone...' on the El Mocambo show), and that this neck in turn was damaged in an on-stage accident in the months prior to Vaughan's death. Can this be corroborated and if so perhaps it ought to be included in the Equipment section?

Yes, I read in a biography of his that the neck on #1 was snapped in half in an accident that almost (or did, I dont' remember) injured Vaughan himself, from what I remember. A few other of his guitars were damaged too, I think. --Ortzinator 05:24, 30 June 2006 (UTC)

I don't know what caused the damage to the neck, but I do know he was pretty rough with it on stage. He had big hands and would really manhandle the guitar. I can't imagine that would break it though.

BTW, I'm pretty sure the tattoo he had on his chest was the logo from the old "Peacock" blues label, which was based in Houston in the '50s and early '60's.

Actually, when he got it when he was drunk. It was supposed to be a phoenix but he was squirming so much from the pain that it ended up looking like a peacock. (Something like that) --Ortzinator 04:47, 22 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Time of death

Does anyone know what was the intended meaning of these two sentences?

"Vaughan's comeback was cut short when, in the early morning of August 27, 1990, he died in a helicopter crash near East Troy, Wisconsin on a trip to Chicago. Before a concert at the Alpine Valley Music Theater where earlier in the evening he appeared with Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton and his older brother Jimmie Vaughan."

The second sentence is grammatically incorrect and is confusing. Are the two sentences supposed to be together? Is the "before" supposed to be an "after"? This should be rephrased, but I don't know what was intended.

It should be after the concert. Basically on August 25 and August 26 1990 the bluesmen all did a show together. On August 26, the five ended the show with 'Sweet Home Chicago' and afterward Stevie got on the Helicopter which shortly after crashed--The reason the death is given as the 27th is because it was technically (sorry--can't resist) after midnight.

[edit] race

is stevie ray vaughn mexican and white? how come he looks so diferent from his brother? i think whoever said his favorite color was yellow was making fun of him. if he is mexican and white did he know who his father was? because our fathers are drugdealers and they disappear alot. especialidad in oak cliff. and thats why mezikans are always saying"what the fuck is going on in oak cliff?" my name is mary and my daddy is a drugdealer. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 65.124.73.62 (talk • contribs).

No, Stevie Ray Vaughan is not Mexican. No, big Jim does not deal drugs.

-What is God's name are you talking about? Stevie Ray Vaughan was white, not Mexican at all. He looks just like his brother when he doesn't have long hair or his hat, if you even bothered to look at some photos of him. They had the same father, and defiantely was not a drug dealer. I think you need to avoid posting things on Wikipedia from now on. -Tim

On the topic though, did Stevie have any Maori ancestry? He ofton wore a hei matau, a whale bone fish hook around his neck.

Not likely. Stevie respected all cultures and sometimes wore Indian headdresses in concert, and Mexican stuff... according to the bio I have here, his father's father was a sharecropper. His mother is quite "Caucasian". Outriggr 04:50, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

Stevie looks so different from Jimmie because Stevie's nose had been busted, and the cartilage collapsed. Madness 00:49, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

-Guys, how do you all not realise (Spelling anyone?) that IP adress up there was just being random and attempting to be funny. "Mary" was in no way being serious(Again, Spelling?). Isn't there supposed to be a team of moderators and admins to look for off topic, racist, and rather idiotic posts like the top one here? Kasha4890 00:36, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Voodoo Chile or Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

These are two separate songs recorded by Hendrix although Voodoo Child (Slight Return) is derivative of the other, more famous song. Both of these songs have Wiki articles. To add to the confusion, SRV's discography on his official Sony records website lists his version as, Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) on Couldn't Stand the Weather. Either reference in the SRV article would probably be acceptable, but the Voodoo Chile entry has the more complete article and is probably the better reference. SteveHopson 14:30, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

I've never seen the song referred to as Voodoo Child (Slight Refrain), only Voodoo Child (Slight Return) --Ortzinator 22:24, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

My bad - corrections above. SteveHopson 23:30, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

Since the sentence is talking about Hendrix songs, I think it should be spelled as on the Electric Ladyland album, and definitely linked to the Voodoo Child (Slight Return) article. I have made those edits. I also removed the reference to "Come On" from that sentence, as the song was popularized by Hendrix, but not written by him. Outriggr 00:07, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

Voodoo Chile is not the name of a song. Voodoo Chile is a 55-minute Hendrix session upon which several Hendrix songs were cut--including Mannish Boy, Voodoo Child, Voodoo Chile (Slight Return), and Voodoo Chile blues. I don't think you should go out of your way to spell Stevie's version like Hendrix, especially considering the article is about Stevie.

[edit] Why did they boo?

Most of us here know about the Montreaux Jazz incident in 1982 where he was booed. I read from a couple diffrent sources that he was booed for his hard blues sound, whereas other sources(less) say he was booed for bein' to loud. In all honesty I dont know why, but in my opinion it would have to be for the loudness. I mean many famous people played there such as Eric Clapton and Johhny Cash, why wernt they booed for their type of music. Also on the dvd when SRV comes back he is treated as a hero. all i am doin is makin suggestions fly on Littlewing1 02:18, 10 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] First Wife

We should set up a page for First Wife (Number One). I would start making it, but it would be a mess if I did it.--Weewoz Oct. 6 2006

"First Wife" already has a page: Stevie Ray Vaughan Signature Stratocaster. It's actually about the Fender reproduction Sig model but any information regarding his guitar can just be incorporated there rather than having article overkill. Anger22 12:36, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

Good deal. --Weewoz 10/6/06

[edit] Django Reinhardt as an influence

Stevie was influenced by Django, what about putting it in the article.

It could be added to the article but would need a citation in order to remain Anger22 00:14, 9 October 2006 (UTC)

I have a cite, it is from a book,I will give it later

[edit] "Years Active?"

Could somebody explain what exactly does this mean? He was playing the songs heard on his first album well before 1983. Does this statement only regard album releases? Just looking for some clarification.139.67.202.33 04:53, 5 November 2006 (UTC)Tim

"Years active" is considered the term of the person or artist's notable musical career. So, even though the Colonel was cooking Chicken from age 12, he didn't start Kentucky Fried until he was 66, so his years actice were from when we has 66. So, because as of 1983 Stevie Ray Vaughan's music career became notable, 1983 is the year that he's considered "active". The terminology is a bit fuzzy, arguably, because bands and musicians are different in the ways that they're put together. A band is more definitive, whereas a musician it's hard to say that their music career began on XXXXX date.

--linca^linca 06:31, 14 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Depressing outline

His life and career. His death. His influences and his influence as a musican.

Hmm. Aren't these things a little out of order?

--Torchpratt 10:21, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Last Tour Recordings

I have just become aware of fella who has three 1st generation cassett recordings made during The Gorge Show in Washignton State on 7/21/90. I have heard them and there are the expected background noise, people chatter, but I was floored at the overall quality and I am sure some tech could clean them up. Any thoughts? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.37.30.239 (talk) 17:50, 18 February 2007 (UTC).

[edit] Grave location

Changed the location of his grave to the correct location. This is the original text "Stevie Ray Vaughan is interred in the Laurel Land Memorial Park, Austin, Texas."

I changed "Austin" to "Dallas" as this is where he is indeed buried (and I have visited the grave numerous times).

Just an FYI. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 64.194.58.134 (talk) 11:30, 23 February 2007 (UTC).

More Pictures

This page really needed some more info and pictures so I added them.

[edit] SRV & Double Trouble

I believe that the page Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble should be its own page. The reason for this is because the band is distinct from SRV himself. I don't know enough about the band and Stevie Ray Vaughan to be able to pioneer the page, but the Trio is divisible from Vaughan himself and is deserving of its own page (much like Ben Folds Five Vs Ben Folds; Glenn Miller Vs Glenn Miller Orchestra; John Mayer Vs John Mayer Trio; Dave Matthews Vs Dave Matthews Band Vs Dave Matthews & Friends).
--linca^linca 06:22, 14 March 2007 (UTC)

I agree with this sentiment entirely. While the band was formed with Stevie, it remains active without him to this day. Chris and Tommy have played under the title of Double Trouble with various leading artists, and as such it acts as a distinct entity.
--Yoooder^Yoooder 08:31, 15 March 2007 (UTC)