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Vaughan battled drug and alcohol addiction for much of his life. A series of television appearances and high-profile shows followed, and Vaughan headed a blues revival in the 1980s, doing for the United States what artists including Gary Moore and Rory Gallagher did for Europe. Vaughan’s popularity grew when in 1983 he and his band released their debut, Texas Flood. (Scott Newton - / Public domain)ĭavid Bowie happened to be in the audience and subsequently hired Vaughan to play on his 1983 release, Let’s Dance. Stevie Ray Vaughan performs in this undated image. King, Buddy Guy, and, perhaps most notably, Albert King, Vaughan took a step toward mainstream success when in 1982 he appeared with Double Trouble at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Influenced by blues and rock musicians including Jimi Hendrix, Freddie King, B.B. Eric Clapton in an interview once described him as an “open channel.” Generally regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Vaughan’s preferred instrument was a Fender Stratocaster, and his fluidity and ability to improvise with it was noted. In 1972, he dropped out of high school and relocated to Austin where he began playing paying gigs and in 1978 formed the band Double Trouble. With that, the life of one of the most influential and talented blues musicians the United States ever produced was over.īorn in Dallas, Texas, in 1954, Vaughan took up the guitar at age 7.

Vaughan had just finished a jam session with members of Eric Clapton’s touring group. First found mainstream success in the 1980s with his band, Double Trouble.Born and raised in Dallas later moved to Austin.