To this day I still remember the moment when I happened to stumble upon the guitar icon just my mistake playing live in 1982.
It was during the summer at the annual music event called Chicago Fest at Soldiers Field. I was there with my brother in law.
The event was both inside and outside of the stadium. Inside I saw “Chicago” and the “Beach Boys” while outside there were beer pavilions that highlighted different styles of music.
My brother in law went to the bathroom and I was told to sit down at the edge of the Budweiser Pavilion. There was the song below playing and I looked up to see this trio playing this song about 150 feet away. They looked like some back woods band playing in the big city for their first time. Their attitude was bluesy and Rock & Roll epitomized to a “T”.
The drummer was on this small set, the bass player looked like the average guy that you might bump into on the street but the guitar player was a hold out from the 60’s. They were very tight and looked quite at home in their element on stage. The guitar player was the one who stood out like nothing that I have ever witnessed live before.
He had this great looking beat up old battered 1959 Fender Strat with a big rimmed hat with these fairly big silver Texas round things on it. His hands were just mesmerizing to look at. The sound was very southern. He even played part of the solo with his teeth. Up to that point in my life, I had never seen anyone play like this except Mr. Hendrix on old video footage.
I just sat there for a short period of time before I went up a little further. I was just in awe of this guy playing guitar. I also couldn’t believe that the crowd was so small for the talent that was in front of us, but what a huge win for the ones who were there.
I later found out who it was and he had just came back from recording the “Let’s Dance” album with David Bowie. He turned down the opportunity to tour with him to pursue his own tour with his band. This must have been a big ballsie move in Bowie’s eye’s to pull something like this off. Imagine the exposure that he would have gotten from touring with Bowie! Anyways, it was a concert that I will forever cherish.
So Mr Stevie Ray Vaughan (October 3, 1954 – August 27, 1990), R.I.P.
Keep on Jammin’ Stevie
Thanks for the video. This guy was so fucking awesome. He was gone before I ever really heard of him, but he is one of my top 2 or 3 favorite guitar players.
I went to that concert. (Seriously, I did my undergrad work at IIT.)
Also… I tagged you in “Seven Random Facts about Me” meme. Visit “Seven big bucks blogger if you want to play along.
Amen, what a talent.
Too bad that you didn’t get a chance to see him live there Jimi! Boy was that guy too cereal to be true! He was just UNBELIEVABLE, period.
A great live DVD is him at the Elmocombo in Toronto in the early 80’s. That was a great show. A buddy of mine, an old boss, was there when it was recorded.
My wife and I remember the moment when we heard of the tragic news of his passing. We were both too stunned to say anything.
Stevie Ray Vaughan – RIP
Amen is right Ron!
Stevie Ray Vaughan – RIP
No WAY! I was just sitting in the back at first and considering
the was maybe 100 or so people in the pavilion, I went up as close as possible. Hey maybe I bumped into to you lucia literally, while moving up closer to get a better view.
What a small world eh?
Stevie Ray Vaughan – RIP
You might like to look at the life-size sculpture that stands in Austin on the hike and bike trail around Town Lake.
Stevie Ray
BEAUTIFUL!!! We just love it CyberCelt!
Do you live in Austin? If you do, do you have another pic that shows a bit more detail in the sculpture? I bet that other SRV lovers here would love to see more detail.
You really have caught our attention on your post here!
Keep on Jammin’
Man are you lucky. I would give my left testicle to have been able to see him live. SRV will forever be my favorite. He is the reason I love the blues. Rock on.
I REALLY KNOW THAT!
I don’t mean to boast but, it was one of those beautiful moments when you don’t know who is playing right in front of you at the time but later on you realize that you were witnessing a GUITAR god playing out his soul for all to experience.
I was just bloody fortunate enough to be at the right place at the right time for this once in a lifetime event!
Wish you were there, brother James!
Stevie Ray Vaughan – RIP
Steve Vaughan is just off the hook. I did not get into guitar playing through him but listening to that guy just made me get more eager to get better and better each time I practice
Hey filme tauschen, I really didn’t know who this guy was playing in front of me but when I found out, I wished that I had stayed to see his whole show!
Remember a very honest and objective tool to use when practicing is a video recorder. It will give you the opportunity to really evaluate how you are progressing along. You will be able to pick apart every little oversight in your playing. THIS IS A GOOD THING! It is much better to make mistakes in your home then to do so when playing live!
Try it, you’ll like it!
Keep on Jammin’
I never tried that with the video recorder but I’ll definitely do it. sounds like a great idea!
It is a really good idea. DO NOT let it bring you down if you don’t like the out come. Remember, this is to used as a learning tool only!
If you are a live player then, try to record yourself while playing. This will give you the view point of the audience. You will be able to see how, in my case anyway, how goofie you MAY look and correct it later on.
I originally got the idea from my lawyer friend. He tells me that they look in a mirror when practicing a case and look for facial expressions that will work and what won’t. I took it a step further and tried it with a video recorder and BAM, it worked!
Keep on Jammin’