Stevie Ray Vaughan: Exclusive Live Photos

SRV Live in New York 1983 Photo Courtesy: Rick Landers

In tribute to one of the greatest electric guitarists of all time, Stevie Ray Vaughan (October 3, 1954 – August 27, 1990), Guitar International Magazine is honored to present a group of exclusive photos of Stevie at the Beacon Theater, New York City on December 28, 1983.

On stage at the Beacon SRV and Double Trouble members Chris Layton (drums) and Tommy Shannon (bass) played some thunderous blues that included such memorable songs as “Testify,” “Mack Shuffle,” “Voodoo Chile,” “Boot Hill,” “Texas Flood,” “Little Wing,” “Rude Mood,” “Third Stone from the Sun” and Lonnie Mack’s “Wham.”

In the summer of that year, the group released their hard driving debut album Texas Flood with Stevie on the cover holding a Tokai Springy Sound guitar, a Japanese replica of a Fender Stratocaster.

The album sold 500,000 copies earning it a Gold Record and placing it in the Top 20 in the charts. Texas Flood was a huge awakening for guitarists during an era of glitter and glam rock. SRV paved the way for a re-ignition of the blues by young guitarists who began to imitate his monster sound and soulful blues vocals.

Stevie launched an impressive career that continued to soar until his untimely death in a helicopter crash after a two-day concert (August 25-26, 1990) at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin, that included Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Jimmie Vaughan and Stevie.

The show ended with Clapton calling them on stage for a rendition of “Sweet Home Chicago.” Shortly after midnight, on August 27, 1990 the helicopter Stevie rode toward Chicago crashed into a mountainside. Later, Buddy Guy would say about their last gig:

“It was one of the most incredible sets I ever heard Stevie play. I had goose bumps.”

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