My lifelong favorite has always been Alvin Lee from Ten Years After. So far, imho, I don't see that changing. There are 100 GREATS but nobody taking the crown from Alvin.
I saw SRV many times, but probably the most memorable moment for me was when he was playing with his teeth and suddenly stopped, and walked off the stage with a hand to his mouth. His band mates looked at each other confused, but kept playing. Within minutes, SRV then walked back out, apologized for stopping, and told the crowd that he had just lost a tooth. He gave a hockey player smile with a missing front chicklet, picked up his guitar and continued to play. Respect!
Stevie and I were classmates in junior high, eighth and ninth grade at L.V. Stockard in Oak Cliff Texas. Even at that time he was way better than the rest of us always proclaiming "I'm going to be the best guitar player in the world ". I started noticing the level of sleaze in the music business even back then and decided to embark on a different career path. Stevie could've done so much more as so many others would've if their life hadn't been cut so short. RIP Stevie.
@@kdonovan221 Stevie me and a couple of classmates would meet up at a drug store everyday and walk to school together. One day Stevie said my brother found an album in the trash and it's great! It was the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
My wife tells a story of clothes shopping in the late 70's early 80's and hearing Stevie on the store sound system. She said she went up to the counter and asked who was on the radio. They said it was they're tape player. When they told her who it was, she went to the nearest record store and bought a album. We're both big Stevie Ray Vaughan fans.
In a interview Stevie Ray Vaugh was asked about always being compared to Jimmy Hendrix. Vaugh smiled and responded ‘Often when I go to sleep at night Jimmy comes to me in my dreams and we jam all night long. And in the morning I try to remember and figure out what we played...’
I was a big Hedrix fan, he was the best. After he passed I though there will never be another better. Years later one day at my friends record store, he says. you got to listen to this guy. There he was, the absolute best. Once again I'm waiting but time is running out.
I'm older than dirt myself, I grew up in dallas, Stevie was in oak cliff, We called it crossing the bridge, If you were driving to oak cliff. I have known many unknown guitarist, Who , for onereason or another, Never got recognized, Or they just didn't care to push it forward. I agree that Jimmy hendrix is the best, I knew he was good, And then I'd seen some footage of him live from new orleans, And that Sinched it. Can't help but wonder what would Stevie be doing now, There's just no way to guess. I believe Guitarist will be appreciating SRV For hundreds of years, & of course everybody else.
@@bartbullock7817 After my buddy at the record store turned me on to Stevie's album, he got tickets to a private show on the River Boat President in New Orleans for record store owners. 1985. He was way better live than any album could demonstrate. A couple years ago I ran into Criss Layton on the street, we talked about New Orleans, the river boat and I thanked him for the best show of my life. That man doesn't age. He looked great. I recognized him from so many years before.
@@theguyinmaine Jealous, I am very jealous. I am the youngest of 8,4 sis.3 bro. My brother buffalo, Was the last of the record promoters, He was the reason a song would be popular in some cities. Starting in 74, I was 11, At Christmas time he would give me , 6 to 10, first albums, Promotional only albums. This went on till I was 15, All of my buddies, Were amazed at some of these bands success. I am not sure how old I was when buffalo went to work for waylon jennings as his manager, I believe he was still handing me albums at christmas after he did that. Besides my pop listening to music, My Dad also put on country music concerts in dallas, And fortworth. Here's the best part... My mom worked for the dallas cowboys for 30 years, She was the advertising manager," America's team" Was my mom's conception, As well as a bi annual NFL magazine called " Pro magazine". She had worked for the cowboys since day one, She And tex shram Were friends when the cowboys were called the texans. My mother knew the owner of ticketmaster, And when I was young I was traveling around this country racing moto X, And I could be anywhere, And ask mom for how many tickets I wanted, To see a concert, And they would be waiting for me at the courtesy booth. My brother I have seen some shows, many many great bands. My brother buffalo told me that there was something about led zeppelin live, He said they had an incredible groove, And the power was something to behold. I am jealous of anybody who got to see SRV live, Everybody who has has remarked at how loud the damn concert was, And how incredible stevie was, They all agreed it was the best band They had ever seen in concert.
He's been gone 34 years now. Think of all the great music we never got to hear. I saw him play many times. He was always playing somewhere nearby. I will never forget when, and where I was when I got the news. Hit me like a ton of bricks. Just like Randy Rhodes. The loss is Incalculable
SRV played circles around Clapton at Clapton's very best and I believe SRV was still climbing to his pinnacle.... An amazing blues master..........God rest his soul................
I saw Stevie play at the El Paso balloon festival the year before he died. It was one of those surreal experiences that only happens a few times in your life. I happened to be stationed there at Ft Bliss early on in my Army career. I’ll never forget it.
I saw him that same year, but in Detroit. We were VERY lucky to get to see him. His encore of Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) gave me chills. I can still picture it like it was yesterday.
@@Xidentalsdumb comment. Clapton sucks. White people can’t play blues. Zappa said Clapton had zero improvisational skills. You don’t understand how the music business works
I have a good friend of mine who is a life long guitarist. I was shocked decades ago when he said he had never heard of SRV. My simple explanation was that SRV was a guitarist who NEVER missed a note in his life. A true virtuoso with the six string. The best. Period. Full stop.
I was driving in my car when the news broke that Stevie Ray died, I almost had to pull over, because it broke my heart. He was such a legend, and listening to his music always made me feel alive. The greatest ever.
I started listening to SRV a year after his death. I began with riveria paradise and then delved back into his catalogue and then I couldn't wait for his next album and had no knowledge of his passing. It was totally fucked when I heard he died. Especially after I heard he had conquered his drug addiction. I feel your pain.
Not to take ANYTHING away from SRV, but you CAN'T not mention Doyle and Chris backing him up. That super tight, groovy, DEEP in the pocket rhythm section allowed SVR to just wail!
As a drummer of 40 years and born in Texas, I am here to tell you that Chris Layton is awesome!! He was asked to play for the "Experience Hendrix" Tour with a load of famous guitarists, and his drumming kicked all their asses off the stage. All of them!
I love his brother telling that last story. And that was what changed his, and millions of lives, having the courage to not just approach Albert’s mean ass 😂 but ask to sit in. The rest is history. And thousands of hours of playing. Clapton and Gilmore are my favorites, but I haven’t heard anyone better than Stevie. Incredible.
I was lucky enough to go to both of Stevie's last show's at Alpine Valley the night he passed. Up until then, my focus and range on music was limited to say the least. But when I saw Stevie, I saw the light and never looked back. He fundamentally changed everything I think and know about music. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
Maybe to your ears. But he was not Hendrix. Stevie was more of a cover guitarist. Covering other people's music. You can never be the best when you arent doing changing things. Just taking what others have done and do that. You might like listening to him more. Doesnt by any means make him the best. And i love SRV. But simply put he is not the best .
@@mattdelany6799 Hendrix with his noicy guitar out of tune? Mmmm, no. SVR's little wing is so much levels above. And i'm not even going to talk about blues interpretation or singing skills.
@@franciscoyanquezsabugo1925 noicy? White people can’t play blues. Go watch Tory Slusher, and Hendrix. You have a lot to learn. Everything comes from Hendrix. Get to work.
Playing with his eyes closed so often, I never could help but think that he was just traveling down the road and knew ahead of time the twists and curves to the road and could drive forever! Everyone on RUclips that has reacted to him have all been floored at his playing ability, complimented by his voice and fearless style, not to mention his clothing attire!
@@morriypoulsen1238 Jimmie was great, but I never thought he was the best! There are too many out there that are incredible in their own ways with style and technique. Still have my Are You Experienced album I bought in ‘68 or ‘69!
"It was like he was an open channel..." ~ E.C. There are certain rare individuals whose command of music is so great that they appear not to be playing at all, but to be a conduit from wherever music is created to the here-and-now. I was fortunate-enough to see SRV live and he had that quality, and then some. Even fellow all-time greats were astonished by him, as Clapton proves. Remembering that last concert wistfully, Clapton recalled how everyone else on stage - Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, E.C. himself ~ just stood there astonished at the amazing things he was playing in the final encore to the show, if memory serves, "Sweet Home Chicago" or some other old blues standard. A short few hours later, he was gone.
In a word...BOMBASTIC! SRV got mad respect from the greatest players ever. That says all you need to know that your ears didn't already tell you. He was the GOAT!
@@PayneBox yeah, I heard he was good that’s all? My brain was so bewildered. When I walked out of there, I got home, and my girlfriend asked me if I was on acid. My pupils were so dilated, I told her no, but I was on some kind of trip caused by that guitar playing. When he started off with that instrumental, I almost had a coronary.
As a guitar player. Stevie has that phenomenal quality that you know it’s him from one note and no one can sound like that. Eric’s description of flow is spot on.
Hearing and seeing SRV back in the early 80's was probably the most profound musical experience of my life, and I've had quite a few. I sort of had this half- formed idea that there was really inspired, improvisational blues/ jazz based music being played out there, but I hadn't yet really heard it yet..his playing led me to begin exploring music in a way that continues to this day. Love you Stevie, you're without a doubt my all time favorite artist.
I was living in London and a English friend of mine was a huge U.S. Blues fan and had hundreds of records. He turned me onto Stevie and I loved everything about his style. Then my friend said Stevie's playing at the Hammersmith Odeon in September, wanna go?? Hell yes I do! I said. We had 4 tics and were really looking forward to it. Stevie died in that horrible helicopter crash a few weeks before the show. So sad, it gutted all of us, including all his fans. RIP Stevie, you were the best I've ever heard and you'd be the same age as me now if you were still with us, 68.
I saw SRV in 1985 at the Del Mar Fair (San Diego). He was dressed in various shades of purple from head to toe, drenched in sweat. He was an unbelievable talent and amazing to watch.
I was at Alpine on Saturday night. The night before the crash. Stevie went before Eric. The best show he ever played I believe. Clapton came out still shaking his head and holding up his hands said how can I follow that?! It truly was an incredible night
Stevie channeled every time he played, like Eric said, he didnt have to think about anything! His sweat was his soul dripping off his guitar! On top of his genius, he possesed the physical aptitude to play with immeasurable power and feeling ❤ A better man!!! Rest in Peace my Brother! You left the world with an indelible footprint!!!❤ You were the best Blues guitarist in the world 🎉 Fact!!!
I love the one with brother Jimmy, who knows Stevie best, he had some big balls and could play like he was on fire every single time, yeah SRV, peace 🕊️ always.
There is a big sand hiil, in the Mohave Desert, between LA, and the Colorado River. People would stop there to arrange rocks on the sand hill, into smiley faces, or hearts, or letters....whatever. On the weekend that Stevie died...there was a huge group of random people, who stopped, and made an Enormous... "SRV" image, out of rocks, on the sand hill. It stayed there for a long time. ....haven't been out there for a few years, but I bet that its still there. Super cool tribute.
I never heard of him until the day he died. It's like finding out the Northern lights were shining after they left! Certainly learned his music since!!
I had just started learning how to play guitar when I first heard SRV back in the early 80s. I never stopped playing and now I can play a mean version of doe a deer.
1977 in Houston Texas I seen SRV in old church building with sawdust floors and long neck Budweiser. I had never heard of him but me my girlfriend Robin went because he was doing Tribute to James Marshall Hendrix. This was the best decision of our lives. He didn't have a band just his guitar, came out didn't introduce himself just said ladies and gentlemen James Marshall Hendrix and played for 2hrs before he ever took a swallow of beer we were paralyzed God bless you Stevie then with about 30 minutes left his brother came out and they did some of their own music. Thanks Robin I truly hope you had a wonderful life ❤️ Neal
I the had the opportunity to see SRV and BB KING at the G reek Theater in LA CA back in 1985 it was unbelievable show awesome music and live thank you both guitar extraordinar
From a volcano in hell the tears of heaven shed down graced by the winds of time and so bestowed upon us Stevie Ray Vaughan... may your soul find peace my brother
His loss is incurable to me. I had the chance to see him at Pine Knob and I didn't go because I took it for granted that he was always going to be coming back to Detroit. I should have taken a sick day at work to see him. I should have. I should have.
There are a lot of good guitar players. There are quite a few great guitar players. There are a handful of fantastic guitar players. And then there is SRV who was what all those other guitar players wanted to be.
I'll never forget seeing him! He was the warm up band for Huey Lewis. I was just mesmerized by him, I knew I was witnessing something great! I've never felt that way about any other artist I've seen. He was the best.
My younger brother started playing guitar when he was 14 yrs old, he's now 59. When he was younger and still today I remember screaming at him to turn the freaking stereo down from downstairs because it was shaking the whole house with SRV music. I ran downstairs to turn it down, and when I got there, the damn stereo wasn't even on. It was my lil brother playing !!! When he plays, you absolutely can not tell the difference between my brother or srv, BB King, Jeff Beck, Def Leopard, or Eric Clapton, Jimmy Paige, Carlos Santana all the greats. What's sad is life got in the way, and my brother never got the chance to chase his musical dream. I love watching my brother play he can't read notes, only plays by feel. I've never seen my brother cry, but his whole world crashed on him when we lost Jeff Beck. He called me bawling his eyes out and played his guitar like it was weeping !! He loves his rock music but playing all the types of blues transcends him into another place 💙
I was in my car when I heard he had died. I started to tear up and had to pull over. I had the privilege of shaking his hand at the volunteer jam in Nashville. He was very nice and humble.
The pros know, SRV was the GOAT, they're called prodigies. Now, he practiced according to those closest to him to be as good as he was, but what I mean is, it was a gift from birth, God-given gift, a naturalist. IMO.
For me Stevie is #1. No one can play from the heart like he did. His music comes right out of his soul like an open channel what Clapton said. Overall I don't know how he doesn't make top 10 guitarists of all time.
I saw Stevie Ray once. It was clear HE WAS TEN TIMES BETTER than everyone else on the stage. He played with his brother JIMMY VAUGHN. An AMAZING player with a great band. Stevie was intimidating, he just KEPT GOING for SO LONG, never repeating anything ! AN UNLIMITED BLUES vocabulary.
It was Vaughan's Tone, his complete mastery of Blues songwriting, along with his seemingly bottomless well of Blues licks that make him a staple on Pop, Rock, Blues, Jazz, and even R&B radio still to this day. A Blues legend from his very 1st note.
I saw SRV twice, last time was 3 weeks before he died (at Copp's Collesium with Joe Cocker), floor seats were 5th row center. Even today all I can say is wow. No superlative is adequate to describe him.
I opened one afternoon the TV and there was the whole video from when he played in the mocambo . I've never been so gobsmacked in my life nor I will ever be . I literally couldn't go and play guitar for some time after that . I probably wasn't even breathing.
Im42 and was raised everything from bee gees, beatlezs, to bowie, to led zep to the oils. Im a metalhead mostly but my fave song to listen late at night with a big bourbon and a emoke while have deep and meaningfuls with mates, is " leave my little girl alone!." Its an incredible song. He was gone to soon!.😊😊
Saw him play twice, Texas Flood and Soul to Soul tours- he hit big hard soft loud quiet and the whole time was a riveting force of nature. Was working landscaping as a young man when we heard the news he passed on. No one spoke or worked about an hour, we just sat, stunned into silence. We eventually just went home we knew we lost greatness that day.
Yeah. There comes a time in every musicians life when suddenly as he plays, he gets lost in the sound. He isn't playing music anymore, the music is playing him. Stevie lived there all the time.
I just love music and a friend gave me a CD of Stevie Ray Vaughan. I kept playing that CD wondering how anyone can play with such fluency and delicacy. In the slow numbers that Stevie played you hear the heart of that man - kind and generous of spirit - like Little Wing - but in Lennie you hear true love. The best video on RUclips of Stevie Ray is the warm up practice session where he walks in stage seemingly barely awake and then straight in this magic comes from his hands and his soul. A guitar player friend said to me that no one learns to play like Stevie - it's a gift - and we all are so fortunate to have heard his playing.
It’s a shame he passed away so young and never had the chance to make more albums….i still listen to his albums / CDs every now and again ….im glad I have his whole collection ❤
I saw Stevie Ray play in the early 80s and, to my shame, I must admit that I had no idea who he was at the time. He was an opening act for a band I was forced to see because my sister wanted to go and wasn't old enough to drive. He absolutely blew me away. He did something I'd never seen. He didn't talk to the crowd or play to the crowd. He didn't even have his eyes open for most of the set. He wasn't playing for me, the people next to me, or any of the crowd. He was playing for himself because that was what he loved to do. He wasn't a showman, he was an artist putting together masterpieces, one town at a time.
I saw him twice in 1 day. Labor Day 1988 in Dallas. The only times I ever saw him. I didn't care for him much UNTIL I saw him live. I got hooked hard! I play a bit of blues guitar only because of SRV. He began my interest, and education, in blues. I'm thoroughly grateful!
Great segment, Thanks. Let's not forget 2 things: 1) It was "SRV & Double Trouble" for a reason, that rythm section ( former Johnny Winter's) pushed him as well. 2) Stevie was a gentleman and respected his fellow musicians even more----example: I saw him on the tour with Joe Cocker in Houston TX and he opened, did full set, blew everyone away, and probably could have been called for multiple encores, and he said something like : "Thank You, you all have seen enough of me over time, I want you to give your full attention to a legend, please welcome Joe Cocker" and he respectfully walked off stage....Class Act, R.I.P.
He had very strong hands and fingers. He used to put 13 strings on a strat. Never heard of before. He was snapping strings left right and center, but that was Stevie. He was truly magical. The best tribute to Hendrix ever 👏👍
BEEN playing for years,since i was 9,heard some of the greats from 4 ft away,my dad knew some damn good guitar players,i'm 73 now,no one come close to his playing and like one of these masters said,he was a channel for playing,i think god inspired,i know i miss him and he really didn't have anymore to show the world,HE WAS A GENIUS,FLAT OUT GENIUS,and we'll never see his like again,the boy was born excited,RIP SIX STRINGER
I never got to see SRV live and I truly believe I missed out the one thing I do know he was hands down one of the best if not the best to hold a six string and seeing John Mayer in the SRV video in Montreaux I gained a lot of respect for him the world lost a great talent that day in September 1990
Clapton nailed it. As a guitarist myself, i know we are pulling licks from a database. As Clapton put it: he just keeps pulling those phrases from his database one after the other without any lag. I always thought as his playing like it has been quantized, so every note, no matter how fast, fits a Bar perfectly
But ask yourself. Whose licks are they. They are all borrowed from others. Nothing was his. He added very little to the music world as far as advancing music. He was not ground breaking at all.
@@suzie9874 I dont need to ask myself anything about SRV. Slash, Clapton, steve Vai. BB King , to name a few, all thought he was something very special. I'll be guided by them
@@turnerthemanc And i see with your post here when you mention Slash. He is by far the most overrated guitarist of all time. He constantly messes up live. He has 3-4 songs that he does do very good on. But he is no where near a top 250 guitarist. And that say otherwise. Knows very little about the history of rock music.
@@turnerthemanc I like may guitarist. I would not say Slash is anywhere near the top. Hendrix is the #1. Whether you like his music or not. No one has done more for rock music and changing it than Hendrix did. As for the era that Slash played. CC Deville is way better than Slash. Dave Murray, Jake E Lee, Randy Rhoades, David Gilmour. It is a long long list. And Slash is way down the list. I mean seriously. How do you do a cover song of one of the most greatest ever in his fields of music. And mess it up. Slash managed to do just that with Crazy Train. With Ozzy and Sharon sitting there watching. Poor Oz was asking Sharon. What is this.
As a non-musician, I always wonder how they play long and imaginative guitar solos without ever stuttering. It seems like a huge compliment that the likes of Clapton and King talk about that concerning Stevie. You know they were special when they pass too early.
Saw him years ago in Australia, a master in his craft! My luv of his music and sharing with my kids, family and friends , thank you forever , your fan forever RIP 🙏🏻
Saw him first time at the Wiltern in the 80s. Before he played the first note, he just walked out on stage and stood looking at us smiling. He had a thing... charisma, presence... whatever. Just him standing there was kinda mind blowing! Definately - magically, greater that the sum of the parts. I'll never forget it. RIP Stevie.
Saw Stevie in '83 or '84 in CA, opened for Sammy Hagar, had no idea who he was, but was thoroughly impressed, although there were many who weren't in the crowd.
I was living in S.E. Alaska when he passed away. I went down to the end of the dock with a bottle of whiskey, poured half of it in the water, drank the other half, and cried. I miss him to this day! 🎸
I have a friend who is fluent in the way Stevie is , lives in the Seattle area , ran jams at a couple clubs . Got so no guitar players would come to the jams anymore even tho all the other musicians loved him . He can do anything on the guitar ! Bought a brand new 1972 SG when we were in high school . That guitar is physically now worn out , the frets were worn to the board almost 30 years ago ! How many players do you know that have actually worn out a guitar ! Rob Gordon is his name . I always thought he would be discovered by someone , but then he got into computers instead . He is a QA whiz and frustrated many coders . He can stand on stage with anyone and I guarantee would get a nod from the very best out there !
Where does Stevie Ray Vaughan rank among guitarists all-time? 👇
My lifelong favorite has always been Alvin Lee from Ten Years After. So far, imho, I don't see that changing. There are 100 GREATS but nobody taking the crown from Alvin.
He has damn well got to be easily on a top ten list and if not, I am bereft of a clue what planet that individual is on!!!
20th according to some sources, but I would say in the top ten
I’m not saying they are the best but the 3 guitarists I like the most are.
SRV
Rory Gallagher
Ritchie Blackmore
Stevie was the best by far. 69 years of listening. Even better live.
I saw SRV many times, but probably the most memorable moment for me was when he was playing with his teeth and suddenly stopped, and walked off the stage with a hand to his mouth. His band mates looked at each other confused, but kept playing. Within minutes, SRV then walked back out, apologized for stopping, and told the crowd that he had just lost a tooth. He gave a hockey player smile with a missing front chicklet, picked up his guitar and continued to play. Respect!
Wish all that was included in the video. You lucky dog, you.
I saw SRv at alpine valley in East Troy WI. Bummer True Story
Stevie and I were classmates in junior high, eighth and ninth grade at L.V. Stockard in Oak Cliff Texas. Even at that time he was way better than the rest of us always proclaiming "I'm going to be the best guitar player in the world ". I started noticing the level of sleaze in the music business even back then and decided to embark on a different career path. Stevie could've done so much more as so many others would've if their life hadn't been cut so short. RIP Stevie.
Mad jealous, great memories for you. Share more where time allows
@@kdonovan221 Stevie me and a couple of classmates would meet up at a drug store everyday and walk to school together. One day Stevie said my brother found an album in the trash and it's great! It was the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
My wife tells a story of clothes shopping in the late 70's early 80's and hearing Stevie on the store sound system. She said she went up to the counter and asked who was on the radio. They said it was they're tape player. When they told her who it was, she went to the nearest record store and bought a album. We're both big Stevie Ray Vaughan fans.
Stevie is the greatest of all time as far as I'm concerned. His voice along with guitar skills was a combo that is unmatched
In fifty years of attending concerts, Stevie was the most mesmerizing, and amazing live guitarist I ever saw !
I agree mate - I'm a Brit who loves JP EC JH RG etc but I rate SRV above them all
@@reconn9056 sorry, not Page.
His mind was 100% in tune with his fingers and whatever he thought his fingers knew where to go.
Never missed a note. And he played a LOT of them.
He wasn’t a guitar player, he was a conduit for the Devine!
I'm not even convinced he DID think while playing.
@@iamsuperskanick I agree! Not in the usual way. Sometimes you can see that he seems to be feeling what’s coming next instead of deciding.
He had just gotten sober and was about to start this amazing new chapter that we would have ALL benefited from.
Sigh…what could have been 😔
I say the same thing Daniel, fate is a M.F...er.
so so sad
He passed his final exam for this incarnation.
@@CorePathwayI'm not crying, you are. Thank you for those words, that's beautiful.
God knew. Too much of a good thing. He does that from time to time. Jimi, Randy, Jim, Chris, John, Mama, Amy, Janis, Kurt, Buddy, Ritchie.
He was the greatest of all time in my opinion. I admired Stevie so much that I named my son after him.
was the greatest?, he still is dude, and you know it.
You should have named him Jimi, or Tory Slusher. How many tattoos do you have? You make poor decisions
In a interview Stevie Ray Vaugh was asked about always being compared to Jimmy Hendrix. Vaugh smiled and responded ‘Often when I go to sleep at night Jimmy comes to me in my dreams and we jam all night long. And in the morning I try to remember and figure out what we played...’
He was inspired by JIMI and channeled him, I think.
I was a big Hedrix fan, he was the best. After he passed I though there will never be another better. Years later one day at my friends record store, he says. you got to listen to this guy. There he was, the absolute best. Once again I'm waiting but time is running out.
Stevie and Terry Kath were my favorites. They both left way too soon.
I'm older than dirt myself, I grew up in dallas, Stevie was in oak cliff, We called it crossing the bridge, If you were driving to oak cliff.
I have known many unknown guitarist, Who , for onereason or another, Never got recognized, Or they just didn't care to push it forward.
I agree that Jimmy hendrix is the best, I knew he was good, And then I'd seen some footage of him live from new orleans, And that Sinched it.
Can't help but wonder what would Stevie be doing now, There's just no way to guess.
I believe Guitarist will be appreciating SRV For hundreds of years, & of course everybody else.
@@bartbullock7817 After my buddy at the record store turned me on to Stevie's album, he got tickets to a private show on the River Boat President in New Orleans for record store owners. 1985. He was way better live than any album could demonstrate. A couple years ago I ran into Criss Layton on the street, we talked about New Orleans, the river boat and I thanked him for the best show of my life. That man doesn't age. He looked great. I recognized him from so many years before.
@@theguyinmaine Jealous, I am very jealous.
I am the youngest of 8,4 sis.3 bro.
My brother buffalo, Was the last of the record promoters, He was the reason a song would be popular in some cities.
Starting in 74, I was 11, At Christmas time he would give me , 6 to 10, first albums, Promotional only albums. This went on till I was 15, All of my buddies, Were amazed at some of these bands success.
I am not sure how old I was when buffalo went to work for waylon jennings as his manager, I believe he was still handing me albums at christmas after he did that.
Besides my pop listening to music, My Dad also put on country music concerts in dallas, And fortworth.
Here's the best part... My mom worked for the dallas cowboys for 30 years, She was the advertising manager," America's team" Was my mom's conception, As well as a bi annual NFL magazine called " Pro magazine".
She had worked for the cowboys since day one, She And tex shram Were friends when the cowboys were called the texans.
My mother knew the owner of ticketmaster, And when I was young I was traveling around this country racing moto X, And I could be anywhere, And ask mom for how many tickets I wanted, To see a concert, And they would be waiting for me at the courtesy booth.
My brother I have seen some shows, many many great bands.
My brother buffalo told me that there was something about led zeppelin live, He said they had an incredible groove, And the power was something to behold.
I am jealous of anybody who got to see SRV live, Everybody who has has remarked at how loud the damn concert was, And how incredible stevie was, They all agreed it was the best band They had ever seen in concert.
He's been gone 34 years now. Think of all the great music we never got to hear. I saw him play many times. He was always playing somewhere nearby. I will never forget when, and where I was when I got the news. Hit me like a ton of bricks. Just like Randy Rhodes. The loss is
Incalculable
He’s still one of the most iconic!!
SRV played circles around Clapton at Clapton's very best and I believe SRV was still climbing to his pinnacle.... An amazing blues master..........God rest his soul................
Except while people can’t play blues. “Blues master”? Dumb
I saw Stevie play at the El Paso balloon festival the year before he died. It was one of those surreal experiences that only happens a few times in your life. I happened to be stationed there at Ft Bliss early on in my Army career. I’ll never forget it.
I saw him that same year, but in Detroit. We were VERY lucky to get to see him. His encore of Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) gave me chills. I can still picture it like it was yesterday.
Clapton's comments were very insightful
He's always been quite a literate and articulate man.
One of those few guitarists he mentioned was Duane Allman.
Yep, good story, but I think John Mayer really nailed it.
It's Clapton bro, he's unmatched, no matter what people say...
@@Xidentalsdumb comment. Clapton sucks. White people can’t play blues. Zappa said Clapton had zero improvisational skills. You don’t understand how the music business works
The picture of them in laughter together is magic. Thank you.
I have a good friend of mine who is a life long guitarist. I was shocked decades ago when he said he had never heard of SRV. My simple explanation was that SRV was a guitarist who NEVER missed a note in his life. A true virtuoso with the six string. The best. Period. Full stop.
I was driving in my car when the news broke that Stevie Ray died, I almost had to pull over, because it broke my heart. He was such a legend, and listening to his music always made me feel alive. The greatest ever.
Check out Corby Yates. Stevie reincarnated, also gone too soon. RIP both
I started listening to SRV a year after his death. I began with riveria paradise and then delved back into his catalogue and then I couldn't wait for his next album and had no knowledge of his passing. It was totally fucked when I heard he died. Especially after I heard he had conquered his drug addiction. I feel your pain.
Same here, man. Same here. I'm still pissed off about what could have been.
I was waiting for a bus. I’ll remember that spot on Red River Street in Austin for as long as I live.
Stevie was a legend. It’s so sad he didn’t get to finish his life. A very sad loss.
God wanted him and Hendrix to jam live for Him.
Not to take ANYTHING away from SRV, but you CAN'T not mention Doyle and Chris backing him up. That super tight, groovy, DEEP in the pocket rhythm section allowed SVR to just wail!
Best power trio of all time. Cream deserves mention, but SRV and Double Trouble blow everyone out of the water.
You mean Tommy and Chris, but yeah. And later, Reese added a whole new layer to the outfit.
IYKYK
As a drummer of 40 years and born in Texas, I am here to tell you that Chris Layton is awesome!! He was asked to play for the "Experience Hendrix" Tour with a load of famous guitarists, and his drumming kicked all their asses off the stage. All of them!
@@atownpronoun yeah, I had just watched a vid with Bramhall and had his name in my head. Lol
BEST OF ALL TIME
Hendrix, yeah
I like it that B.B. and E.C both said, that they had to stop and think sometimes while playing, but Stevie didn't. Good Stuff!
I love his brother telling that last story. And that was what changed his, and millions of lives, having the courage to not just approach Albert’s mean ass 😂 but ask to sit in. The rest is history. And thousands of hours of playing. Clapton and Gilmore are my favorites, but I haven’t heard anyone better than Stevie. Incredible.
He and Jeff beck can play
I was lucky enough to go to both of Stevie's last show's at Alpine Valley the night he passed. Up until then, my focus and range on music was limited to say the least. But when I saw Stevie, I saw the light and never looked back. He fundamentally changed everything I think and know about music. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
Stevie was the BEST. BAR NONE to ANYBODY. ❤❤❤❤
Maybe to your ears. But he was not Hendrix. Stevie was more of a cover guitarist. Covering other people's music. You can never be the best when you arent doing changing things. Just taking what others have done and do that. You might like listening to him more. Doesnt by any means make him the best. And i love SRV. But simply put he is not the best .
Refreshing comments. I couldn't agree more. He's rather hackneyed and mundane.@@suzie9874
Except Hendrix, and Tory Slusher
@@mattdelany6799 Hendrix with his noicy guitar out of tune? Mmmm, no. SVR's little wing is so much levels above. And i'm not even going to talk about blues interpretation or singing skills.
@@franciscoyanquezsabugo1925 noicy? White people can’t play blues. Go watch Tory Slusher, and Hendrix. You have a lot to learn. Everything comes from Hendrix. Get to work.
Playing with his eyes closed so often, I never could help but think that he was just traveling down the road and knew ahead of time the twists and curves to the road and could drive forever! Everyone on RUclips that has reacted to him have all been floored at his playing ability, complimented by his voice and fearless style, not to mention his clothing attire!
The one and only zJimi Hendrix played with his eyes closed as well.
@@morriypoulsen1238 Jimmie was great, but I never thought he was the best! There are too many out there that are incredible in their own ways with style and technique. Still have my Are You Experienced album I bought in ‘68 or ‘69!
Mayer summed it up, I can play like that for about 20 seconds before I would cramp up.
Stevie had a beast mode that is just jaw dropping,
no one could bend strings like Stevie
And that’s good? Dumb
Well not when they are 13’s ie piano wire. I stringed my strat with those and mashed my fingers up bad. His tone because of that alone was awesome.
@@MattF12765 all the best guitarists use 9’s
"It was like he was an open channel..." ~ E.C.
There are certain rare individuals whose command of music is so great that they appear not to be playing at all, but to be a conduit from wherever music is created to the here-and-now. I was fortunate-enough to see SRV live and he had that quality, and then some. Even fellow all-time greats were astonished by him, as Clapton proves.
Remembering that last concert wistfully, Clapton recalled how everyone else on stage - Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, E.C. himself ~ just stood there astonished at the amazing things he was playing in the final encore to the show, if memory serves, "Sweet Home Chicago" or some other old blues standard. A short few hours later, he was gone.
I appreciated Eric's and BB King's honesty, when comparing themselves to Stevie.
@@swinginbeboptrio - Truly great artists don't feel the need to knock others down to elevate themselves. Eric and B.B. are an example of that....
Was lucky enough to see Stevie Ray and Jeff Beck together shortly before he died..👑💯
Whoa
i saw that in Tampa.
In a word...BOMBASTIC! SRV got mad respect from the greatest players ever. That says all you need to know that your ears didn't already tell you. He was the GOAT!
The only "Celebrity" that I was physically sad & depressed over His Passing... I Remember the Day Very Clearly...
I remember it very clearly too. I had just discovered and gotten my 1st SRV album a few days before he passed. I was about 15.
I was at the El Macombo show with a couple friends in Toronto, biblical experience
I can’t even begin to imagine what it would’ve been like to go to that set. Walking in without a clue what was about to go down
@@PayneBox yeah, I heard he was good that’s all? My brain was so bewildered. When I walked out of there, I got home, and my girlfriend asked me if I was on acid. My pupils were so dilated, I told her no, but I was on some kind of trip caused by that guitar playing. When he started off with that instrumental, I almost had a coronary.
Oh, brother. Biblical?
As a guitar player. Stevie has that phenomenal quality that you know it’s him from one note and no one can sound like that. Eric’s description of flow is spot on.
Hearing and seeing SRV back in the early 80's was probably the most profound musical experience of my life, and I've had quite a few. I sort of had this half- formed idea that there was really inspired, improvisational blues/ jazz based music being played out there, but I hadn't yet really heard it yet..his playing led me to begin exploring music in a way that continues to this day. Love you Stevie, you're without a doubt my all time favorite artist.
I was living in London and a English friend of mine was a huge U.S. Blues fan and had hundreds of records. He turned me onto Stevie and I loved everything about his style. Then my friend said Stevie's playing at the Hammersmith Odeon in September, wanna go?? Hell yes I do! I said. We had 4 tics and were really looking forward to it. Stevie died in that horrible helicopter crash a few weeks before the show. So sad, it gutted all of us, including all his fans. RIP Stevie, you were the best I've ever heard and you'd be the same age as me now if you were still with us, 68.
I saw SRV in 1985 at the Del Mar Fair (San Diego). He was dressed in various shades of purple from head to toe, drenched in sweat. He was an unbelievable talent and amazing to watch.
I was at Alpine on Saturday night. The night before the crash. Stevie went before Eric. The best show he ever played I believe. Clapton came out still shaking his head and holding up his hands said how can I follow that?! It truly was an incredible night
Stevie has always been my personal Goat
Stevie channeled every time he played, like Eric said, he didnt have to think about anything! His sweat was his soul dripping off his guitar!
On top of his genius, he possesed the physical aptitude to play with immeasurable power and feeling ❤
A better man!!!
Rest in Peace my Brother!
You left the world with an indelible footprint!!!❤
You were the best Blues guitarist in the world 🎉
Fact!!!
I love the one with brother Jimmy, who knows Stevie best, he had some big balls and could play like he was on fire every single time, yeah SRV, peace 🕊️ always.
There is a big sand hiil, in the Mohave Desert, between LA, and the Colorado River.
People would stop there to arrange rocks on the sand hill, into smiley faces, or hearts, or letters....whatever.
On the weekend that Stevie died...there was a huge group of random people, who stopped, and made an Enormous... "SRV" image, out of rocks, on the sand hill.
It stayed there for a long time.
....haven't been out there for a few years, but I bet that its still there.
Super cool tribute.
He was wonderful, he was incredible, he was powerful.....and inspiring!
I never heard of him until the day he died. It's like finding out the Northern lights were shining after they left!
Certainly learned his music since!!
I heard him on David Bowie's song Lets Dance and right away I knew he was going to be great , unfortunately he passed too soon,R.I.P SRV
His action was High as hell. Thick ass strings. This dude was a beast.
I had just started learning how to play guitar when I first heard SRV back in the early 80s. I never stopped playing and now I can play a mean version of doe a deer.
1977 in Houston Texas I seen SRV in old church building with sawdust floors and long neck Budweiser. I had never heard of him but me my girlfriend Robin went because he was doing Tribute to James Marshall Hendrix. This was the best decision of our lives. He didn't have a band just his guitar, came out didn't introduce himself just said ladies and gentlemen James Marshall Hendrix and played for 2hrs before he ever took a swallow of beer we were paralyzed God bless you Stevie then with about 30 minutes left his brother came out and they did some of their own music. Thanks Robin I truly hope you had a wonderful life ❤️ Neal
Neal Davis
I the had the opportunity to see SRV and BB KING at the G reek Theater in LA CA back in 1985 it was unbelievable show awesome music and live thank you both guitar extraordinar
From a volcano in hell
the tears of heaven shed down
graced by the winds of time
and so bestowed upon us Stevie Ray Vaughan...
may your soul find peace my brother
When SRV was playing in a venue, he became the burst water main of music that flooded Main Street. Absolutely unstoppable.❤
Stevie sent you to a place you did not want to come back from.
Once again , The brightest candles tend to burn out the quicker “ sadly enough
Well needed in the 80's. Brought me back to the roots of rock & roll. Plus loved his humility!
His loss is incurable to me. I had the chance to see him at Pine Knob and I didn't go because I took it for granted that he was always going to be coming back to Detroit. I should have taken a sick day at work to see him. I should have. I should have.
The Goat period i dont carevwho says snything different RIP stevie 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
There are a lot of good guitar players. There are quite a few great guitar players. There are a handful of fantastic guitar players. And then there is SRV who was what all those other guitar players wanted to be.
I'll never forget seeing him! He was the warm up band for Huey Lewis. I was just mesmerized by him, I knew I was witnessing something great! I've never felt that way about any other artist I've seen. He was the best.
My younger brother started playing guitar when he was 14 yrs old, he's now 59. When he was younger and still today I remember screaming at him to turn the freaking stereo down from downstairs because it was shaking the whole house with SRV music. I ran downstairs to turn it down, and when I got there, the damn stereo wasn't even on. It was my lil brother playing !!! When he plays, you absolutely can not tell the difference between my brother or srv, BB King, Jeff Beck, Def Leopard, or Eric Clapton, Jimmy Paige, Carlos Santana all the greats. What's sad is life got in the way, and my brother never got the chance to chase his musical dream. I love watching my brother play he can't read notes, only plays by feel. I've never seen my brother cry, but his whole world crashed on him when we lost Jeff Beck. He called me bawling his eyes out and played his guitar like it was weeping !! He loves his rock music but playing all the types of blues transcends him into another place 💙
I saw Stevie Ray on a Jerry Lewis telephon playing the blues-romp " Look At Little Sister" and he was smoking on that guitar of his!!
I was in my car when I heard he had died. I started to tear up and had to pull over. I had the privilege of shaking his hand at the volunteer jam in Nashville. He was very nice and humble.
The pros know, SRV was the GOAT, they're called prodigies. Now, he practiced according to those closest to him to be as good as he was, but what I mean is, it was a gift from birth, God-given gift, a naturalist. IMO.
I couldn’t have said it better.
When SRV played his music make the hair stand up. Like riding a roller coaster. He had the gift to blow your mind
For me Stevie is #1. No one can play from the heart like he did. His music comes right out of his soul like an open channel what Clapton said. Overall I don't know how he doesn't make top 10 guitarists of all time.
You do know most of SRV music is cover songs ??? So he might be playing from the heart. But from someone else's heart.
He's a parrot. Those aren't his licks by any stretch.
I saw SRV back in the late 70’s. The Thunderbirds opened for him. What an amazing concert! He was unbelievable!
I saw Stevie Ray once. It was clear HE WAS TEN TIMES BETTER than everyone else on the stage.
He played with his brother JIMMY VAUGHN. An AMAZING player with a great band. Stevie was intimidating, he just KEPT GOING for SO LONG, never repeating anything !
AN UNLIMITED BLUES vocabulary.
It was Vaughan's Tone, his complete mastery of Blues songwriting, along with his seemingly bottomless well of Blues licks that make him a staple on Pop, Rock, Blues, Jazz, and even R&B radio still to this day. A Blues legend from his very 1st note.
I saw SRV twice, last time was 3 weeks before he died (at Copp's Collesium with Joe Cocker), floor seats were 5th row center. Even today all I can say is wow. No superlative is adequate to describe him.
To hear guitar legends give such humble praise to S.R.V. Those are words from real men!
I have a new respect for JOHN MAYER - a terrific Player, Singer and Composer ..... now a brilliant, insightful and CORRECT in his assessment - GBjj
I opened one afternoon the TV and there was the whole video from when he played in the mocambo . I've never been so gobsmacked in my life nor I will ever be . I literally couldn't go and play guitar for some time after that . I probably wasn't even breathing.
Im42 and was raised everything from bee gees, beatlezs, to bowie, to led zep to the oils. Im a metalhead mostly but my fave song to listen late at night with a big bourbon and a emoke while have deep and meaningfuls with mates, is " leave my little girl alone!." Its an incredible song. He was gone to soon!.😊😊
Saw him play twice, Texas Flood and Soul to Soul tours- he hit big hard soft loud quiet and the whole time was a riveting force of nature. Was working landscaping as a young man when we heard the news he passed on. No one spoke or worked about an hour, we just sat, stunned into silence. We eventually just went home we knew we lost greatness that day.
I love how Eric was like Ik that ain’t David playing! He knows the times and just by listening he knows who’s playing no voice needed
Yeah. There comes a time in every musicians life when suddenly as he plays, he gets lost in the sound. He isn't playing music anymore, the music is playing him. Stevie lived there all the time.
I just love music and a friend gave me a CD of Stevie Ray Vaughan. I kept playing that CD wondering how anyone can play with such fluency and delicacy.
In the slow numbers that Stevie played you hear the heart of that man - kind and generous of spirit - like Little Wing - but in Lennie you hear true love.
The best video on RUclips of Stevie Ray is the warm up practice session where he walks in stage seemingly barely awake and then straight in this magic comes from his hands and his soul.
A guitar player friend said to me that no one learns to play like Stevie - it's a gift - and we all are so fortunate to have heard his playing.
Was there the day he died, we left alpine valley thinking both Clapton and him were killed in the crash. Sober and clean Stevie never sounded better
I was at that last concert. I became a fan and was so happy. Then the crash. He was the greatest!
I saw him playing once when he broke a string, he never missed a note! Incredible because of the way he played all over the fret board!
It’s a shame he passed away so young and never had the chance to make more albums….i still listen to his albums / CDs every now and again ….im glad I have his whole collection ❤
I saw Stevie Ray play in the early 80s and, to my shame, I must admit that I had no idea who he was at the time. He was an opening act for a band I was forced to see because my sister wanted to go and wasn't old enough to drive. He absolutely blew me away. He did something I'd never seen. He didn't talk to the crowd or play to the crowd. He didn't even have his eyes open for most of the set. He wasn't playing for me, the people next to me, or any of the crowd. He was playing for himself because that was what he loved to do. He wasn't a showman, he was an artist putting together masterpieces, one town at a time.
I saw him twice in 1 day. Labor Day 1988 in Dallas. The only times I ever saw him. I didn't care for him much UNTIL I saw him live.
I got hooked hard! I play a bit of blues guitar only because of SRV. He began my interest, and education, in blues. I'm thoroughly grateful!
Great segment, Thanks. Let's not forget 2 things: 1) It was "SRV & Double Trouble" for a reason, that rythm section ( former Johnny Winter's) pushed him as well. 2) Stevie was a gentleman and respected his fellow musicians even more----example: I saw him on the tour with Joe Cocker in Houston TX and he opened, did full set, blew everyone away, and probably could have been called for multiple encores, and he said something like : "Thank You, you all have seen enough of me over time, I want you to give your full attention to a legend, please welcome Joe Cocker" and he respectfully walked off stage....Class Act, R.I.P.
Nice to see this much respect shown.
He was at different level of all the other players past present ❤
Yes, no matter genre
He had very strong hands and fingers. He used to put 13 strings on a strat. Never heard of before. He was snapping strings left right and center, but that was Stevie. He was truly magical. The best tribute to Hendrix ever 👏👍
BEEN playing for years,since i was 9,heard some of the greats from 4 ft away,my dad knew some damn good guitar players,i'm 73 now,no one come close to his playing and like one of these masters said,he was a channel for playing,i think god inspired,i know i miss him and he really didn't have anymore to show the world,HE WAS A GENIUS,FLAT OUT GENIUS,and we'll never see his like again,the boy was born excited,RIP SIX STRINGER
I never got to see SRV live and I truly believe I missed out the one thing I do know he was hands down one of the best if not the best to hold a six string and seeing John Mayer in the SRV video in Montreaux I gained a lot of respect for him the world lost a great talent that day in September 1990
Clapton nailed it. As a guitarist myself, i know we are pulling licks from a database. As Clapton put it: he just keeps pulling those phrases from his database one after the other without any lag. I always thought as his playing like it has been quantized, so every note, no matter how fast, fits a Bar perfectly
But ask yourself. Whose licks are they. They are all borrowed from others. Nothing was his. He added very little to the music world as far as advancing music. He was not ground breaking at all.
@@suzie9874 I dont need to ask myself anything about SRV. Slash, Clapton, steve Vai. BB King , to name a few, all thought he was something very special. I'll be guided by them
@@turnerthemanc And i see with your post here when you mention Slash. He is by far the most overrated guitarist of all time. He constantly messes up live. He has 3-4 songs that he does do very good on. But he is no where near a top 250 guitarist. And that say otherwise. Knows very little about the history of rock music.
@@suzie9874 so who do you like then
@@turnerthemanc I like may guitarist. I would not say Slash is anywhere near the top. Hendrix is the #1. Whether you like his music or not. No one has done more for rock music and changing it than Hendrix did. As for the era that Slash played. CC Deville is way better than Slash. Dave Murray, Jake E Lee, Randy Rhoades, David Gilmour. It is a long long list. And Slash is way down the list. I mean seriously. How do you do a cover song of one of the most greatest ever in his fields of music. And mess it up. Slash managed to do just that with Crazy Train. With Ozzy and Sharon sitting there watching. Poor Oz was asking Sharon. What is this.
Wow! When B.B. King says you have something, a talent, skill or knack that he doesn't have but envies, you know you must have been pretty damn good!
the fact that both Clapton and King said the exact same thing .....
He once lost a calluse and stopped and grabbed super glue and glued it back to continue playing the show.
As a non-musician, I always wonder how they play long and imaginative guitar solos without ever stuttering. It seems like a huge compliment that the likes of Clapton and King talk about that concerning Stevie. You know they were special when they pass too early.
Saw him years ago in Australia, a master in his craft! My luv of his music and sharing with my kids, family and friends , thank you forever , your fan forever RIP 🙏🏻
Saw him twice met him once. Unbelieveable.
My favourite guitar player. Number 1 ❤
Saw him first time at the Wiltern in the 80s. Before he played the first note, he just walked out on stage and stood looking at us smiling. He had a thing... charisma, presence... whatever. Just him standing there was kinda mind blowing! Definately - magically, greater that the sum of the parts. I'll never forget it. RIP Stevie.
Saw Stevie in '83 or '84 in CA, opened for Sammy Hagar, had no idea who he was, but was thoroughly impressed, although there were many who weren't in the crowd.
I was living in S.E. Alaska when he passed away. I went down to the end of the dock with a bottle of whiskey, poured half of it in the water, drank the other half, and cried. I miss him to this day! 🎸
I believe Stevie channeled every ounce of emotion from his childhood thru his guitar he had a mission and was extremely focused.
I have a friend who is fluent in the way Stevie is , lives in the Seattle area , ran jams at a couple clubs .
Got so no guitar players would come to the jams anymore even tho all the other musicians loved him .
He can do anything on the guitar ! Bought a brand new 1972 SG when we were in high school . That guitar is physically now worn out , the frets were worn to the board almost 30 years ago ! How many players do you know that have actually worn out a guitar ! Rob Gordon is his name . I always thought he would be discovered by someone , but then he got into computers instead . He is a QA whiz and frustrated many coders . He can stand on stage with anyone and I guarantee would get a nod from the very best out there !
SRV a league on his own. No matter what anyone says.