Chapter 6: Bluesmen/Blueswomem

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Modern Texas blues-rock

Stevie Ray Vaughan was born in October 1954, Dallas, Texas. This remarkable blues guitarist was influenced by his older brother Jimmie (of the Fabulous Thunderbirds).

Quitting school at 17, Stevie Ray and his brother began haunting all-night blues clubs in Austin, where his gritty voice and potent playing grew popular.

A video of Vaughan performing, sent to Mick Jagger, led to him being invited to a New York nightclub appearance at Jagger's personal request.

Vaughan's live performances were known for the intense passion with which he would play his guitar. Every note was said to "drip with emotion".

Alcohol and drug addiction nearly killed Vaughan when he collapsed on stage at a 1987 concert in Germany. He sought drug rehabilitation and was inactive for about a year.

In 1989, Vaughan recorded "In Step", his most successful album, to chronicle his recovery from his addictions. His sobriety is widely credited for the achievement.

In 1990, moments after a stellar concert with blues greats Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, and Robert Cray, a tragic helicopter crash killed Stevie Ray Vaughan at age 35.

Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938)

Was an American blues singer and musician.His landmark recordings from 1936–37 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generations of musicians. Johnson's shadowy, poorly documented life and death at age 27 have given rise to much legend, including the Faustian myth that he sold his soul at a crossroads to achieve success. As an itinerant performer who played mostly on street corners, in juke joints, and at Saturday night dances, Johnson enjoyed little commercial success or public recognition in his lifetime.

His records sold poorly during his lifetime, and it was only after the first reissue of his recordings on LP in 1961 that his work reached a wider audience. Johnson is now recognized as a master of the blues, particularly of the MississippiDelta blues style. He is credited by many rock musicians as an