I am still sad, mad and generally broken up by the decision to get that helicopter airborne in those conditions. Had the pleasure of going to 13 SRV shows and meeting him twice. Like him more AFTER meeting him than before meeting him. A genuinely sweet human being. Miss him everyday. I can only surmise how Jimmy, Chris and Tommy feel.
It was probably from Alan's book, and other sources, where legend has Stevie playing 'til his fingers bled, then filling in the cuts with super glue, and going back at it... soon to break another string.
That story gave me goosebumps. It says so much to me that bonnie and buddy were there- they knew what greatness sounded like and made the trip. Once I discovered SRV, there was no person that came close to him in my ranking of talent. And really, there has been nobody since. I made the trip to austin in 2010, visited the memorial statue of stevie, grooved to all the music at ACL that year and ducked out to see brother jimmie playing upstairs at the continental club. Tiny venue! Spied jimmie and asked him if i could get him anything- he asked for a cuppa coffee, which i promptly delivered and got to hug him and it was pretty transcendent. He was warm and his cotton shirt was soft. He was soft spoken and sweet. I had followed the fabulous thunderbirds back in the 80’s and thought he was the coolest. Before i had even heard of little brother. Anyway, i get the stories that are so embedded in your mindbody. Thank you for sharing this, alan.
I coulda......I shoulda......gone to see that show with my younger brother BUT I had work the next day.....an awful, under paying job digging holes.....yeah, I learned a lesson there.......fuck work, life is much more important. RIP Stevie!
Broken life histories such as this can only serve to remind us how great and transitory life is. I suspect we all have personal experiences of friends gone too soon that don't include a Stevie, Duane, Berry, Jimi, Janis. Memories and recollections can bring a smile even when we would prefer to still see them with us. Stevie was a king. This was a special read. Thanks.
Like many people, I heard the bad news about SRV on the radio. A Cleveland DJ read the news on-air as if he were making a daily traffic report. Weird. Maybe the DJ was a new guy who didn't know shit about music and got the job because his stepdad owned the radio station: who knows? But SRV's death inspired me to go out and buy "In Step", his killer final album. I played it on my car's cassette deck for a year. Sorry, Stevie Ray, you deserved better. Note to Jim Croce, Buddy Holly, and Stevie Ray: If a low ceiling exists atmospherically, or if your pilot is somehow impaired, JUST WAIT IT OUT. Oh, I guess that's whatcha call Monday morning QBing...
Yeah. I remember hearing it on the radio in Tampa, where I was briefly living. First it was reports that Eric Clapton may have died. then it was, “Oh never mind. it was just Stevie Ray Vaughan.”
I had tickets for the next show in Kansas City and had never seen SRV, passing up a couple of earlier chances due to budget restraints and a couple of other conflicts. Yeah, I kicked myself for a long time afterward.
I told my brother 3 guitarists were too much for me, I would catch Stevie on the rebound. Brother saw the show the night before. This never stops being so sad.
I am still sad, mad and generally broken up by the decision to get that helicopter airborne in those conditions. Had the pleasure of going to 13 SRV shows and meeting him twice. Like him more AFTER meeting him than before meeting him. A genuinely sweet human being. Miss him everyday. I can only surmise how Jimmy, Chris and Tommy feel.
It was probably from Alan's book, and other sources, where legend has Stevie playing 'til his fingers bled, then filling in the cuts with super glue, and going back at it... soon to break another string.
Yep. That’s in there.
Huh?
https://youtu.be/y5bciQ2biBo?si=PsGN2keshy9NReMz
Thanks for this amazing tribute Mike. Still hard to believe SRV is gone.
That story gave me goosebumps. It says so much to me that bonnie and buddy were there- they knew what greatness sounded like and made the trip. Once I discovered SRV, there was no person that came close to him in my ranking of talent. And really, there has been nobody since. I made the trip to austin in 2010, visited the memorial statue of stevie, grooved to all the music at ACL that year and ducked out to see brother jimmie playing upstairs at the continental club. Tiny venue! Spied jimmie and asked him if i could get him anything- he asked for a cuppa coffee, which i promptly delivered and got to hug him and it was pretty transcendent. He was warm and his cotton shirt was soft. He was soft spoken and sweet. I had followed the fabulous thunderbirds back in the 80’s and thought he was the coolest. Before i had even heard of little brother. Anyway, i get the stories that are so embedded in your mindbody. Thank you for sharing this, alan.
Thanks for reading and the thoughtful comment Karen.
I coulda......I shoulda......gone to see that show with my younger brother BUT I had work the next day.....an awful, under paying job digging holes.....yeah, I learned a lesson there.......fuck work, life is much more important. RIP Stevie!
Man, we all have those.
Broken life histories such as this can only serve to remind us how great and transitory life is. I suspect we all have personal experiences of friends gone too soon that don't include a Stevie, Duane, Berry, Jimi, Janis. Memories and recollections can bring a smile even when we would prefer to still see them with us. Stevie was a king. This was a special read. Thanks.
Tnanx Mr. A.
I loved SRV,like so many other people.
So sad when bad decision making costs someone their life. They should've never left the ground
i’ve often wondered about that night and what went on around the whole scenario. this was an awesome piece. Thank you very much.
I was there both nights...
A
Like many people, I heard the bad news about SRV on the radio. A Cleveland DJ read the news on-air as if he were making a daily traffic report. Weird. Maybe the DJ was a new guy who didn't know shit about music and got the job because his stepdad owned the radio station: who knows? But SRV's death inspired me to go out and buy "In Step", his killer final album. I played it on my car's cassette deck for a year. Sorry, Stevie Ray, you deserved better. Note to Jim Croce, Buddy Holly, and Stevie Ray: If a low ceiling exists atmospherically, or if your pilot is somehow impaired, JUST WAIT IT OUT. Oh, I guess that's whatcha call Monday morning QBing...
Yeah. I remember hearing it on the radio in Tampa, where I was briefly living. First it was reports that Eric Clapton may have died. then it was, “Oh never mind. it was just Stevie Ray Vaughan.”
I had tickets for the next show in Kansas City and had never seen SRV, passing up a couple of earlier chances due to budget restraints and a couple of other conflicts. Yeah, I kicked myself for a long time afterward.
What a great story - love the SRV Air Guitar moment - thanks for sharing yet another slice of stories from the road
I told my brother 3 guitarists were too much for me, I would catch Stevie on the rebound. Brother saw the show the night before. This never stops being so sad.
Very touching text, thanks for sharing.
Those nights of music was fantastic before tragedy struck. Thank you for sharing
Very evocative, thanks for sharing.
:) welcome. I agree.
That was a difficult story to get through. So sad. Please thank Mike for sharing. If we could turn back time. Brutal