Running My Mouth About Stevie Ray Vaughan
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- Опубліковано 25 лют 2022
- My weekly chat over coffee. I talk about what I did this week and what's been on my mind. It's a good way to spend a Saturday morning, I promise.
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Stevie Ray Vaughan
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Does anyone know about SRV before 1978 and forming Double Trouble?
Well, I do.
The Austin club scene, from 1972-1977 was his home.
I have seen him 15 or more times in 4-5 different bands
☮️
Christopher Cross himself confirmed that the guitar Stevie bought was the one he traded in. I saw this interview on some UK channel.
Stevie appeared on Austin City Limits twice, I looked it up. 1983 and 1989. I’m pretty sure I saw him in ‘83. Was blown away. Last year I walked into a second hand store and found a copy of Soul To Soul and bought it. When I got home I noticed it was signed in pen on the front cover. And when I got the record out, a VIP back stage pass dropped out ….signed in sharpie. That was a good day.
Oh god you must be the luckiest guy ever
congrats! both those shows are really good. saw Stevie Ray twice I'm happy to say. outdoors and indoors. while I'm at it, see SRV 'live at El Mocambo' he does some absolute blues shredding in' Texas flood.' it's really cool when he puts his hat over the mic, while he jams behind his head. THAT is one great show. I always forget that Tommy Shannon played Woodstock w/ Johnny Winter. he's older than he looks.
I really was fed up w/ so many stars who died in crashes of planes and choppers, when I heard about Stevie Ray. I was in the back seat of my brother in law's car riding to some job I didn't care about. he had a crazy idea about getting a business started w/ my Dad and me. it came over the radio. I was shocked. my in law and my Dad couldn't understand why I wasn't interested in anything we were gonna do that day. NOT fans of rock or blues. I felt really alone .I went home later, and put on 'Pride and Joy', w/ that siren-like intro, and shared memories w/ my neighbor, who was a fan also. it was like being robbed of something out of the blue.
wow
Lucky you!
The night after Stevie Ray died, Eric Johnson was scheduled to play at Steamboat on 6th St in Austin. It was like a wake for SRV. Eric dedicated the evening to Stevie Ray. The mood was somber but the music was intense. I was able to be there and it was so packed it was tough to move or get a drink. Eric was on fire, obviously feeling the emotion everyone in the room was feeling due to Stevie Ray's death. It was an evening I'll never forget.
The same night some of his friends organized a …… I guess you call it a wake at Liberty Lunch on 2nd St. Everyone was shocked, stunned, crying, devastated, and looking lost. I remember Bill Carter and Doyle Bramhall played “Willie the Wimp (and his Cadillac Coffin)”, and it was shocking at first, but it became a celebration of his life. Everyone was still crying but were laughing too, and I swear it felt like Stevie was there.
I was there as well. I miss my old Austin.
Wow! These stories are awesome. Born in Corpus in '83, I had a strat playing neighbor, who knew everything what was going on, he said that he saw Eric Johnson open for Stevie Ray Vaughan at the memorial coliseum in Corpus Christi in like 1981, and said that Eric Johnson blew Stevie offstage. But he said that Stevie was in a weird way, (drugs) and that his crew had screwed plexiglass in front of his amplifiers, to turn his sound down a bit. And that halfway through his unimpressive show, he ripped the plexiglass off of his amps and speaker cabinets, the crowd cheered, yet his sound was blown out, and you could not hear the band at all. Keep going with this stuff guys, this is all Texas folklore
I grew up about 20 miles outside Austin on a cotton/cattle farm. I'm 66 and played guitar for 54 years. I saw SRV thousands of times. Ray Henning always said that SRV never fully paid for the 59 strat. I'm new to youtube but I was there when Austin was a beautiful place not the joke it is now. looking forward to chatting with you sir. when I was in the army I never met a housier that I didn't like. ya'll are good people
John Williford
Bastrop co.
Texas
Welcome to UA-cam- how incredibly cool that you got to see him play that many times.
I don’t know about the trade I do remember Ray Henning saying SRV never paid it off. Ain’t no telling what the truth is cause even Ray’s memory could be wrong. He’s up there with Stevie now so I can’t ask him. I did a lot of horse trading with Ray and one time I was trying to trade an amp I was still paying on. It was a complicated deal but we both got what we wanted. The place at 29 and Guadeloupe was called Rome Inn. I saw SRV there a lot. Cover charge was a dollar
@@johnwilliford9277 you have a lot of good Austin stories to tell. Email Otis so you can chat with him on the phone. Maybe he can get you on a video. Texas music history is interesting and people all over the world have a hunger for it. Thanks for sharing them! Happy trails….
@@jon1997pool Sir I would sure enough email Otis but I don’t know his email address. But I’ll find it. Yes sir I was just getting out of high school when the cowboys and hippies around central Texas called a truce and they all hung out together listening to country music. Willie Nelson got to town about that time and they called it the age of the cosmic cowboy. It was a wonderful time and now Austin has sold out went corporate and gotten way too big. So many people it killed the vibe. Thanks for responding to me. I wish you the best
@@johnwilliford9277
Same age here.
I have seen him countless times as well prior to Double Trouble in Austin
Blackbirds
Crackerjack
Liberation
PR and Cobras
Nightcrawlers
Triple Threat Review
Armadillo, Back Room, and Austin Opera House were my main hangouts
An old friend of mine was in Texas working for the railroad,he was living around Austin. One evening he was in a club sitting at the bar listening to some guy playing blues on the guitar.There was a stranger sitting next to him, my friend looked over at the stranger sitting next to him and said I think this is the best guitar player I've ever heard. The stranger said you should hear my band we are playing down the street at another club tomorrow. They talked and became friends, so my friend went and listened to his new friend playing the next day and he new then he had most definitely met the best guitarist.His name was Stevy Ray Vaughn. They became great friends, when he played around the Austin area he stayed with my friend , who Stevy gave him the nickname Gypsy. He eventually became a roadie for the band and toured with them for several years. He had some bootleg cassettes of Stevy sitting around the house playing and noodling around on his guitar. I didn't believe my friend when he told me these stories until I seen the 100s of pictures and dozens or hours of recordings. Sadly Gypsy has passed away now but his wife is still living. I would love to hear some of those recordings again.
Once upon a time when I was a senior in high school in Dallas which was 1971....
I met a fellow guitar enthusiast that sat across from me in Spanish class.
One day he came in and said hey we got to go to the Spanish club dance and see Steve Vaughan play. The name sounded kind of familiar but I knew nothing of him so we went.... At that time Vaughan did not sing and he played with a group called Blackbird. He played some kind of semi hollow body which may have been a Guild and had some type of fender amp sitting on a chair.... This was in the gym.
The one song I remember that really blew me away was he was playing Crossroads by Cream.... Note for note and he was the most fantastic person I'd ever heard live... Made me want to give up guitar...
As it turned out from that point I found out that Steve ate lunch at the same time I did and was also in my gym class.
Around the same period of time my friend in Spanish class introduced me to Rocky Athas at his house one night. Rocky and Steve were the same age knew each other well. Rocky was almost as good as Steve and fast forward into the future Rocky is best known for playing for John Mayall for a time period....
I remember Rocky saying when he was showing us how he played Crossroads that Steve played this part like this and I play it like this....
I remember wondering as I was leaving.... how many guitar players of this caliber are in our high school? 😭
Side stories:
I use where Stevie and his parents are buried to locate where my parents are buried.... Stand to the side of the Vaughan estate and locate a big tree on the side of the road about a hundred yards away...
Two great guitar players that played with John Mayall from my neck of the woods...
Rocky Athas and Buddy Whittington
thank you for that
Then Stevie moved to Austin around 1972
I saw him play at least 15 times at small clubs up close.
This was before Double Trouble.
He was in 4-5 bands before 1978 and he RARELY sang, if at all.
Think about Jimmy Vaughan..... I don't think he ever sang until Stevie died....
I think I remember hearing one time that somebody told Stevie he'd never be the complete performer he could be, until he started singing
@@garyrollwage9012
Yep 👍 ☮️
Thank you for these Great Memories of our Texas Son SRV
I'm 66. Never had credit. Paid cash my whole life. Never a credit card or checking account. That allowed me a freedom few others I saw had. There is a price to pay for freedom.. it was worth it. Have a great day Otis.
I’ve played guitar since around 6 years old. Growing up around Austin (Bastrop)…one day in 8th grade on the school bus, an older kid as he was getting of the bus stopped at my seat and handed me an old cassette all faded no cover. He said, “ I took this off my brother’s dash board, you need to check this out.” I took it home and put it in my Fisher Jambox and my world changed. It was the Texas flood album, cued up to Mary had aLittle Lamb. I went from playing a couple hours a week to 4 hours a day everyday. Through my twenties I Moved to Austin and played blues for the THarvey Combo. Still play all he time. SRV still and always will move me more than anybody ever has.
The day Stevie Ray Vaughan died my father, who lived in L.A., drove down to San Diego unannounced, picked me up (I was 9) and took me to a little guitar store and bought me my first guitar and little practice amp. Happiest day of my life!!
I saw SRV at Veterans Park in Shreveport, La. In early Sept. 1984. “Shotgun Ken Sheppard” (Kennedy Wayne Sheppard’s father) was the promoter. It was this performance that got a young Kenny Wayne on his way into the world of guitar. It was a hot outdoor venue and SRV played for about 3 hours as I recall. Fantastic show
Yup, Now to add Kenny learned quite a bit from Stevie. Kennys daddy places Stevie in a few shows and got his name spread a little more in the area. Stevie was grateful and I heard there were several little lessons shared with Kenny. I mean like how cool would that be as a young kid....lol
@@BlindMellowJellyInc thanx to a good friend of mine(who caught exclusive info that he was gonna perform unannounced), I saw Kenny Wayne Sheppard at the Original House of Blues ,the one Dan Ackroyd opened in Harvard Sq. I was standing close enough to touch his beloved Strat (but I didn't) which he used to play scorching versions of 'Voodoo Chile' ,and 'Red House' behind his head, w/ his teeth, and so on. saw him again at a club 'AXIS' across from Fenway Park, driving a bunch of us in my old Dodge station wagon into Fenway's parking garage. that was received extremely well ,to a larger crowd. people went wild. but that HOB's show was great! intimate, loud, wild. my friend Bob was not shy, and we walked (before the show)over to where he was seen walking toward Newbury comix, looking at records. he was very laid back and nice to us. he was w/ friends. I had recently seen him on the Letterman show, and I asked him what Dave was like. "he was cool" was his reply. nobody in that record store knew this kid. he looked like any kid. his records were sold in that place. I think he was still in his teens. he was knocked a little bit, because he was so much an SRV clone. but in his own right, he is a great guitarist.
@@tonym994 H really was and what an awesome story. I do know when he did meet SRV for the first time Stevie lifeted him up and placed him on his amp and there he sat for the entire show. Kenny does not remember much but he does say :he was so impressed and scared he absorbed every second of it" Stevie at some point showed him some progressions Kenny may have dismissed but eventually spent time to re figure them out. He was 7 at that time so it is understood. I love both of them but I knew Stevie enough to know he insisted that all the people he admired and copies have to be mentioned. Stevie did not believe in stealing credit from those who inspired or showed him licks and mentioned them at every show he ever played. Stevie and Kenny are each beloved because they give credit when so many others do not. stevie told one guy who played with him in the early days, "I am more black than you are" lol He was joking of course but that is who he was. He could talk for hours and often had a twist on his accent because he really seemed influenced by black artists. Stevie was raised in the same neighborhood T Bone walker came from. I think that also helped him respect his playing so much. Stevie was also know for stopping shows when people said racist things and on one occasion in western MD had 6 of them removed from the show because they got all N word crazy and said loudly "play that n word shit" He got pissed I mean really pissed it scared Tommy. That is why those guys and the public loved Stevie. If I am not mistaken Kenny owns a guitar Stevie gave him. Kennys dad really helped Stevie and his career with just a few shows in Shreveport so good honest fans of my peoples music are a blessing.
@@tonym994 Love your story, Dave had a thing for Blues too but never talked about it mush until recently. i only know Dave because back in the day he had so many artists I love on his show. Hiram Bullock was a inspiration of mine but they guy didnt boast about his blues playing as much as he did his fusion but it was evident in his playing for sure. RIP to him, Stevie and he talked alot when he was in town and I just wished I was a fly on the wall listening to them but i wasn't lol
Was that the show where Stevie put Kenny on his amp and Kenny sat for most of the concert? I heard about that once. Kenny was like 7yo. Kennys dad was a beast in the promotion of this music and we all gotta respect that guy.
When I was living in Austin in the early 80's, SRV was a hero then, but unknown outside of Texas. He didn't have a record out yet but he would pack clubs. First time I saw him, Little Charlie Sexton opened for him. He was about 12 or 13 at the time. Right before his album came out, I was in Pittsburgh visiting my mother, SRV was playing at a local bar. No one knew who he was but I did. The club was empty, maybe 15 people there and I stood right at the edge of the stage and watched him. He introduced himself and shook my hand afterwards, really friendly. Then his album was released. He came back to the same club in Pittsburgh and you couldn't get near the place, it was mobbed.
If Texas only produced SRV and Charlie Sexton it would be in the Hall of Fame of States giving us the greatest guitarists who ever picked up an axe
Otis, ... my SRV story is a good one -- I saw him in concert 2 times -- both times in Baltimore. The second time, was after he was quite famous, and it was a great show --- I was probably seated about 60 rows back, in an outdoor amphitheater.
The first time I saw a SRV concert was in a club -- I was seated at the bar -- about 15 feet from Stevie Ray, and I had never heard a word about the man before that night.
The only reason why I was so lucky to see him play that small club, was because I am a fan of the great Georgia flat-top Martin guitar picker, Norman Blake, and his wife Nancy Blake! I went to see them, near Fell's Point, Baltimore, at a Place called the Fat Chance Saloon (or Last Chance Saloon), and as I was entering the club, and paying the cover charge, and getting my hand stamped, there on the wall was a 'coming attraction' --- it said " forget Thoroughgood, you've gotta hear this fireball guitarist from Austin, Stevie Ray Vaughn!" ------- Sounded good to me, so I went back to that club again the next week, and got to experience SRV, and Double Trouble, .... in person, up close..... IT WAS SO GREAT !!!
He didn"t say much in between songs, except to credit the artist who he was covering, on many songs, like .... " Here's some Albert King fer ya." ...... " Here's one from Johnny Copeland." ....... like that!!!! This must have been somewhere around 1980, and perhaps they had already got his first Columbia release, "Texas Flood' in the can, but I am very sure that record had not been released when I saw them that night.
Being a serious Johnny Winter fan from back into my high school days (1970 - 1974), I quickly noticed that the bass player was Tommy Shannon !!!! Wow !!
I watched SRV and Double Trouble play about an 8 minutes version of Tin Pan Alley that night, and it just blew me away ---- in between sets, they went out to the bus (it was a flat-black short bus -- I kid you not), and at one point, SRV came up to the bar, right beside me, on his way out to their bus, going on break. I couldn't think of anything intelligent to say ...... ha ha ha. It was just the 3 of them, plus a guitar tech, doing that early tour ---- he was retuning strats, and handing them to Stevie in between songs. The boys were simply taking care of business ..... and it was probably the best concert I will ever witness. After that, I bought everything he put out, for quite a while !!!! SRV was pure guitar energy, being channelled through him somehow. It was spiritual to watch him play ....
I was playing in Detroit in early 80’s and SRV was playing next door and he came by and as all musicians do talk equipment and to make a long story short but Stevie gave me a pedal and I still have it , the nicest guy and the GOAT.
That pedal is priceless now.
I tried that “I don’t ever want to have kids, I just wanna play music “ thing. Priorities changed after our first child and I wish we’d had kids earlier so we could have more of them. I was in a ton of bands and I’d trade every minute of that for one day as a dad. And now my kid is playing my Tele! It’s awesome. Thanks for the hangout, Otis.
I like the way you navigate, well done.
I'm glad that my parents enjoyed having four kids. My mom says that they loved every moment of it and would not have done it any differently. Somehow I took from them an orientation toward the cheapskate lifestyle that people now call Financial Independence, Retire Early.
Now when I get up and play my banjo at 6am I realize that I am living a lifestyle that my dad would have loved. No kids are yelling at me to shut up (like I yelled at him for morning banjo playing as late as 10am on a Saturday). I've never tasted the joy of having babies. But sometimes I imagine that I am living out one of the dreams that, at times, my dad wondered about and steered me toward. No regrets here. Maybe another case of ignorance is bliss... Different strokes. Or just playing the hand that you dealt in the only game in town. One thing I have in common with you, sir, is that I wish I had had a few more conversations / adventures with my dad.
@@paulbcote Crazy small world: I also play the banjo around six every morning, usually out in the garage so I don't wake everybody else up. I've been working on Don Stover's "Black Diamond" lately; out of all the greats, he's my number one all-time favorite picker.
My dream in life has been to play like SRV since the first time I saw him. instead I had two kids loved them more than life itself and lost them both. Now I am 54 and listening to some dude talk about SRV at 6am and wondering if I may yet get that electric guitar back I sold to support my kid and play the blues cuz I paid some dues.
and I'd gladly listen to a well played banjo at 6am anytime. :)
I grew up in Waco, there was a club called the Water Works all these Austin bands would pass through there, late 70s into 1980-81. Before they were signed, I saw SRV, Fab TBirds, Eric Johnson, Omar and the Howlers, the list goes on. Crazy talent every week in there.
That had to be a great time to be in Waco, John! : )
@@otisgibbs and speaking of Christopher Cross, he had a band called Heat, saw him playing at a place called the Bears Den (Baylor campus area) it just big enough for a couple of pool tables and the band in the corner. Lol great days
Loved the Water Works.Used to go with Anson Funderburgh, Lou Ann Barton and many more.Did you know Carla from Waco? Lou Ann's friend? I miss her! Lol Seen many great shows at the WWs.Also been to Sam's BBQ on 12th in Austin with Stevie and Jimmie after the shows at Antones.We would sit on my tailgate until almost daylight and talk.Get up the next day and do it all again.
I don't know where I learned it but I knew his guitar was owned by Christopher Cross.
I saw Stevie open for Clapton and really ended up feeling bad for Clapton. No one could have followed him and made any sort of impression.
As far as debt, its very possible to live in a way without it.
I've been a huge Stevie Ray Vaughan fan for many years and I have a folder of Stevie Ray's life from a little boy, all the information of every guitar, the story of him working at a burger joint and falling in a bucket of grease and quitting the job to concentrate on music, his awards, his parents, girlfriends and ex- wife Lenny the list goes on. The 1st time I heard and saw Stevie I was hooked.
I came to Stevie thru his brother. I randomly saw a Thunderbirds show and became a huge fan. I was living in Ft. Meyers Fl but went home to Houston for vacation and ended up going to some club in Montrose that the T Birds were playing. I was sold. I went home and had to order one of their albums as this was before they broke out with “Tough Enough”.
I figured out that Jimmy had a brother who was a real gunslinger - unlike Jimmy who was so laid back compared to Stevie. Anyway, when going home to Texas I really searched out blues players whenever I was in town. Somehow I saw Stevie at some club and then again at a Juneteenth festive. I was hooked . Got to meet him much later backstage in Tampa on like his second album. Saw him again sometime.
Years later I was working in the Washington DC area. Working in an office listening to the radio. First it reported that Eric had died in that crash. I felt gutted. Then they corrected it to Stevie. One of the girls that worked for me was a huge fan too. We cried together… the three others in the office just didn’t understand. I had met him. I was connected. I called an old girlfriend who I gone to shows with the news. Damn. He had cleaned up. He was a survivor. Not fair.
Still a fan. Really glad that Jimmy has been so good in keeping his recordings from being abused the way so many others have been. No half finished songs stuck on an album just for the money.
I really look forward to your videos it helps me start my day off on a good foot and a better frame of mind much appreciation and thanks.
Thank you, Tim! : )
friend put Bowie Let's Dance on, one of Bowie's phases I was not into, but that guitar WOW!. Friend has gone on to be grammy winning producer, i'm just an everday mook; go figure.
I saw SRV play at a nightclub in Colorado Springs. I had never heard of him. I was seated at a table so close to the stage that I could have reached out and touched his boots. I consider it one of the highlights of my life.
Hey Otis, I’m 52 and had my first kid at 17, and was 23 with four. At 24 I met my “Curtis Lowe” and picked up my first guitar. I was obsessed with it. Had him show me everything on that guitar. I’m thinking if I would’ve had the opportunity in my pre teens I wouldn’t have them today but maybe be a successful musician. It is scary to think about life without them. Anyway, thanks for the storytelling.
Me too.. wow ! I was driving home from work. I immediately began crying like no tomorrow. Had to pull over in the highway. I did get to see him twice. Some of the best memories I will ever have ❤
You’re right on about trying to be nimble regarding debt and how one lives their life. And I appreciate the sentiment about creating a little diversion from the darkness going on in this world. Be well, brother Otis.
Same to ya, Andy! : )
I’m surprised you didn’t know the story behind Stevie’s #1 guitar. I don’t remember where I heard the story, I seem to recall an article I read where Ray was interviewed as well as Stevie’s brother Jimmie. Anyway, great story.
I used to haunt Heart of Texas Music shortly after moving to Austin. Ray was such a cool cat. I’d go in there to get my strings and picks, look at the bulletin board for musicians in search of musicians, and dream of the things I couldn’t afford. Real cool vibe in there, something that Guitar Center can’t ever come close to.
Yeah, Stevie's #1 was actually Christopher Cross's guitar until he traded it in at the same store. I am 55 in April, but when I was an 18 year old guitar player I met Eric Johnson at the Dallas Guitar Show and we spoke about that and SRV was still alive in 1986. I jammed with Jeff Watson that day at the Dallas Convention Center... I got lucky a few times ;o)
Never knew who was gonna walk thru the door.
EJ, Kinky Friedman, Ray Benson took "Trigger" there for Willie to get worked on.I have several "before and after" pics.Jessie Taylor, if those guys were in town.The list goes on......
Aint It Fun Being From Texas!
Class of 84 here. Went to see Huey Lewis and the News my senior year. I had no clue. SRV & DT opened the show. I maybe had heard Pride And Joy on the radio...not sure. To this day, I thank the music gods for Huey Lewis and the News - they turned me on to SRV. Shortly after his passing, Fender announced his signature model Strat. I was a poor college student but my wife knew how much Stevie meant to me...and we pre-ordered an SRV Strat before they were released. I also had a dear cat we picked from a litter. We named her Stevie Ray. So again, thank you Huey Lewis and The News. (also a great band btw).
I first heard Stevie the same way I discovered a lot of music from my older brother Mark who was 6 years older than me. When we got older I started to return the favor and turn Mark onto music. Mark passed away earlier this year he was a great brother I miss him more than I can describe. RIP Brother
I got married in 1986 and not too long after that my husband took me to Volunteer Jam in Nashville, Stevie Ray showed up and I think he was an unannounced Special Guest. when he started playing, I got this strange feeling that I had heard him my entire life. I can't explain it, I just knew I had to see him again so we went to Beale Street Music Fest in Memphis and there was just something about watching such a great Blues player while sitting on the banks of the MISSISSIPPI RIVER that made it even more special, that's where a lot of blues music was born. the two most famous were of course Elvis and before him there was the fabulous B.B. King. those were some great times. Elvis copied the great Blues and R & B players along with the Memphis soul singers. STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN CHANNELED THE GREAT TEXAS BLUES PLAYERS AND SINGERS. HE WAS ONE OF A KIND.
Morning Otis,
The world is and has been crazy for sometime now. I do the same thing everyday to ignore it all, and that’s by filling my time up with music, it’s the only true salve that works for me. Thanks for the SRV stories man, I sure do miss his presence across the musical landscape.
No, it was a big deal when we first heard Stevie in Texas. I first heard him in Houston at the Juneteenth Blues Festival in 1977 back before anyone outside of Austin had ever heard of him. The Juneteenth festival was an outdoor concert, all afternoon and evening, one act after another, most of which I'd never heard of. Then this one guitar player got on stage and HOLY MOLY WHO IS THIS GUY???? The sound just grabbed me and slapped me in the face. I went and found a program and found his name: Stevie Vaughan. I circled his name and went and hung the program on my wall and waited till he came back to town. I'd see him every chance I got, seeing him in small clubs and little places where I'd sit really up close. What doesn't come across in the videos is that his hands were physically huge and he would really manhandle that guitar. That guitar had the largest neck they ever made and his hands would still dwarf the neck. Later when the first album came out it was all I'd play, over and over. I went into a record store and that same record was playing, and the girl behind the counter rolls her eyes and points to the owner and says "that's all he ever plays." From the first we all knew he'd get famous. He was so overwhelming.
I'm loving your videos and the guests you bring on to share their stories. i'm happy the algorithm has brought you to me. It seems you are no secret but you're new to me! SRV kinda showed up on my radar the day he died. I was 16 and working in a restaurant in Northern California. He was on the radio a lot in that time but I hadn't yet caught the blues. So I was aware of him but both the guys and gals a few years older to me (who were probably only like 5 years older than me but seemed like grown ups), they were crying, absolutely wrecked about it. I'll always remember that day. I later discovered Muddy Waters and worked my way up from there, learned drums first and then guitar when drums were too impractical to play in an apartment. I played drums for seven years in an unknown LA blues band and still love playing Cold Shot for the challenge of that groove mixed with the changing measure lengths. I remember it took me awhile to get it.
Anyway man, thanks for your content. I love your delivery and relaxed and intimate style. Keep it up!
Ray treated all of us like family. He was good man and I miss him
Beautiful words Johnny Buttcrust
Me too
My first memory of Stevie Ray is from 2011 or 2012. I was way into country and rock back then and I played a lot myself too. I remember seeing a video where someone plays Voodoo Child (Slight Return) on a Weissenborn guitar and then going to watch a video of Ben Harper playing the same song on his lap steel on stage. He said, before playing the song, that it's dedicated to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. I thought the name sounded oddly familiar but I never listened to his music before. Right after finishing listening to that, I found a video of Stevie Ray playing that same song on Austin City Limits in '89. I was impressed from the very first note, but when he kicked in that Roger Mayer Octavia... Damn, it was something I had never heard before. I was just in my mid-teens back then so it was not a big surprise that music would surprise me rather often, but that was something special. I listened to that song many times and then moved on to Couldn't Stand The Weather from the same performance. Wow. Just wow. That funky guitar, smooth bass lines... That solo with the Fuzz Face... I couldn't stop listening anymore. Then I listened to Crossfire, Tightrope and pretty much everything from that concert. Mary Had a Little Lamb was a super powerful one. During his first solo when he kicks on the Octavia, the notes coming from that guitar still give me the same chills I got the first time.
I don't listen to Stevie Ray much these days, but every now and then I watch those same videos and the Tokyo '85 performance (that Dirty Pool is heartbreakingly beautiful and haunting) and I'm reminded of why I started playing blues. I also found my favourite blues guitarist, Albert Collins, through his music. You know, Montreux '82 and Collins Shuffle on the yellow one-pickup Strat. I could go on about this for days because I spent nights and days reading about Stevie Ray and studying his guitar style and instruments, but I'm just gonna end it here. He indeed was a special musician. One of the greatest blues guitarists ever.
My Son and me saw SRV in Peoria IL, afterwards he went a few miles up the river and played in a small bar.
i hit houston in 1980 SRV started playing FITZGERALDS in the heights upstairs on saturdays a mosh band downstairs
you walked up a dark stairwell paid $5 no chairs or tables 3foor tall stage...seemed like every other saturday all thru the 80's
amazing krazy times he thru the strat around by the trem bar...i shared his music with my boss ..he ended up sitting next to SRV on the plane he took to dry out...he told SRV about me sharing his music..he wrote me a note,...to bruce boney best of life to you and yours thanks for listening..and a giant autograph....i gave the original to my son..and have a framed copy on top of an amp in my bedroom...never forget how i was affected ..injected with blues fierceness....thanks SRV
I guess it was 1970 when I first heard Stevie play. Was a little show at a record store called Jaylee's on Jefferson Blvd. in Dallas. I think the first thing I heard him play was Voodoo Chile. He was a monster even then, but Jimmie was the real talk of the town in those days. Who knew Stevie would become the guitar master that he was? He never just phoned it in. One of the greatest ever. ✌️
I asked people who went to school with him and hung out with him in Oak Cliff and they told me he was "always that good" on guitar. They`d sit and watch him play on a couch and said they don`t recall a time when he couldn`t play very well.
I m from Tillsonburg 🇨🇦SRV literally saved my life through his music ,helped me get clean and inspired me to be the best musician I can be and human for that matter thank you For sending the love❤️my way SRV that is how it happened living’ life by the drop🎶🎶
The first time I heard Stevie Ray Vaughn I was stationed at Rhein - Main Air Force Base outside of Frankfurt Germany and I had spent the night at my girlfriend's house and I think it was a Saturday and my girlfriend was flipping through the channels and I saw this dude playing a Hendrix song live at some outdoor festival and was completely blown away 👍👍👍😎
I was really lucky to get to meet and hangout with Stevie in Houston Texas. It so happened that 1st time was at a little coffee shop and bar at U of H. The pa wasn't grounded and he got shocked in the mouth. So I got to talk to him for an hour. Recently I saw a video with Chris and Tommy actually telling the story of that night, so after 31 years, I got validation of my story! Every once in a while, I run into Chris and Tommy and they are still hanging out together when they can. Love your stories, and I will join your Patreon when I can afford to. Best of luck, from a struggling musician.🎸😎
Saw him 1981 at Sullivan's Houston. One of the greatest talks I've had being fortunate to listen about your life.
Deep thanks.
There's a great video of Ray Henig sitting in his shop talking about Stevie and that guitar. Ray gives the definitive story and I can confirm that story is true. I highly recommend that everyone who loves Stevie should watch it. God Bless 🕊️
I'm 18... my father and I both play guitar pretty darn seriously, I remember the first time my dad was playing some of stevie ray from the office and pickin along with him I ran in there because something about that really fat blues sound just got me going and I was hooked... the song was texas flood!
I can’t remember the first time either, but man, whenever it was, I was mesmerized and thrilled, at the same time. Otherworldly.
I worked a sales gig at one of those kiosks in Ontario Mills Mall, in California. The music loop was 2 hours long. One of those songs was Stevie Ray’ Little Wing. I would time it just right so that I had no customers when that song came on so I could just immerse myself in the song. It’s the only thing that kept me sane and peaceful at that gig.
I love SRV and I cried when he died. Death stole him from us too soon.
That was really well stated Otis. Thank you1
I first saw Stevie at the Soap Creek Saloon in Austin around 1976 maybe. He was the second guitarist for Paul Ray and the Cobras. Great bar band and the place was rockin'. I didn't know until later who that skinny kid with the beret on was but I knew that he was special. I remember telling my friends "This kid is going places".
Really enjoy listening to you talk Otis… keep sharing your stuff with us!
Always a good listen, man. Thank you
Thank you for your stories bub!
This is a really lovely post. Otis. All power to you and yours. Peace. 🎶❤️
Always enjoy your stories thank you sir for taking time to tell us I really appreciate that
❤❤❤ We Love you Otis! Thank you!!
The first time I heard of Steve Ray was when a friend, Dave The Professor covered one of his tunes during an open mic at the Thirsty Camel in Tannersville, Pa, a long time ago. I was fortunate to see SRV play three times. Great stuff.
SRV RIP.. I'm in that book. Miss my friend.Thanks for talking that strat is still junk but Stevie made it work Last time I saw it up close the body had a monster crack in it.Stevie loved on it anyway. He knew it was his ticket to ride
Your channel is a wonderful way to spend Saturday mornings.
I first heard SRV on WFBQ (Indianapolis rock station) and was immediately in love with his music. I saw him a few times including his last live performance in Indiana (Stray Cats and Duke Tomato opened up). Love the channel and your music Otis!
BIG BIG THANKS for the message of solidarity AND "plant that garden:!!
thank you for your time otis
I first heard Stevie around 1985 or so I can't be sure. I was really into blues and there was a college radio station broadcasting from Morehead state university here in eastern Kentucky. The station would play blues on Sunday nights after 10 or 11 o'clock and I never missed it. I heard Stevie and my mind was blown. I can't remember when I bought my first album or it could have been a cassette but I've been a fan ever since.
you teach me so much every day mr gibbs. so glad i found you!
Otis, I said it once, and I will say it a million times, this channel is truly a gift to mankind! I cannot begin to tell you how it blesses my life
otis ...i am the failed face of what you said ....i am the flipside No kids ....scrimp , save , in and out of menial jobs ....ended up responsibility free ...living in my run down old shack ...waiting for my moment to make my big move....but time has me at 57 yrs old ...and i realize i was too stricken with personal problems to ever be effective...but i am still creating and doing it for simple pride and sheer love of it all ....thats the most important thing
i love what i do ....and that's its own reward .- great story's here ....nice vid .greetings from australia !
gm from northern Ontario Otis. loved the story
gm from northern Ontario Otis, love the video today. amazing
Good morning, Shaun!
Thank you, Otis 🙏
Happy Saturday!
SRV was an amazing player, from the first note I heard him play to his last.
Appreciate you and what you had to say this morning. You've been fortunate to travel and see things, and broaden your world view. A lot of people in the US have barely made it past their county line.
Be good to you 🤍💛🙏
I had an old guitar magazine from 1983 where Keith Richards was reviewing recent records. He referred to Stevie's first record as "typical white boy blues". I've considered that maybe the reason Stevie didn't end up on Rolling Stones records was because of Keith. As I know from the stories of Mick Taylor, Keith did have a jealous streak when it came to guitarists who were better than him.
I chose "Texas Flood" as my last pick on one of those Columbia house record club deals, twelve albums for a penny. I had heard "Pride andJoy" on the radio and thought this dude can play. I ended up seeing him perform three times. The last time was with Clapton. I remember how dead the place seemed during Claptons set compared to when Stevie was on. His show and showmanship was absolutely electric. I was on break at work, listening to the radio, when I heard his helicopter crashed. It hit me hard because I had found him for myself. He wasn't up there among others to choose from, he was a nobody and I instantly knew he was going to be legend.
I went to see Clapton around 1973 and Freddie King opened. I'd been listening to Freddie for a few years before that and liked him a lot but seeing him live was a whole different thing, he blew the doors of the place. To this day he's the most powerful blues guitarist I've seen in person, unfortunately I never saw SRV live . After King's set Clapton came out and proceeded to bore the pants off me (it was his Tulsa period) and about half the crowd left by the 3rd song. I like Clapton but he isn't in the same league as SRV and King.
I’ve seen both SRV and Clapton live , Stevie blew me away , Clapton was pretty boring to be honest.
Otis, love the Saturday coffee chats! As you said music is a common bond that is subjective and neutral ground, it can touch and create all types of emotion. I think that there is a song or songs lurking in there regarding all of the ugliness in the world, and I can think of no one better than you to write it. I currently have 3 of your cd's, Joe Hills Ashes, Souvenirs of a Misspent Youth, and One Day our Whispers. This past week I listened to each one all the way thru, I love your writing. I hope you and Amy have a great weekend. Just know that your videos are therapy for us watching, it temporarily takes our minds off of current issues or problems and lets us get immersed in your content.
Nice comments Otis. I am always looking and listening for the beauty. It is everywhere really. Could be under a rock. Could be in the sky.
I recently visited an old friend who lives off Mass Ave. It’s unbelievable to me how much it’s developed now.
Just catching this brother and I'm hoping I can meet you sometime!! Your vids are always cool!! This one was especially cool!! I love the stories and tales of playing with friends and new people and your feelings on things. This one really hit me talking about living with like 10 people and living without having bills. I had a lot of friends to hang out and play with and unfortunately now thats all gone. Your vids bring a lot of that back for me and it helps! Especially with the world the way it is now and this vids pretty old. Keep it up brother!!
Stevie Ray Vaughan was a great musician. He is still missed.
Always good to catch a video I missed. I Iove the Otis Gibbs perspective , which is invariably low key, humble and insightful. I love this channel.
Always a Cool Story ! Thank you Otis : )
I could listen to you tell stories for years non stop.
I was a nuclear weapons specialist stationed at Minot AFB, ND the first time I saw Couldn't Stand The Weather on MTV at my shop chief's apartment. I was instantly hooked on SRV. After he passed, my mom asked me if I'd ever heard of him and I told her all about it. The first time I ever watched Live at El Mocambo was on a VHS at her house.
With all that being said there is an interview with ray henning where he gives the complete history of the guitar and how they were great friends with him coming in the shop everyday. Love your channel and what you do!
Otis, previous comments aside, your financial advise for young musicians is great. Love your channel. Thanks. 🎸
Very well said friend, thank you for all you do. You are very dear to us Otis keep on keepin on my brother 👍
Thanks for all the info on SRV...if you haven't watched the Texas Flood video live at El Macambo you must!!
From what i have read Peter Tosh took over Keith Richards house and had to be removed. Stevie died sober he was clean from drugs and booze shame he died too young.Also Christopher Cross is a monster guitar player check him out. Dig your work Otis.
I was stationed in Denver Colorado at Lowery's AFB back in the early 1980's, I had a friend from back home in NJ who was going to Alamosa state college in Colorado at the same time. I was given orders to be stationed on Guam, I called my friend and made arrangements to go through Alamosa and stay with him a couple day before heading to California for my flight. We did alot of partying but one night all his friend wanted to go see a guy playing at a local bar, I was a big rock fan with many concerts under my belt, I saw Bob Seger Van Halen, the Rolling Stones Heart you name it we lived close enough to see concerts in NYC, Philadelphia, Meadow lands NJ.
We got to this little bar and I thought " how good could this guy be ? Look at this place !"
The man came out onto the stage and proceeded to sand blasted my face off with his guitar, and this was before he stopping playing long enough to introduce himself and his band !
" Are you guys ready to have some fun tonight ? Well alright then ! Let do it !" I never heard of the guy, all I knew before going was he is a Texan named Stevie Ray Vaughan ! I still get chills thinking about what I heard that night ! I recognized he was very humble and kind of soft spoken, not so his guitar !
Thanks for your stories I listen all the time !
I’d heard that story about number 1 many years ago, I don’t remember where i heard the story. The book that you’re reading is my favorite biography, it so well written . I idolized Stevie in the 90’s.
Dear Otis...Your Saturday coffee chats are such a blessing for me! Your music means so much...I put on Lord Open Road as I write this. Your honesty and perspective are so very much needed in a world that has bad things going on. Just wanted you to know that out here in the foothills of Mt. Rainier in Washington State that your music matters. Much love back at you dear friend...Bob
hey otis..if you were going to run your mouth about anybody im glad it was SRV...i saw him open for the pretenders at william and mary hall in williamsburg, va. in the mid-eighties...what a show! hes the best ive ever seen live and im lucky to have also seen duane allman, danny gatton, roy buchanan, gatemouth brown, albert collins, buddy guy, jimmie vaughan, carlos santana, billy gibbons ,etc.
I bought "Texas Flood" on cassette when it came out in '83. It was a great, soulful fresh sound. Good memories.
His music never ages. It's a joy for guitar players & all.
Good morning Otis, man a lot of your life sounds a little like mine when I was younger. I've got a couple years on you but not a lot. Had to replay it because by the time I heard it the first time I had forgotten what all you said at the first 😄. Im still gonna get that book if I can remember to buy it lol Thanks friend,
Gary from Tennessee
I appreciate the kind words, Gary! : )
Summer of ‘89 I was painting apartments in Austin and an ad for Ray Hennig’s Heart Of Texas Music store came on the radio announcing “new Gibson Les Paul Studio guitars $400 while they last.” It was Friday afternoon, I got my boss to pay me, called a friend, he went down with his money and secured one, and he lent the rest of the money to me to get it. What I’ll never forget is that Jimmie Vaughan and Kim Wilson were in the store when I got it, and they came over to check it out. Of course I still have it, and it has a beautiful tone.
Manor Downs was the connection between SRV and The Grateful Dead, but I’m not sure how. I saw Stevie play there, and I saw him at the show when The Grateful Dead played there summer 1985.
I forget if the "Cold Shot" or "Couldn't Stand The Weather" video came first, but I first heard of him from MTV.
I went to journalism school, and a friend used his student paper creds to get an interview with SRV. He told me that he was nervous and a little stumbling, but SRV was great. At one point, the road manager came in and said "it's time to get on the bus" (I know now that it could be them just nicely ending things) and SRV said no, I'm talking with this guy. My closest interaction with SRV has him as a heck of a nice guy.
Thanks for geeking out on gear in this episode Otis. i love the notion of not using pedals and just plugging into a tube amp, knowing how to set it up, and turning the volume up. When i played electric guitar all the time , i plugged straight into the amp and put it on ten. With a single 10 inch speaker in a National amp, the tone was great, no need to include pedals though at the time i used a Crybaby wah. My brother gave me the LP with Cold Shot and i got hooked on his sound. I still dont hear anyone other than his brother and Charlie Sexton that have that sound. SRV was a cool guy who beat alcohol and gave his soul to the electric blues. Thanks for the tribute to him. It makes me want to move to Austin.
I saw Stevie when he was opening forHuey in Columbia, S.C.(84). Only a few us knew of him. I lasted about ten minutes into Huey’s set and called it quits and went home.
Have a great weekend Otis.
Thanks man 🙏🏽😌
My cousin asked me to paint a guitar on canvas for him. I was very reluctant at first until he sent me a picture of SRV's strat. I took it as a challenge and painted it to perfection. Half way through I thought about doing another painting of it but adding SRV as a ghost.
Great talk bro..in my late 50s..be able to take care of yourself..literally..and keep overhead as low as possible. Love the channel!
Well said. Love your videos.
I love Stevie Ray Vaughan. I saw him live several times. he's the only performer to make me say 'holy shait!!! the first time I heard them.
Hey Otis, great stories, fun site here!
I am from the Pa/ N.J. area. To this day, I am still a big rock and roll reader.
Back in 1983, David Bowie was getting his 1983
" Serious Moonlight" tour for the Let's Dance album that featured this "new guy" in guitar- Stevie Ray Vaughn. Next thing I read was that Stevie backed out of the Bowie tour because Bowie wouldn't let Stevie open the show with his Double Trouble trio.
Bummed, I did see the 1983 Bowie show without Mr Vaughn!
Later, a full practice Bowie tour work up with Stevie appeared, and is still on UA-cam.
In 1989, I heard that Stevie was touring with one of my uber heroes, Jeff Beck on his "Guitar Shop" album.
I was living on the Jersey coast, and just could NOT get to the gig in Philadelphia- no car at the time!
Finally, I quit the party life 16 years ago- it was just TIME.
Stevie Ray's AA message is on line. He made a really heartfelt statement. Whether you are in AA or still out there doing research ( LOL), Stevie really showed why people were attracted to him, with or without his guitar!
Otis, we are the same age- keep on rockin' I certainly do!
My first memories of SRV is when my dad got SRV and Double Trouble live at the El Mocambo on DVD. It was 2003. That was my introduction to him blew my mind.
Man the way I heard of him is pretty much the exact same way and year. Thank God for dads that pass on the good music to us
When Stevie died, I heard it on the radio. I was driving someplace and pulled off the road beside a 76 station (remember the little orange ball with the white circle and the blue 76 in the middle} and cried. I don't know why, I have never felt like that about any another musician passing, but perhaps it was because I was coming to that age (20) to realize what kind of music we would miss. His arrangement, lyrics, and solo on Tightrope may have been his best to that point. Just imagine.....
Otis I recently put a Krivo pickup on my 36 Duolian and plugged into my old tube screamer then my old Vibroluxe Reverb. Then set volume to where can still hear the guitar itself. It is haunting. That guitar ships to Pennsylvania today for frets etc. Your videos are all so cool. Thanks Sir.