Stevie was simply the greatest of all time as a guitarist. The best part about him, however, was his kindness and humility. I often suggest that folks should watch his interviews, especially his post-addiction ones (1987 until his unfortunate death in 1990). He's really sweet and transparent, and makes you appreciate him even more. What a great legacy he left!

"Stevie was an endless, open channel that music just poured out of. He made people who'd never touched a guitar in their life want to pick one up and start playing, and he made those of us who'd played live onstage with him before want to quit.".............Eric Clapton.

He played #13 strings, those are huge.

He actually played as light as 12s and as heavy as 17s at one point, but for most of his career, Stevie Ray Vaughan's main guitars, his Number One and Lenny that are super legendary, were strung up with 13s

Life Without You at the Capitol Theater. Stevie Ray does it all. All of Stevie Ray Vaughn live performances are great because he never plays the same song the same

The super glue story is true. Lou Ann Barton was the singer. When she quit Stevie said “I’ll sing.” Going to see him was like going to church. No human could play like that. He tapped into something that he knew how to find and held on. He was a man, little guy with huge hands, and you could feel that God was near.

Stevie was the GOAT...this was a typical night in Austin , Texas.

Loved her reaction when Stevie walk it around and started playing behind his back. Priceless.

I was in a meeting when I met Steve. He was so humble and down to earth ‼️ I'm grateful he died clean and sober. Stevie fought his Demons n won😜🤣🥰💪🥰🥰

Best backup band ever. Double Trouble was amazing and provided the solid base for Stevie to do what he did best..

You can't beat Stevie. The man was a genius. He was allowed to have supernatural skills in exchange for leaving early.

I was at Stevie Ray Vaughn's last concert the night his helicopter crashed after the show at Alpine Valley Wisconsin August 26th 1990. The next morning when I heard the horrible news was one of the saddest days of my life. The lineup was SRV, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray and Buddy Guy. RIP SRV!🎸🎵🎶🎵

Lucky to have seen him 3 times in concert. The first time was opening before BOSTON (weird billing). I had never heard of him before, and it turned out to be one of those "OMFG, who is this guy??!!" moments.

"Mind"... "Blown"... !! Yes kids, SRV is The G.O.A.T. !! Love the reaction !! Keep it up !!

SRV played with the absolute heaviest strings possible. His fingers are muscle.

I was a 17 year old from Buffalo in that crowd back then in Toronto. First of many times I seen him after. What an amazing guitarist and loss. RIP SRV.

My sister and her husband were friends of his so when I went to visit them near Dallas in 1984 and flipped out when I heard Stevie on the radio there they took me to meet him at a concert of his brother Jimmie`s band in Dallas. I got to hang out with him for a little while and meet his brother. My favorite song by his brother`s band The Fabulous Thunderbirds is Two Time My Lovin. It`s a really fun song to sing. My favorite two I like to sing and play on guitar by Stevie are Change It and Life Without You but he has so many great tunes. Stevie`s best friend who helped him write the songs was Doyle Bramhall Sr. Look up Doyle on here singing Change It. Stevie was imitating Doyle when he sang and wow does Doyle have soul. So does his son Doyle Bramhall ll. Stevie taught him to play guitar and now Doyle is considered one of the best. He plays the guitar upside down with the big strings on the bottom because Stevie told him that`s how Hendrix played so at age 5 he was determined to learn that way. Look up Doyle Bramhall ll doing Mama Can`t Help You No More and his performance of Sent By Angels in the Arc Angels with Stevie`s drummer and bass player. Also listen to Arc Angels "See What Tomorrow Brings" which is about Stevie.

Love to see younger people appreciating Stevie Ray great reaction.

Stevie actually played with the largest gauge strings. He had to have great hand strength to do all that and bending those thick strings all concert long. I was fortunate to see him a few times and the last one I saw was his last. It tore us all up that evening hearing of the crash.

There's 2 guitarist the stick out above all the rest, Stevie RAY VAUGHAN, and RORY GALLAGHER... both are long gone but I am so glad I was alive and on this earth to witness both of these 2 incredible artists crank out the best guitar licks ever brought forth on this world. RIP to the both of you. Bob Dylan once said everyman can be replaced, let Bob know not in my life time.

It was well known he superglued his fingertips back on. He also setup his guitar similar to an acoustic. Using a special set of 13s. Very thick strings and setup very high. He was one of a kind. RIP Stevie

Saw him in Vancouver at a small venue in the mid 80"s. He brought out Colin James at one point and blew the roof off the joint. Unless you've seen him live you've got no idea how good he really was. This video is Stevie just warming up, but it does give you an idea of what near take off was like.

Stevie started playing the guitar around the age of 7 after watching his big brother, Jimmie Vaughan, (also a talented player) playing his own guitar. He credits his brother as his biggest influence. Stevie was also influenced by many other legendary guitar players especially by the early blues players such as Albert King, Buddy Guy and B.B. King. However his own individual style and talent always did shine through. Yes, he didn't read music, but he wrote some incredible songs that you can find here on KZfaq. His death was devasting for his family, friends and fans and he is deeply missed to this day.

We simply call this GOD mode... Enjoy the ride.

I have the deepest sympathy for the base player and drummer, they had no idea how Stevie was going to play the songs each night, they do a pretty fine improv themselves!

He has always been my pick for the GOAT. He was such a humble guy, he seemed so down to earth. But the second he had a guitar in his hands he played it like it was a weapon of mass destruction. I feel privileged to have been alive when he was. Another artist that is amazing and you should check out is Beth Hart. She has many awesome performances, but Am I the one. Live at the Paradiso is really sweet. Awesome reaction.

I'm from Dallas and met Stevie a few times. No, your fingerprints don't fall off. When you play as much as he did you build up calluses on your fingertips. No super glue involved. I used to do stage lighting in Dallas and one night in a small club it was Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, Leon Russell and Stevie sat in with them. I was working follow spot just 30 feet away. It was an amazing show to say the least!

That Man even bowed to the audience while still playing the guitar 🔥🔥🔥🔥

I saw Stevie 3 times. The best show was across the river from Downtown Pittsburgh. His stage was set up in front of railroad tracks. You could see the city, through the backdrop of the stage. About half way through, a train went by. You couldn't hear the train at all. It was the most amazing visual ever! It was on a clear June night. I'll never forget! You have to check out a Blues girl named Samantha Fish! Start with her cover of "I put a spell on you" Enjoy! New subscriber here! 😎✌️❤️

Stevie Ray is GOD!!!

1. They never needed or were looking for a lead vocalist…stevie took over from someone who left the band where he was the guitarist and then they renamed the band. They say he was insecure about his voice in the beginning of his career. Stevie’s voice is underrated by some people but his voice is almost as good as his guitar playing. To hear how good his voice really was, I would recommend: Tin Pan Alley w/ Johnny Copeland Life without you-capital city theater in N.J Leave my girl alone -(Austin)Austin city limits concert 2. He has the stank face on because he’s feeling the music, and has always put his heart and soul into every performance. Stevie’s guitar was plugged into his soul 3. I agree with all the other people that commented on the gauge of Stevie’s strings. He was known to play even up to 18 gauge strings at the beginning of his career. I challenge you to try play and bend 13-18 gauge strings the way he does and for hours on end. You would probably quite playing after 10 minutes Great reaction to the goat!

I was fortunate enough to see Stevie Ray twice in small venues in Texas. My opinion that GOAT

SRV played with the *thickest strings* imaginable (and they’re much thinner on an acoustic guitar, if you’ve ever played on both you’ll know, btw) but he played on 13 gauge strings in order to get that lush, rich tone. He was just to young to die so cruelly.

He’s a blues man, he sings great! Texas Blues! The GOAT OF GOATS...PERIOD! 😎🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Thanks for bringing this one today guys👏🙌💙🎶. Living in Texas you need to be well versed in Stevie Ray's incredible mega talented musicianship. He is supremely immersed in his craft and seems to have actually merged and become one with his guitar. Kathy you are right he never learned to read music. At age 7 he was listening to blues records from all the greats and found that if he could vocalize a note he heard he could find it on the guitar and find it he did🎸🎶💙. Another astute observation you had was how the drummer and bassist kept a close eye on him because since Stevie never knew where the music would take him, his band members had to watch him like a hawk so they could keep him in the pocket. From age 7 he had that guitar in his hands every waking moment he could. Feel asleep playing and woke up to start again. Yes he lost a lot of callouses and super glued them back on. He had extremely large and strong hands for his frame and played with very large strings which contributed to his sound. He was so strong he regularly broke strings bending them where most other players couldn't even move them. You've only just began a magical mystery tour of his talent as he has a wide ranging set of skills for more than just really fast playing. Some must sees are: Tin Pan Alley at the Montreux Jazz Festival featuring Johnny Copeland (also from Texas) in 1985 for down and dirty blues played by these two masters. Life Without You from the Capitol Theatre in 1985, a song Stevie wrote after losing a close friend suddenly. Riveria Paradise a song Stevie wrote after his recovery and rehab dedicated to all those still suffering. It is the most beautifully finessed instrumental you have ever heard. His vocals change to fit every song and is really remarkable. He had a female vocalist in his group but wanted to do his own vocals and we are so glad he did. Looking forward to more from you👋✌️💙🎶‼️

Please do his live performance of "Couldn't Stand The Weather" at the Capitol theater, 1985..At his swaggering best..Actually, the whole band, and watch out especially for keyboardist, Reese Wynans, on that one!..Maybe my favorite performance of theirs.

SRV....Simply the best. Your reactions say it all!

Was a huge SRV fan... .. him over 20 times.. Best musical night in my life was SRV n Jeff Beck at MSG.. then a subway ride uptown to the Beacon theater..midnight shoe for Fabulous Thunderbirds.. (Stevies bro Jimmy's band) expecting special guests... left there around 5 am.. walking down the empty Ave.. with sun just coming up.. me and my boys did a group hug.. for the night just shared.. amazing

*SUBSCRIBED* !!! Why.? Well......mad respect to Texas, 2nd...... love your honest reaction to IMHO, the greatest guitarist ever and Led Zeppelin is *MY* G.O.A.T. band.!!! I'm a former touring musician who was born and raised in L.A. but escaped that hell hole years ago.! The BEST explanation I ever heard about Stevie was from Eric Clapton. Eric said when he first heard Stevie in the radio he was driving and had to pull over and started crying! This is from a master as well... he said "Stevie doesn't play music, he"channels" it he IS music. A next *MUST* Stevie recommendation for you is Stevie Ray Vaughan with Johnny Copeland, "Tin Pan Alley" .! It will deter some from even thinking of being a musician, lol........ and others who will just be transported to another realm.! I'm NOT hyping it, it's that good... Much love 2 U 2 from Ketchum, Idaho.........☆

You're right about him reading music and double trouble watching him for the lead. His brother Jimmy Vaughn said the thing about Stevie was he could play rhythm and lead guitar at the same damn time.😊

Best slow texas blues performance ever recorded

Stevie and his Guitar were one 🎸

I met Stevie on 6th Street in Austin Texas in a small bar. I didn't know who he was, we had a beer and some light coversation about blues, then the guys he was jamming with showed up and he went up there and tore it apart. I was a fan since then.

That’s a guy who said this is my job and I’m gonna be the CEO. He is and will always be.

BEST that ever walked the Earth.

SRV is a guitar GOD!

SRV is the truth RIP King

Hyper competency is an amazing thing to behold. Dude was a master. He massages and beats the shit out if that guitar at the same time. It's been said before that it's hard to tell where Stevie begins and his guitar ends. They were one. Truly breath taking

SRV was the GOAT. This entire show was incredible and needs to be watched from beginning to end. This was at a time when he was fighting his demons of alcohol and drugs. He was very high on cocaine during this show which added to his extreme sweating. Great review. I love seeing young folks experiencing for the first time the greatness people my age grew up listening to.

LOL! His fingers weren't hurting but he was putting a great hurt on his guitar and it was screaming for mercy. SVR used 13- 17 strings and those aren't light. He also had several other standby guitars because he'd breaking strings during performances. He was feeling the music when he made those Stank faces.

The bassist an drummer stay tight together holding the rhythm, so Stevie can go off! They're in what's called the pocket.

Stevie Ray Vaughan was a natural born world shaker. Definitely Definitely one of a kind. He never played a song the same way twice. He freestyled every performance. Y'all should consider ",Look at Little Sister" with Stevie Ray and Jeff Healey. Jeff was blind and Stevie Ray allowed Jeff to shine. It's incredible to watch. 🥳😳💯

SRV “life without you”, live at the capital theater, passaic, new jersey, on the date 9/21/1985.

thanks, kids! SRV is the GOAT.. no doubt... and this is widely known as one of his best performances...he is the soul of the blues.. .appreciate your reaction! I hope you also listen to "look at little sister" - featuring amazing keyboardist Reese Wynans... he breaks a string and changes guitars without missing a beat, while singing, BTW.... (p.s. SRV played with the "highest-gauge" strings available.. and still broke them on the regular!)

His Older Brother Jimmy would leave his Guitar 🎸 out but he'd tell Stevie don't mess with his Guitar when he was gone... Stevie Ray Vaughan could play in a pinch Dark Room and Never miss a Note 🎵🎶🎸😎.... I was waiting for him to play with it behind his back. Heck most of the time when you watch him he playing with his Eyes Shut... Just pouring his soul into the Guitar 🎸.

I was a club kid in Toronto back in the day and saw so many great bands at the El Mo! One of my only regrets in life is that I missed this show! This performance shows SRV at his raw best! Imop Stevie was the greatest guitarist ever and nobody beat his stank face either!!

In this performance I feel like Stevie was conveying the storm that is causing the flood. The hurricane. And its power. Especially the part where he slows down is sort of like the calm in the eye of the hurricane. That brief moment and then the storm comes back with full force.

ACTUALLY stevie used the thickest available strings in order to have the blues sound he was looking for. Unfortunatly combined with hours of practicing ( He started playing at 7 years old with successful older brother Jimmy ray vaughan.) He eventually after a couple of years of the huge strings his finger tips would bleed after his concert. After a while the great BB king told Stevie how Muddy waters used the same heavy gauge strings but would put super glue on and let them dry before a performance and it was never a issue again..A true legend who would have been still playing today if not for his untimely death in a helicopter crash at 28 years old.There will never b another SRV!

Its true about the fingertips and the superglue. Stevie had really big and strong hands, and he used the heaviest gauge strings you can get, colloquially called telephone wires. I love that, cos every time I hear Stevie sing 'It's flooding down in Texas, all the telephone lines are down', I imagine him picking them up and stringing his guitar with them :). He tuned them down a half tone too, to be able to bend them the way he wanted to. Regarding his being a vocalist, that was just a natural progression of his career. He started off as a guitarist and, like Hendrix, was insecure about his singing. In 1978 he was in 'Triple Threat Revue' with Lou Ann Barton as vocalist, but by then he was helping out singing a few songs too. When that band fell apart it he'd made a name for himself and it was more natural for him to be the front man of his own band rather than just a sideman again. So he formed his own band, Steve Vaughan and Double Trouble. He got a new manager too, and the new manager suggested he use his middle name and call the band Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. Stevie like it cos it sounded like 'Stevie Rave On' so he used it.

Simply the best no one comes close. R.I.P SRV. When guitars go to sleep at night they dream of being played by SRV

SRV = GOAT 🐐

I saw SRV play on the "Live, Alive Tour" in 1987 and I'm still devastated over his death. What a tragic loss for his family and fans.

Blues is about playing from the soul, we all have the blues at one time or another and a good blues man can make the guitar cry and scream blues from the soul and Stevie was one of the very best at it. I saw him play live twice in Illinois and its two shows I will never forget. RIP SRV.

And he just played with his eyes closed almost all of the time! Jeff Healey who was blind played “Look At Little Sister” and he and Stevie Ray rocked the crowd.

Outstanding reaction! I'm sure most of the people watching this video were waiting to see your faces when he started playing behind his back. Thank you for sharing!

Epic level guitar genius. Sweet, Stevie Ray!

Stevie played with the huge gauge strings, that other guitarists didn't see how he could bend them so easily! Lolol. RIP Stevie.

Stevie played with the heaviest strings available. He might as well have been playing on piano wire. His hands were beyond powerful!

Stevie Ray Vaughan was born in DallasTexas October 3,1954 when his older brother Jimmie Vaughan who is a great guitarist In his own right and had a band called The Fabulous Thunderbirds got an electric guitar when he was 10 years old and Stevie Ray loved it and would play it when Jimmie left the house. On October 3,1961 Stevie Ray got a toy guitar with cowboys and Indians on it for his birthday, Stevie Ray learned how to play Wine Wine Wine by Lonnie Mack and Thunderbird by The Night Caps (on a toy guitar absolutely amazing). When Stevie Ray had his first gig in 1964 at a roller rink Jimmie gave Stevie Ray his electric guitar. Stevie. In 1977 Stevie Ray put a band together called Triple Threat Reuve with Lou Ann Barton vocals, Freddy Walden drums, Jackie Newhouse bass, Johnny Reno Saxophone and Stevie Ray guitar. On November 19, 1979 Lou Ann Barton left the band and eventually Chris Layton joined the band and replaced Jack Moore on Drums, on June 23, 1981 Tommy Shannon who was in a band with Stevie Ray when Stevie Ray was a teen called Krackerjack replaced Jackie Newhouse on bass, Reese Wynans didn't join the band until June 7,1985, then in 1981 Stevie Ray changed the name of the band to Double Trouble. Lou Ann Barton started a solo career and asked Stevie Ray if he and Double Trouble could perform in Switzerland at the Montreux Festival on July 17, 1982 but they didn't have a singer so Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton told Stevie Ray he would have to sing, Stevie Ray didn't have convinced in his vocals but had to sings because the Festival was soon. It is really sad that Stevie Ray never got to enjoy a #1 hit until October 19, 1990 2 months after his death Crossfire was released and was a #1 hit. Stevie Ray's career only span 7 years and he accomplished so much on November 8, 1984 he won a W.C.Handy National Blues Award, Entertainer Of The Year, Instermental Of The Year, he was the first white person to win either of these awards. On December 13 1983 Stevie Ray was voted Guitar Player Magazine's Best New Talent, Best Electric Blues Guitar Player and Best Guitar Album with Texas Flood, Stevie Ray and Jeff Beck are the only 2 as the only Triple Award Guitarist. This song Texas Flood was written by Larry Davis and Joseph Scott in 1955 and Larry Davis recorded it in 1958 and when Stevie Ray heard Larry Davis never got paid any royalties he paid him every dime out of his own pocket. Stevie Ray, Buddy Guy, Robert Clay and Stevie Ray's older brother Jimmie Vaughan went to EastTroy Wisconsin to open 2 shows for Eric Clapton, Jimmie said Stevie Ray came and sat next to him and said I had a weird dream, I dreamed I died and I was looking down at alot of people crying. On August 27,1990 after Eric Clapton finish his show Stevie Ray, Buddy Guy, Robert Clay and Eric Clapton performed Sweet Home Chicago that was the last song Stevie Ray ever performed, he boarded a helicopter that crashed into the side of a mountain and everyone on board were killed instantly. Stevie Ray Vaughan died at the age of 35 and yes there were alot of people crying. Imo STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN WILL ALWAYS BE THE GOAT. I'm not sure what your wife's name is but I love her reactions to Stevie Ray Vaughan, I've been a huge fan for over 40 years and had to know every single thing about him.

Stevie Ray had the Angel of Music wrapped around him, pushing him to wring every bit of feeling in his heart out to the guitar. I don't think he had any choice, he held that guitar like it was the only thing connecting him to the physical plane. His life was always rough, and his music was a kind of self-medication (along with other "medicines", sadly). We lost a once in a lifetime treasure when he went away. "Tin Pan Alley" with Johnny Copeland is a little sip of heaven. RIP, sweet Texas bluesman.

SRV was a RockGuitar God

Tin Pan Alley is a good one live he plays with Johhny Copeland. Awesome performance. Thanks for the reaction. I love seeing the amazement on people's faces when they see Stevie performing. Have a great day.

As other comments have mentioned about his strings I read a quote I believe from his brother that Stevie used barbed wire for strings and played them like he was trying to get out of jail. One of a kind

Great reaction to the behind the back flair. Dude was dripping with swag.

You need to watch Life Without You at The Capital he sounds so amazing when he sings and plays guitar, it's a beautiful performance, and he sings a lot more in that one!!

The greatest then and in death untouchable

SRV was a force of nature, more parts genius than what we usually refer to as “talent”, he channeled something & its more like the guitar played him than the other way around...//however, Chris Leighton, the drummer, & Tommy Shannon, on bass, were Texas legends themselves when they met SRV, especially tommy (this was in 1983 & tommy played with texas blues ledend edgar winter back in the 60’s), so, those two knew every note, yeah, its improvisational music, but when ur an old musician like that, everything is kept track with counts & measures that u dont even have to consciously think about, so, they had all been playing together for years at that point & were all dialed into each other....what’s interesting is how masterful the are to play so solidly & slowly, so, along with SRV’s intensity makes for this insane tension in the song, stevie fast, them slow....but yeah, they were effortlessly dialed into every note as u can see & hear on the break in the middle where stevie slows down, & chris leighton signals it all with that flam on the drum kit....srv was special & they knew it & they loved each other....check out SRV “life without you”, live, passaic, new jersey, at the capital theater, 9/21/1985...imo, its the only srv & double trouble vid on youtube that matches this one for , just pure insanity....there are a hundred great ones, theyre all,great, but this one & that “life without you” are just bananas.

He was the best at neck bending. Amazing guitarist.

If you're in Texas, do yourselves a favor and look for Sue Foley. She's always playing in Texas, particularly Austin and will often play with Stevie's brother Jimmy among many other Blues or Texas legends that may just drop in. Take advantage of how much talent is right where you live! Sue's the real deal kids, but if you REALLY want to get steeped deeply into the blues, maybe find a night where either a horn section joins her, or a band with horns opens. If you really want to have your hair blown back by a blues performance, find strong talent with horns in a small venue. It'll change your world. Cheers.

I heard your comment about electric guitar strings being thinner than acoustic guitar strings. SRV play 13 gauge strings!!!! That’s part of why he achieves such a powerful sound. I’m a professional guitar player. I’ve been playing for 53 years now. I use 9’s on my electric and 11’s on my acoustic. You’re way off base on all of that. SRV first and foremost is considered the greatest blues guitarist that ever lived. The great Eric Clapton said that SRV inspires people to want to pick up a guitar and for us seasoned guitar played he makes us want to put our guitars down. That’s from Clapton. BB King said SRV is better than Hendrix! I concur, and I love Hendrix. As for vocals, he has a great voice. Just listen to any of his amazing albums. One of my favorite songs is Tightrope. SRV could do what no one could and no one probably will ever be able to do with a guitar. Not only was he a virtuoso, he did it playing the heaviest gauge strings possible and watch him bend those strings!!! As a guitarist, playing much lighter strings I can tell you the callous’s fall off in long sessions and the fingers bleed. I recall seeing SRV on stage saying he had to stop because his “bones were showing”. That’s incredible. Thanks for watching what is arguable the greatest blues performance (Texas Flood, LAM).

Hi guys! Ace you mentioned about his guitar strings being lighter. Believe it not he actually used 13's on his electric guitars which is kind of like using battery cables. hahaha! And he even broke strings at that level. If you watch him in Austin City Limits I believe he breaks a string doing Little Sister. He changes guitars mid stream without a hitch and it doesn't even phase him. He is without a doubt one of the top tier, best ever players that ever lived.

Just for knowledge sake, his necklace is called a Squashblossom and is a Southwestern Native American piece made of silver and turquoise and is quite heavy.

🙏RIP STEVIE🙏❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Kathy, your reaction was the best I've seen yet, and I've watch several peoples reaction. Stevie was amazing. RIP Stevie.

Yep there is the face everyone makes when he plays behind his back

I saw him at the Bronco Bowl in the Oak Cliff neighborhood in Dallas where he grew up in 1987. I was just as surprised as you were when he flipped that guitar behind his back and kept playing. He also hit a few notes with his teeth, he knew every trick.

He used the heaviest guage strings made. The GOAT.👍

Yep SRV was the real deal. The reason SRV is lapping the others is the rest of the band is basically playing in a 12 bar blues The drummer has to keep that steady beat as the bassist bridges the gap and holds it together. Double Trouble we’re so good behind Stevie

Your mama was right about the end of his fingers. He would literal glue the skin back on his fingers. Incredible.

SRV used 13 gauge strings while most guitarist used 9 gauge. This suited his aggressive style. Check out Look Little Sister and Life Without You.

You ought to check out Stevie Ray & Jimmie Vaughan playing "Pipeline" on the same doubleneck guitar. Stevie was emulating Buddy Guy when he would play behind his back or play with a handkerchief, Buddy and Stevie Ray did "Champagne and Reefer" ,written by Muddy Waters, together. Check out some of the old Blues artists like; BB King, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, etal. At 86 (87 in July) this is Buddy Guy's last tour year.

Love the reaction to his behind the back playing. SRV tends to have that affect on people -- with or without the acrobatics. Doing a good job, y'all. Almost 1K subscribers in less than 3 months. Impressive. 2 sweet people loving some music. New subscriber. Keep on r'actin.

Stevie and I have this great ability to do two things at once. He can strum in-tune behind his back while singing and I can walk and chew gum.

You are a bit wrong about the diameter of his guitar strings. He used the heaviest gauge made all the time. He had the strongest fingers you would ever see. I knew him back in his heroin days, in fact it was the heroin use that caused me to decline playing in the band as I had cleaned myself up by then. I had him over to my house several times as well as Boz Skaggs. One of my best memories is SRV playing my Takamine guitar and Boz on my Ovation while I played one of my basses by the pool until the sun came up and all of us went to breakfast. Dallas in the '70's.

Stevie played with the thickest strings he could find. Mostly because he broke them often. There's a couple of videos out there of him swapping guitars without missing a beat because he broke strings.

Mary had a little lamb and third stone from the sun. Jim

SRV used the largest guitar strings they make because he was such a wild man on the guitar...and he still broke strings!

Stevie didnt use strings , he used cables... I believe they were 11's and he tortured them to the breaking point.... An amazing musician we lost way before his time...

My favorite Stevie tune is Riviera Paradise.

Life Without You. He actualy plays with his mouth and busts a tooth!