When I look back at some of the really cool things I’ve done -- meeting Stevie Ray Vaughan was undoubtedly one of the greatest experiences in my life. We met in January 1990 after his concert at the Taylor County Convention Center in Abilene, Texas – just a few short months before he died in that tragic helicopter crash.
Before a very large crowd, Stevie Ray stopped the show and said that he’d been sober for a while now and it felt good. I’ll never forget his words and the reaction those words caused. He said, “You don’t have to do drugs and alcohol to have a good time.”
The House is Rockin'
The crowd went wild with cheers, clapping, whistles and a few lighters flickering in the darkness. Abilene is the home to three private Christian universities within 10 miles of the venue -- and it’s safe to say that it was an ultra-conservative town in 1990. But his pearls of wisdom rang out through that stadium like a shot from a deer rifle. He had the support of the crowd. No doubt.
The Gift of a Lifetime
My friends and I met drummer Chris Layton before the show and he invited us to the meet-and-greet backstage with the band. Back in the day bands would pretty much sign whatever you handed to them. I dug through my purse and the only thing I could find for him to autograph was a purple dry cleaning ticket. When it was my turn, I handed Stevie Ray the ticket and he asked for my name. Grinning ear-to-ear, I somehow managed to spit out, “Angie,” still not believing that I was meeting (in my opinion and several experts) the greatest blues guitarist in the world. I looked up to him and said, “Stevie Ray, I may never get my dry cleaning back – but I’m so happy to have your autograph.”
He smiled. He had a kind, gentle spirit about him. And he was humble. My friend asked for a guitar pick and he politely obliged. I shyly asked for one too. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a quarter and kinda laughed and I said, “I’ll take a quarter if you don’t have a pick.” Grinning as if we were lifelong friends, he reached in his other pocket and pulled out a guitar pick bearing his name.
I thanked him for the pick. He had just given me a small token – something that cost him a few pennies maybe – but what he gave me would turn out to be a priceless possession. Standing in the same room with these phenomenal musicians, I just remember thinking, “Wow. I’m in a room full of greatness.” I was in a room with Reese Wynans, Chris Layton, Tommy Shannon and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Stevie was quiet and humble. I just remember that he had such a positive spirit about him. It was difficult for me to imagine that he’d looked over the edge – encountered the personal demons of alcohol and drug abuse -- and conquered them. He didn’t look at all like he’d ever had a day’s trouble in his life. The one thing I remember about being backstage after the show: buckets of Sprite. Several iced buckets of Sprite. There was absolutely no alcohol in sight. He meant what he said. He was sober.
Missed Opportunity
SRV and Double Trouble performed a show in Dallas during the summer of 1990 but I didn’t go to it. A few weeks later, Stevie Ray Vaughn perished in a tragic helicopter crash. It’s as if the whole world stood still for a few minutes when I heard the news. The news struck me. I stopped whatever I was doing. I can’t remember where I first heard the news: tv or radio – but I was just sick at my stomach. I had missed an opportunity to see him one last time. I spent hours listening to his music so the memories would come back to me 20 years later. His songs are so full of life and emotion that listening to them repeatedly was almost like going through the tragedy again.
My favorite SRV song may not be one of his most popular tunes but I think it’s certainly one of his most beautifully-played songs. I’ve seen the live performance of the song on Austin City Limits about a million times now. My favorite song is “Riveria Paradise.” The song's about nine minutes long. I’ve heard the story told by several band members that when the band was recording the song, the producers were jumping around outside making “cut” gestures because they were afraid they were going to run out of tape.
The Healing Power of the Blues
I think SRV's music has a healing message. When he performed “Riveria Paradise” on Austin City Limits back in 1989, he said, “This one goes out to anyone whose still suffering in anyway.” Stevie suffered. He battled and conquered his addictions. He suffered and he survived. I think that was Stevie’s way of telling anyone who ever saw that show to have hope and the strength to overcome will find you. Stevie really connected with the audience – not just on “Riveria Paradise.” But this song’s tone was just phenomenal. His use of the whammy bar is just amazed me. The eerie scream of the guitar says it all; the song didn’t need lyrics. SRV’s guitar did all the talking/singing for him on this number. This is one of those rare songs where I think the live version is better than the studio recording.
Pride and Joy
Until now, few knew about my special treasures. I don’t brag about them at parties. Occasionally, when I’m talking to another SRV fan, I’ll mention it – but only in the context of what a great man he was and what a pleasure it was to meet him. And yes, the treasures are under lock and key in case of fire.
August 27, 2010: Twenty Years Later
I’m going to celebrate Stevie Ray Vaughan’s life by attending the Quinten Hope Trio show on Friday, August 27, 2010 at 8 p.m. at the Cadillac Pizza Pub in McKinney. The date is exactly 20 years after SRV’s death. Quinten Hope has the Texas blues/rock sound down and his band is amazing. When I heard him play "Pride and Joy," I got chills. You can hear the influence of SRV when he plays -- and he can certainly bend a note like few can. Quinten told me he might even play “Riveria Paradise” that night. If he does, I may tear up. Just a little.
