Fender Stratocaster
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Revered by the blues and rock communities alike, Stevie Ray Vaughan ushered in a distinctive style for mainstream music in the 80s. His tragic death in 1990 sealed his iconic status as one of the best guitarists of our time.
Some of Vaughan’s more notable pieces are covers of Jimi Hendrix’ Little Wing and Voodoo Child as well as original, heavy blues material like Crossfire.
Vaughan was born and raised in Dallas and he began his career as a musician and ultimate guitar legend from an early age. At the age of 17, he dropped out of high school to pursue music and started forming bands. By 1978, Vaughan was lead guitarist and vocalist for a band called Double Trouble which was creating sufficient buzz in the Texas music scene.
During a performance in 1982, the band caught the attention of David Bowie and Jackson Browne. Bowie asked Vaughan to play on his forthcoming album, while Browne offered free recording time in Los Angeles. Both were accepted and before long, Vaughan had secured a record deal and a debut album was released.
The album was titled Texas Flood and it received acclaim from both blues and rock critics. It featured the classic Pride and Joy. A second album, Couldn’t Stand the Weather was released in 1984 and by the end of 1985 it had reached gold status. In 1989, In Step won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues album.
After a gig with Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy, Vaughan boarded a helicopter that, after takeoff, crashed killing him and four other passengers. He was only 35 years old. The recordings he was working on before his death were released posthumously and were just as successful as those during his lifetime. One year later, an album featuring various studio sessions and outtakes, The Sky is Crying, went platinum. A further live album and greatest hits compilation were released in the 90s.
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Fender has released two special edition Stratocasters in honour of Vaughan including a replica of one of his most used guitars, lovingly dubbed “Lenny”. There is also a memorial statue erected in Austin, Texas which is a popular attraction with tourists and fans.
Juanita Appleby
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JIMI HENDRIX
Discography:
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If there is one solo musician who defines the 60s, it has to be Jimi Hendrix: the clothes; the stage presence; the memorable performances at Woodstock, Monterey and the Isle of Wight; the innovative talent and the excesses of drink and drugs.
Born Johnny Allen Hendrix in November 1942, his father changed his name to James Marshall Hendrix. Hendrix was raised in Seattle but spent much of his childhood in Vancouver living with his grandmother.
Hendrix got his first guitar at the age of 15. He practiced constantly, observed other guitarists play and picked up tips from other players. He also drew on his blues and jazz influences when playing. Hendrix is also quite exceptional in that he played a right-handed guitar re-stringed and played left-handed, contributing to his unique sound.
Although he became famous in his own right first in the UK, Hendrix had earned his stripes as a session guitarist for the Isley Brothers and Little Richard during the early 60s.
Linda Keith, who was friends with The Rolling Stones, saw potential in Hendrix. She introduced him to Chas Chandler, then bassist with The Animals, who was particularly impressed with Hendrix’s version of ‘Hey Joe’. Chandler assembled the band The Jimi Hendrix Experience featuring Mitch Mitchell on drums and Noel Redding on bass.
Paul McCartney was instrumental in Hendrix’s success in the US, recommending that he played the Monterey International Pop Festival. It was on stage at Monterey that he set his guitar on fire. This now legendary performance was captured on film as part of the ‘Monterey Pop’ concert documentary.
Hendrix greatly admired The Beatles, so much so that he performed the title track from ''Sgt. Pepper’s 'Lonely Hearts Club Band'' just three days after the album was released. Perhaps taking a cue from his musical heroes, Hendrix made use of experimental recording effects and wah-wah and fuzz pedals.
After successful album releases such as ‘Are You Experienced?’ and ‘Electric Ladyland’, The Jimi Hendrix Experience disbanded when Redding left to form his own band. Mitchell was missing from the band line-up for Hendrix’s seminal performance at Woodstock in August 1969, made memorable by the improvised rendition of ‘Star Spangled Banner’.
Jimi Hendrix passed away in September 1970 at the age of 27, the same age as Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin when they died. The circumstances around his death have never been fully established, but the two most credible reasons involve drink and prescription drugs. He is buried in Greenwood Memorial Park in Washington State along with the remains of his father and grandmother. A carving of a Fender Stratocaster, Hendrix's chosen guitar, marks the site.
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This information is provided as a brief overview and not as a definitive guide, there are other sources on the net for that. If however you have a story or information that is not generally known we would love to hear from you. Content@rokpool.com
