Stevie Ray had been in numerous bands before joining blues rock combo Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble in the late 1970's.
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble's debut album was released in 1983. The critically acclaimed Texas Flood (1983) featured the top-20 hit Pride and Joy and sold well in both blues and rock circles.
Stevie Ray Vaughan died August 27th, 1990 when his helicopter crashed into the Alpine Valley ski hill. He was on his way back from playing a guest appearance at an Eric Clapton concert at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin.
Adult life and career
Vaughan's first recording band was called Paul Ray and the Cobras. They played at clubs and bars in Austin during the mid-1970s, and released one single.[2] Vaughan later recorded two other singles under the band name The Cobras.[3] Stevie left the Cobras, leaving Denny Freeman still in his role of original lead guitarist, and formed Triple Threat in late 1975, which included bassist Jackie Newhouse, drummer Chris Layton, vocalist Lou Ann Barton, and sax player Johnny Reno. Barton left the band in 1978 to pursue a solo career, followed by Reno in 1979. The three remaining members started performing under the name Double Trouble, inspired by an Otis Rush song of the same name. Vaughan became the band's lead singer.
Tommy Shannon, the bass player on Johnny Winter's early albums, replaced Newhouse in 1981. A popular Austin act, Vaughan soon attracted the attention of musicians David Bowie and Jackson Browne. Both Browne and Bowie first caught Vaughan at the 1982 Montreux Jazz Festival, where some members of the audience booed the band because they disliked Double Trouble's hard blues sound; the crowd response was quite different when they were subsequently invited to headline "Blues Night" at the festival in 1985.
In November, 1982, Vaughan recorded in Jackson Browne's studio in downtown Los Angeles. The recordings were brought to the attention of A&R man John Hammond and became Double Trouble's critically acclaimed first album, Texas Flood (1983), produced by Hammond; it featured the Top 20 hit "Pride and Joy" and sold 500,000 copies, earning the band a gold record. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award, and its song "Rude Mood" was nominated for "Best Rock Instrumental". Vaughan won three categories in Guitar Player's readers poll: "Best New Talent", "Best Blues Album", and "Best Electric Blues Guitarist". He became the second guitarist to win three Guitar Player awards in one year (the first is Jeff Beck). Vaughan won the "Best Electric Blues Guitarist" award every year until 1991.
Also in 1983 Bowie featured Vaughan on his 1983 album Let's Dance.[4] Vaughan was asked to go on tour with Bowie, but declined so he could continue to play with Double Trouble. Reportedly, Vaughan, who was still driving a delivery truck to support himself, was furious when he saw Bowie pantomiming over Vaughan's guitar solo in the video for "Let's Dance".
The band's next album, Couldn't Stand the Weather, was recorded in January 1984. During mid-1984 Vaughan and Double Trouble made numerous TV appearances, performing on Rockpalast, MuchMusic, and Solid Gold.
During the Grammy Awards of 1984, Vaughan and George Thorogood presented Chuck Berry with a lifetime achievement award. "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" from Couldn't Stand The Weather was nominated for "Best Rock Instrumental Performance".
The band played Carnegie Hall in New York City on October 4, 1984. The show featured one Double Trouble set, and a second with guests Dr. John on keyboards, George Rains on drums, Jimmie Vaughan on guitar, Roomful of Blues Horns, and singer Angela Strehli. The group rehearsed in September 1984 at the Caravan of Dreams in Fort Worth, Texas.
In November, Vaughan won two W.C. Handy National Blues Awards: "Entertainer of the Year" and "Blues Instrumentalist of the Year". It was the first time a white person won either award. During this time, he also began recording with one of his earliest idols, blues-rock guitar pioneer Lonnie Mack, to produce the album Strike Like Lightning on the Alligator label.
In late January 1985, the band went on a six-night Japanese tour with various interviews and performances. In March, the band started to produce their third album Soul to Soul. Reese Wynans, a former keyboardist with Captain Beyond and Delbert McClinton's band, was added to the band not long after. The album's production lasted for two months. On April 10 Vaughan played "The Star Spangled Banner" for opening day of the National League baseball season at the Houston Astrodome (supposedly he didn't get a good audience response from that crowd; he did, at least, get to meet former New York Yankee great Mickey Mantle afterwards). Soul to Soul was released on September 30, 1985; Vaughan received his fifth Grammy nomination: "Best Rock Instrumental Performance" for one of its songs, "Say What!".
In the following months of 1986, Vaughan and Double Trouble went on tour in New Zealand. It was around this time that he met Janna Lapidus, a touring model in New Zealand.
In mid-1986, the band was considering ideas of a new album, particularly a live album. Shows were set up at the Austin Opera House and at the Dallas Starfest. Audiences saw Vaughan struggle through these shows, as some of the original recordings were filled with technical difficulties.
On August 27, 1986, the Vaughan brothers' father, Big Jim, passed away of heart failure. A funeral was arranged two days later. The boys rushed home to comfort their mother, yet had little time to mourn. After the funeral was finished, a jet rushed Vaughan to Montreal, Quebec, where he played the "Labatt Blues Fest" (in Quebec, so named for their flagship beer "Labatt Blue"), known elsewhere as the "Miller Beer Festival" in Jarry Park.
The recordings in both Dallas and Austin, as well as the Montreux Jazz Festival, were edited and later released on Live Alive in November 1986.
Studio Albums:
Texas Flood (1983)
Couldn't Stand the Weather (1984)
Soul to Soul (1985)
In Step (1989)
Family Style (with Brother Jimmie Vaughan as "The Vaughan Brothers", 1990)
The Sky Is Crying (posthumous release) (1991)
Official live audio releases:
In the Beginning (Live, recorded 1980)
In Session (Live, with Albert King, recorded 1983)
Live at Carnegie Hall (Live, recorded 1984)
Live Alive (Live, recorded 1986)
Live At Montreux 1982 & 1985' (Live, recorded 1982 & 1985)
Wolfgang's Vault releases: http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/stevie-ray-vaughan
Compilations:
Greatest Hits (1995)
The Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble (1995)
The Real Deal: Greatest Hits Volume 2 (1999)
Blues at Sunrise (2000)
SRV (box set, with early recordings, rarities, hits, and live material) (2000)
If You Have to Know
Stevie Ray Vaughan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To keep from breakin' out of this blues side of town
If you have to know, do you have to know
I've been too far up, too far down, if you have to know
They went and locked me up for 47 days
Wouldn't let me out and I wouldn't change my ways
If you have to know, do you want to know
I'm a runaway engine on a midnight line
No destination and no track of time
Ain't worried about yours, don't worry about mine
If you have to know, since you have to know
Well too many bars and too many nights
Too many lefts and not enough rights
If you have to know, do you have to know
I'm the last one to leave and the first one to fight, if you have to know
Got a whole lot of women, a whole lot of beer
Half outta whiskey and flat out of Chester Fields
If you have to know....do you have to know
I got some kinda deal but it's all up to you, if you have to know
In the lyrics of If You Have To Know by Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble, the artist talks about his life and experiences. The singer talks about his focus to keep his head on his shoulders and his feet on the ground to avoid breaking out of this blues side of town. The artist has gone through highs and lows and has also been locked up for 47 days but remained unyielding in his ways. He takes whatever he gets and plays where he stays. The artist also describes himself as a runaway engine with no destination and no track of time.
The singer of the song further talks about his lifestyle characterized by too many bars and nights, too many lefts, and not enough rights. He describes himself as the last one to leave and the first one to fight. He has a lot of women, a lot of beer, half of whiskey, and a flat out of Chester Fields. The artist seems to have made some kind of deal, which is all up to the listener to interpret.
Line by Line Meaning
Got my head on my shoulders, my feet on the ground
I am grounded and level-headed to avoid succumbing to the troubles of this town's blues music scene.
To keep from breakin' out of this blues side of town
I aim to stay true to my roots and avoid succumbing to the temptations of fame and fortune.
If you have to know, do you have to know
Do you really need to know the details of my life and experiences?
I've been too far up, too far down, if you have to know
I have experienced the highs and lows of life, and if you insist on knowing more, I will share it with you.
They went and locked me up for 47 days
I have been imprisoned for my actions, refusing to compromise my beliefs.
Wouldn't let me out and I wouldn't change my ways
I remained true to myself despite the consequences I faced.
If you have to know, do you want to know
Are you genuinely interested in learning about my life experiences?
I take what I get and I play where I stay, if you have to know
I make the best of what I am given and play where I find myself, regardless of the circumstances.
I'm a runaway engine on a midnight line
I am a musician on the move, always seeking new opportunities and challenges.
No destination and no track of time
I have no specific plans or timelines, but rather live my life in the moment, embracing whatever comes next.
Ain't worried about yours, don't worry about mine
I do not concern myself with the lives of others, so they have no need to worry about mine.
Since you have to know, if you have to know
If you insist on knowing more about me, I will share my story with you.
Well too many bars and too many nights
I have spent countless nights in bars, playing and experiencing the ups and downs of life on the road.
Too many lefts and not enough rights
I have made some wrong turns and mistakes along the way, but still press on towards my goals.
I'm the last one to leave and the first one to fight, if you have to know
I am dedicated to my craft and my fellow musicians, always staying until the end and willing to defend what is right.
Got a whole lot of women, a whole lot of beer
I have had my share of relationships and indulged in plenty of alcohol.
Half outta whiskey and flat out of Chester Fields
I have consumed a fair amount of whiskey and cigarettes, but am running low on the latter.
If you have to know....do you have to know
Once again, I question whether or not you truly need to know these details about my life.
I got some kinda deal but it's all up to you, if you have to know
I have a certain arrangement that may interest you, but whether or not you want to know more is entirely up to you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aloise Mason
Lonnie Mack and Stevie Ray Vaughan got it going on..SENSATIONAL lyrics and got the beat..Both are legends and fabulous on those guitars ...Both are superior in performance..
Reading the Bible
Yeah I wish lonnie was remembered as much as srv was
Pierre M
One of my favorite tunes in the SRV collection. Thanks to Lonnie Mack.
Maciej Kopycki
i love SRV's sound !!!
The Sky Is Burning
This is a Lonnie Mack Song featuring SRV. Originally released on Lonnie"s "Strike Like Lightning" album which was produced by SRV. Lonnie Mack's music and guitar playing, especially the song"WHAM", was a huge inspiration to SRV. Listen to this song and you will see hear where SRV got a lot of his style.
peter berg
okay?
Mike Raineri
Great Lonnie Mack song, I listen to it every day in my car. As others have said, this is Lonnie Mack with SRV helping out.
Kaiser Brötchen
i love stevie`s sound RIP STEVIE
DuneAquaViva
I got this album like the day it was released..it's the best..
MrAnderswt
I love Lonnie´s sound!