Stevie Ray Vaughan

Born on October 3, 1954 Stephen Ray “Stevie” Vaughan (– August 27, 1990) was an American guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and a notable recording artist. Often referred to by his initials, SRV, he is best known as the leader of the blues rock band Double Trouble, with whom he recorded four studio albums and toured the world.
Influenced by guitarists of various genres, Vaughan emphasized intensity and emotion in his guitar playing, and became one of the leading blues rock musicians, encompassing multiple styles, including jazz and ballads.
Born and raised in Dallas as the younger brother of Jimmie Vaughan, he moved to Austin at the age of 17. Accompanied by drummer Chris Layton, bassist Tommy Shannon, and later, keyboardist Reese Wynans, Vaughan became an important figure in Texas blues, a loud, swing-driven fusion of blues and rock.
Vaughan was highly rated and is considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time. He has received critical recognition for his guitar playing, ranked at #7 on Rolling Stone’s list of “100 Greatest Guitarists” in 2003. He ranked #3 on Classic Rock magazine’s list of “100 Wildest Guitar Heroes” in 2007. Vaughan won six Grammy Awards, and was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2000 and won five W.C. Handy Awards. As of 2012, Vaughan has sold over 11.5 million albums with Double Trouble.
Vaughan’s music took root in blues, rock, and jazz. He was influenced by the work of blues artists such as Albert King, B.B. King, Freddie King, Albert Collins, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Buddy Guy, Howlin’ Wolf, Otis Rush, Guitar Slim, Chuck Berry, and Muddy Waters.
He was influenced by rock artists including Jimi Hendrix and Lonnie Mack, along with jazz guitarists like Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, and George Benson.
While Albert King had a substantial influence on Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix was Vaughan’s greatest inspiration. Vaughan declared: “Hendrix was so much more than just a blues guitarist–In fact I’m not sure if he even played the guitar–he played music.” Vaughan owed his guitar technique in large part to Lonnie Mack, who Vaughan acknowledged taught him to “play guitar from the heart”.
On August 27, 1990, while departing a concert venue by helicopter in East Troy, Wisconsin, Vaughan was killed when the helicopter crashed into the side of a ski hill. His death triggered a global outpouring of grief, and as many as 3,000 people attended his public memorial service in Dallas.

Source: Wikipedia; srvofficial.com