Hard to believe its been 28 years, one of the greatest ever and I was lucky enough to see him about 10 times between 1983 and 1990. The first time was at the Beacon Theater with the Outlaws and the last a month before he died at Jones Beach with Joe Cocker. His live shows were off the hook......Rave on SRV.....
I can remember that day well. Such a loss.
I only saw him once and it was magical.
He opened for The Who in the Astrodome.
SRV owned the night.
I remember the day well. I never understood when my mother's friend Beverly called to talk to my Mother all shook up on the day Elvis died. On that day I got it. I was working in a manhole pulling in sections of mag ribbon from hole to hole all over Newark. A hot day, We had WNEW on the radio on top of the hole. All day talking about Clapton's entourage. They didn't know particulars of exactly who was on the helicopter. They stated how Clapton has a fear of flying and flies when it's absolutely necessary. The official announcement was surprising "Ladies and gentleman sad news to announce, It has been confirmed Stevie Ray Vaughan has died" Heartwrenching disbelief, a guy on my work crew saw my reaction and blurted out "At least it wasn't Clapton". I just dead stared at him without a response. Forgive him Lord, he knows not of what he speaks.
I only caught him twice, Soul To Soul tour the day after Thanksgiving at the Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ '86 and at his only Madison Square Garden appearance earlier on that fateful Fire Meets The Fury tour when at the only MSG show Jeff Beck opened for him on November 11th '89.
In his vibrantly optimistic tone he blurted how it was his "1st time playing at Madison Square Garden and IIIII Like it!" He often shared his love of life after he conquered his demons. A truly great Ambassador Of The Blues. RIP Sir.
