The world of music lost one of the all-time greats on this day in 1990 - blues guitarist and songwriter Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Born in Dallas, Texas in 1954 to a family with roots in sharecropping traced back to his great-grandfather, Vaughan and his older brother Jimmie soon found a love of music. After trying out different instruments early on, Stevie Ray found himself with his first guitar at the age of 7. He became drawn to playing - practicing for hours on end while learning to play songs by ear - finding inspiration in artists from Muddy Waters to Jimi Hendrix.  By his early teens he was balancing school during the day and playing in local bands by night. 

His status rose in a blossoming Austin music scene, and after an attempt at studying art at SMU, his desire to pursue music full-time could not be denied. He soon formed his own band in the late 70's, grinding out performances among the bar circuit before the urge to find mainstream success led to a band makeover...and the launch of Double Trouble with bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton. 

After landing a deal with Epic Records, the band released their debut album, Texas Flood, a presentation of Texas blues at it's finest - true blues roots with polish that connected well with a public in spite of an already diverse musical landscape. The band found critical and commerical success, and begain touring internationally. 

Despite the success, and the respect of his peers, Vaughan struggled with a dependency on alcohol and cocaine that was rooted in the pain of his childhood. After a near death experience on an European tour in late '87, Stevie Ray found sobriety and channeled his love and energy into his music...and rediscovered what connected with his soul so many years ago. 

The 1990's looked to be full of possiblities for Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, but it was not to be. 

After playing a concert with Eric Clapton and his band at Alpine Valley Resort in Troy, WI, Stevie Ray boarded a helicopter bound for Chicago in the early hours of Monday, August 27th. After taking off in heavy fog, the helicopter crashed into the side of one of the resort's ski hills...instantly killing all five aboard. 

Stevie Ray Vaughan was 35. 

The music lives.

SRV's cover of Little Wing (I'm sure Jimi approves):