Never Before Seen Images of Stevie Ray Vaughan Revealed
I reclaimed two photographs from my archive of negatives dating back to the 1980s and 1990s, a continuous archaeological search for valuable shots I had either never printed or long forgotten. The first image, taken on March 25, 1983, was printed and published shortly after but not since. The second, from June 20, 1983, falls into the forgotten category.
These photos will eventually be included in my second book, a collection showcasing my photography evolution from film Leicas to digital Sony Alpha cameras.
This particular image was captured the first time I saw Stevie Ray Vaughan. I met him during soundcheck hours before the show. It accompanied a review published days later in Public News, a small Houston-based independent New Wave/Punk paper active mostly in the 1980s.
“All involved, including me, had aspirations and hopes for wider distribution and a more professionally printed publication, but it was not to be. But Stevie Ray Vaughan was bound for glory like an unstoppable train (thankfully.)”
At the time, Stevie's debut album with his stellar band Double Trouble, featuring Chris “Whipper” Layton and Tommy Shannon, Texas Flood, was still three months away. Public News sent me to see Stevie along with interviewers whose questions focused heavily on his connection with David Bowie via Let’s Dance.
Author's summary: These rare photos highlight an early moment in Stevie Ray Vaughan's rise, capturing his raw energy before his breakthrough with Double Trouble and growing fame.