H.R. No. 1555
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The year 2017 marks the 27th anniversary of the
death of Stevie Ray Vaughan, and this milestone provides a fitting
opportunity to reflect on the life and music of this Texas guitar
legend; and
WHEREAS, In the early morning hours of August 27, 1990,
Mr. Vaughan, then just 35 years of age, was killed in a helicopter
crash following a concert in Wisconsin; while his tragic death
robbed the world of a tremendous talent, it could not diminish the
many achievements this gifted musician realized during his brief
but brilliant career; and
WHEREAS, The pride of Oak Cliff, Stevie Ray Vaughan was born
in that Dallas community in 1954 and began playing in area bands
while still a student in junior high school; at age 17, he headed
for Austin, developing his explosive, blues-based style in the
city's music clubs; his years of hard work started to pay off after
he began performing with his legendary backup group, Double
Trouble, in the early 1980s; he got his first widespread exposure
when he played guitar on the David Bowie album Let's Dance, and he
released his own debut, Texas Flood, in 1983 to rave reviews; and
WHEREAS, Over the next seven years, Stevie Ray Vaughan
claimed his spot as one of the most influential rock and blues
guitarists of all time, with his smoldering fret work inspiring
everyone from music superstars to kids trying to learn their first
chords; all five albums he released during his lifetime became
million sellers, and his artistry was recognized with five Grammy
Awards, two of which were bestowed after his death; he also received
numerous other honors, and he and Double Trouble sold out concert
halls around the globe; and
WHEREAS, In addition to achieving professional success, this
revered musician was able to overcome his addiction to drugs and
alcohol in the mid-1980s, and in the years that followed, he lent a
helping hand to other musicians who struggled with substance abuse;
and
WHEREAS, A monument memorializing Stevie Ray Vaughan and his
brother and fellow blues icon Jimmie Vaughan is being erected in
2017 by the City of Dallas in Kiest Park, where the two often played
in their youth; the sculpture consists of four COR-TEN steel-framed
screens, with each panel displaying pictures of the hometown heroes
and their song lyrics cut into the metal; and
WHEREAS, Stevie Ray Vaughan's popularity has endured in the
decades since his passing, with younger generations embracing his
masterful guitar playing and heartfelt singing; fiery, evocative,
and full of Texas soul, his music has earned a special place in the
annals of American popular culture and is a source of pride and joy
for countless residents of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life and music of Stevie Ray
Vaughan on the 27th anniversary of his death and honor his
contributions to our state's rich musical heritage.
Alonzo
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1555 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 4, 2017.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House