Stevie Ray Vaughan, born Stephen Ray Vaughan on October 3, 1954, in Dallas, Texas, grew up in a turbulent household marked by his father's alcoholism and frequent relocations. The younger brother of guitarist Jimmie Vaughan, he was a shy child who discovered his passion for music early. At age seven, he received a toy guitar as a birthday gift and began learning by ear, heavily influenced by his brother's records. By his teens, Vaughan was immersed in the blues, drawing from legends like Albert King, Otis Rush, Muddy Waters, Freddie King, and Guitar Slim, as well as rock icons Jimi Hendrix and Lonnie Mack, and jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell. He acquired his first electric guitar—a hand-me-down Gibson ES-125T from Jimmie—in 1963 and started performing publicly at age 11. Alcoholism crept into his life young, starting at age six, which would later impact his career. Early Career and Formation of Double Trouble (1965–1981) Vaughan's professional journey began in 1965 with local Dallas bands like the Chantones and the Brooklyn Underground, where he played in bars despite his youth. He dropped out of high school in 1972 and relocated to Austin, Texas, the heart of the burgeoning blues scene, joining acts such as the Southern Distributor, Liberation, Blackbird, Krackerjack, and the Nightcrawlers. In 1975, he gigged with Paul Ray and the Cobras at iconic venues like Antone's and Soap Creek Saloon, jamming with idols like Buddy Guy and Albert King. His first single, "Other Days"/"Texas Clover," came in 1976. By 1977, Vaughan formed the Triple Threat Revue with singer Lou Ann Barton, bassist W.C. Clark, and drummer Chris "Dr. Z" Layton, recording early tracks like "I'm Cryin'." Lineup shifts in 1978 led to the band's rename as Double Trouble (after an Otis Rush song), with Jackie Newhouse on bass. They secured a residency at Austin's Rome Inn and, in 1980, added bassist Tommy Shannon after a pivotal jam session. This core trio—Vaughan, Shannon, and Layton—would define his signature sound: fiery Texas blues-rock infused with soul and Hendrix-esque flair. Early struggles included a 1979 cocaine possession charge, resulting in probation and mandated rehab, though Vaughan's substance use persisted. Breakthrough and Major Albums (1982–1989) Double Trouble's explosive rise ignited at the 1982 Montreux Jazz Festival, where their raw, high-volume set of covers ("Hide Away," "Texas Flood") and originals ("Pride and Joy," "Love Struck Baby") initially drew boos but captivated David Bowie and Jackson Browne. Browne invited them to record demos, while Bowie recruited Vaughan for guitar duties on his 1983 blockbuster Let's Dance (including the title track and "China Girl"). This exposure led to a deal with Epic Records under legendary A&R exec John Hammond. Their debut, Texas Flood (June 1983), blended covers and originals like the title track (Larry Davis), "Lenny" (an instrumental tribute to Vaughan's wife, Lenora "Lenny" Bailey, married 1979–1988), and peaked at No. 38 on the Billboard 200, eventually going double platinum with over 2 million U.S. sales. Follow-ups solidified his stardom: Couldn't Stand the Weather (1984) hit No. 31 and platinum status, featuring Hendrix's "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" and "The Things (That) I Used to Do" (Guitar Slim); Soul to Soul (1985, No. 34, gold) introduced keyboardist Reese Wynans and tracks like "Change It"; and the live Live Alive (1986) captured Austin energy, though criticized for studio overdubs. Vaughan's addictions peaked in the mid-1980s—a quart of whiskey and quarter-ounce of cocaine daily—leading to a life-saving rehab stint in 1986. Sober and revitalized, In Step (1989) became his commercial pinnacle, reaching No. 33, earning gold certification, and snagging a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album. It yielded his lone No. 1 hit "Crossfire" and standouts like "The House Is Rockin'" and a Howlin' Wolf cover, "Love Me Darlin'." Vaughan's gear—primarily Fender Stratocasters like