Remembering Stevie Ray Vaughan: Performing ‘Lenny’ Live

Today marks the anniversary of the tragic death of guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughan, who was killed in a helicopter crash following a performance with Eric Clapton at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in Wisconsin. At the young age of 35, Vaughan’s successful and influential career was cut all too short, robbing the world of one of the truly remarkable guitar players to ever live.

With his iconic Fender Stratocaster. Vaughan burst onto the scene with his band Double Trouble with the 1983 release of their debut LP Texas Flood. Featuring what would become one of his best known originals “Pride And Joy” and a standout cover of the title track, the album marked the start of what became a Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame career.

Below is a live performance of the closing song on Texas Flood – the SRV original “Lenny.” Named after his wife at the time Lenora Bailey, the gorgeous instrumental showcases Vaughan’s range of abilities, layering delicate runs with poignant restraint. The 8+ minute live performance comes from a show held July 20, 1983 during the Texas Flood Tour at El Mocambo in Toronto, which was filmed and later officially released.

Backed by Double Trouble drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon watch SRV lay down “Lenny” here:

[Originally Published: August 27, 2016]