The Incredible Journey Of How Stevie Ray Vaughan Put The Blues Back In The Limelight

A memorable moment in the film The Shawshank Redemption is when Andy Dufresne slides down a sewage pipe to freedom and is later cleaned off by the rain. Stevie Ray Vaughan’s latter years are captured in this moment. He struggled with alcohol and drug abuse, near-death experiences, and unhealthy relationships. With the release of his final album, In Step (1989), he found salvation. Similar to Andy, Stevie Ray Vaughan glided through a great deal of dirt before appearing spotless.

In Step is not only Stevie Ray Vaughan’s best album but also one of the most important for blues music. It’s as crucial as Robert Johnson’s King Of The Delta Blues Singers, BB King’s Live At The Regal, and John Mayall’s Blues Breakers. This fourth and final studio album with his band, Double Trouble, was his biggest hit. In Step won the 1989 Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album and produced the No.1 single “Crossfire” on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart. This album is where Stevie Ray Vaughan truly found his voice.

In 1989, music was filled with flashy rock and metal bands. Before Grunge took over, Vaughan brought blues back into the spotlight. Unlike the flashy guitarists of his time, Vaughan’s sound came from classic American amplifiers. He played his amps loud and clear, adding just a bit of overdrive with his heavy touch, heavy strings, and Ibanez Tube Screamer pedals. On In Step, you can hear the raw sound of his Fender Stratocasters, just like Jimi Hendrix.

While 80s rockers changed their guitars, Vaughan loved the vintage originals. He made the classic Stratocaster popular again, much like Slash did for the Gibson Les Paul. His tone on In Step defined modern electric blues.

From Near-Death to Inspiring New Artists

In Step inspired a new generation of blues artists in the 90s and beyond, like Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Jonny Lang. These artists, joined later by Joanne Shaw Taylor, Oli Brown, Laurence Jones, and Quinn Sullivan, found their way into blues thanks to Vaughan. Kenny Wayne Shepherd recalls seeing Stevie Ray Vaughan at seven years old and being inspired to get serious about the guitar.

The most amazing thing about In Step is that it was made at all. Vaughan was on a path of self-destruction until he decided to record this album. He started drinking young, and by 1986, he was deep into drugs. After a near-fatal overdose in Germany and another close call in London, Vaughan was told to get clean or die within two weeks. He managed to get clean and returned to the stage, starting with a concert with Bonnie Raitt in November 1986.

The journey to In Step began with Vaughan’s sobriety. In December 1988, producer Jim Gaines joined the project. Despite problems with recording, including moving studios, the result was amazing.

In Step is all about Vaughan. While it includes covers of blues classics, Vaughan’s true voice shines through. His sobriety brought out a new level of creativity. Songs like “Tightrope” and “Wall Of Denial” talk about his struggles without feeling sorry for himself. There’s a sense of joy in tracks like “The House Is Rockin’,” inviting everyone in to celebrate.

Producer Jim Gaines pushed Vaughan to do his best. The sessions, initially tough due to technical issues, eventually produced Vaughan’s finest work. Despite being unsure about moving studios, Vaughan recognized the album’s brilliance and thanked Gaines warmly.

Stevie Ray Vaughan didn’t get a happy ending. He tragically died in a helicopter crash on August 27, 1990, at age 35. His final performance was with Eric Clapton, who later praised Vaughan’s talent.

Listening to In Step today, it’s clear that this sober, reborn Stevie Ray Vaughan was just getting started. The album remains a testament to his enduring influence and the revitalization of blues music.