British guitarist reaction to Stevie Ray Vaughan's LIVE nightmare scenario!

A guitarist's worst nightmare, a broken string whilst playing live! But this is how Stevie deals with it.
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[@playagibson]

I’ve seen Stevie three times and at one show he broke the low E. His guitar tech changed the string while he continued playing. He tuned it while playing and he never missed a beat. He is a legend .

[@wingsofpegasus]

I still can't believe he breaks those strings in the first place!

[@susanrasmussen2476]

Wow! You're lucky.

[@subversivelysurreal3645]

playagibson : “ Stevie did everything that I told him to do. “ ...his manager. It’s fucking heartbreaking, because all SRV wanted to do was...play.

[@subversivelysurreal3645]

Wings of Pegasus : I know, right?

[@TheAxe4Ever]

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Rene Martinez (his tech) were a well oiled machine of badassery!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Haha yes they were!

[@darthhull85]

Now Rene techs for John Mayer.

[@mr.anderson70]

Here's another incredible swap:kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoKXg3iPmaieitk

[@kbowler9266]

@@mr.anderson70 unbelievable, like a colour changing guiltar.

[@subversivelysurreal3645]

TheAxe4Ever 💯 SRV deserved it!

[@joe6096]

It's really a shame how SRV is ignored when people talk about the guitar gods in rock history. Everyone has Hendrix, Clapton, Page, and even David Gilmour on their list which are all among the best, but people really tend to forget SRV and that irks me. There's no one on earth who really even tries to emulate his style because frankly, it would tear your left hand to shreds with those thick strings. It took the rock n roll hall of fame far too long to induct him. He should have been inducted back in the early 2000s which would have been 25 years after his first album, the minimum length of time for eligibility. Instead he was just FINALLY inducted a couple years ago. Shame.

[@joe6096]

@Diego Mendez And he didn't play one note for show, he felt every note he played. The dude was as real as it gets. There wasn't a fake bone in his body. Too bad I was too young to have ever had a chance to see him live. I was only 12 when he died, I wasn't really old enough to appreciate him yet. Not until I was in my early 20s did I start to appreciate him.

[@user-bf1dc5mc2z]

he's always been on my list

[@jerga2002]

I love he is so underground. Mostly only serious guitar players know about him. And we revere him once we are introduced to his magnificent playing outshining, stimulating, depressing and mostly inspiring next generation of players. Let's not forget he is doing all this guitar acrobatics on 13 Gauge stings which are basically anchorage wires for ships.

[@milankotevski1663]

SRV is far from being ignored. Where did you get that nonsense from?

[@Africa-ky1bg]

❗❗❗😎

[@Kyle-dj2gv]

Damn that was smooth. Stevie Ray Vaughan was a genius. One of the greatest guitar players of all time and a brilliant songwriter as well.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Amen to that!

[@deeremeyer1749]

Don't forget the vocalist, composer and bandleader credits. Saying "one of the..." whatever is pointless, non-committal hot air. Everybody who ever does anything is "one of the greatest...." whatevers. Grow a pair, make a definite statement of "fact" as YOU see things and say "The BEST...." or don't bother "sharing" you're "one of the herd" so-called opinion.

[@subversivelysurreal3645]

Kyle : i hate that he died. 💔

[@bestywins]

DEEREMEYER1 lol wow r u glad u go that off your chest. You’re one of the greatest whiners of all time 😂

[@judyisbell]

Kudos to Rene Martinez, Stevie's guitar tech for the last 5-6 years of his life. Rene helped Stevie in so many ways, especially finding exactly the right strings to give Stevie the tone he had to have without the insane thick strings that used to eat up his fingers.

[@CthrutheLInEs]

If I had to listen to one single performer or song for the rest of my life on a loop it would be anything by SRV. Thanks, and good review.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@jbolo5378]

Rene Martinez is a legend in his own right. His resumé reads like a who's who of guitar gods. I've seen that guitar switch a hundred times and it never gets old. Cool review 👍

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks! This is the first time I had seen him, but straight away I thought this dude is seriously on his game!

[@74dartman13]

The man was incredible! I was watching a video where he had a guitar problem with it staying in tune. I took my eyes off the video for a few seconds and looked back and he was playing a different guitar! I had to rewind the video to see the switch! He was awesome!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Lol!

[@brianpage7569]

Rene Martinez, his guitar tech is one of the best in the business and is now John Mayor's guitar tech. Their are pieces and parts of SRV's guitars on John's favorite guitars now.

[@wingsofpegasus]

That's some cool background info, thanks Brian!

[@dianejohanson98]

Stevie Ray Vaughn was the greatest! He and his great music is sorely missed and has been for many years now.

[@MnBicycleCommuter]

I’ve seen this performance a dozen times. It’s always cool to see how smooth he is. If you watch a lot of SRV you start realize how the music flowed through Stevie. Impossible to separate the music from Stevie. Understanding this helps you realize how easy it was for Stevie not to miss a beat. It’s because he was the music and the music was him.

[@wingsofpegasus]

At no point does it ever look like an effort, it's very impressive!

[@MnBicycleCommuter]

I had the good fortune to see SRV play once. It was his last show August 26, 1990. I was in the audience at Alpine Valley that night. He died leaving the venue just after midnight on the 27th. It was a long time ago, but I still tear up when I think about it.

[@bestywins]

Never played a note on anything but I LUV your appreciation and explanations of artists, can't thank you enough

[@rkkotilley358]

am so glad I stumbled upon you a few days ago...your insight of everything guitar is impressive...and I watched a vid of yourself playin a song...an you aint so shabby yourself. also just wanted to say that , SRV shook my hand about 20 yrs ago...an I will never forget how strong his handshake was ...have mist him terribly and am certain so has the world....oh btw , Happy Fathers Day

[@wingsofpegasus]

That's cool! No problem! 🤘

[@poetsdreamsatc]

I just now found this video analysis (2019) of when Stevie breaks a string. I had left a comment on a recent video you did of Stevie - about this very part of the performance where he swaps out guitars and keeps on playing and singing while not missing a beat. I’m sure that part of the audience didn’t even realize why he swapped out his guitar. That’s how smooth he was. I believe there is another performance where I’ve seen him break a string during a song and again - swaps out guitars while still playing and singing and not missing a note. Stevie was such a master on guitar. I have not seen anyone that can swap out a guitar during a song. Thank you Fil! I love that you highlight really crucial moments during a performance that most people wouldn’t even notice! You are one hell of a teacher! And you are an amazing singer in your own right. Man if you lived in the US I would love to take lessons from you. Thank you for all your knowledge and attention to detail. I look forward to each and every analysis video. ❤️🤘🏼

[@darrinros1177]

I saw Stevie in New Orleans (My hometown) he was a beast. Tone from hell. Lenny was sounding like Albert King's V sometimes and Hendrix's strat next. Stevie had massive hands and he abused the hell out of strings. I shook his hand and mine just disappeared in his. He was such a nice human. His vocals are just as amazing. Remember he liked his trem bar upside down. I remember August of 90 about 12 midnight hearing the late Stevie Ray Vaughn. I was shattered. He will never be copied correctly.

[@wingsofpegasus]

It's impossible to play with Stevie's feel I think so it's a pointless exercise!

[@thelunatick1993]

I remember that night too hearing about it on FM Driving in heavy fog down 1-29 plains of South Dakota. Looking out the window I thought was driving along i-90 or I-94 in Wisconsin. Down one of those forested stretches of highway. Damn eerie (SRV died in helicopter crash in heavy fog traveling from Alpine Valley in Wisconsin) Worst thing, as a fan, the winter prior heard he was in town and thought would get another chance to see him someday.

[@isaratx1209]

I had no idea his hands were so big. I remember him as a short, smallish guy, maybe 5’6”. Interesting. He sure could play with emotion. I wonder if his fingers ached or cramped by the end of a show…

[@toziahonaker9889]

I'm from Houston and we all miss Texas' favorite son. RIP Stevie we miss you so much!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Amen.

[@aloisemason3044]

Stevie Ray Vaughan guitar legend and rearranges his guitar to make it his..a string is no problem to Stevie to fix on stage..A master of the strat..phenominal entertainment..RIP

[@Aweso1974]

I don't know how many times I've watched the SRV guitar switch video. I know I've always been amazed by it, but your input on every little detail of it just makes me appreciate Stevie Ray Vaughan's talent and professionalism even more. He was definitely a one of a kind musician and I don't know if the world will ever see another quite like him.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yeah he was one of a kind.

[@melodiehale620]

Slick! True performer! I appreciate how well you explain it all!

[@gar7reever754]

so bada**....he seriously blew my mind and still does... awesome to see young folks loving great music. bless,

[@donrutter6765]

He didnt just break an E string. He broke a .013 E string. Lol.

[@wingsofpegasus]

I know!! You can't even break a .013 E string with a shotgun!

[@viajero_del_tiempo]

0.013 E string with fingers with superglue to heal the sores

[@joe6096]

@@viajero_del_tiempo No doubt Stevie had callouses the size of watermellons at some point. Thickest gauge strings in the business. His low E was practically a bass string. The fingertips of his left hand must have been like bricks. What was that that Mark Knopffler sang? Lemme tell ya, these guys ain't dumb - maybe get a blister on your little finger, maybe get a blister on your thumb!

[@harrietmiller3982]

In the book Texas Flood we learned that after he got sober and healthy, he stepped down to 0.11's. He said he felt like he took boxing gloves off! He could feel his fingers again. I challenge anyone to listen and try to hear any "boxing glove" playing🎶. Just another remarkable factoid.

[@2sc458]

flawless.......and perfect singing through the change. You can see he got a standing O after that song, even without it being a super blazing lead guitar song.

[@johngerson7335]

How about some massive respect for Martinez, the _guitar tech_ who facilitated that switch-over? Couldn't have happened without him.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yeah I have since found out a lot about him! It was a team effort, he really saved the day on this.

[@johngerson7335]

+ wings Cool! Thanks for your reply, cheers!

[@thetotcmband411]

Nice comment dude. I think that would be a great bud lite commercial.

[@johngerson7335]

+ TOTCM Band Thanks man, I appreciate your kind reply.

[@CelticGal57]

Sir Fil, I’m sure people have posted the following before, but it bears repeating. BB King once said “to play the blues, you have to be born black twice. Stevie missed on both accounts but I never noticed.” Miss him terribly. Thanks so much for this, Marianne aka Celtic Gal 5:20

[@jjburkk]

Ok. There's a few things that Americans won't tolerate. One of them is bad mouthing Mr. Stevie Ray Vaughn. Thank you for keeping it respectful. Rainy night, cold beer, a little whiskey, a big hootered woman and some Stevie in the background. HEAVEN!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Haha no problem, anyone heard bad mouthing Stevie is paid a swift visit from Chuck Norris.

[@tweitner]

I work with someone who is a self-professed "music critic", he had his own website for a while. I added the "self-professed" to it when he said "Stevie Ray Vaughan is nothing special, he doesn't play with any feeling or emotion and he's an average guitarist trying to get in as many notes as he can". I've disregarded his musical opinion ever since.

[@thetotcmband411]

I personally would not take anyone serious who talks smack about SRV. I saw him very early at the New Varsity Theater in Palo Alto. The were about 50 to 60 people there. I laid by bike down that evening on my way home..... but I was able to ride it home.. And I asked myself that night,..... I ask what was Stevie smoking........ besides his guitar.

[@peggyconverse7622]

jjburkk couldn't have said it better myself..

[@orphanblacks0126]

Amen! Roses are red, Violets are Blue When I listen to Stevie Ray My neighbors do too !

[@henrynoel3336]

That’s the smoothest switch I’ve ever seen! You can barely tell from listening that anything’s wrong, and you’d never notice him changing guitars if you couldn’t see it. His guitar tech handled that little mishap like a pro too, right there with a new guitar in about 10 seconds flat!

[@wingsofpegasus]

It was like clockwork! He must have been running drills before the gig!

[@cazgerald9471]

10 seconds flat and with just the right touch not to disturb SRV - amazing amazing for both of them.

[@fukhue8226]

Best swap I have ever seen. Real pros!

[@4rcgv]

Good video. Just shows you how talented this man was. I personally never would have known he was missing a string. He never broke character, and he sounds amazing.

[@beezerp.o.p.3632]

I absolutely love seeing this kind of technical expertise - musician, instrument tech, soundboard mixer - all of them intricately involved to fix the issue. I saw Rush many years ago (1985?) where Neal Peart broke his snare head and drum tech magically lifted out the broken one and replaced with same while Neal had rotated to a secondary snare (his kit at the time was pretty much surrounding him) - all without missing a beat.

[@apodis4900]

Unbelievable 😀 flawless handover, but to carry on like that, awesome.

[@jasonite]

Ah, nothing but love and respect for this. He's one of my 5 favorite guitarists of all time, up there with Brian May, Duane Allman, Hendrix, Chuck Berry

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@srogers500]

When I break a string: "Ladies and Gentlemen, we're going to take a quick break............"

[@wingsofpegasus]

Haha! That's another way to do it!

[@pabloperez4063]

and in my case..."Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the end of the show...You can ask for the money back at the entrance"...

[@mackhomie6]

"Got to take a quick break... while I try to find someone who can change a string." I think I've changed sets of strings maybe three times in my life and I played for 15 yrs--including professionally lol. I would pathetically have the guys at guitar center do it. How lame is that

[@srogers500]

I'll try to work my way up to your expert level one day. Till then, I just change guitars.

[@shannonadams8887]

He truly loved what he did and was a titan of the blues. He will always be missed.

[@wingsofpegasus]

A lot of players became better players from watching Stevie :)

[@kevinstimelsky673]

SRV and TEXAS Forever!!!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Keep on rockin' Kevin! \m/

[@OdySlim]

SRV could make it sound good if he had 3 broken strings and loose tuning keys. RIP my Brother Stevie

[@wingsofpegasus]

I don't doubt that!

[@warlock7760]

SRV was a MASTER in every situation! Broken string is just one of them :) He was one of a kind! Simply mind-blowing

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@charity6372]

Hi from Phoenix! Stevie was an amazing talent, truly one of a kind. As a guitar player himself, my dad introduced me to the Vaughan brothers and many others who are masters of their craft. It's so refreshing to see that Stevie is still remembered and appreciated for the genius he was. Thanks for this video!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Hi! No problem, he was certainly ever present when I was learning to play. I think anyone who plays guitar and is serious about learning how to play lead will inevitably run into Stevie as a great learning resource. Both for technique and professionalism.

[@lantzkeefer8674]

First off, RIP Stevie Ray.Got to see him live in 86 and it truly hurt me when he passed.Another great one taken long before their time.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Amen to that.

[@davidclark3603]

His guitar tech was brilliant. I used to break strings regularly live, (with a Floyd Rose) always on a favourite solo moment. When it happens, it seems to feel like “forever”! To get that guitar swapped. Even then, the song never feels like it recovers from the hiccup. Great video again. A good lesson in live professionalism. Thanks Fil !

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@wespuckdog3897]

Comparing SRV to ANYONE is like comparing ice cream to cow shit!!!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Haha that's a great quote!

[@gangnamstylegrandpa6352]

TRUTH !!

[@decadantdog4444]

That's a good one!

[@keithbell8383]

LOLOLOLO

[@peterbrown2112]

As always I love ya Fil! I may have commented on this video before but it is still rewarding to see somebody appreciating a master technician

[@codybarnett2217]

So much respect for SRV. He was truly a master and one of a kind.

[@seansmith4833]

Love your vids. I like the genuine appreciation you have for the artists craft no matter what their genre. SRV was the only “rock star” I ever met. In ‘87 he came through Louisiana for his Live Alive tour and was able to meet him through my uncle who was a Cajun French musician and knew his bassist Tommy Shannon from his Johnny Winter days. I was 12 and really couldn’t appreciate it at the time, but remember how pleasant he was and that when I met him I knew he was a big deal. Not by anything he said, just his presence. Thanks again Fil. Keep up the good work.

[@redcloudshaman2509]

I was lucky enough to live in Tulsa during that time and Stevie came a great many times. He was an amazing virtuoso who never skipped a beat when he broke a string, and he broke many! His hand and finger strength was legendary. He used .13's and his fingers actually dug into the wood of the fretboard as his guitar tech had to refret his instruments at least once a year.

[@wingsofpegasus]

He was a beast on the fretboard!

[@darlatidwell6255]

I just love the whole persona of SRV, such a class act on everything guitar. I imagine he broke a few strings, and that's something most us would not have been able to see if not for your video. So thanks Fil for all the great SRV videos! Rock on 🤘.

[@sugoruyo]

"Stevie knew how to play..." Perhaps the greatest understatement in electric guitar history.

[@billgross2097]

Excellent job fil on one of rock and rolls greatest guitarest. Gone to soon! His music will live forever. A real musical genious. RIP Stevie

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks Bill, amen to that.

[@kentmains7763]

I saw Buddy Guy live and he broke a string, and just like SRV, you'd never have known it.

[@wingsofpegasus]

The top pro's don't miss a beat, and even the journeymen amateurs to be fair!

[@gregmardon6973]

I watch every video I can get my little fingers to find of Stevie Ray Vaughan, I have never seen him do the old guitar switch-a-roo! I have to give you props for turning me on to this one, great job walking people through it too!

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@I_am_Phil_Lee]

Awesome not just by Stevie, but by his guitar tech. BTW, if you think it's a nightmare on a guitar, try a violin, where the recoiling string hits you right in the face, or even (if you are unlucky) the eye. That stings a bit.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Haha wow that's really a bad day if that happens! Yeah I totally agree with the guitar tech, immense guitar changing skills!

[@Sinval_Lima]

René Martinez is a great guitar tech. He has been working with guitar players like SRV, Jimmie Vaughan, Prince, Santana, John Mayer(medium scoop had a little help from him).

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool info! Thanks Sinval!

[@tlgtlg3803]

Phil Lee a guitar tech like that on the same level of playing field that those two must have been to pull some of the things off that they done that's one of the greatest things I think I've ever heard about .

[@kaw628]

Awesome by Stevie and the guitar tech, but can't forget the sound guy who was also on it to mute the guitar while they switched the cable.

[@dr.paulj.watson4582]

So fun to watch and your commentary is great! Thanks again. - PJW

[@tlgtlg3803]

Broken string, no problem, five strings broken? Most likely could have kept some kind of Melody going on one string no matter which one it was until the trade was made, a master at his craft , you can't take nothing away from this man, Only the Good Die Young

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yeah I don't doubt it!

[@tlgtlg3803]

That was his second performance on Austin City Limits, the first time he done Austin City Limits he accidentally nudged his hat on the microphone in front of him , if you watch it carefully he just step back from the microphone took his picking hand straighten the hat between Strokes, if you weren't looking straight at him on the video like I was and not looking at him when he broke a string on his second performance and just by listening you couldn't tell anything that happened, every time I listen to anything from Stevie Ray Vaughan or see anything through a video of him I learn something new, he definitely left his mark and influence on Millions!!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Definitely!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Hi guys! I play and sing a bit, feel free to check out the covers I've done so far! - kzbin.info/aero/PLOVr6dc3HmfmFPVrExjOwMggT0TxRTMY0 www.patreon.com/wingsofpegasus 🤘🤘🤘

[@argo_z]

wingsofpegasus also he was completly self taught and was considered and still is considered one of the greatest guitarist's that ever lived until that fatle helicoptor crash

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yeah it was absolutely tragic that he died so young.

[@guidonelliot5926]

When you break strings as much as Stevie did, this sorta thing was plumb needed. He went through strings like nothing. The angles at the bridge on a strat and his brutal technique.

[@monaj2971]

One of my favorite Stevie videos. Thanks! Can you imagine breaking a 13 gauge string? Lol

[@thebighat99]

I Miss Stevie :.(...

[@wingsofpegasus]

Music does in general too I think.

[@rickkemp2749]

Equally impressive guitar swap occurs at the Capitol Theater during, Life Without You. He has a tuning problem, but, with a wave and glance at his guitar tech, and a few nods later he's playing a different guitar. So seamless, if you blink, you'll miss it.

[@EdDanaGuitar]

No! He didn't have a fixed bridge! He had a traditional Fender floating Trem! ALL HIS GUITARS DID! And it goes out of tune as well... it was his ability to hold it together!

[@wingsofpegasus]

There isn't a noticeable change in pitch, so the floating trem must have been pretty rock steady in it's position as he doesn't alter his fretting hand. If his strings changed pitch he would have to individually bend each note every time he played it to the correct pitch, and this would vary from string to string. It would be an absolute nightmare! I'm going to do a video on Steve Vai when he breaks a string live on a floyd rose,and all hell breaks loose! Thanks for the comment!

[@EdDanaGuitar]

Check out videos of his rig, 5 springs and he used a hybrid set of strings starting with a .13 on the high E. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYe1d5iXfNaIjqc

[@wadeyoung-jelinek3663]

Breaking the string would cause all the others to go flat due to the reduced tension on the floating trem. He was clearly compensating by bending back up to pitch. Masterful work by both Stevie and the tech.

[@bryanbanks1966]

Finally, someone nails it. All of his axes had floating tremolos. Thanks for pointing this out.

[@riahietala3947]

DAMN this is impressive. Both on the part of SRV and his tech. They make it look like it was planned, rather than a broken string.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yeah a superb change over!

[@richardking9621]

Stevie was a great player. Still miss him.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Definitely had his own sound which is rare!

[@seanmiller7889]

One of my favorite performances. Simply amazing. That guitar tech is a real pro. Very tragic, Stevie had so much more music to give.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yeah he died way too young.

[@davidsokol6300]

Saw a video of BB King break a string and he restrung the broken string while singing. Thought it was pretty crazy!!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Haha that sounds awesome!

[@brianbaldusmusic]

Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4nac6auiaerfa8

[@BingBangBye]

I saw him do that live at the Austin Music Hall back in the late 80's.

[@cashenjoe1]

I replayed that clip on my DVD many times, amazing! Great video on your part too!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Haha cool! Thanks Joseph!

[@luzdaviola]

SRV is a legend! A genius! I put him up there with Hendrix. They were "brothers" on guitar. He played with flair, passion, heart, soul and an almost unrivaled technical ability. The perfect guitarist as far as I am concerned. RIP SRV!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Everything I've seen him do has been fantastic!

[@luzdaviola]

wingsofpegasus did you ever see him live? I never had the priviledge. Didn't he play with a really heavy gauge? 13 - 56 or something?

[@UncleBrentMusic]

Yeah, Stevie was so great and TONE to die for!!! Thanks for posting your reaction. Thanks, Uncle Brent

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@richardnunez3474]

It just speaks to the amazing dedication and love of his craft. SVR Greatest!!!!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Amen!

[@patricleslie7596]

You’ve been on point with your analysis from the start of these videos 🤘

[@progx8679]

There's always a first time for everyone ! I'm Glad a younger Gen is getting into SRV, I'm 59' myself and an serious Concert goer and Have seen pretty much all the Classic Rock & Prog Bands thanks to my 6 yr older Brother at the time not minding to take me in the early years ! My first Concert was Yes in 1972' !!! been going ever since and I was lucky enough to see Stevie 3 times in 5 yrs, he was always Great but so much better during his last tour when he was clean & sober . God rest his Soul !! Thanks : )

[@wingsofpegasus]

That's awesome! It must have been great to see in the flesh. A lot of people think creative people need drink or drugs to be creative, but the truth is when you're as good as Stevie the drink only gets in the way. Same with a lot of top performers in my opinion.

[@progx8679]

No Doubt, during the 1970s the Rock bands so many of them were so wasted and was so disappointing as you waited months to see them, ones I remember that were really Coked up or drunk was the Sabbath tours of Sabotage in 75' and Technical Ecstasy in 76' Both Geezer and Ozzie were toast !! at the TE show Ozzie could sing only half the songs !! Saw Thin Lizzy a bunch of times from Jailbreak on, one of their later tours I think Chinatown Phil was really in a bad way sad because they were always tight live ! These concerts were in Boston with two years in NYC then back to Boston area. But as you can tell from my Handle I'm a Huge Prog fan and those Bands were always tight and never wasted for their more complex music... King Crimson, Yes, Genesis, Jethro Tull, Gentle Giant, Nektar, ELP, Pink Floyd, Rush, etc they were always fantastic Live !! Stevie was to even though in his earlier days he drank a lot, his playing was much better "In Step" album on !! Thanks for your reply wings !! : )

[@michaelyork4554]

I saw yes on the Close to the Edge Tour, and on the following 2 tours, they had the nylons strung around, and the running man on the big screen on CTTE Love YES My Brother was 5 years older and he turned me on to all this when I was 13 thanks Bro. Never got to see Stevie, luckily we have YT now, I've been playing guitar for 40 years now Love Stevie.

[@progx8679]

Super Koool michael, Same kid of thing with the older Brothers !! I had to like the music because thats all he did Lol, he was in a bands growing up, I guess we all took a crack at it, He's and avid Bass collector God some 20 + mostly Rickenbacker & Fenders, I played Guitar ( I wish I had all the Guitars I sold now !! 70s Les Pauls, SG, ES, Stats, Rick 330 I would be counting the cash now !! Lol ) and Drums for years, was a Much better drummer Prog stuff mostly but just for myself now. Thanks for posting !! : )

[@michaelyork4554]

Yeah I pawned his '72 Les Paul Studio, I don't think he has ever forgiven me for that one, but I have a ES 175 copy, and ES 335 copy, my trusty Strat and my Yamaha acoustic and like you I have bought and sold LP's and Strats, and Ibanez no Ricks but they have copies of those too, got my eye on one of those for sure. Always wanted to play Drums, just not feasible unless you have a soundproof place but I do have a small electronic kit, I put some recordings on YT about 8 years ago, thinking about getting some mic's and firing up some new stuff with my new Fender amp with the fuse software, very cool guitar modeling app, it's so easy to do recording now.

[@ResponseDigitalMedia]

Talk about the old generation of guys… I saw BB King break a string back in the late 70s. After the concert and after most of the audience left, the hard-core fans that kept clapping for several minutes got a big treat. BB came back out and played a few more songs for the small remaining group. At this point I was right at the base of the stage when he broke a string and then changed it without skipping a beat. He kept singing and playing the guitar while changing and even tuning his replacement string. Because of his style he could hit a few notes then sing while doing his handiwork then play some more, until he was done. If you only heard the audio you would never know what had transpired. Now nearly 40 years later i’m still in awe. Thanks for triggering my memories with this video! By the way this was at the Great Southern Music Hall in Orlando somewhere around 1978 or 79

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool story! Back in the day musicians did it for the love of it which is always the way it should be. Now everything is so commercialised and even artists won't perform unless it's for the right price. It's sad really!

[@ResponseDigitalMedia]

Thanks Phil, Well the fact that he played about a half a set extra for just a handful of fans says it all...

[@shirleymuhleisen683]

In addition the tech, his band mates kept a little blues action going on during switch overs. I saw one concert with two changes-his brother Jimmy picked up the beat-super 😎

[@yourontheair]

What great teamwork. 1st concert saw John McLaughlin and Jean-Luc Ponty 73 Capital Passaic NJ. Rock to you too.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

[@chrisfitzmaurice7484]

Just another day in Stevie's world.

[@jeffreydrayton]

I love these analysis videos! Thank you for your insight. Yes, this has to have been the smoothest "dealing with a broken string" performance I've ever seen. Clearly not Mr. Vaughan's first rodeo.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@billhicks3835]

It's mostly because the old greats spent years playing live before they were even drawing crowds then for years more before they got really popular. They act like proffesionals because that's what they had to be or they didn't last. That's not the first or fiftieth string break Stevie's had to play through. Even with those guages and tuned down those bends will break strings.

[@wingsofpegasus]

He was a beast of a player for sure. The years on the road are evident in these situations!

[@L.Kneemoy]

Simply the best indeed... R.I.P. Stevie, thanks for this review. Cheers!!

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem Chris thanks for the comment!

[@fabricosta9488]

You're talking about GOD. SRV is GOD with a Strat. Period!

[@wingsofpegasus]

I agree completely!

[@TheNoncritical1]

God is God. Let's not blaspheme.

[@gatekeeper65]

@@TheNoncritical1 This isn't a religion forum. Please keep your ridiculous religious garbage to yourself, nobody asked for them.

[@micheleparker8123]

AMEN, BROTHER!!!💖

[@SOBpole22]

Saw S.R.V., four times, once he was playing 3rd stone from the sun, his whammy bar went flying. He got out #2, and laid it on the ground, and was whammying the crap out of if, bouncing it off the ground, awesome.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Haha great story!

[@mikefreer7996]

I wholeheartedly agree. An AMAZING feat! However, I do have to mention. The bridge on this particular guitar is not fixed. It has a fender trem on it. And if you’ve ever popped a string on an old fender you know his guitar was instantly out of tune. He was bending the strings to the proper pitch to stay on key. A true master.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Someone here said he had 5 springs to hold the bridge in place, but even still the low E you can hear drift out of tune so some adjustments had to be made!

[@DizzyKrissi]

Stevie could play his guitar in his dreams so he is always aware of what is possible. Changing guitars is as flawless as his playing was. R.I.P - no one ever came even close to him.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Amen!

[@alan98bert]

Being from Texas I had the pleasure of seeing SRV live 6 times.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Wow that's awesome!

[@isaratx1209]

I had the pleasure of living in Austin in the 70’s & 80’s and was able to see SRV, Jimmie Vaughn, BB King, Johnny & Edgar Winter, Freddie King, Buddy Guy, Albert King, Muddy Waters and more including Hendrix, Clapton, Page, and the great Alvin Lee. We had to go to Houston to see the big names back then. I’m sure there’s more; this was just off the top of my head.I can’t tell you who’s best, they’re all great, but SRV was always very special. He was literally so fluid. The music just flowed out of him. I remember back in the day thinking Leo Kotke was the best, Alvin Lee was stupefying, but anyone who ever saw SRV will tell you he was absolutely mesmerizing. Pure genius. ❤❤❤

[@wowojeejee]

SRV is by far the best guitarist who lived during my 62 years.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Amen to that!

[@cersadescosmos7497]

According to you but for it to mean anything you would have to be someone of importance and I gather you're not so it doesn't mean a thing. Or he must have been the only one you ever heard.

[@danielbennett1065]

@ Cersades Cosmos, You are incredibly stupid!

[@candyland9154]

I'm the same age and I agree

[@claytongillaspy8847]

There is no best guitarist only who you think is the best or your favorite as Roy Buchanan said during his incredible rockplasst concert a fan said number one and Roy commented there is no number one but thank you for your backing Roy was every bit as good as srv or better I like them both equally well as well as Rory Gallagher bill frissell Danny gatton Scotty Anderson les Paul Chet Atkins frank marino Wes Montgomery pat martino joe pass Larry ritenour pat metheney Larry Carlton Lenny breau jr brown and joe bonamassa all these players are every bit as good as srv but it’s just an opinion guys and last but hardly least is Jeff beck and Gary Moore who am I forgetting?

[@t-boog2173]

That's great. Kind of like a pit crew. My favorite, when it comes to "cool under fire" is Buddy Guy. It was also on Austin City Limits. He popped a string, finished the song then started telling the crowd a personal story. While he's talking, he's very slowly removing the string. He then coiled the string up, walked out in the crowd and gave it to an older fan. When he got back to the stage, his tech had another guitar plugged and ready. So he turned a popped string into an opportunity to connect & bond with his audience plus sent a fan home with a cool souvenir. I was a teen then(in the 80's) but I learned something from that. The crowd is on your side. They know technical difficulties happen(Axl Rose being 2 hours late is a diff story). But whatever happens, just handle it with calm, class and a sense of humor. It's only a nightmare if we treat it like one. Rock On!

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@sjd5750]

I wanted to recognize the professionalism of the "Johnny on the spot " guitar tech, so I googled who he was. Took me about a minute and a half..His name is Rene Martinez. Pretty impressive background as one would have to be to work exclusively for Stevie, while on the road..He has worked for many others since, as well.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Great shout Steve, Rene was at the top of his game for this gig, i'm sure Stevie would have had him on every tour he could, especially after this! It's great to see, as guitar techs don't get any limelight but when called upon this dude seriously delivered.

[@omneil]

I Subscribed. Played Guitar in a band when I was younger. Stevie Ray passed way too early RIP. I love his Guitar playing.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks dude! I know it was tragic, such a legend.

[@billdowney6891]

That my friend, is the face òf a true professional. Stevie broke strings constantly.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yeah he was a beast on the strings!

[@billdowney6891]

wingsofpegasus, this is from Austin City Limits about a year before he passed. I highly recommend the dvd.

[@Jason-wo5rr]

What I love about Stevie is he was a guitar player for all guitar players. Even hardcore metal shredders have Stevie in their top 5 guitar players. Stevie affected us all in some way and left us a major legacy. It's gonna be a long time until we see the likes of his kind again.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yeah he was a master of the blues, but then from nowhere he'd hit you with a line that was super fast and technically on point. He seemed to have pretty much everything in his tool box!

[@michaelyork4554]

Just think if He played with normal gauge strings, he would have broken strings all the time, he was hard on His guitar strings.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yeah you can see him giving the strings something to worry about, one just got the hell outta there!

[@bospqr]

yeah I agree...to me it always looked almost like he was grabbing the strings and moving the guitar...not a player myself, but always a listener, I could appreciate real raw talent that had been seasoned by years of work Noticing by sight the way SRV would devastate strings only made me love his playing more.

[@progx8679]

Michael I read in a Guitar Player mag once back then that he used 13's !!!! Damn strong fingers !!

[@russelllevinton6312]

In 1978 my friends and I walked into a small club in Austin, TX looking for drinks and chicks. SRV and Double Trouble were playing. I left having not met anyone but happy I got to see one of the, if not THE best ever...Stevie Ray Vaughan!

[@sonjalee1977]

Nobody better than Mr. SRV.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Amen to that!

[@cmrjc74]

SRV is absolutely outstanding just tremendous guitar playing I bow to your excellence

Stevie Ray was just too GOOD for this planet!

[@wingsofpegasus]

I think he actually was not from this planet!

[@charleystreather8237]

Nicely explained and good explanation of the nightmare scenario when a string breaks when playing live. Stevie just cruised through it, it looked like a well rehearsed changeover of guitars, but can’t you just imagine the the underlying thought processes to keep the song going and get the other guitar slung on? It just doesn’t get any better in my opinion, a true performer, a consummate and phenomenal player who raised the bar not just with his techniques, but with his soulful, super accurate playing...fast, slow, loud, quiet, his touch and feel combined with a masterful vibrato just nailed everything he did. Such a loss to us all. Best wishes, keep ‘em coming Fil.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks Charley!

[@muhammadhadzronmahdi7513]

SRV..what a monster..he influence many guitarist..a legend..a master of blues..virtuoso..his trademark of licks can be heard till today...if malmsteen is the king of neo classical..SRV is certainly the king of blues..even he influence the great malmsteen..that must be one of the coolest guitar transition that will be remembered..what a legend

[@wingsofpegasus]

Definitely, I think Gary Moore probably learned a thing or two from him at the time in secret!

[@muhammadhadzronmahdi7513]

wingsofpegasus yeap..maybe..gary moore is another monster with his alarm blues..sometimes its not the gear..sometime people think..they have the same gear as SRV had..their playing will be like SRV..for me thats not true..what makes SRV great is because..he is SRV..gear is a bonus..good for u..if u have the gear and all that stuff..but u will never be like SRV..just my opinion

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yeah making your sound unique is the hardest part of it all, SRV was certainly that.

[@muhammadhadzronmahdi7513]

wingsofpegasus making ur sound unique is one thing..but making ur sound and licks that guitarist refer to and used in their playing is the most hardest..

[@tlgtlg3803]

I also noticed it on Buddy Guy's song leave my little girl alone the song is originally in A, keeping to the arrangement in the vocals Stevie played the song in the B flat position on the 6th fret bar, which made the song played in B-flat position, .. a little more difficult to do but very doable. I watch and research many many videos over and over and over again, to the point where some people think I'm obsessed,, I love the Blues and it was nothing for me to pick up on Stevie as he was coming up I am the same age as he was I am 64 now and I am still learning it's amazing what this man done in the short time that he had!!

[@wingsofpegasus]

He definitely left his mark!

[@tomwilliamson6545]

There's a BB King video up there where he breaks a string and replaces it while singing and then get back into playing his guitar

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yeah I saw that today! He just got on with it while singing!

[@dustinshadle732]

a very diverse and talented man, taken from this world too soon. even if you dont get into blues, he has so much to teach, even with the generations coming up

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yeah he was technically sound as well as having the feel. It's a rare combination!

[@xxn0thing]

SRV is legend.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Amen!

[@handedtoyou2477]

I was in Austin late one Saturday night at a club called Antones. Antone was a friend SRV and had just gotten out of jail on a pot charge and he was having an "I'm back" party that night with a bunch of excellent musicians including Buddy Guy. Anyway, they stopped selling alcohol at 1 and most people stayed to hear the jams though. By 2:30 the crowd had thinned out quite a lot, maybe 50-70 people left in the place. Well, in walked a guy with a guitar case and yep, it was SRV. He proceeded to play for a little over an hour- an hour of blistering blues and deep southern rock. That's the only time I saw him live. He died in that helicopter crash where he took Claptons seat. He saved Claptons life that night.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Awesome story dude!!

[@iceman5866]

he was a master the best ever,

[@wingsofpegasus]

He gets better the more you watch him play somehow!

[@thomasgiles6991]

I saw Josh white, jr. Change a string in concert at the Troubadour in 1963. His was an acoustic guitar and he just kept performing. He got a big round of applause.