Product Description

Now available in paperback, here is the bestselling biography of America's last guitar legend, Texas firebrand Stevie Ray Vaughan. Hailed the greatest guitarist since Hendrix, Vaughan emerged from the hotbed of Texas blues to develop a blistering, unforgettable style all his own. "A rich, complete, and loving portrait."--Detroit Free Press.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #117500 in Books
• Published on: 1994-06-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Austin-based journalists Patoski and Crawford pen a rousing account of Texas blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, who died at age 35 in a 1990 helicopter crash. The Dallas-born Vaughan began playing electric guitar in imitation of older brother Jimmie, who founded the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Both brothers were fixtures of the 1960s and '70s Austin scene, which spawned such rock acts as ZZ Top and allowed Stevie Ray to form his own band, Double Trouble. Vaughan's biggest break was playing on David Bowie's 1983 Let's Dance album; when he brazenly rejected Bowie's offer to tour, he garnered music-industry notice. Later, as his career skyrocketed, Vaughan abused cocaine and whiskey. He underwent treatment in 1986, a process which sealed his friendship with guitarist and recovered heroin addict Eric Clapton. Afterward, Vaughan became a preachy proponent of AA's 12-step program; he is reverently portrayed here as an inspiration to troubled fans. Backed up by plenty of blues history, this enthusiastic tribute ably succeeds as a narrative, adopting the down-home colloquialisms of its subject. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
The authors provide a penetrating first biography of blues/rock guitar virtuoso Vaughn (1954-90). Through the use of extensive interviews, they succeed particularly well in describing Vaughan's childhood relationships with his abusive father and his older brother, who served as a role model. The authors chart Vaughan's initial interest in music, his emergence on the Texas music scene, his 1983 breakthrough, and his continued rise to superstardom until his untimely death in a helicopter crash. Writing in a breezy, engaging style, they offer an intimate look at the insecurities and abilities of Vaughan to explain his sometimes tortured, drug-dominated life and his fiery, powerful music. Highly recommended for general music collections.
- David Szatmary, Univ. of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
The brief life of the legendary Texas blues-guitarist, well told by Patoski (a senior editor at Texas Monthly) and writer/radio producer Crawford, both of whom live in Austin and saw dozens of Vaughan concerts. Raised around Dallas, Vaughan (1954-90) was a guitar prodigy whose greatest influence was his older brother Jimmie, also a guitarist. Whatever musical instrument Jimmie tried to play, Vaughan was sure to imitate him, and as his brother got better instruments, Stevie played Jimmie's electric hand-me-downs. At ten, Vaughan already was feeding on the legends of Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Johnny Ace, and Bobby ``Blue'' Bland. Determined to make a living off his guitar, he quit school and took his group to Austin, which was then a mirror of the hippie paradise in San Francisco. Even so, Vaughan was neck-deep in low self-esteem and forever hid behind his guitar, but as his powers became more widely known, his intensity as a musician only deepened: During one gig, after playing his finger callus off down to the quick, he borrowed some Superglue, glued the callus back on, and went on with the show. Vaughan played blues with all the giants, from Eric Clapton to Jeff Beck, but eventually drugs and booze numbed the soul out of his playing. At 32, glazed and whacked out, he went to a Georgia rehab, then--with a hand from fellow recoverer Clapton--made a fabulous comeback, remaining sober to his last breath. Just before his death in a helicopter crash, following a concert with Clapton and some fellow legends, he made a record with brother Jimmie, their first together. Released less than three weeks after Vaughan's death, Family Style instantly zapped the charts. Patoski and Crawford do an exceptionally strong job on Vaughan's final three years sober, his early fears, and his huge comeback. (Thirty-five b&w photographs) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

An extremely in-depth synopsis. Well researched.
I received Caught in the Crossfire as a gift, and I must admit I was skeptical at first. The ominous black cover featuring SRV's silouette seemed to serve as a warning of its content. I feared that the book would only undermine what every fan, indeed everyone who has ever heard of Stevie Ray Vaughan, already knows. That he was, for so long "caught" in a world of reckless drug abuse and alcoholism, but somehow managed to make it to the top. What I found was a biography, mostly matter-of-fact, which left no stone unturned in its research. Every friend, colleague, artist; famous or infamous, who impacted Stevie's career and tragically short life finds their way onto the pages of this work. The bibliography of interviews, while not necessarily reading as a "who's who" in the world of blues, includes individuals who were closest to the guitar legend throughout his life. Paramount of these is his own brother Jimmy. Though not mentioned in the list of exclusive interviews conducted for the book, Jimmy Lee Vaughan's influential guidance in the life of his younger brother is well documented by Patosky. As SRV's hero and kin, we learn where much of Stevie's love for blues music and guitar is rooted. Stevie's mentors in music, from blues legends Albert King and Albert Collins, to Jimi Hendrix and Bonnie Rait are uniquely enveloped in the carnival of ups and downs, triumphs and tragedys of his life. Though at times it tries to unnecessarily re-enact moments in an almost movie script-like format, Caught in the Crossfire is without question the most in depth biography to date of the life of one of the greatest guitar players of our time. It is very well written, and a must for any fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan's music.

A book that will stay with me......
I'm a guitar player and a huge fan of music and the blues specifically. Although I never had a lot of SRV's records, his playing blew me away, as it did most folks. Many years after his death I thought I'd read this and I absolutely couldn't put it down. Patoski transports you back to SRV's beginnings - his family, his famous brother, the bars and dives he played while paying his dues. I've never had a better overview of the Texas music scene spanning over 20 years. But most of all, this book made me love the man. Stevie overcame great obstacles. He conquered his addictions and became a living example of a survivor, only to die tragically in a helicopter crash. It truly broke my heart after reading this book and learning the details of his life. Not only for music fans, but also for anyone wanting to read about recovery and redemption. This story would make a great movie.....but it would be a tear-jerker.

A little pride and joy for us all!
This is a better than average biography. It's well written and the story flows nicely. It depicts the life of Stevie the child (lonely, insecure, shy; and extremely talented though highly intoxicated), straight through to Stevie the man (loving, outgoing, helpful; extremely talented still, though very sober). All too often people pass away at a time in life when all of the demons inside of them have been put to rest. God must see that as a successful ending and a good time to be brought home. SRV's blues guitar style and spirited persona will live on with us forever. This book was an excellent read.