The Stevie Ray Vaughan MemorialAustin, Texas

Presented by Kimberly HancockApril 6, 2014

You see, we are here, as far as I can tell, to help each other — our brothers, our sisters, our friends, our enemies. That’s to help each other, not hurt each other. — Stevie Ray Vaughan

Who was Stevie Ray Vaughan?

About SRV:

First studio recording − 1970

Moved to Austin − 1971

Stephen Ray Vaughan aka Stevie, SRVOctober 3, 1954 – August 27, 1990

Stevie is known as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of blues music, and one of the most important figures in the revival of blues in the 1980’s.

Why a Memorial in Austin?

SRV considered Austin home and moved his blues band Blackbird here in 1971. He played in the local Austin bands the Nightcrawlers and the Cobras, Austin’s Band of the Year in 1976, before starting his second band, the Triple Threat Review in 1977.

The bands name was changed to Double Trouble and when joined by bassist Tommy Shannon in 1981, a power trio was born.

S.S. Presidente, New Orleans LA Jazz & Heritage Festival (with Albert Collins)

1988

About the Memorial• Commissioned

by the Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial Fund - 1993

• Artist: Ralph

Helmick

• Landscape Designer: Tom Randall, City of Austin

• Size: 94“h x 43"w x 158"d

• Material: Bronze

LocationThe site was designed by the artist and Tom Randall, a landscape architect for the City, with the aim of creating a contemplative enclave within a large park.

The figure is unapologetically realistic; the bronze shadow--showing him playing guitar--is a metaphor for his musical legacy.

Google Map and Other Online Information

The Future

A project to create an interactive addition to the memorial is currently being produced and curated by Bat City Creative, an Austin-based new media company.

The goal of the interactive memorial project is to provide visitors to the memorial access to real time videos, music and information available on the internet about SRV directly on their mobile device.