Born on October 3, 1954 in Dallas, Texas, SRV would get his first guitar at age seven. His first electric guitar came 2-3 years later from big brother Jimmie. By 1971, SRV would make his first studio recordings and would soon be devoting his life to music.
Influenced and encouraged by the likes of Doyle Bramhall, big brother Jimmie, and a few breaks only a devoted, gifted one deserves, SRV earned the right to be known as one of the elite musicians of all time. A well documented bio for SRV can be found at the official SRV Fan Club.
My first SRV experience came in 1982 while I was channel surfing and happened to find him getting on stage at the Montreax International Jazz Festival in Switzerland. SRV and Double Trouble were not given an overwhelmingly warm reception as some in the crowd were not quite ready for the band's incredible energy and SRV's wailing guitar licks. I, on the other hand, was completely blown away by his music and presence on that stage. However, there was no recorded music to be found until the release of "Texas Flood" the following year.
It would be three years before I would have the honor of watching SRV and Double Trouble perform live. The show was during the New York State Fair in Syracuse, NY on August 23, 1986. SRV would always make a stop in the Northeast during his tours and each time I watched him perform, I knew I was in the presence of greatness. To this day, I know exactly where I was when I learned the tragic news of his death. I still can recall the horrific scene of the accident and the incredibly empty feeling inside on that day. We had just recently been to a show SRV played with Joe Cocker at the Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center in Canandaigua, NY. That feeling is still hard to describe.
Thanks to the work of big brother Jimmie and all the great musicians, both current and future, who SRV has touched, his spirit remains. I consider myself very fortunate to have witnessed his performances.
Thanks SRV.
