Stevie Ray Vaughan Net Worth
What was Stevie Ray Vaughan’s net worth?
Stevie Ray Vaughan, the American musician and producer, had a net worth of $8 million at the time of his death. He was known for his work as the frontman and guitarist of the blues rock band Double Trouble. Despite his short career, he is considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time and an influential figure in blues music.
However, Vaughan struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, as well as the pressures of fame. He tragically died in a helicopter crash in 1990.
Early Life and Career
Stevie Ray Vaughan was born in Dallas, Texas in 1954 to Jimmie and Martha. He had an older brother named Jimmie Jr. From a young age, Vaughan showed an interest in music and received his first toy guitar from Sears on his seventh birthday. Two years later, he received his first electric guitar from his brother. Vaughan joined his first band, the Chantones, in 1965. He attended Justin F. Kimball High School in the early 70s but dropped out to pursue music in Austin.
Throughout his early career, Vaughan played with various bands including the Brooklyn Underground, the Southern Distributor, Krackerjack, Liberation, Cast of Thousands, and Blackbird, which he formed himself. In 1973, he joined Marc Benno’s band the Nightcrawlers and performed shows across the South. Two years later, Vaughan joined Paul Ray and the Cobras and went on tour with the group.
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Rise to Fame
In 1977, Vaughan left the Cobras to form Double Trouble. The band played at the Rome Inn in Austin, where accountant Edi Johnson noticed Vaughan and recommended him to artist manager Chesley Millikin. Millikin signed Vaughan in 1979, but the band had not yet achieved national recognition.
Record producer Jerry Wexler recommended Double Trouble to Claude Nobs, who booked them for the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1982. There, Vaughan was noticed by David Bowie, who brought him on to play guitar on his album “Let’s Dance.” In 1983, Gregg Geller of Epic Records signed Double Trouble and their debut album “Texas Flood” reached number 38 in the US and sold half a million copies. Vaughan’s high-profile appearances and concert tours made him a pioneering figure in the 1980s blues revival.
Double Trouble’s Albums and Vaughan’s Commercial Success
The band’s second album, “Couldn’t Stand the Weather,” outpaced the sales of “Texas Flood” within two weeks of its release in 1984. “Soul to Soul,” released in the following year, peaked at number 34 on the Billboard 200 and earned a gold certification. “Live Alive,” an LP recorded during three live appearances, was released next. Double Trouble’s fourth and final studio album, “In Step,” was released in 1989 and peaked at number 33 on the Billboard 200. Vaughan’s most commercially successful release, “In Step” earned him his first Grammy Award and spawned his only number-one hit single, “Crossfire.” Vaughan headlined Madison Square Garden and the Beale Street Music Festival.
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Struggle with Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s battle with drug and alcohol addiction began at just six years old when he started stealing his father’s drinks. Over the next 25 years, Vaughan became addicted to cocaine, often mixing it with whiskey. During a European tour in September of 1986, Vaughan fell seriously ill from dehydration and checked himself into The London Clinic. He then entered Peachford Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia for rehabilitation.
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Romantic Relationships
From 1973 to 1979, Vaughan was in a relationship with Lindi Bethel. Following their split, he married Lenora Bailey, but they divorced in 1988. Vaughan’s last known romantic relationship was with Janna Lapidus, which ended in 1990.
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Legacy
In 1990, Stevie Ray Vaughan died in a helicopter crash in Wisconsin, along with four others. The cause of the crash was determined to be pilot error. Vaughan’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Omniflight Helicopters, which was settled out of court. Despite his tragic death, Vaughan’s music continued to be successful. Posthumous releases, including the Grammy-winning “Family Style,” contributed to his legacy. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Vaughan the seventh greatest guitarist of all time in 2003. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. Vaughan’s influence on blues rock continues to shape the genre, inspiring artists such as Mike McCready, Chris Duarte, and Albert Cummings.
