Stevie Ray Vs Jimi
Stevie Ray Vaughan vs. Jimi Hendrix
Over the years Stevie Ray Vaughan was subject to a lot of criticism for sounding similar to Jimi Hendrix which, in turn, led to an untold number of comparisons between the two of them. In fact, the “SRV or Jimi” debate is one of the most vehemently argued among rock fans the world over.
Who was the better of the two and why? Let us first examine the similarities between the two guitar players to identify why they were compared.
Both Jimi and Stevie played blues rock and were pioneers in their own time. In addition, both channeled their musical mastery using fender strat guitars and both used Marshall amplifiers. In addition, they had a similar guitar sound and obviously Stevie was heavily influenced by Jimi. Furthermore, they both wore flamboyant costumes and each held a powerful stage presence. They both died at an early age; both relatively poor and in the beginning of their incredible careers. Each were addicts at one time or another during their short lives, with Stevie more prone to alcohol abuse and Jimi into harder drugs.
Both artists made such an impression on their fans that their music remains almost unparalleled; except within the realm of their comparison to one another. But that’s truly where their similarities end.
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s technical skill was nothing short of extraordinary. He was hugely influential in restoring the popularity of blues rock in the late 70s, and throughout the following decade, when the world was polyester clad and disco dancing to KC and the Sunshine band. Stevie charmed the masses, playing fast and clean. He would use heavy distortion and tremolo (a distortion created by fast repetition of the same note) from time to time but his true magic came from his nimble fingers. When he covered the Hendrix song,“Little Wing”, he played with such precision; no one would mistake him for Jimi. When Stevie performed at the MTV Unplugged, he electrified the audience with his
Over the years Stevie Ray Vaughan was subject to a lot of criticism for sounding similar to Jimi Hendrix which, in turn, led to an untold number of comparisons between the two of them. In fact, the “SRV or Jimi” debate is one of the most vehemently argued among rock fans the world over.
Who was the better of the two and why? Let us first examine the similarities between the two guitar players to identify why they were compared.
Both Jimi and Stevie played blues rock and were pioneers in their own time. In addition, both channeled their musical mastery using fender strat guitars and both used Marshall amplifiers. In addition, they had a similar guitar sound and obviously Stevie was heavily influenced by Jimi. Furthermore, they both wore flamboyant costumes and each held a powerful stage presence. They both died at an early age; both relatively poor and in the beginning of their incredible careers. Each were addicts at one time or another during their short lives, with Stevie more prone to alcohol abuse and Jimi into harder drugs.
Both artists made such an impression on their fans that their music remains almost unparalleled; except within the realm of their comparison to one another. But that’s truly where their similarities end.
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s technical skill was nothing short of extraordinary. He was hugely influential in restoring the popularity of blues rock in the late 70s, and throughout the following decade, when the world was polyester clad and disco dancing to KC and the Sunshine band. Stevie charmed the masses, playing fast and clean. He would use heavy distortion and tremolo (a distortion created by fast repetition of the same note) from time to time but his true magic came from his nimble fingers. When he covered the Hendrix song,“Little Wing”, he played with such precision; no one would mistake him for Jimi. When Stevie performed at the MTV Unplugged, he electrified the audience with his