Stevie Ray Vaughan on a Tele: SRV Plays "The Crawl" with Fabulous Thunderbirds
Me to Jimmie Vaughan back in 2011: “I’ve been stealing one of your solos for years; it’s your solo on 'The Crawl' from [the Fabulous Thunderbirds' 1980 album] What’s The Word? I steal it from you about once a week."
Jimmie to me: “Well, good. I can’t remember, but I think I stole that from Guitar Junior. So don’t feel bad!”
Below, check out a—let's face it—professionally shot yet horrible-quality video of the Fabulous Thunderbirds performing "The Crawl" in what I call the good ol' days of Texas rock and blues—1984—with Jimmie's little brother, Stevie Ray Vaughan, sitting in.
What's particularly cool is that SRV is playing a Fender Telecaster in this clip—which is certainly something of a rarity.
Be sure to stick around for the extended solo at the end of the video. In case it isn't clear, that's Jimmie with the white Strat and Stevie Ray with the Tele. Kim Wilson sings. Note that both Jimmie and Stevie Ray play the guitar behind their head at various points. Ah, yes, the good ol' days. Enjoy!
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Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.
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