Stevie Ray Vaughan : Caught in the Crossfire (Paperback)

by Joe Nick Patoski (Author), Bill Crawford (Author) "Looking over his shoulder to make sure his big brother was gone, eleven-year-old Steve Vaughan stepped quietly toward the closet door of the bedroom he..." (more)
Key Phrases: guitar hero, blues scene, band mates, Double Trouble, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Oak Cliff (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Austin-based journalists Patoski and Crawford pen a rousing account of Texas blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, who died at age 35 in a 1990 helicopter crash. The Dallas-born Vaughan began playing electric guitar in imitation of older brother Jimmie, who founded the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Both brothers were fixtures of the 1960s and '70s Austin scene, which spawned such rock acts as ZZ Top and allowed Stevie Ray to form his own band, Double Trouble. Vaughan's biggest break was playing on David Bowie's 1983 Let's Dance album; when he brazenly rejected Bowie's offer to tour, he garnered music-industry notice. Later, as his career skyrocketed, Vaughan abused cocaine and whiskey. He underwent treatment in 1986, a process which sealed his friendship with guitarist and recovered heroin addict Eric Clapton. Afterward, Vaughan became a preachy proponent of AA's 12-step program; he is reverently portrayed here as an inspiration to troubled fans. Backed up by plenty of blues history, this enthusiastic tribute ably succeeds as a narrative, adopting the down-home colloquialisms of its subject. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
The authors provide a penetrating first biography of blues/rock guitar virtuoso Vaughn (1954-90). Through the use of extensive interviews, they succeed particularly well in describing Vaughan's childhood relationships with his abusive father and his older brother, who served as a role model. The authors chart Vaughan's initial interest in music, his emergence on the Texas music scene, his 1983 breakthrough, and his continued rise to superstardom until his untimely death in a helicopter crash. Writing in a breezy, engaging style, they offer an intimate look at the insecurities and abilities of Vaughan to explain his sometimes tortured, drug-dominated life and his fiery, powerful music. Highly recommended for general music collections.
- David Szatmary, Univ. of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (June 5, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316160695
• ISBN-13: 978-0316160698
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #117,500 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An extremely in-depth synopsis. Well researched., April 3, 1999

By A Customer

I received Caught in the Crossfire as a gift, and I must admit I was skeptical at first. The ominous black cover featuring SRV's silouette seemed to serve as a warning of its content. I feared that the book would only undermine what every fan, indeed everyone who has ever heard of Stevie Ray Vaughan, already knows. That he was, for so long "caught" in a world of reckless drug abuse and alcoholism, but somehow managed to make it to the top. What I found was a biography, mostly matter-of-fact, which left no stone unturned in its research. Every friend, colleague, artist; famous or infamous, who impacted Stevie's career and tragically short life finds their way onto the pages of this work. The bibliography of interviews, while not necessarily reading as a "who's who" in the world of blues, includes individuals who were closest to the guitar legend throughout his life. Paramount of these is his own brother Jimmy. Though not mentioned in the list of exclusive interviews conducted for the book, Jimmy Lee Vaughan's influential guidance in the life of his younger brother is well documented by Patosky. As SRV's hero and kin, we learn where much of Stevie's love for blues music and guitar is rooted. Stevie's mentors in music, from blues legends Albert King and Albert Collins, to Jimi Hendrix and Bonnie Rait are uniquely enveloped in the carnival of ups and downs, triumphs and tragedys of his life. Though at times it tries to unnecessarily re-enact moments in an almost movie script-like format, Caught in the Crossfire is without question the most in depth biography to date of the life of one of the greatest guitar players of our time. It is very well written, and a must for any fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan's music.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that will stay with me......, May 30, 2006

By	Blind Mello Jelly (Welcome, NC USA) - See all my reviews

I'm a guitar player and a huge fan of music and the blues specifically. Although I never had a lot of SRV's records, his playing blew me away, as it did most folks. Many years after his death I thought I'd read this and I absolutely couldn't put it down. Patoski transports you back to SRV's beginnings - his family, his famous brother, the bars and dives he played while paying his dues. I've never had a better overview of the Texas music scene spanning over 20 years. But most of all, this book made me love the man. Stevie overcame great obstacles. He conquered his addictions and became a living example of a survivor, only to die tragically in a helicopter crash. It truly broke my heart after reading this book and learning the details of his life. Not only for music fans, but also for anyone wanting to read about recovery and redemption. This story would make a great movie.....but it would be a tear-jerker.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A little pride and joy for us all!, December 21, 1999

By	BDH (Massachusetts USA) - See all my reviews

This is a better than average biography. It's well written and the story flows nicely. It depicts the life of Stevie the child (lonely, insecure, shy; and extremely talented though highly intoxicated), straight through to Stevie the man (loving, outgoing, helpful; extremely talented still, though very sober). All too often people pass away at a time in life when all of the demons inside of them have been put to rest. God must see that as a successful ending and a good time to be brought home. SRV's blues guitar style and spirited persona will live on with us forever. This book was an excellent read.