Stevie Ray Vaughan: Day by Day, Night After Night: His Final Years, 1983-1990

This two book series has been recognized by some in the music industry as the largest body of work, ever compiled & written about any musician of any genre or era, by any one single author. Also, the author has been recognized by the music industry as being the formost authority on the life & history of Stevie Ray Vaughan. The author has earned the prestigous "Keeping the Blues Alive" Award in Literature. So, both books are very detailed, very well illustrated, very well documented & supported, and very well presented. As I brought out in my review of book #1 of this two book series, the author has written previous books about Stevie Ray Vaughan, and he must be a family "insider" to have access to the information, he covers in both books. This book two does reveal that SRV's mother gave the author unprecedented access to SRV's personal photos, documents, and etc. The author dedicated this book #2 to SRV's Mother. Now, this two book series is the ultimate Stevie Ray Vaughan reference source, and definitely the ultimate Stevie Ray Vaughan "collector's item".The forward on book two "His Final Years", is very "heartfelt", and was written by SRV's fellow Texas Guitar friend, Billy F. Gibbons of ZZ Top.Although the title of this book (Book #2) states "His Final Years, 1983 - 1990", the book actually covers SRV's legacy, including post-humous: awards, releases, magazine articles, tributes, and etc. all the way up through the time of publication in 2011.This Book two "His Final Years" starts out in 1983 when Stevie Ray was involved with David Bowie, on Bowie's "Let's Dance" Album & project. Stevie Ray played guitar on several tracks on that album. Then the book continues in great detail "day by day, night after night", on the life & times of the late/great Stevie Ray Vaughan. The main focus of this book (#2) is Stevie's professional life, beginning with his first commerically released album "Texas Flood". The book is packed full of illustrations that only an "insider" would have access to. Even though the main focus is on SRV's professional life, his personal life is also covered. It covers his breakup with his wife Lenny, and his girl friend Janna, from New Zealand, who was still his girl friend when Stevie Ray was killed. It covers his alcohol & drug addiction problems and how he overcame them, and became an inspiration to others stuggling with similiar problems. It includes a story & photo of "Willie the Wimp and His Cadillac Coffin." It's a Chicago story. It covers the grammy & other music awards won by Stevie Ray Vaughan, along with his albums, songs, tours, including the famous SRV/Jeff Beck Tour, his shows, setlists, magazine articles, concert posters, his band Double Trouble, personal & professional photos and on and on. It includes photos of the Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial Statue, in Austin, Texas. It's simply packed with information, photos, and illustations.It covers his last concert in Alpine Valley in Wisconsin, where SRV performed with Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, and others. Then it covers the sad news of the helicopter crash after the show, that killed Stevie Ray. The book covers SRV's funeral, including close-up photos, including one with Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Wonder and Jackson Browne singing "Amazing Grace". It covers his death as reported in newspapers. Dallas, and Austin, Texas were especially, very saddend by Stevie Ray's death.This book two includes Stevie Ray's Guitars, and has photos of many of them listed by name, beginning with "Number 1", and including "Lenny". It also includes other equitment used by SRV, including amplifiers, and even guitar picks.This book two also continues with Stevie Ray's legacy, post-humous: releases, news articles, magazine articles, and just a lot of information in general about Stevie Ray, after his death, all the way up through time of publication in 2011.If you like Stevie Ray Vaughan, then you'll love this ultimate two book series. I am very thankful to the author Craig Hopkins for taking on this monumental task of writting and assembling all the vast material in these two books. This two book series will be a treasure forever, even for future generations, just as Stevie Ray Vaughan's legacy & songs will be. Like the author so eloquently states, when Stevie Ray was asked what he wanted to be remembered for, SRV replied "To take the color out of the blues", and "day by day, and night after night, that's exactly what SRV did." Thanks very much, and I sincerely hope this review has been helpful.P.S. The Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute Concert DVD covered in this book, is available from amazon. It includes tributes from Eric Clapton, Jimmie Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, B.B.King, Dr. John, Art Neville, and Double Trouble.

If you like Stevie Ray then you'll lil this book

All things considered during the ongoing COVID mess, this book arrived in good time. It was more than I expected; a "large" display volume & in perfect condition! I highly recommend this seller.

Absolutely great book!!. Much better than volume one. More insights from the interviews and quotes that on previous volume. Sometimes I have felt close to the man and his living, he was the hardest working man second to none, with just one thing in mind, playing the blues to the extremes. Always giving the most and the best of himself, pouring his talents and his love for the Blues and the guitar until his last breath. Giving all he got giving back with total respect to his masters: BB, Alberts, Lonnie Mack, Hendrix and on and on, but always being truly and one of a kind and one of the most talented and poweful musicians that ever lived in this big old world. Its a pity those very few quotes from his brother Jimmie, I would have expected and appreciated more quotes from the man that knew him more than any other. Just buy it, read it and play that book!, his life is as inspiring as his music. The weak part is on effects and amps, not a deep search and info.

Nice hardcover book half the price of new one !

What you might not realize when you view this product on Amazon is that it is a super high quality,hardcover coffee-table book. It is filled with photos, and chronicles SRV's life LITERALLY day by day, night after night. I was expecting the equivalent of Hammer of the Gods (Led Zep) or Excuse Me While I Kiss the Sky (Jimi) - a sensationalized, probably most fictional account of a rock star's rise and fall, and in Stevie's case, rise. This book is much more detailed, and is a lot closer to something like Deep Blues or Really the Blues - close to a textbook on a particular subject. Mr. Hopkins was a trial lawyer, as am I. If these books are indicative of his attention to detail and obsession with the facts, I am glad I never had a case against him.

Awesome in depth book about the Stratocaster Masters triumphant/ tragic final years. Not your run of the mill bio with the same information as the bulk of SRV bios. I own his early years edition too and encourage everyone to get em both

This set of books (Early Years and Final Years) was a gift for my husband, who's favorite guitar player is SRV. He loved everything about the detailed information, pictures he'd never seen before and additional (printed) material such as concert tickets, posters, handwritten letters, etc. The book's quality is amazing. It's bigger than I expected, which makes the experience way better. We are absolutely delighted with Hopkins' work.My husband has now a new favorite set of books. Totally would recommend.

second part in stevie's life and another five star read thoroughly absorbing a true account of a much missed guitar geniusnot a bad bit in itwould i recomend it absolutley a must read for any stevie ray fan

Well researched and written, well documented with an amazing photo collection. Couldt put it down, once the book had arrived.Gives a good insight into Stevie's music achievements,his strainous struggle early in his carrier.his rise to stardome and his final years once he had overcome his addictions.We can only wonder what might have been.

This is a must buy for any SRV fan.I already had Vol 1 so I knew of the quality I'd be getting.

Bought this book for my husband and he couldn't put it down! The detail in it is amazing and it's a must have for any SRV fan!

Great read,lots of pic's and info..........I'd say a must for any SRV fan