Finally listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan Texas Flood (Reaction!) 

His guitar Lenny here had the thickest strings available to a guitarist and he was bending them as if they were the thinnest strings available. Stevie Ray Vaughan's amount of talent was absurd. His soul bled straight through his fingers into the Frets and out the amplifiers. Pure God-given talent. We miss you Stevie❤

I like to tell the story when I get the chance. As a teenager 40 years ago, A guy at my job suggested I go see a guitarist who was touring New Zealand. I'd never heard of him, didn't know what he looked like, never even heard one of his songs on the radio. So me and a couple buddies drive 2 hours to another town for the concert. We arrived in the afternoon and found the indoor sports centre where he was playing. We could hear the sound check happening, found an unlocked door and went in and sat down. After a while the steel roller door at the back of the room went up and a limo drove up the centre aisle and stopped next to us. SRV got out and walked up on the stage. I found myself somehow transported out of my seat and up against the front of the stage while SRV and Double Trouble jammed for 20 minutes just like in that video., The very first note I ever heard SRV play, he was 10 feet in front of me staring straight at me in an empty arena. That experience has been with me every day of my life ever since.

Stevie was a very humble man. If there was ever anyone who earned the right to his legendary place it was SRV, but he said that his talent was a gift from God and said "I try hard to repay it.'" Paid in Full, Stevie. Paid in Full, sweet man.

Sometimes people come along who are so talented, so gifted, who work so hard to hone their skills, the rest of us mere mortals just stand in awe at the display. And it is emotional, they hit us in the soul. All we can do is be thankful we’re around to witness it.

He makes it look effortless. Clapton said, "He NEVER gets lost or has to think about where to go next"

Old Geezer Guy here; I was blown away by Jimi Hendrix in the 60s and I have listened live to many guitar shredders thru going through my 8th decade but not one of them ever mesmerized me like SRV! It was like he was born with a guitar as an extra body appendage, no one I've ever seen even comes close to his gift of talents on the guitar.

When I was 14, growing up in Austin, we used to bribe the doorman at Antone's, the local blues club, to let us come in and listen to Stevie perform. We knew we were hearing something special, but we had no idea that he would become the GOAT!! RIP Stevie❤❤

Last year my wife got me a shirt that said " I may be old, but I saw Stevie Ray Vaughan play live on stage five times". Such a talent gone too early! RIP SRV 😎

Great reaction! First off, I'm sorry for the loss of your brother; you guys were obviously close. As to this particular video of Stevie, it's regarded by many folks to be, perhaps, the greatest guitar performance ever filmed. This was around the time that Stevie was gaining international fame, after a decade or so of doing the club circuit here in Texas. He became, in my opinion, the greatest guitarist of all time. He was also a very humble and sweet person, despite all the on stage swag he displayed. He kicked a horrible addiction to cocaine and alcohol in late 1986---giving God the glory for it, then lived the next four years clean, sober and happy before being killed in a helicopter accident after his last gig in Wisconsin. He left an incredible legacy, that's for sure!

73 yrs old, I can't believe it took this long to finally heat SRV. I really don't have words

He is truly the greatest guitar player that ever lived. I saw him five times, twice with my elbows on the stage. The best music experiences of my life.

Reactions to Stevie Ray Vaughn performing "Texas Flood" live at the El Mocambo are my favorite reactions to watch. Not long into the video people are amazed, some stunned, others will say things like it can't get any better than this --- but not one of them have a clue how very much more is yet to come. The song starts out on a level that's so high that many cannot begin to believe that Stevie Ray could keep upping the level, and doing so all the way to the end of the song. When reactors go on and on early in the song I just sit there thinking --- you ain't seen or heard anything yet.

We get so focused on his playing sometimes we forget the guy could freaking sing too. So much incredible musical talent in one man.

By far one of the greatest performances caught on film. Gives me chills every time.

SRV was someone special. You can physically see that when he plays, he plays with all he has. The guitar is just another extension of his natural being, like an arm or a leg. Another thing he never EVER seems lost during his performances. There’s never a pause, or need for him to collect himself and figure out what to do next. It just pours out of him the entire time. By far my absolute favorite guitar player.

Watching people react to this song for their first time is 1 of my favorite things to do on RU-vid

I was lucky enough to see SRV in my small town 4 months before he passed. Only 1600 people showed up in a venue that holds 8000. I was worried he would cancel or show his disappointment. He opened by saying he was "going to give everyone something to talk about tomorrow", and then tore it up for the night. The most amazing live music I have seen.

I feel like you can always tell the difference in someone who’s born with a gift and someone who learned a talent. Stevie was born to do it. Not many people can make you feel things thru a guitar like he could. That’s something you can’t teach

We tragically lost him at the young age of 35, in a helicopter crash after a concert in Wisconsin in 1990. He was born & raised in Dallas, Tx. Such artists as BB King, John Mayer, Eric Clapton & his own older brother, Jimmie Vaughn, have claimed SRV to be the best blues guitarist of all time. You don't just listen to his music, you feel it in your heart, soul & every fiber of your being. RIP, Stevie Ray. We miss you more than you will ever know. Gone far too soon, but forever in our hearts & souls.

There are only a few guitarists whose guitar were an extension of their souls. Stevie was one of those who pushed the physical limits of the instrument and made it cry with all his sweat, blood and tears......miss you SRV. Peace

Dude, SRV is OP as hell. He was on an entirely different level. An insane talent that is unparalleled to this day

I lost my brother in 2021. He played masterful guitar and was a die hard Stevie Ray fan. Thank you for your willingness to express your thoughts and to be real. Music is the language God gave us to express feelings that only the soul interpret. Blessings! 🙏

And the thing is that it isn't just this song that will do this to you. All his performances are mind blowingly awesome. He never could read music and was self taught. All the energy he plays with shows through out the entire song. He isn't just a riff or three, Stevie Ray IS a riff.

It is easy to overlook the work of Chris Layton (drummer) and Tommy Shannon (bass) in SRV's work, especially this song: it is SLOW blues, and maintaining a beat that is less than 60 bpm while SRV fills is a real testament to just how good the rhythm section is. Together they were absolute blues perfection.

Just one of those little pieces of perfection that are peppered into our world, from time to time 🧡

No one better than Stevie Ray Vaughan,he played with his soul 💙

The man never played it the same way twice!!!! Every night he had a different feeling on how to perform tunes and his mood that day/night steered him in a certain direction and that’s what you got as an audience member from the GOAT!!!!! Been there done that watching him dozens of times!!!!! Pure talent and emotions!!!! Just an unbelievable performer and Double Trouble ruled as his band!!!! So talented!!!!! As BB King said in amazement after playing with him once (BB was a great influence on Stevie when he was growing up and definitely wasn’t a slouch on playing Blues), we blues guitarist play in sentences and Stevie plays in paragraphs!!!!! So says Austin Tx!!!!! 😎🍸

Seb, No need to apologize for being captivated by a master of guitar and driven by the inspiration of your beloved brother. Honest, heart-warming and soulful - your reaction! Thank you.

As a native Texan, I have to tell you that the state of Texas went into mourning when we lost Stevie Ray. What a tragedy that was.

I love watching reactions to Stevie! I was lucky enough to see him 3 times, the last time was in March, the same year he died, he was so on fire that night, it was incredible. There will never be another guitarist like him. There are a ton of good guitarists, there are a lot of great guitarists, but there was only one Stevie Ray, Rip SRV, you are still missed, my man!😢

SRV was a channel for all the Blues artists that passed before to come through and still entertain us. He goes into a trance when playing and the music just flows

The truly great guitarists never play to a script when performing live. They close their minds to everything around them and let the music tell them what to play but it takes a genius like Stevie to play instantly and flawlessly what the music is telling them what to play

Most honest reaction I've ever seen! 2 notes into the performance and you were hooked!!! The look on your face and at a loss for words was priceless!!! I was getting teary eyed because I could feel your emotion! Thank you young man!!! Love from Texas!!!

Every song in this El Mocambo concert is ridiculously amazing.

Stevie Ray Vaughan and David Gilmour are two completely different guitarists but they have the one thing in common.... They use the whole fretboard to make you feel emotions that you didn't think music could evoke... Aren't we lucky to have been able to hear both of them and know just how good they really were. Keep on rocking.

No you do not look like an idiot watching SRV you look like a man in awe enjoying an amazingly talented performer. He was and still is the tops. Mesmerising I love him. Your brother had real good taste RIP to both men. ❤

I was privileged to see him perform twice, and he was awesome. Everything he played, he poured his soul into it. RIP to the GOAT.

I’ve always felt like SRV was possessed by his guitar. Him and that guitar were one. R.I.P. Stevie.

I'm a 67yo white guy. I just wanted to say how moved I was to see you hear Stevie Ray play Texas Flood (and Look at Little Sister). So far on RU-vid, I've watched a concert harpist, a 20 something woman, listen to Zeppelin for the first time. I just watched a classically trained opera singer, same demographic, listen to Sabbath. I am so gratified that, not only is a new generation as taken by the heroes of my youth as was I, but most importantly, the music that shaped my life will live on far into the future. Thank you for a great experience.

Seen the man 3 times live and doesn't come close to filing the void left by his passing!!! RIP SRV 👍👊😎🇨🇦

At his last show, a Blues festival, the Legendary Bluesman Albert King was watching the show from backstage. SRV was absolutely dialed in. The next act was also backstage panicking. He looked at King and reportedly shouted "HOW THE F AM I SUPPOSED TO FOLLOW THAT?" The next act? Legendary Bluesman himself none other than Eric Clapton. That said brorther you're in good company. SRV always brings out the feels. I've followed him from the get go. Sadly I never got to see him live. I should have but it wasn't meant to be. I have tickets for the next show. As he left the venue the helicopter he was in crashed taking with it the greatest guitar player ever to have lived. I'm 57 now and I still get caught up listening to his music.

The G.O.A.T. can hypnotize anybody at anytime, RIP Stevie and keep playin for the Angels...

Sweetie you REALLY NEED TO CHECK OUT STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN " LIFE WITHOUT YOU.. I WATCHED IT AND OMG.. AMAZING!!! HE WROTE IT FOR HIS FRIEND.. & IT HAS A BEAUTIFUL MESSAGE!!! WELCOME TO THE STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN FAMILY 🙏🙏

Stevie was that rare talent that comes along and everything about them is influential to other musicians, amateur and pro. The music, the voice, he was everything and burned so damn bright that the gods brought him home out of jealousy. When Stevie plays it becomes my heartbeat and flows everywhere in me energizing me and I swear I float off the floor. I get sad when I think what the music world might be right now if Stevie stayed off that helicopter and Ronnie Van Zant had leased a safer plane. Thanks for this, gods should be remembered and praised

I was blessed to see Stevie play many times in Austin and Dallas. He’d sort of go into a trance and tap into some Source that only he could find, and music flowed from him. It could be nearly a religious experience, because you knew, or thought you knew, that no human could play like that, rushing along with no idea where he was going but never hitting a wall, and so it proved that God must exist, or at least something much bigger than we can understand. We’d leave after he played exhausted, drenched in sweat, no one speaking, but exhilarated and revived. It’s natural not to have anything to say after seeing this, because how do you explain something you can’t understand?

A Texas Legend...still in our hearts and ears. I get tears every time seeing him play....I am a Texan blues lover, peace y'all :'(

There are so many reaction videos to this song right now and I'm loving watching every single one of them. My entire teenage years were spent listening to him, regretting everyday he had passed before I ever even knew who he was. I had that full concert on DVD and watched it thousands of times.

Texas Flood is THE best blues you can get. I've heard this a hundred times, and it never gets old. Can you believe Stevie is considered the 3rd best guitarist in the world? To me... he's the best. This man is having the most intimate moment with his guitar I've ever seen. Phenomenal!

Never heard anyone describe SRV's playing as poetic but I think you're right.

I used to go to a little club called Mother Blues in Dallas, TX and would hang out with SRV in the 80's. Greatness. RIP Stevie you did your talent maker proud.

It's normal to feel speechless after a Stevie performance!! After a few more you'll come to expect how amazing he is and you'll feel more comfortable expressing yourself.

Stevie has always been in a class by himself....When he plays he becomes one with his guitar

Never had the pleasure to see Stevie Ray live but I do have all his albums. Love him. Kenny Wayne Shepherd is phenomenal as well.

Hard Core Blues - and the VERY BEST THERE IS. Stevie's music just GUSHES out from his soul. Never, ever repeats itself unless he wants it to. Un-fuckin-believable...

This is a large pill to swallow, but the medicine makes it all better. SRV is the GOAT when it comes to blues guitar. Amazing! Condolences on your loss Sebs. Que Dios te bendiga, hombre.

He's simply the most incredible one of all. Listening to him, seeing him and you're instantaneously gone in another universe. He's and will always remains an inspiration to me, how a human being can create Love and Passion through music. He's hope all the way along. We miss you, Stevie.

I love how Stevie is still connecting people long after he is gone. It's like that was his destiny, to bring all together through his music. I never met the man but I love him. I think that's how many feel when they hear him play. The music = Love. SRV = THE G.O.A.T.

"That was the freakin' intro ?!?!" .. heh heh...You picked the best video for a SRV reaction. I never get tired of Stevie, or of reactions to this video. Faces eventually contorted with looks of amazement, confusion and joy...too good to be real...but he was, very real, very good... I consider this the GOAT electric blues performance ever captured on video.

It warms my heart, and would Stevie's too, to see young folks being turned on to the greatness we lost when SRV checked out. He's looking down smiling. 💯

Had your brain melted right into a puddle didn't you? Happens to me every time I watch him play. AND...he can sing. Crazy.

That was so much fun to watch. This is why we love reactions. Having someone else appreciate the artists and music we love and seeing them react to it for the first time. RIP Stevie Ray...and your brother Jose. Peace!

One of the greatest Blues Legends & Guitarists once said: "Allot of the Greats can play in sentences with their guitars...Stevies plays in Paragraphs." I've seen him 6 times. 3 of which I was within 20 feet of him, and just in back of BBKing ( whom opened for him at the Greek Theater that night) and I can assure you, that quote is true...sometimes the crowd was so completely in awe of what they were watching...witnessing actually...the applause seemed delayed until they came back to earth and realized it.

I am SO glad you finally checked SRV out!!! I knew you would be exactly what you said 'dumbfounded'!!! I seen him live! It was an incredible experience!

The first time I saw him play, I left the concert, laughing, and at the same time crying I have never seen anything like that before. I had probably been to 100 concerts. He was all soul!!!

Still get goosebumps and sometimes a few years after 33 years of the greatest bring gone.

All the Fender Stratocaster players like Stevie, Hendrix, Malmsteen, Eddie VH, etc all play from the heart and it showed in their music and live performances. Stevie reminds me a lot of Malmsteen and sadly not many know about them.

He was absolutely amazing live!! RIP Stevie Ray…taken from us way too soon 😢❤

He’s the guitar G.O.A.T. For a reason

Great reaction!!! He is my all time favorite, not a day goes by that I don't listen to him. He always played beautifully!

I know this is an older post but thanks! The connection between Stevie Ray's guitar and his soul is amazing, more than what most people can express with words. It's a shame that when he finally got his life together he died in a horrific helicopter crash, so much for Karma. Thanks for the videos. I'm an old f*ck and I appreciate that younger people are connecting with the music I grew up with, and frankly, took for granted. Please keep up your persuit of musical greatness, there are hundreds of forgotten bands that influenced modern music that go unappreciated.

I was there that fatal night at Alpine Valley, WI. The line up was Robert Cray, Stevie Ray & Eric Clapton. Stevie's brother, Jimmy and Buddy Guy sat in as guests. The encore was all of them jamming together for another hour and a half. The last song Stevie ever played on stage was Sweet Home Chicago

SRV is such an amazing talent. When he finished a song everyone, whether smoker or not, and including the guitar needs a smoke for the afterglow.

I tear up sometimes watch this performance and I’ve watched it easily 1,000 times since it came out on VHS back in the early 90’s. It grabs you deep down somehow and you’re along for the journey with him. I’m a big guy and sometimes tears come out and I can’t help it when I listen to this version of this song

Congratulations on seeing it for the first time. Every time I see him, he seems like a prodigy. And above all, he plays behind the back, and maintains the level. A prodigy. And on top of that he starts singing with the guitar on his back. Marvelous.

Stevie didn’t play the guitar, it spoke through him! RIP the legend.

Brings tears to my eyes every time .....and I watch it at least once a week!!!!

Love your reaction, Sebs -- what you're watching is pure magic. Stevie never played a song the same way twice! Have had the honor of seeing him many times! Every performance was original - you're feeling it!!!!! He communicated through his guitar - I miss him sooo much -- thanks again!

Its so awesome to see people that are younger discovering Stevie Ray. He was the cat in the cat In the hat with a strat. The guy played a guitar like it was a weapon of mass destruction. He was the GOAT for sure.

I am originally from Detroit, Michigan and I was lucky enough to see this AMAZING talent live at Pine Knob (just north of Detroit) approximately 48 hours before his tragic death when his helicopter pilot flew into the side of a hill leaving a show in Chicago. Your doing a great job Mr. Duran and my sincere condolences to you on the loss of your older brother (something we both have in common). Keep up the great work and the warmest regards from balmy Las Vegas, Nevada. Salute! D. Scott

Greatest blues performance ever caught on video..... pure genius....

I used to have this entire performance on DVD and I cried every time I watched it. Couldn't help it. Stevie poured his entire heart out every time he picked up his guitar.

i dont know why but i cried all the way through it.seeing someone that gifted thatpours their entire heart and soul into his music had a very profound effect on me. so much so that i have instructions for that video to be played at my funeral .i believe that everyone should see that video at least once before they die.

You are going to enjoy this rabbit hole.

I was lucky enough to see SRV 3 times, twice in NOLA and once in Eugene. Stevie was as humble as he was great. In fact I think he was that great precisely because he was that humble. He so respected those blues musicians who came before him that he came to embody their collective greatness, for the sake of the art form.

you REALLY NEED to check out "Tin Pan Alley" live with Johnny Copeland..... a great display of music and kinsmen-ship. it'll make you feel something for sure.

it’s life changing. I am fortunate enough to have seen him live 6 times. He tore your face off for an hour and a half and you left his shows completely spent. You felt every … single … note. He was life changing.

Hey man, Stevie was able to reach into the spirit world while he was alive, and now he is literally there with your bro. Appreciate your heartfelt reaction, truly. Stevie will continue to impact your soul if you decide you want to watch more - dozens of ways to go, but I'd check out "Mary Had a Little Lamb" Live from Austin. Thanks for that.

I’ve seen some awe inspiring guitarists over the years but undoubtedly he is the best ever that I’ve seen. Did anyone see the tour he did with the Fabulous Thunderbirds and the encore was him and his brother Jimmy playing that double neck simultaneously? If not Google that. I was at his last show thinking I can’t wait to see him again and the sad and tragic news came the next day. Miss you SRV !

Stevie made the blues... OMFG.... for all the masses!! He made them sing, he made them sweat... and ... Yeahhh... unless you know... he even MADE his fingers BLEED! @! Look it up if you don't believe it!!! Stevie made music for the masses and OMGGGGGG the "masses" were blessed WOOOOOOOOOOOOT

Guitar Hero in God mode lol That guitar needed a cigarette after that.

This is in an era when music is MUSIC...played by ARTISTSS!!!

You need to watch Stevie ray when he plays especially when he plays with Jeff Healey who is a blind guitarist

Brother...Stevie brougĥt me bac from the period when music died..i needed him..I been tryin to call my baby....Texas at its finest...i live in Ohio and spent every dime i had to see him play. 6 times..every show had a memory..from his Brother Jimmie playing a double necked guitar with him, to the time Stevie took his hat off on stage, sweating profusely, and he laid the guitar down and he played it flat on the stage. One of the best was when he played in a pavilion in a Thunderstorm.. i cryed the day we lost him. Still impacts me today in 2024. I could talk for hours on my memories..he gave me life!

SRV makes guitar players want to quit.

By far the best version of Texas Flood , to be seen, he ever did. Saw him in concert 4 times. Everytime with the same passion from him. The man was born to do what he did with that instrument. My all time favorite player. GOAT!!!!!!!!!

This is why SRV has been my favorite musician of all time since I was 5 years old (now 41 yrs old)!

The first time I saw Stevie was in Austin, Texas, on 6th Street before the world knew who Stevie was. The last time I saw Stevie was at the Greek Theater in LA a decade later and a week before he passed in the crash. An incredible talent.

"Dude, i don't cuss but...holy shit." Epic reaction to an epic performance. I saw and met SRV a few times and have a great photo of us together.

If there exists a better example of electric blues guitar playing on record anywhere, I have never heard it. He was and remains, at least for me, the greatest electric guitar player of all time.

You just witnessed THE GOAT! Your reaction was totally spot on!!