• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Even 20 years after Alpine Valley crash, Vaughan's influence remains

LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP — Stevie Ray Vaughan, considered one of music's most influential guitarists, died 20 years ago today in a helicopter crash after performing at Alpine Valley Music Theatre.

The show also included Vaughan's older brother, Jimmie, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray and Buddy Guy.

After the show, Vaughan boarded a helicopter about 1 a.m. bound for Chicago. It crashed into the ski hill seconds after takeoff, killing everyone aboard.

Vaughan was 35.

More from By Randy Adkins of www.accuweather.com:

Vaughan had originally planned to travel by car, and instead elected to take an available seat on one of the helicopters, saying to his brother Jimmie and sister-in-law Connie, "Do you mind if I take the seat? I really need to get back."

The helicopter took off just before 1:00 a.m., and failed to gain enough altitude to clear a nearby man-made ski slope, crashing into the slope at "high velocity" according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

A complicating factor in the accident was fog and low clouds which blanketed the area and may have obscured the hill. It is speculated that the pilot may have been unfamiliar with the takeoff rules at that particular site, and that fog would have made it difficult to use any visual cues to aid in clearing the hill.

Four others died in the helicopter crash that night as well: pilot Jeff Brown, Clapton's agent Bobby Brooks, Clapton's body guard Nigel Browne and Clapton's assistant tour manager Colin Smythe.

Source: www.accuweather.com

WTMJ archive video HERE.