Fight Club: Jimi Hendrix vs. Stevie Ray Vaughan
August 2, 2009 by Mike O'Cull
Two of the most revered guitar players in the blues/rock universe are Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Both men helped define the sounds of their respective eras and are icons of the instrument and are most likely responsible for launching more guitar-playing careers (both real and air) than any post-Beatle guitarist outside of Eddie Van Halen. Today, however, your humble man of letters here at Gear-Vault has been given the difficult task of pitting Jimi and SRV in a head-to-head battle for musical supremacy, which is truly no easy task. In the flyover, both man share many similar qualities, from their explosions into public consciousness to their preference for Fender Stratocasters to their untimely deaths. When examined more closely, however, there are some major differences between the two that just might give one the edge over the other. Want to watch the fur fly? Keep reading.
Jimi Hendrix could be said to be the first modern rock guitar player. When I first heard Jimi in junior high school, I didn’t see the big deal; everybody sounds like this, right? What I didn’t realize at that young age was that, before Jimi broke, NOBODY sounded like him. Really, to this day, any rock guitarist standing on a stage in front of a Marshall stack with a bunch of pedals on the floor wearing a flamboyant getup is standing in Jimi’s shadow, whether they know it or not. Before Jimi, blues guitarists played straight blues and rock guitarists ranged in style from The Beatles to the Stones to, at the heaviest, The Who. Jimi changed all that by combining the blues with rock’s raw power and psychedelia to give birth to the modern era of rock guitar and this influence is still being felt to this day. He wasn’t afraid to live and play on the ragged edge and to push the limits of what his guitar could do and what an audience could groove on. Some folks can’t get into his live my-amp-is-on-fire-and-about-to-explode sound, but Jimi’s legacy as an innovator can’t be denied. He changed the way our game is played and music would sound quite different today if he had not come along.
Stevie Ray Vaughan, on the other hand, was bound by tradition to a greater degree than Jimi and, in fact, Jimi’s music was a big part of SRV’s sound. Stevie, in the big picture, was a combination of Jimi and Albert King with a whole lot of Texas thrown in to hold it all together. Stevie’s genius was taking these influences, which were way out of style when he hit the big time, and making them into something that rocked the airwaves and the audiences of the 1980’s. He was also a better technical guitar player than Hendrix and could play with precision as well as abandon and took blues/rock to a higher level than it had been previously. In addition, Stevie was arguably the best Hendrix interpreter to have come down the pike to this day and had the respect and chops to take Jimi’s music to places it had never been. Stevie’s version of Jimi’s “Little Wing” has become, to many, the definitive version of that song and one of the most moving guitar instrumentals ever put to tape. Stevie didn’t change our game as Hendrix did, but he did elevate the level of play, especially when it comes to the blues.
So who wins the fight?
It depends on what you are looking for. Hendrix was clearly the better innovator of the two, establishing a sound and musical vocabulary that has become part of our collective musical selves. Stevie, on the other hand, was a better guitarist and could deliver a more refined and better-executed version of the Hendrix vision, which he also helped keep alive. If you want to witness the ‘big bang’ that launched rock guitar playing onto the path that leads to today, Hendrix is your man. If, however, you want a more sophisticated take on the blues/rock hybrid, it is Stevie Ray all the way. Me? I’d call it a draw.
By Mike O’Cull
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I agree. Jimi had the writing and creativity skills when it came to writing songs. The two main things I like about Hendrix is his TONE and his songs. His playing is amazing, don’t get me wrong, but I prefer Stevie Ray Vaughan’s playing over his. SRV’s technique was literally perfect.
Writing – Jimi
Tone – Tie
Playing – SRV
Voice – SRV
That’s my opinion.
well…..first heard jh when i was around 15,the music is alive and well growing,changing everday ,ive heard it said time and time again,he never played anything the same way,always changing,why?because he could.that what an artist does.when u copy or just play close to someone elses level or makeup songs close to someones,then ur just borrowing,now that said,we all borrow but how much!imo stevie borrowed heavy,not to take any thing from him but shit man,get on u tube ,there are a butload of steveies out there, 15 and younger grinding him to pieces,rite place rite time for stevie.i love him ,dont get me wrong,but smooth fluid jimi, constantly going places noone has been and dares to go!!!!!!!!!!!!! i cant even compare the two .look at the recorded original music of hendrix then stevie.remember hendrix had alrady played the circuit before he was jimi hendrix,can u even imagine the material he knew and could play,,i can,,,,anything and everything.thats my opinion. oh and techinal,,ha not even gonna go there.jh rip, hope to see u soon.
I think the comparison is a bit of a shame!hendrix was such an original and introduced many things to the electric guitar.his influence can be heard not only in rock but also in funk,jazzrock,soul,reggae.but how many things did vaughn introduce?did he invent anything?i love his playing.but he’s a terrific imitator.nothing new.of course he’s white!there are and were a dozen black post hendrix guitarplayer that are tremendous players!but of course they are black!
Jimi Hendrix was in a class by himself . It kills me when people say Stevie Ray Vaughn was better than Hendrix or ” SRV was so technically sounded ” and ” Hendrix was a sloppy guitar player ” . People look for any little thing to knock Hendrix . SRV was the perfect mimic with technical ability. Yeah Hendrix may not have been techically sound , but the man took undesirables and made them beautiful to the ear. SRV was a bad guitar player don’t get me wrong, but he was not a ground breaker . The foundation was already set when he came along . He was hardly orignal. Most of his playing style comes from some other blues players. Hendrix was unique ,and a hard act to follow.
Hendrix wasn`t a technical player? Since when? Sloppy? Only when he wanted to be. The same thing is said about Jimmy Page. Nobody seems to hear his fingerpicked acoustic stuff like Bron-yaur when they yell sloppy. There has been a million things released after Hendrix`s death that show the slashing and distortion is the way Jimi LIKED to play. NOT the only way he could play. There are a ton of songs where Jimi`s prowess on guitar more than matches Stevie`s, and I say that with the utmost respect as I am a huge Stevie Ray fan as well. Jimi did the whole wall of sound because he enjoyed it not because he wasn`t good at anything else. Keep in mind that Hendrix also died at 27. Who knows where he could have gone later. Look at Clapton for the perfect example. Slowhand my ass!!
@Uni100 & johnny d: You both hit the nail on the head.I’ve been on youtube talking about this for a while now.Either people don’t get or they don’t wanna get it . Uni100 Hendrix did introduce so many things and he was very vital for music.Like you said his music can be felt in rock, reggae, funk,soul and even hip hop (lol).It’s like sometimes people like to take away from the brotha when they should be thanking him for what he’s done.Johnny d : You too are very correct indeed.SRV was hardly original.He spent most of his time trying to perfect what was already created from the minds of great bluesmen and already in the books,from Buddy Guy to Albert King to Jimi and everything in between. How does that equal greatness? Don’t get me wrong , SRV can play,and had one of the best tones on his guitar around, but he should have spent more time trying create his own “Voodoo Child” or “Little Wing” instead of trying to perfect what was already here.People say he re-introduced blues to a new generation , but that’s like reintroducing the wheel . What was his creation? Where was his invention (like Uni100 mentioned)?Lets look at like this , in music who’s impact would be felt the most of the two artist if they never came along? SRV or Jimi Hendrix?
Lets start with spelling Stevie’s name right…. VAUGHAN.
Most of the other comments are whiny, it was a great article.
Hnewdric didnt write all of those songs, catfish blues was by B.B. , and probably other blues players. If your Ipod had as much research songs as Mine did, you would have at least 5 versions of gimme back my wig, which I had never heard unitl SRV did it. Regardless I am glad he did.I am glad for what Jimi brought us as well.
@Ken Loftin : If your comment was directed at me then I have my opinion and you have yours . After what I’ve just posted all you look for is spelling errors in my comment ? For the record , you didn’t spell Hendrix name correctly either. I am aware that Hendrix has done a few covers . Most of them were done completely different. SRV on the other hand was a darn good guitar player but at the end of the day he didn’t have as much of an impact as Hendrix did. Personally, I think it was his lack of ability to compose original songs. When it came to originality Vaughan feel short . In my opinion he had a Hendrix an Albert King obsession . That’s just my opinion . If you listen to his music closely you can hear it too. Now Kenny Loftin , if your comment was direct at me this for you , if not , please disregard this comment . Have a nice day.
oinkoink i am manbearpig
to hell with spelling…did any of you people graduate from grammar school? By the way…SRV doesnt even come close to Jimi.
hellhoundtrail got it right! good job, dude.
Great article. I think it was very truely stated. I’ve never understood how people enjoy the noise that Jimi Hendrix put out. I mean, when he was playing MUSIC he was fantastic. But all the noise in the middle? Ugh, come on. Settin your guitar on fire? Smashing it up against an amp? Please. What is so innovative about that? I’d love to hear the songs where you guys claim that is more than matches SRV. Seriously, please tell me one. Cause all I’ve ever heard has never impressed me the way SRV does.
@word: What Jimi put out was far from nosie .It was his “own” way of expressing himself and not going along with the status quo on how what should and shouldn’t be played on the guitat or what can or can’t be done as far as rules are concerned. Setting his guitar on fire ? Well that could fall under showmenship or shock value (you pick) . What was innovative about Hendrix ? First of all you have to learn about man to know the man . Don’t talk about the man from the outside in (like you’re doing) .Talk about the man from the inside out. First Voodoo Child or Little Wing and even Hear My Train A Comin for example was Hendrix at his finest. Don’t take the sound effects that the man was making and run with them and make it seem like that was 75-80% of his playing based on. SRV on the other hand was a good guitarist . Was he impressive ? Yes . Was he original ? Hardly. He’s a solid techinical player but he didnt have originality or much creativty in his corner . Most of SRV’s licks and riffs come the likes of Hendrix , A.King , Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, F.King and the list can go on. Hendrix contribution was greater than Vaughan’s and you can research that if you will . Hendrix changed rock music .SRV didn’t really do anything to change the blues nor did he add anything either but he was a dar good guitarist . SRV just recycled what was already around and it seemed like it was new to younger people at the time because of his tone and techinality and speed but at the end of the day “same old present ,just new packaging” .
As much respect that I have for Stevie Ray, a draw between Stevie and Jimi is absurd. Yes, Stevie elevated Jimi’s music to unthinkable height. I prefer Stevie’s haunting Little Wing intepretation over Jimi’s original song. But Jimi’s creativity and vision and his ability to put it together exceed Stevie talents. Stevie is a great musician but Jimi is as Lala8181 said UNIQUE. As for now, no rock (I am limiting myself to the range music I listen to) guitarist can be compared to Jimi. Jimi created and gave us a new palette of sounds that others used to built masterpieces.
I think a draw or tie was just a safe position for the article’s writer. It allowed him to stand on the fence and not get flamed from either camp. It was safe. People ask what did he create? Um, how about tunes like Castles made of sand, wind cries mary just to name a couple and thats without getting into his heavier pyschodelic tunes where yeah he used sound effects. Seems funny no one bitches about Eddie Van Halen with all his squeeks, pinched harmonics and divebombs (hendrix inspired thank you) other things that aren’t exactly music either.
I love Stevie to death and he was insanely good and I agree technically a cleaner player. But more inventive I don’t think so. As mentioned take a big big batch of Albert King along with some of the other Texas native guitarist and turn them up to 11 with more a speedy tempo and you have what Stevie did.
Jimi was a Buddy Guy fan and some of his playing shows, but its a bit more difficult to listen to Hendrix and go yeah that came from so and so. Some of it is recognizable but much of it is just him.
He was also probably one of the most melodic rhythm players of all time and playful, he’d throw in something on the fly in the middle of one of his songs that was just off the wall. I didn’t hear that from Stevie.
In the end, there’s no winner here, sadly we’re all losers from losing them both so early and not getting a chance to hear what they might have become. Jimi was getting into some very different music before his passing and Stevie was finding his own way and who knows where he would have gone had he not been killed.
Both great guitarist, no winners here, only unfortunately losers.
Regards,
Rev. D.
Great post Rev.D.
Stevie Ray was way better than Jimi
“Jimi created and gave us a palette of new sounds that others used to build masterpieces” well said jc_garp
I know i’ll be hated on for mentioning this guitarist’s name but imho john mayer’s cover of bold is love(on continuum) is a great example of what jimi’s ideas become when they’re reinterpreted.
Rev.D spoke very well..jimi was a god of his era, stevie a demi god.
And remember..for every plato there must be an aristotle ..loose comparison but you get what I mean
I’ll stick by what I said. Its a good article, Jimi was the innovator, Stevie a lilttle sharper at interpetations (because in many cases he didnt have to invent the song or tones, just perfect them).
If you listen to stevies early stuff, he wasnt that polished in the early years (1977-1985), and didnt have his SRV distintive sound. no haters here ( no, I wasnt speaking to you before LALA8181 ), I’d pay good money to see
either of them if I could.
let me keep the fire going though…….. Stevie didnt write ? I guess you never heard of Pride & Joy, Love Struck baby, Lenny. Name three that John Mayer wrote that he wasnt whining about his ex-girlfreind.
@KenLoftin Mayer is okay. I think Mayer is a bit more original than Stevie . Stevie is a damn good guitarist but he was more of a cover/ tribute artist the an original one . As a listener , I don’t need an artist to come along and “perfect” Jimi , Albert or Buddy or Larry Davis style . I understand that guitarist borrow from other guitarist , but at the end of the day you should be creative enough as an artist hold your own . People put up a big fuss about why SRV isn’t in R&R HOF, maybe originality had a lot to do with it . He may get in there some day , but we’ll just have wait and see. SRV got more recognition for covers more than he did for what little songs he wrote . This is not bashing SRV but I just don’t think he pushed the progressions of music like Hendrix did and there’s nothing to compare between the two.