My Silver Belt Went On Tour With Stevie Ray Vaughan
The Texas Story Project. Inspired by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble setlist.
In 1968, I was living in San Antonio, Texas on Lackland Air Force base with my parents. My father who was in the Air Force was transferred to Hickam Air Force base, and I have been living in Hawaii since then.
In 1969, when I was 16, I had the opportunity to see Jimi Hendrix play here at the Waikiki Shell for free on a full moon night. I thought I would never be the same...
Since then, I have been to see every big name act in music history, including BB King, Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, and Queen, just name a few. In 1984, I had a chance to see Stevie Ray Vaughan play a concert at the Waikiki Sheraton. Honestly, I heard he played the Blues, which I love, but I really didn't know who he was. Well, he literally blew the top of my head off, like when I first saw Hendrix play! At the end of the concert, everyone went up to give him leis, and I said, "no way, I'm gonna give him something he will really like!" So I whipped off the silver conch belt that I was wearing and walked up and handed it to him. I will never, ever forget the smile on his face when I handed it to him. Since then, I have seen my silver belt in countless videos and photos--and even album covers--on his hat and sometimes around his waist.
I was right, he did really like it, and I am grateful to this very day that I could give him something back: That was really the night that I was forever changed and I will never be the same!
Shirley Rogers is a photographer and avid music lover from Waikiki, Hawaii.
Posted August 28, 2019
Join 4 others and favorite this
TAGGED WITH: Texas Music
