In reply to:
If I remember correctly, Bowie kind of jump-started SRV's career. Maybe someone else can elaborate on this for authenticity?
Kinda, sorta...Stevie was invited to Montreux by Lou Ann Barton's (former band member) manager for the 1983 show. Stevie was an unknown so he was scheduled to play on an acustic night, which he did, with the amps blasting. He was booed by several in the crowd but played his gut out anyway. So happened that David Bowie and Jackson Browne were both in attendance and were both floored by the performance, they ended up jamming all night long in the players lounge and Stevie was invited to play and tour with Bowie on the Last Dance album and tour, he did the album but backed out of the tour at the very last minute to stay with Double Trouble on the local Texas circuit.
During Montreux Browne offered the use of his L.A. studio, several months after turning down the Bowie tour Stevie and Double Trouble recorded free of charge, 'Texas Flood'...and the rest was history!
Up to 1983, Stevie was the only unsigned artist ever to be invited to play Montreux. In 1985, Stevie headlined the show and blew the house down, as he did everywhere.
RIP Stvie!
