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Today in History: Stevie Ray Vaughan dies in helicopter crash

8/27/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On the morning of August 27, 1990, guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan died when his helicopter crashed near East Troy, Wisconsin. At 35, the blues-rock pioneer—credited with reviving 1980s blues and hailed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as “the second coming of the blues”—left a lasting musical legacy.

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Story summary

On the morning of August 27, 1990, guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan died when his helicopter crashed near East Troy, Wisconsin. At 35, the blues-rock pioneer—credited with reviving 1980s blues and hailed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as “the second coming of the blues”—left a lasting musical legacy.