Stevie Ray Vaughan

On August 27, 1990, American musician Stevie Ray Vaughan was killed in a helicopter crash near East Troy, Wisconsin at age 35. He was one of the most influential blues guitarists of the 1980s, described by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as "the second coming of the blues".

What Happened?
Vaughan and members of Eric Clapton's touring entourage played an all-star encore jam session at Alpine Valley Music Theatrein Alpine Valley Resort in East Troy, Wisconsin. Afterwards they took off for Midway International Airport in Chicago in a Bell 206B helicopter. The helicopter crashed into a nearby ski hill shortly after takeoff.

Vaughan and the four others on board - pilot Jeff Brown, agent Bobby Brooks, bodyguard Nigel Browne, and tour manager Colin Smythe - were all killed. The helicopter was identified as being owned by Chicago-based company Omniflight Helicopters. Initial reports of the crash falsely claimed that Clapton had also been killed in the accident.

According to findings from an inquest conducted by the coroner's office in Elkhorn, all five victims were killed instantly.

The subsequent investigation determined the aircraft departed in foggy conditions with visibility reportedly under two miles according to a local forecast. The National Transportation Safety Board report stated: "As the third helicopter was departing, it remained at a lower altitude than the others, and the pilot turned southeasterly toward rising terrain. Subsequently, the helicopter crashed on hilly terrain about three-fifths of a mile from the takeoff point." Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records showed that Brown was qualified to fly by instruments in an airplane, but not in a helicopter. Toxicology tests performed on the victims revealed no traces of drugs or alcohol in their systems.

Aftermath
On August 30, 1990, Vaughan was buried at Laurel Land Memorial Park in Dallas. Funeral services were held, with over 1,500 people attending and 3,000 more outside the chapel. His fiancée, Janna Lapidus, Jimmie and Martha Vaughan were in attendance. Among the other mourners were Stevie Wonder, Buddy Guy, Dr. John, ZZ Top, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Nile Rodgers.