Stevie Ray Vaughan
This interview focuses on the recollections of backing vocalist Frank Simms regarding guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan being fired from David Bowies Serious Moonlight world tour of 1983.
Edited sections of this audio were used in the radio documentary “Down Under The Moonlight”, broadcast on Radio Hauraki, New Zealand, November 22nd 2008 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Bowie’s most successful album Lets Dance and the subsequent world tour.
In one section Simms talks about Ray Vaughan being “thrown off” Bowie’s “Serious Moonlight Tour” (after playing on the album of the same name) due to his unreliability – and his manager holding out for more cash.
My thanks to Frank Simms for his generous assistance. Visit; www.franksimms.net
The Story Continues…
I guess there are two sides to every story. After posting this audio – a Youtube comment from “Serious Moonlight” saxophonist Stanley Harrison verified Simms version of events…
“Yo Frank, Stevie later told me that he seriously considered smashing David with his guitar – glad he didn’t. I’d never seen him so upset. I think his manager’s name was Chesley (or something similar) and I do believe that Stevie was left standing at the door of the bus with his guitar and luggage because he didn’t sign the contract, holding out for more money, as you said…”
However, I also received an interesting email from Craig Hopkins, author of “The Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan” / site manager of www.stevieray.com, who offered another version of events, commenting;
“I interviewed Carlos Alomar, the band director, and Carmine Rojas for my biography of Stevie. COMPLETELY different story. This Simms guy is the only person from either camp who claims Stevie was fired. He wasn’t.
Stevie’s record lable and his manager (who, by the way, worked with the Dead, Stones, and others contrary to Simms’ claims he didn’t know what he was doing) pulled Stevie off the tour in order to promote his own record.
Stevie wanted to go, but management said no because it would have killed his first record which was due to be released in a few weeks after the Bowie tour started. The incident regarding Stevie’s wife (not his girlfriend) is true, but he’s got his facts wrong on just about everything else. Everyone sees a little slice and reaches their own conclusions.”
Hmmmm….
One final point, Paul Driscoll kindly emailed me with clarification about rehearsals for the “Serious Moonlight” tour in Texas, filling in for Frank’s memory loss…
“The “Serious Moonlight” tour was rehearsed at Las Calinas studios in Dallas..and not the “aircraft hanger” – “ShowCo.” mentioned by Mr. Simms. Las Calinas was a favorite, non-union studio for the bands of the 80′s to rehearse their tours. I shot several films there and many bands were there rehearsing for tours..Genesis, The Police and others. I believe the rehearsals at LC for SM are documented in the book on the “Serious Moonlight” tour. Mr. Bowie had an Everlast Boxing Bag installed to get him in shape for the tour at LC.”
So there you have it….
Case closed….
Bowie and Ray Vaughan in happier times…
