Long Way From Home

Zoo Freaks, you're tuned into THE ZOO, where your hippie DJs, the Zoo Crew, are spinning the soulful grooves of "Long Way From Home" by The Vaughan Brothers from their 1990 album Family Style. This track is a blues-rock gem, showcasing the electrifying chemistry between brothers Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan. One juicy piece of trivia about this song is its raw, road-weary vibe, with lyrics like "Look over here, look over there, look all around me everywhere," capturing the restless spirit of life on tour. In a 1990 interview, Jimmie Vaughan shared, “There were a lot of times where I was thinking of something to do and Stevie would already be doing it. I guess it comes from having the same blood, growing up together and having a lot of the same influences.” This brotherly telepathy shines through in the song’s tight guitar interplay, making it a standout on the album.

Another cool tidbit about "Long Way From Home" is its place in the Family Style recording sessions, which were a celebration of the brothers’ newfound sobriety. Produced by the legendary Nile Rodgers, the album, including this track, was recorded in New York City in early 1990. The sessions were filled with a joyful, laid-back energy, as noted by reviewer Ted Drozdowski, who called the album a “spiritual reunion” for Jimmie and Stevie Ray. Tragically, this was Stevie Ray’s final studio recording before his death in a helicopter crash on August 27, 1990, just weeks before Family Style’s release. Fans on the Stevie Ray Vaughan Fans Facebook group often share how the song’s poignant lyrics, like “I’m a long long way from home,” hit harder knowing it was one of Stevie’s last performances, adding an emotional depth that resonates with listeners.

Let’s dive into how The Vaughan Brothers got their start. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Jimmie Vaughan (born 1951) and Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954–1990) picked up guitars as kids, inspired by blues legends like Albert King and Muddy Waters. Jimmie, the elder brother, cut his teeth in local bands before co-founding The Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1974, blending blues with rockabilly and R&B. Their 1986 album Tuff Enuff went platinum, cementing Jimmie’s rep as a slick guitarist. Stevie Ray, meanwhile, formed Double Trouble in the late 1970s, igniting the 1980s blues revival with his fiery fretwork. His 1983 debut Texas Flood was a game-changer, earning gold status and Grammy nods. The brothers had long dreamed of a joint project, and Family Style, released under The Vaughan Brothers moniker, was their one and only studio collaboration, a dream realized just before Stevie’s untimely passing.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with The Vaughan Brothers’ legacy through Jimmie Vaughan’s active presence online. Check out his official website for tour dates and news. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates on his latest gigs and reflections on his career. For Stevie Ray Vaughan, the official SRV website is a treasure trove of his discography and tributes, while his Facebook and Instagram pages share archival photos and fan memories. Fans also gather at sites like SRV Archive and the Stevie Ray Vaughan Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks can geek out over rare live recordings and swap stories about the brothers’ blues legacy. Keep it locked to THE ZOO, and let’s keep the Vaughan Brothers’ spirit alive!