Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue the Victim of Vandalism in Austin

Jimmie Vaughan recently took to his social media accounts after taggers vandalized the iconic statue of his brother and legendary blues artist Stevie Ray Vaughan on the south shore of Lady Bird Lake in Austin. Police in Austin became aware of the graffiti, which looks like it was partially removed in the process. Although the paint seems to be relegated to only the back of the statue, which faces the lake, the simple fact that someone would deface a tribute to Texas talent such as this has stirred his fans, friends, and family into a frenzy, and rightfully so.

Three varying accounts from passers-by at the trail on the lake identify that the graffiti was first noticed on Monday, January 29, when the white paint across its back was much brighter and more visible. “We don’t take too kindly to things like this in Texas! Speechless……. for now. JV #SRV” is what Jimmie posted to his Facebook page on hearing word shortly thereafter.

Photo: Facebook/Beth & Bella TX Concierge

In an interview with the Austin American-Statesman, Austin-based photographer Mike Holp, who took a picture of the vandalism, said, “It’s very disgraceful. Obviously Stevie Ray Vaughan is a legend in Austin. I couldn’t even read it (the graffiti). So what’s the point?” Holp posted the picture to his Instagram account, prompting more than a dozen comments from locals who were visibly upset by the act. Jimmie Vaughan’s Facebook posting has generated more than 7,000 shares and over 11 thousand reactions. Curtis and April Fluitt appeared to have captured all of our reactions concisely, however, when they noted, “Austin has an entire area for graffiti,” in reference to Graffiti Park near downtown, which has been recently voted by the Austin’s Historic Landmark Commission to be demolished and relocated. “This is not the sort of thing you graffiti.”