"Stevie Ray Vaughan was very intense. Maybe that's what caught everybody's attention. As a player, he didn't do anything amazing"

Ritchie Blackmore's quote about Stevie Ray Vaughan uses a nuanced point of view that highlights contrasting elements of Vaughan's musicianship. The declaration, at its core, distinguishes between technical prowess and emotional strength. Blackmore, himself a legendary guitar player understood for his work with Deep Purple and Rainbow, recommends that Vaughan's true allure lay not in revolutionary technical skills however in the intensity and passion with which he played.

When Blackmore declares that Vaughan was "really intense", he likely refers to the emotive energy and raw power that Vaughan transported through his music. Vaughan was known for his deeply expressive style, which, while possibly not groundbreaking in a strictly technical sense, had an extensive ability to get in touch with audiences on an emotional level. This strength might manifest in the kind of his enthusiastic, emotional solos, the large force of his phase presence, and his capability to instill each note with meaning and feeling.

The second part of Blackmore's comment, "as a player, he didn't do anything remarkable", could be seen as a reflection of Vaughan's focus on feel and authenticity over flashiness or complex methods. Vaughan revered and constructed on the customs of blues guitar, transporting impacts like Albert King and Jimi Hendrix. His playing was rooted deeply in blues customs, which he articulated with an uniquely effective touch and phrasing. Blackmore may be acknowledging that Vaughan's contributions weren't about introducing extreme strategies or intricate flamboyance, but rather about improving and passionately expressing existing kinds.

Blackmore's quote invites reflection on what makes an artist "remarkable". While technical innovation and complexity are certainly excellent, Vaughan's tradition highlights that intensity, enthusiasm, and the ability to touch listeners deeply are equally, if not more, significant. Ultimately, Blackmore's words underscore the idea that real musical effect lies in the emotional resonance and connection a musician can create with their audience.