The bronze statue of Stevie Ray Vaughan stands on the south bank of Lady Bird Lake, near the Auditorium Shores where the Austin City Limits Music Festival once had its outdoor stage. Vaughan, who grew up in Dallas but made his reputation in Austin in the late 1970s and became a central figure in the city's music scene, died in a helicopter crash in 1990. The statue, by sculptor Ralph Helmick, shows him in his trademark wide-brimmed hat and cape, guitar in hand.
It is one of Austin's most visited civic monuments and one of the most photogenic spots along the south shore trail. The setting — with the lake and the downtown skyline behind — gives the statue a context that works. Guitar pilgrims leave picks, notes, and other offerings at the base. Adjacent to the statue is Auditorium Shores, a large park and event venue used for free outdoor concerts throughout the year.