W.C. CLARK,
1939-2024

W.C. Clark, the “Godfather of Austin Blues,” who mentored such artists as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Angela Strehli, died 3/2. He was 84.

The guitarist-singer’s career spanned more than seven decades, starting in Austin clubs before touring with Joe Tex in the mid-1960s. After returning to Austin in the early 1970s, he formed the band Southern Feeling with Strehli and guitarist Denny Freeman, following it with the W.C. Clark Blues Revue. In 1977, Clark joined Vaughan in the Triple Threat Revue with Lou Ann Barton. During their time together Clark co-wrote “Cold Shot,” which would become one of Vaughan’s best-known songs.

A 1989 edition of Austin City Limits celebrating Clark’s 50th found him performing with Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, Kim Wilson, Barton, Strehli and Will Sexton, which introduced him to a national audience. He made his solo recording debut in 19887 and would release eight albums in his lifetime.