Stevie is voted Best Electric Blues Guitarist by Guitar Player magazine for the third straight year. He would go on to win this award every year until 1991. While on tour in Germany, Stevie collapses and later enters a London drug rehabilitation clinic. Stevie's father Jim dies of Parkinson's disease on August 27. He and Tommy Shannon emerge clean and sober from an Atlanta detox center.
Double Trouble makes a highly regarded North American tour.
Later that year, Stevie files for divorce from Lenora Bailey Vaughan. Stevie's divorce from Lenora is finalized. 1989 - In Step is released. This is the first album that Stevie makes without the aid of drugs. Double Trouble tours with Jeff Beck and appears on Austin City Limits for the second time.