Danny Vaughn

Danny Vaughn (born Daniel Himler; July 18, 1961) is an American hard rock singer from Cleveland, Ohio, renowned as the lead vocalist for the melodic hard rock bands Waysted and Tyketto.^[1][2] Vaughn's career began in the mid-1980s with Waysted, a British-American hard rock group formed by former UFO members, where he contributed to their 1986 album Save Your Prayers. He then co-founded Tyketto in 1987 in New York City, serving as frontman for the band known for its anthemic, Whitesnake-influenced sound, with Vaughn's powerful vocals defining albums like their 1991 self-titled debut and 1994's Strength in Numbers.^[3] Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Tyketto faced lineup changes and hiatuses but reunited periodically, releasing further albums such as the live Take Out and Served Hot Live (2004) and Reach (2016).^[2] In addition to his band work, Vaughn fronted the short-lived supergroup Flesh & Blood in the early 1990s alongside members from Saraya and Tyketto, contributing to the album Blues for Daze (1997),^[2] and launched his own project Vaughn in 2001, highlighted by the album Fearless. He has pursued solo releases, including The Traveller (2007), and performed with tribute acts like the Illegal Eagles and Ultimate Eagles, while maintaining an active touring schedule with house concerts and festival appearances.^[2] As of 2025, Vaughn remains Tyketto's steadfast vocalist, with the band signing to Silver Lining Music for their sixth studio album, Closer to the Sun, slated for March 2026 release.^[4]

Early life

Birth and upbringing

Danny Vaughn was born Daniel Himler on July 18, 1961, in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.^[2][5] Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to New York City, where he was raised on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, about 15 blocks south of Harlem.^[5] Vaughn grew up in an artistic household; both of his parents were painters who fostered a creative environment from an early age.^[6][7] In the mid-1960s, when Vaughn was around three years old, his parents sold their possessions and embarked on a three-year journey across Europe with him, often living out of a Mini Cooper while immersing themselves in art, architecture, and museums.^[6] This nomadic period exposed him to diverse cultural influences, though the family eventually returned to the United States and settled back in New York.^[6] During his childhood, Vaughn attended a Steiner (Waldorf) school on scholarship, emphasizing holistic education.^[7] His home life included regular exposure to music through his parents' record collection, featuring Beatles albums alongside Motown, soul, Bob Dylan, and folk artists, which provided his initial casual encounters with rock and popular sounds.^[6][7]

Initial musical influences

Vaughn's initial musical education began around age 10 or 11 in grade school, where he joined the choir after a teacher recognized his energetic nature and channeled it into singing; he quickly performed his first solo, "Pie Jesu," in soprano at a church event shortly thereafter.^[7][6] His early training also included playing the recorder and participating in Gilbert & Sullivan operettas as part of school activities, fostering a foundation in classical and theatrical music.^[8][7] A key aspect of his childhood music exposure came from his family's record collection, particularly The Beatles' albums, which his parents played at home and to which he sang along enthusiastically as a young child.^[8][7] This familial influence introduced him to pop and rock harmonies, alongside other classic acts like Simon & Garfunkel, shaping his early appreciation for melodic songwriting and vocal blending.^[7] At age 14, Vaughn received his first guitar as a gift, embarking on self-taught lessons that quickly led him to form his initial band, Relative Pleasure, with school friends; the group performed cover songs at parties and local venues, marking his entry into rock performance.^[8][6] His influences expanded during this period to include classic rock bands such as Aerosmith and Blackfoot, before transitioning toward harder-edged sounds like Iron Maiden, which he covered extensively in subsequent local cover bands during high school.^[6][9] Vaughn's first amateur performances took place in high school and nearby settings in the late 1970s, where he honed his skills through these cover-oriented groups amid the vibrant New York rock scene.^[6][5]

Career

Formation of early bands and Waysted (1980s)

After graduating high school, Danny Vaughn transitioned to the professional music circuit in the early 1980s, joining several cover bands in New York and New Jersey where he performed material by Iron Maiden and comparable hard rock artists.^[6][9] These gigs provided his initial exposure to live performance demands and helped build his reputation as a vocalist in the local scene.^[6] In 1986, Vaughn auditioned successfully and joined Waysted as lead vocalist, replacing the band's previous singer Fin amid ongoing lineup shifts.^[6][10] Formed by former UFO bassist Pete Way, the group sought a more mainstream sound to align with rising acts like Bon Jovi, and Vaughn's dynamic style fit the label's vision.^[11] He contributed significantly to their fourth studio album, Save Your Prayers (1986), providing lyrics and some musical elements, though the recording process was rushed, leading to production challenges and subpar audio quality in parts.^[6] Disputes arose over songwriting credits, which were primarily attributed to Way and guitarist Paul Chapman despite Vaughn's input, exacerbating tensions with management who pressured him to accept the arrangement.^[6] Waysted's momentum peaked with a high-profile world tour in 1986–1987, opening for Iron Maiden on their Somewhere on Tour across Europe, North America, and beyond, including dates in Oslo, Belgrade, and Cleveland.^[12] This exposure marked a rapid ascent for Vaughn, transitioning from cover sets of Iron Maiden to sharing stages with them.^[9] However, internal band dynamics soured due to creative clashes and interpersonal issues, particularly Vaughn's sense of being undervalued by Way, who reportedly resisted his inclusion.^[11] Additional lineup changes, including shifts on keyboards and drums, added to the instability. Vaughn left the band around 1987, citing irreconcilable creative differences as the primary reason.^[6]

Rise with Tyketto (late 1980s–1990s)

After leaving Waysted, Danny Vaughn co-founded Tyketto in 1987 in New York City, assembling the lineup with guitarist Brooke St. James, bassist Jimi Kennedy, and drummer Michael Clayton; he served as the band's lead vocalist and primary co-songwriter. The group immersed themselves in an intensive rehearsal regimen, practicing 5–6 hours daily in what Vaughn described as a "rock and roll boot-camp," which allowed them to craft a cohesive hard rock sound influenced by the thriving New York/New Jersey scene. By 1989, they had solidified their material and began performing locally, transitioning quickly from cover sets in small venues to original material showcases.^[13][14] Tyketto signed with Geffen Records in 1990 and achieved their breakthrough with the release of their debut album Don't Come Easy in 1991, which showcased Vaughn's powerful vocals and the band's melodic hard rock style. The album's lead single, "Forever Young," became a standout hit, receiving notable MTV airplay through its official music video and establishing the band as a promising act in the glam rock era. This success propelled Tyketto onto major tours as openers for established acts, including White Lion—where Vaughn recalled "blowing them off stage" at a key Nottingham Rock City show—Skid Row, Bulletboys, and Whitesnake, exposing them to larger audiences across the US and Europe. Vaughn later reflected on the rapid rise as a "constant feeling of being in motion," highlighted by their first European gig at St. David's Hall in Wales, where fans already knew "Forever Young" by heart despite the band having only three shows outside the US.^{[15][14][13][16]} The band's momentum continued with the 1994 release of their second album, Strength in Numbers, on CMC International after parting ways with Geffen amid shifting industry priorities. Despite critical praise for tracks like "Rescue Me" and continued European touring, Tyketto faced growing challenges from the rise of grunge, which Vaughn called a "soul-crushing" change that marginalized melodic hard rock acts. The band released their third album, Shine, in 1995. Internal band tensions, compounded by label neglect—such as self-funding their "Wings" video—culminated in Vaughn's departure in 1995 and the band's split in 1996; Vaughn noted the frustration of going from headlining promising shows to grappling with an unsupportive music landscape.^[17][13][14]

Vaughn band and side projects (2000s)

Following the hiatus of Tyketto in the late 1990s, Danny Vaughn formed his namesake band Vaughn in 2000 as a vehicle to continue exploring melodic hard rock with a similar emphasis on strong songwriting and vocal-driven melodies.^[18] The band debuted with the album Soldiers and Sailors on Riverside that year, self-released initially before pickup by Z Records, featuring Vaughn on vocals and guitar alongside a rotating lineup of collaborators that maintained the group's core sound.^[19] This project allowed Vaughn to retain creative control while building on Tyketto's established style, drawing in fans familiar with his prior work.^[20] Vaughn followed up with the studio album Fearless in 2001, again through Z Records, which showcased polished production and tracks blending hard rock energy with introspective lyrics, produced by Vaughn himself alongside Michael Clayton Arbeeny and Paul Orofino.^[21] The band also captured their momentum with the live release Forever Live in 2002, recorded during performances that highlighted Vaughn's commanding stage presence and the ensemble's tight instrumentation.^[22] Despite these efforts, the Vaughn releases faced challenges, including limited distribution from the independent label Z Records and a shifting music industry landscape that hindered broader commercial breakthrough, though they garnered positive reception in niche melodic rock communities for their authenticity and energy.^[20] Alongside Vaughn, Vaughn contributed guest vocals to side projects that diversified his output in the early 2000s. In 2004, Vaughn fronted the supergroup-like project From the Inside for their self-titled debut album on Frontiers Records, co-writing select tracks and delivering soaring vocals over melodic rock arrangements produced by Fabrizio Grossi, which earned praise for its emotional depth and radio-friendly hooks among European fans.^[20][23] Vaughn's activities in the 2000s increasingly involved European touring to connect with international audiences, including UK headline dates in 2007 where he performed Vaughn material alongside Tyketto classics, fostering strong fan loyalty through intimate venues despite logistical hurdles like modest promotion budgets.^[24] These tours, often centered in the UK and continental Europe, received enthusiastic responses for Vaughn's charismatic delivery and the band's live chemistry, helping sustain his career amid the era's digital disruptions to traditional rock promotion.^[24] By the late 2000s, Vaughn began transitioning toward more solo-oriented efforts, releasing acoustic and introspective works like Traveller (2007) and The Road Less Travelled (2009) under his own name, signaling a shift from band dynamics to personal artistic expression while occasionally drawing on Vaughn-era collaborators.^[19]

Recent collaborations and tours (2010s–present)

Tyketto reformed in 2004 with its original lineup, including Vaughn on vocals, guitarist Brooke St. James, bassist Jimi Kennedy, and drummer Michael Clayton. The band released their fourth studio album, Dig in Deep, in 2012. In the 2010s, this led to the release of their fifth studio album, Reach, on October 14, 2016, via Frontiers Music Srl, marking a return to their hard rock roots with renewed energy. The album's title reflected the group's resurgence, incorporating modern production while honoring their classic sound. Following Reach, Tyketto issued the live album and DVD We've Got Tomorrow, We've Got Tonight in early 2019, capturing a 2018 performance from Milan, Italy, and showcasing the band's chemistry during their European reunion tour that same year. These efforts were supported by extensive European touring, including a 25th-anniversary celebration of their sophomore album in 2019, with shows across Germany, the UK, and Italy that drew dedicated fans and highlighted Vaughn's enduring vocal prowess.^[7] Vaughn expanded his collaborative work in the 2010s and beyond, contributing vocals to select projects that blended his melodic hard rock style with diverse ensembles. In 2013, he joined Spanish guitarist Manuel Seoane's superband Burning Kingdom for their album Simplified, released via Escape Music, where Vaughn's leads elevated tracks like "Watching As It Burns" with his signature emotive delivery. That same year, Vaughn provided guest vocals on two tracks—"Over And Over" and "Spinning Wheel"—for Rage of Angels' debut album Dreamworld, also on Escape Music, infusing the progressive hard rock material with his smooth, powerful range. Shifting to a more acoustic vein, Vaughn partnered with Dan Reed of the Dan Reed Network to form the duo Snake Oil & Harmony, releasing their debut album Hurricane Riders in February 2020 via Zero One Entertainment; the record featured heartfelt, blues-inflected songwriting co-penned by the pair, including standouts like "The Last Man Standing," and stemmed from their earlier acoustic live sessions. Since 2012, Vaughn has been a core member of The Illegal Eagles, the UK's premier tribute band to the Eagles, performing lead vocals on Don Henley parts and contributing guitar across their extensive repertoire of hits like "Hotel California" and "Desperado." The band, which includes musicians such as bassist Chris Childs and guitarist Keith Atack, has maintained a rigorous touring schedule, headlining festivals like the Download Festival and performing residencies at major UK venues including the London Palladium and Royal Albert Hall. Their shows emphasize faithful recreations with high-fidelity arrangements, allowing Vaughn to showcase his vocal versatility in over 100 annual performances across Europe, sustaining his live presence amid other commitments. As of 2025, Vaughn continues to balance these endeavors with Tyketto's ongoing activities, including a fall European tour in Germany and Holland announced for that year. Looking ahead, Tyketto's sixth studio album, Closer to the Sun, is slated for release in March 2026 via Silver Lining Music, promising a continuation of their revitalized sound with Vaughn at the helm.^[4]

Musical style and equipment

Vocal technique and influences

Danny Vaughn is renowned for his melodic, powerful, and emotional tenor voice, capable of delivering soaring high notes and sustained phrases that convey deep intensity in rock and hard rock contexts. His technique features a natural vibrato and bluesy phrasing, allowing for expressive bends and emotional inflections that enhance the storytelling in his performances. This approach stems from his hard rock roots, enabling him to maintain clarity and power across a wide vocal range in live and studio settings.^[25][9] Vaughn's influences include classic rock vocalists such as Paul Rodgers of Free and Bad Company, whose blues-infused delivery shaped his phrasing and sustain, as well as Steve Perry of Journey and Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple, contributing to his melodic precision and emotional depth.^[9] Additional inspirations like Steven Tyler and David Coverdale further informed his rock frontman energy, blending raw power with soulful expression.^[26] These elements result in a style often compared to Rodgers for its gritty, heartfelt timbre, emphasizing Vaughn's ability to infuse hard rock with blues authenticity.^[9] Over his career, Vaughn's vocal style has evolved from the high-energy, glam metal highs of the 1990s, characterized by explosive sustains and arena-ready power, to a more mature, acoustic-infused delivery in his 2010s solo work, where richer timbre and nuanced dynamics reflect age-enhanced control.^[26] He attributes this growth to decades of experience, noting that voices in male singers often peak in their 50s with added depth and effortless projection.^[26] Critics and peers have praised Vaughn as one of rock's premier voices, highlighting his enduring power and emotional resonance in interviews and reviews.^[25] For instance, his technique is lauded for sounding "effortless" while maintaining vocal health through disciplined warm-ups and lifestyle choices, solidifying his reputation in the melodic rock scene.^[9]

Guitar playing and gear

Although best known as a lead vocalist, Danny Vaughn is proficient on rhythm and acoustic guitar, contributing occasional lead parts in his solo projects and the Vaughn band. His instrumental role complements his primary focus on singing, adding depth to performances across his career. Vaughn favors acoustic guitars from brands like Taylor, Yamaha, or Takamine for live unplugged sets and house concerts, selecting models with reliable pickup systems to facilitate high-quality amplification in intimate settings.^[27] In collaborations, Vaughn has demonstrated his guitar skills, such as on bonus tracks for the 2021 reissue of Flesh & Blood's 1997 blues-rock album Blues for Daze, where he played guitars, as well as acoustic guitar alongside blues harp on the acoustic rendition of "Riverside."^[28][29] Vaughn's playing emphasizes blues-rock rhythms that support vocal lines, drawing from 1970s hard rock influences evident in Tyketto's live shows. Over time, particularly in the 2010s, his work has evolved toward greater acoustic emphasis in solo and tribute performances, enabling stripped-down arrangements of his catalog.

Personal life

Family and residences

Vaughn married Melissa Vaughn (née White) on September 4, 2009, after meeting her in 2008 while living in Limerick, Ireland.^[30][31] The couple has maintained a private family life with no publicly documented children, emphasizing stability amid Vaughn's demanding tour schedule.^[31] Melissa has occasionally joined him on tours, providing support during extended absences from home.^[31] Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 18, 1961, Vaughn retains connections to his Midwestern upbringing despite years abroad.^[1] Following his time in Ireland, the couple relocated to Estepona, Spain, around 2009, where they have resided on the Costa del Sol since.^[32][33] Vaughn's extensive touring career has fostered a deep appreciation for travel, which he describes as integral to his lifestyle and personal growth.^[34] Overall, Vaughn prioritizes privacy in his personal affairs, keeping family details out of the public eye to focus on professional endeavors.^[31]

Health and activism

Vaughn has maintained a robust career spanning over four decades without major public health challenges, though he has managed laryngopharyngeal reflux (a form of acid reflux) since around 2012, which significantly impacted his vocal performance during a tour in Sheffield, UK.^[35][25] The condition caused his voice to falter without accompanying stomach symptoms, leading to a temporary hiatus and concerns over potential long-term damage to his larynx.^[25] Under guidance from a specialist, Vaughn adopted a vegan diet and lifestyle adjustments, which he credits with restoring his vocal health and preventing further issues.^[34][35] To sustain his voice through extensive touring, Vaughn follows a disciplined routine, including regular warm-ups, avoiding dairy to keep his throat clear, minimal alcohol consumption, and no smoking—habits he traces back to early realizations in his Waysted days about substances like cocaine harming his vocals.^[11][35] He emphasizes eating well and singing consistently as key to longevity, stating that these practices, combined with genetic factors, allow him to perform at a high level.^[11] At age 64 in 2025, Vaughn has made no explicit adjustments to his touring schedule due to age, continuing with international commitments and expressing commitment to new projects as long as he meets his personal standards.^[34] Vaughn has not publicly engaged in notable activism or charitable causes. In recent reflections, Vaughn has discussed the personal growth derived from his career's endurance, highlighting the balance between professional demands and family life as a source of resilience, supported by his relocation to Spain.^[34] He views sustained fan appreciation after more than 40 years as his greatest achievement, fostering a sense of fulfillment that outweighs earlier industry setbacks.^[11] Vaughn approaches each performance with gratitude, often contemplating it as potentially his last, which enhances his appreciation for work-life equilibrium in a demanding profession.^[25]

Discography

Solo studio albums

Danny Vaughn's solo studio career began with Traveller, released in 2007 on Frontiers Records, marking a shift toward a harder, guitar-driven sound compared to his earlier Vaughn band efforts. Self-produced and engineered by Pete "Pee Wee" Coleman, the album features Vaughn handling vocals, guitars, and keyboards, with contributions from bassist Steve McKenna, drummer Greg Morris, and guitarists Pat Heath and Tony Marshall. Key tracks like "Miracle Days," "Traveller," and "Death of the Tiger" highlight his storytelling lyrics and melodic hard rock style, earning praise for its blend of toughness and tenderness in reviews. Critics noted it as some of Vaughn's strongest songwriting to date, evoking Tyketto influences while establishing his individual voice.^[36][37] After a twelve-year hiatus focused on band projects and collaborations, Vaughn returned to solo work with Myths, Legends and Lies in 2019, self-released following a successful PledgeMusic campaign. Recorded at Sonic One Studios with multi-instrumentalist Tim Hamill, the album incorporates diverse elements like Celtic folk, blues, and jazz, produced to emphasize Vaughn's narrative-driven songwriting. Collaborators include bassist Chris Childs (Tyketto), keyboardist and orchestrator Nigel Hopkins, and horn player Andrew Griffith, adding layers to tracks such as "The Missouri Kid," a reflective tale of regret inspired by New York streets, and "The Shadow of King John." The record explores personal myths, life journeys, and untold stories from Vaughn's career, representing a mature evolution in his artistry. Early reception highlighted its genre-spanning appeal and emotional depth, though some rock fans anticipated a more traditional sound; Vaughn expressed satisfaction with the positive live previews and fan support.^[38][39]

Solo live albums and EPs

Danny Vaughn's solo live recordings primarily consist of one official album capturing his performances with a backing band, alongside an acoustic extended play that highlights his intimate, unplugged style. The Road Less Travelled, released in 2009 as a double CD set, is Vaughn's debut solo live album, recorded during a concert at The Cluny in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, on December 13, 2008.^[40] This self-released project features a 18-track setlist drawing from his solo material, earlier Vaughn band songs, and select covers, showcasing his dynamic stage presence and vocal range in a full-band context. Key tracks include "Traveller," "Making Waves," "Soldiers & Sailors on Riverside," and a cover of LeAnn Rimes' "Damn," emphasizing the album's blend of original rock anthems and heartfelt ballads performed to an enthusiastic audience.^[41] The recording received positive feedback for preserving the raw energy of Vaughn's tours, marking a milestone in his solo career evolution toward documenting live shows.^[19] In addition to full-length live efforts, Vaughn issued the acoustic EP Standing Alone in 2002, a limited six-track mini-CD of re-recorded classics from his Tyketto and Vaughn band catalogs, performed in stripped-down arrangements at his home studio.^[42] The EP includes "Wings," "Was There a Moment," "Seasons," "Remember When," "The Voice," and "Write Your Name in the Sky," focusing on Vaughn's guitar-accompanied vocals to deliver an intimate, reflective sound that underscores his songwriting depth without band backing.^[43] Originally a quick sell-out pressing, it was re-issued in 2008 with a bonus track, appealing to fans seeking unplugged interpretations and highlighting Vaughn's versatility in smaller-scale formats.^[44]

With Waysted

Danny Vaughn served as lead vocalist on Waysted's third studio album, Save Your Prayers, released in 1986.^[45] The album was produced by Simon Hanhart and issued by Parlophone in the UK and Capitol Records in the US.^[46] Vaughn provided lead and backing vocals across all tracks, contributing to the band's hard rock sound during this period.^[47] The full track listing for the original release is as follows:

1. "Walls Fall Down" (Paul Chapman, Pete Way) – 4:42
2. "Black & Blue" (Chapman, Way) – 4:23
3. "Singing to the Night" (Chapman, Danny Vaughn, Way) – 4:54
4. "Hell Comes Home" (Chapman, Way) – 5:22
5. "Heroes Die Young" (Vaughn, Way) – 5:47
6. "Heaven Tonight" (Chapman, Way) – 5:19
7. "How the West Was Won" (Chapman, Way) – 4:56
8. "Deal with the Preacher" (Chapman, Way) – 4:18
9. "Save Your Prayers" (Vaughn, Way) – 5:34

Two singles were released from the album: "Black & Blue" and "Heaven Tonight," both in 7-inch formats with edited versions.^[48] The album has seen several reissues, including a 2004 edition by Majestic Rock Records and a 2013 expanded CD by Hear No Evil Recordings that includes bonus tracks such as the B-side "Fire Under the Wheels" and the single edits of "Black & Blue" and "Heaven Tonight."^[48][49]

With Tyketto

Vaughn served as Tyketto's lead vocalist and frequent co-writer during the band's formative years in the 1990s. The group's debut studio album, Don't Come Easy, was released in 1991 by Geffen Records in the United States and Music for Nations in the United Kingdom and Europe.^[15][50] Vaughn provided lead vocals on all tracks and co-wrote several, including the single "Forever Young," which became one of the band's signature songs.^[51] The follow-up album, Strength in Numbers, arrived in 1994, distributed by Music for Nations internationally and DGC Records in some markets. Vaughn again handled lead vocals throughout and contributed to songwriting on multiple tracks, such as "Slave to the Vibe" and "Sugar Suicide."^[52] In the 2000s and 2010s, Vaughn rejoined Tyketto for several projects amid periodic reunions. He fronted the live compilation Take Out & Served Up Live in 1996, which collected performances and unreleased material from the band's early era featuring his vocals.^[53] Vaughn provided lead vocals and co-writing input on the studio album Dig in Deep, released in 2012 by Frontiers Music srl. Later, Vaughn provided lead vocals and co-writing input on the studio album Reach, released in 2016 by Frontiers Music srl, including tracks like "Bag of Tricks" and "The Score."^[19][54] The 2019 live release We've Got Tomorrow, We've Got Tonight, a self-released DVD/CD package capturing reunion performances, also showcased Vaughn's vocals on reinterpreted classics and new material.^[19] Throughout his tenure with Tyketto, Vaughn's contributions extended beyond vocals to co-writing roughly half the original material on their key releases, shaping the band's melodic hard rock sound.^[9]

With other bands

Vaughn contributed lead vocals to the album Blues for Daze by the hard rock band Flesh & Blood, released in 1997 by Now & Then Records and reissued in remastered form in 2021 by Bad Reputation Records.^[19] As frontman of the band Vaughn, he released Soldiers & Sailors on Riverside in 2000 and the self-produced album Fearless in 2001, featuring original material in a melodic hard rock style.^[19] Vaughn served as lead vocalist for the progressive rock supergroup From the Inside on their debut album From the Inside, issued in 2004 by Frontiers Records, which showcased a blend of AOR and symphonic elements.^[19] He provided lead vocals for Burning Kingdom's third studio album Simplified, released in 2013 by Avispa Records, marking a shift toward more streamlined melodic metal arrangements.^[19] In 2020, Vaughn fronted the band Snake Oil & Harmony on their album Hurricane Riders, distributed by Zero One Entertainment, delivering powerful hard rock tracks with orchestral undertones.^[19] Vaughn appeared as a guest vocalist on Rage of Angels' 2013 album Dreamworld, released by Escape Music, contributing to the tracks "Over and Over" and "Spinning Wheel."^[19] Since the mid-2000s, Vaughn has been a core member and lead vocalist of The Illegal Eagles, a tribute band performing Eagles material, featured on live releases including Live & Symphonic (2020, Pinnacle Records), a orchestral-enhanced concert recording, and London Freezes Over (2018), a double live album capturing performances at the Dominion Theatre.^[55][56]