Steve Vai

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Steve Vai
Steve Vai 2011.jpg
Vai in 2015
Background information
Birth name Steven Siro Vai
Born June 6, 1960 (age 59)
Carle Place, New York, U.S.
Genres

Instrumental rock hard rock heavy metal progressive rock progressive metal
experimental rock

Instruments Guitar, vocals

Years active 1978�present
Labels

Favored Nations Relativity Epic

Associated acts

Joe Satriani Eric Johnson Paul Gilbert Frank Zappa Alcatrazz David Lee Roth
Public Image Ltd Whitesnake Meat Loaf Zappa Plays Zappa Devin Townsend Billy
Sheehan G3 2Cellos

Website vai.com

Steven Siro Vai (/va?/; born June 6, 1960) is an American guitarist, composer,
singer, songwriter, and producer. A three-time Grammy Award winner and fifteen-time
nominee,[1] Vai started his music career in 1978 at the age of eighteen as a
transcriptionist for Frank Zappa,[2] and played in Zappa's band from 1980 to 1983.
[1] He embarked on a solo career in 1983 and has released eight solo albums to
date.[3] He has recorded and toured with Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth, and Whitesnake,
as well as recording with artists such as Public Image Ltd, Mary J. Blige, Spinal
Tap, and Ozzy Osbourne. Additionally, Vai has toured with live-only acts G3, Zappa
Plays Zappa, and the Experience Hendrix tour, as well as headlining international
tours.[4]

Vai has been described as a "highly individualistic player" and part of a

generation of "heavy rock and metal virtuosi who came to the fore in the 1980s".[5]
He released his first solo album Flex-Able in 1984, while his most successful
release, Passion and Warfare (1990), was described as "the richest and best hard
rock guitar-virtuoso album of the '80s".[6] He was voted the "10th Greatest
Guitarist" by Guitar World magazine,[7] and has sold over 15 million records.[1][8]
Contents

1 Biography
1.1 Early life
1.2 Early music career (1978�1986)
 1.3 With David Lee Roth (1985�1989)
1.4 1990s
1.5 2000s
1.6 2010�present
2 Media appearances
2.1 Video games
2.2 Films
3 Style and influence
4 Notable contributions
4.1 Work with Frank Zappa
4.2 JEM and Universe guitars
4.3 Alien Guitar Secrets masterclasses
4.4 Eventide H3000 Ultra-Harmonizer
4.5 DiMarzio pickups
4.6 Carvin Legacy amplifier
4.7 Touring
5 Equipment
5.1 Guitar rig and signal flow
6 Personal life
7 Band history
8 Discography
9 Grammy awards
10 See also
11 References
12 External links

Biography
Early life

Steve Vai, a descendant of Italian immigrants, was born in Carle Place, New York on
June 6, 1960. He is the fourth son of John and Theresa Vai.[9] He described his
first experiences with music as, "at the age of five I walked up to [a] piano, hit
a note, and noticed that to the right the notes go higher and to the left the notes
go lower. In that very moment, I had a full-on epiphany. I was flooded with the
instinctual realization of how music was created and how it worked from a
theoretical standpoint�the whole language of music was very obvious. I also
understood immediately, instinctually, and unequivocally something that has only
deepened through the years that the creation of music is an infinite personal
expression. I realized that I could do this, I could make music, and it could be
whatever I want."[10][11][12]

It was a year later, at the age of six, that Vai experienced his first introduction
to the guitar, remembering that, "I saw this nine-year-old boy playing the guitar
in my grade school auditorium, and that was another epiphany that I had. It was my
first recognition of the instrument. When I saw that guitar and I saw this kid
playing it, I knew instinctually that I was going to play the guitar someday, and
that it would be my instrument. Don't ask me how I knew, I just knew. It was the
coolest thing I had ever seen."[10][12]

As a young child, Vai was influenced by the music his parents had listened to. One
album in particular that he cites as his "musical awakening" was the original
motion picture soundtrack to the 1961 film West Side Story.[13] At age eleven, Vai
was introduced to the contemporary rock and progressive music of the era, and after
hearing the guitar solo to Led Zeppelin's "Heartbreaker" at age twelve, decided to
begin playing the guitar.

In 1973, Vai began to take guitar lessons from fellow New York native Joe Satriani,
and played in local bands (The Ohio Express, Circus, and Rayge) throughout his high
school years.[14] Vai cites artists such as Jimmy Page, Brian May, Ritchie
Blackmore, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, as well as jazz fusion guitarists Allan
Holdsworth and Al Di Meola as some of his major influences in that time period.[15]
In 1978, to further pursue his interest in music composition and theory, Vai
attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. While at Berklee, Vai
began working for Frank Zappa as a transcriptionist, and in the middle of his
fourth semester, moved to California to start his career as a session and touring
artist for Zappa.[16] Also while at Berklee, Vai met his future spouse Pia Maiocco,
with whom he has been together since; they have two children.[17] In 2003, Vai was
awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee. [18]
Early music career (1978�1986)
Steve Vai (on guitar in between the drums and keyboard, to the right), Frank Zappa
and band during a concert at the Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York (October
25, 1980)

In 1978, Vai sent both a notated transcription of Frank Zappa's "The Black Page",
and a recording of his college band, Morning Thunder, to Zappa.[19][20] Impressed
by this, Zappa responded by putting Vai on salary as a transcriptionist to
transcribe his work, which included pieces from the Joe's Garage and Shut Up 'n
Play Yer Guitar albums.[21] After leaving Berklee College of Music and moving to
California, Vai auditioned[22] for and became a full-time member of Zappa's band,
going on his first tour with Zappa in late 1980.[19] Zappa often referred to Vai as
his "little Italian virtuoso",[23] and Vai is frequently listed in the liner notes
of Zappa's albums as having performed "stunt" or "impossible" guitar parts.[24]

Vai was a featured artist on the 1993 release Zappa's Universe, and in 2006, Vai
appeared as a special guest on Dweezil Zappa's Zappa Plays Zappa tour; both
projects won Vai a Grammy Award.[25]

After moving on from Zappa's employ in 1983, Vai bought a house in Sylmar, Los
Angeles, where he built his first professional studio.[26] During this period, Vai
formed two bands (The Classified and 777)[27] as well as writing and recording a
large amount of music that was not originally intended for release. Out of this
material, Vai compiled his first studio album Flex-Able. He created his own record
label, Akashic Records (later Light Without Heat Records), which he used to take
Flex-Able directly to distribution channels.[28] Flex-Able was released in January
1984.

Vai began his rise to public acclaim in 1983 when, shortly before the release of
Flex-Able, his composition "The Attitude Song" was published in Guitar Player
magazine.[24] The song centered itself on a main guitar riff in the time signature
7/16, played over a rhythm section centered in 4/4. Each following section of the
song showcased a number of specialized techniques (such as two-handed tapping,
whammy bar acrobatics, sweep picking, alternate picking, multi-part harmonies, and
odd phrasing) used in angular and exaggerated ways that were unique to the song at
the time.[24] Interest from the public eye grew more so when Vai's song "Blue
Powder" (a demonstration for the Carvin X100b amplifier) was published in Guitar
Player as well, which showed the virtuoso side of Vai's compositional process. Also
in 1986, Vai was cast in the blockbuster film Crossroads as the Devil's guitar
player "Jack Butler". In the famous "duel scene" between Vai and Ralph Macchio's
characters, Vai wrote and performed all guitar parts with the exception of the
slide guitar, which was performed by Ry Cooder.[29]

In between solo work, Vai replaced Yngwie Malmsteen in June 1984 as the lead
guitarist of Alcatrazz, with whom he recorded the album Disturbing the Peace. Vai
left shortly after the subsequent tour to join David Lee Roth's band.
With David Lee Roth (1985�1989)

In 1985, Vai joined David Lee Roth's post-Van Halen band as lead guitarist,
together with former Talas Bassist Billy Sheehan on bass; and former Maynard
Ferguson drummer Gregg Bissonette on drums. The foursome's debut album Eat 'Em and
Smile, released on July 7, 1986, was both a critical and commercial success,
reaching number four on the Billboard 200 albums chart and selling over two million
copies. Guitar World magazine editor Brad Tolinski commented on Vai's playing at
the time, saying that "Steve Vai's guitar wizardry is so profound that in earlier
times he would have been burned as a witch."[30] Retrospectively, Eat 'Em and Smile
is frequently evaluated as one of the greatest rock albums of the 1980s.[31] The
group's Eat 'Em and Smile Tour began in August 1986 and continued through February
1987.

Roth's subsequent album Skyscraper, released in 1988, was produced by both Roth and
Vai.[32] Like its predecessor, the album was a commercial success, reaching number
six on the Billboard 200 chart. In 1989, following the successful Skyscraper Tour,
Vai departed from the band.[33] He was replaced by Cacophony guitarist Jason
Becker.

In 1985, after having joined Roth's band, Vai designed the JEM guitar, a unique
instrument that incorporated a series of groundbreaking designs that have since
become staples in feature throughout the guitar industry. Vai began working with
Ibanez in 1986 to develop the guitar, and the first production Ibanez JEM 777
guitars were released in 1987.
1990s
Vai playing a twin-necked Ibanez, c. 1990s

From 1985-90, Vai recorded Passion and Warfare at his home studio, his second
studio solo album.[34][35] After leaving Roth's band in 1989, Vai bought out of his
Capitol Records contract and signed on with Relativity Records for the release of
Passion and Warfare, which was completed shortly after he began recording the
guitar parts for Whitesnake's Slip of the Tongue album, where he replaced the
injured Adrian Vandenberg.[35]

Upon its release in November 1989, Slip of the Tongue sold over three million
copies worldwide, reaching number 10 on the Billboard 200 while Vai joined the band
on their thirteen-month world tour.[35][36][37]

In May 1990, Vai released Passion and Warfare through Relativity Records,[35][38]
and following its release, the album had reached number 18 in the Billboard 200,
selling over a million and a half copies worldwide.[35][39][40] Passion and Warfare
won Vai a number of awards such as Guitar World and Guitar Player's "Best Album"
and "Best Rock Guitarist" awards.[41] Passion and Warfare has been cited as one of
the most pertinent instrumental albums released.[42][43]

1990 also saw the release of the Ibanez Universe seven-string guitar co-designed by
Vai in conjunction with Ibanez. Vai left Whitesnake in 1990 to pursue his own
musical avenues, and formed a band that included Devin Townsend on vocals, T. M.
Stevens on bass, and Terry Bozzio on drums.[40] The group released Sex & Religion
on July 23, 1993, that was described as visceral in nature, combining a
compositional and progressive metal rhythm section with Devin Townsend's vocal
arrangements.[44] After the following tour in support of the album, the group
disbanded.[40][44] Vai began working with Ozzy Osbourne in 1994, with whom he wrote
and recorded the Ozzmosis album. Due to conflicts, the album was re-written and
recorded with Zakk Wylde on guitar.[45] In 1994, Vai won a Grammy award for his
performance of "Sofa", from Zappa's Universe.[46]

While recording his fourth studio album Fire Garden, Vai took time to record and
release the stripped down EP Alien Love Secrets.[47] A departure from the often
highly compositional and heavily produced style of his previous projects, the
seven-track EP was recorded in four weeks and released through Relativity/Epic
Records on March 21, 1995.[40][48] Vai cites this record as one of his favorites,
saying "The recording and release of Alien Love Secrets marked another turning
point in my personal evolution. I was more concerned with making the record that I
wanted to make, and not worry about what some others thought I should be
doing."[47]

On September 17, 1996, Vai released Fire Garden, 19-track double album, through
Epic,[49] with the first half being primarily instrumental while the second half
featured Vai on vocals.[40] After the release of Fire Garden, Vai joined his former
teacher Joe Satriani, along with guitarist Eric Johnson, for the second installment
of the ongoing G3 concert tours. On each G3 tour, three guitar-centric headlining
acts are chosen to perform their own sets, and then collectively jam to fan
favorite songs at the end of the show.[50] G3: Live in Concert, a video of the 1996
tour was filmed in Columbus, Ohio and released on June 3, 1997.[51]

In 1998, Vai independently released a performance footage DVD of Alien Love

Secrets.[52] Also in 1998, Vai started the Make a Noise Foundation with his then-
manager Ruta Sepetys. The goal of the foundation was to provide funding for musical
education to those otherwise unable to attain it. Today, Vai often auctions items
in his possession with proceeds going to the foundation.[53]
2000s
Vai performing in 2001

In December 2001, Vai recorded two performances at The Astoria in London, with his
band The Breed (composed of former David Lee Roth bandmate Billy Sheehan,
guitarist/pianist Tony MacAlpine, guitarist Dave Weiner, and drummer Virgil
Donati). This live show was released independently in DVD format as Steve Vai: Live
at the Astoria, London in 2003, and was Vai's first of many successful live concert
DVD projects.[54] In 2004, Vai released twelve tracks from the DVD in an online
only release.[55]

2001 saw the limited release of The Secret Jewel Box, a conceptual ten-CD box set
containing unique material from various eras of Vai's career. Four compilation
albums (The Elusive Light and Sound, Vol. 1; Mystery Tracks � Archives Vol. 3;
Various Artists � Archives Vol. 4; and Vai: Piano Reductions, Vol. 1) included as
part of the box set, were released to the public both in 2001 and the years
following.[56] Also in 2001, Vai's record label Favored Nations released No
Substitutions: Live in Osaka. The release, which Vai himself produced and
engineered, won him his second Grammy award for Best Pop Instrumental Album in
February 2002.[57]

While most widely recognized for his stature as a rock guitar player, Vai is also a
musical composer fluent in the composition and arranging of orchestral music. In
May 2004, Vai premiered "The Aching Hunger", a project commissioned by the
Netherlands Programme Service and performed with the Netherlands' Metropole
Orchestra. "The Aching Hunger" performances consisted of two parts: the first
showcasing Vai's original contemporary orchestral compositions, and the second
consisting of Vai (on guitar) playing newly arranged material from his catalog with
the orchestra.[58] This project yielded both the Visual Sound Theories DVD and the
Sound Theories Vol. I & II album, which were recorded in 2005 during multiple
"Aching Hunger" performances and released in June 2007.[59] While "The Aching
Hunger" and its following releases started Vai's public career as an orchestral
composer, Vai had been composing since he began a music theory class (taught by
Bill Westcott) in high school. In speaking of Westcott, Vai says "He taught me how
to write, compose and appreciate music. There was no greater musical influence in
my life."[60]

In 2005, Vai released Real Illusions: Reflections, the first installment in an

ongoing three-part trilogy concept album. Each of the three installments to the
series contain material (songs, lyrics, and both spoken and written narration) with
particular relationships to the storyline, purposefully left out of order. Upon the
release of the third installment, Vai intends to complete a fourth album of
material, which will then be released with the previous three installments and
completed storyline in order.[61][62] In speaking of the storyline, Vai says "It's
a human interest story, about the human condition. ... It's a story about this man
who has a traumatic experience in his life, and it drives him insane. We see the
story through his eyes. It also involves the town he lives in and this stranger
that enters the town who's like a shaman; he builds this giant edifice, like a
reflecting pond, and when people come to it they see aspects of their personalities
and identities and discover things about themselves. There's some comedy involved,
too, but it's pretty esoteric. It's about a lot of lofty principles, so it's not a
bad idea to dish this all out slowly."[63] The installments to the series will be
released over periods of time, with the second, The Story of Light, having been
released in 2012.[64]

In 2006, Vai joined the Zappa Plays Zappa tour as a special guest, alongside
additional Zappa band alumni Terry Bozzio and Napoleon Murphy Brock. In 2008, for
his performance of "Peaches en Regalia" from the Zappa Plays Zappa tour, Vai won
his third Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.[57] Having always
enjoyed the aspect of teaching and sharing his experiences in life and in the music
business,[citation needed] Vai began a series of "Alien Guitar Secrets"
masterclasses in 2006- a touring masterclass in which Vai holds open forum
discussion about his own experiences in the music industry, explains the key
principles to understanding success, plays to backing tracks (often inviting class
attendees to jam with him), answers questions, articulates key points of guitar
technique, and more importantly goes beyond the technique and into the more
profound esoteric principles at play (see Notable contributions for more on this).