| name | Steve Vai |
|---|
| background | solo_singer |
|---|
| birth name | Steven Siro Vai |
|---|
| born | June 06, 1960Carle Place, New York, U.S. |
|---|
| instrument | Guitar, keyboards, vocals |
|---|
| genre | Instrumental rock, hard rock, heavy metal, progressive rock, progressive metal, experimental rock |
|---|
| years active | 1980–present |
|---|
| label | Favored NationsRelativity RecordsUrantia Records Akashic RecordsEpic Records |
|---|
| associated acts | Joe Satriani, Frank Zappa, John Petrucci, Alcatrazz, Orianthi, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, Dream Theater, Eddie Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, Zappa plays Zappa, Billy Sheehan, G3, Bad4Good, Incubus, Devin Townsend |
|---|
| website | Official website |
|---|
| notable instruments | Ibanez JEMIbanez UniverseTom Anderson Drop Top Classic
}} |
|---|
Steven Siro "Steve" Vai (born June 6, 1960) is a three time Grammy Award-winning American virtuoso rock guitarist, composer and producer who has sold over 15 million albums. After starting his professional career as a music transcriptionist for Frank Zappa, Vai recorded and toured in Zappa's band for two years, from 1980 to 1982. The guitarist began a solo career in 1983 and has released 8 of his own solo albums since. Apart from his work with Frank Zappa, Vai has also recorded and toured with Public Image Ltd., Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth, and Whitesnake. Vai has been a regular touring member of the G3 Concert Tour which began in 1996. In 1999 Vai started his own record label, Favored Nations, intending to showcase, as Vai describes, ''"...artists that have attained the highest performance level on their chosen instruments."''
Career
1970s and 1980s
Vai began playing guitar in 1973, at the age of 13. In 1974, he took guitar lessons from guitarist
Joe Satriani, and played in numerous local bands, one of which was called "The Steve Vais." He acknowledged the influence of many guitarists including
Jimi Hendrix,
Jeff Beck,
Brian May,
Jimmy Page,
Glen Buxton, and
jazz fusion guitarist
Allan Holdsworth. Vai followed those lessons by attending the
Berklee College of Music, afterwards recording a promotional piece for them in which he spoke about auditioning for Frank Zappa at age twenty.
Vai mailed
Frank Zappa a transcription of Zappa's "
The Black Page", an instrumental for drums, along with a tape with some of Vai's guitar playing. Zappa was so impressed that, in 1979, he hired him to transcribe a number of his guitar solos, including some on the ''
Joe's Garage'' album and the ''
Shut Up 'n' Play Yer Guitar'' series. These transcriptions were published in 1982 in ''
The Frank Zappa Guitar Book''.
Subsequent to being hired as a transcriber, Vai did overdubs on many of the guitar parts for Zappa's album ''You Are What You Is''. Thereafter he became a full-fledged band member, going on his first tour with Zappa in the autumn of 1980. One of those early shows with Vai on guitar, recorded in Buffalo, was released in 2007. While touring with Zappa's band, Vai sometimes asked audience members to bring musical scores and see if he could sight-read them on the spot. Zappa referred to Vai as his "little Italian virtuoso" and listed him in the liner notes as performing "stunt guitar" or "impossible guitar parts." Later, Vai was a featured artist on the 1993 recording ''Zappa's Universe''. In 2006 he returned to Frank Zappa's music as a special guest on Dweezil Zappa's 'Zappa Plays Zappa' tour, alongside friends from his early years with Zappa.
After leaving Zappa in 1982 he moved to California, where he recorded his first album, ''Flex-Able'', in 1983 and performed in a couple of bands. In 1985 he replaced Yngwie Malmsteen as lead guitarist in Graham Bonnet's Alcatrazz, with whom he recorded the album ''Disturbing the Peace''. Later in 1985, he joined former Van Halen front man David Lee Roth's group to record the albums ''Eat 'Em and Smile'' and ''Skyscraper''.
In 1986, Vai played with John Lydon's Public Image Ltd on their album ''Album'' (also known as ''Compact Disc'' or ''Cassette''). Then, in 1989, Vai joined Whitesnake, replacing Vivian Campbell. When Adrian Vandenberg injured his wrist shortly before recording was to begin for the album ''Slip of the Tongue'', Vai played all the guitar parts. Vai also played on the Alice Cooper album ''Hey Stoopid'', along with Joe Satriani on the song "Feed my Frankenstein."
1990s and 2000s
Vai continues to tour regularly, with his own group and with his one-time teacher and fellow guitar instrumentalist friend
Joe Satriani on the
G3 series of tours. Former
David Lee Roth and
Mr. Big bassist
Billy Sheehan also joined him for a world tour. In 1990, Vai released his critically acclaimed
solo album ''
Passion and Warfare''
The song "For the Love of God" was voted #29 in a readers' poll of the 100 greatest guitar solos of all time in ''Guitar World'' Magazine.
In 1994 Vai began writing and recording with Ozzy Osbourne. Only one track from these sessions, "My Little Man", was released on the ''Ozzmosis'' album. Despite Vai penning the track he does not appear on the album. His guitar parts were replaced by Zakk Wylde. Another track, "Dyin' Day", appeared as an instrumental on Vai's ''Fire Garden'' album. Vai's band members in the 90's included drummer Mike Mangini, guitarist Mike Keneally, and bassist Philip Bynoe. In 1994 Vai received a Grammy Award for his performance on the Frank Zappa song ''Sofa'' from the album ''Zappa's Universe''.
Steve Vai released a DVD of his performance at The Astoria in London in December, 2001. The performance featured Billy Sheehan, guitarist/pianist Tony MacAlpine, guitarist Dave Weiner, and Australian drummer Virgil Donati.
In July 2002, Steve Vai performed with the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra at the Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Japan, in the world premiere of composer Ichiro Nodaira's ''Fire Strings'', a concerto for electric guitar and 100-piece orchestra.
In 2004, a number of his compositions and orchestral arrangements including some previously recorded pieces, were performed in The Netherlands by the Metropole Orchestra in a concert series entitled ''The Aching Hunger''. In 2003, drummer Jeremy Colson joined Vai's group, replacing Virgil Donati. Vai's latest album, ''Sound Theories'', was released in 2007.
In February 2005, Vai premiered a dual-guitar (electric and classical) piece that he called ''The Blossom Suite'', with classical guitarist Sharon Isbin at the Châtelet Theatre in Paris. In 2006, Vai played as a special guest guitarist alongside additional guest Zappa band members, drummer Terry Bozzio, guitarist-singer Ray White, and saxophonist-singer Napoleon Murphy Brock in the "Zappa Plays Zappa" tour led by Frank's son Dweezil Zappa in Europe and the U.S. in the Spring, as well as a short U.S. tour in October.
On September 21, 2006, Vai made a special appearance at the ''Video Games Live'' concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, California. He played two songs with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra; ''Halo Theme'', and a second song for the world premier trailer for Halo 3.
Steve Vai made an appearance at the London Guitar Show in 2007 on the April 28, 2007 at the ExCeL Center. In late April 2007, Vai confirmed the release of his most recent record, ''Sound Theories'', on June 26. The release is a two-CD set, mostly of previously released material that Vai rearranged and played with a full orchestra. Vai says the project was a great joy because he considers himself a composer more than a guitarist, and he is happy to see music he has composed played by an orchestra that can play it well. A DVD followed the record later that year. He guested on the Dream Theater album, ''Systematic Chaos'', on the song "Repentance". The appearance was vocal rather than instrumental, as Vai was only one of many musical guests recorded. The song features contributions from many artists, with the aim of apologizing to important people in their lives for wrongdoings committed in their pasts. On August 29, 2009, he appeared on stage with Dream Theater during the final show of their Progressive Nation tour at the Greek Theater, where he performed in an improvised jam with the other musicians on tour. ''Broken Records'' magazine (Volume 1, Issue 3) quotes Vai as saying, "I enjoy challenging myself to come up with new ideas that I believe are unique."
In 2010, Vai released several "VaiTunes" singles of tracks that were previously recorded and later finished. They are available on www.vai.com, iTunes and Amazon.com. On September 14, 2010, Steve released "Where The Wild Things Are" as double vinyl through his label Favored Nations and made a guest appearance with Rickey Minor and The Tonight Show Band on NBC. In October, 2010 Steve completed his first full symphony and performed the compositions at the Steve Vai Festival which featured Vai and the North Netherlands Symphony Orchestra (NNO) on October 20–24, 2010. Immediately after the Holland shows, Steve embarked for the US to headline the "Experience Hendrix Tour" which features Eric Johnson, Kenny Wayne Shephard, Susan Tedeschi, Billy Cox, Vernon Reid, Robert Randolph, Johnny Lang, Brad Whitford and other top-notch guitarists.
On March 3, 2011 the online education division of Boston’s renowned Berklee College of Music and Steve Vai, set the Guinness® World Record for the world’s largest online guitar lesson. This first-of-its-kind initiative, held at streaming media platform Livestream Studios in New York City, brought together thousands of members of the international guitar community in a celebration of online music education.
Berkleemusic and Steve Vai have also co-authored a new twelve-week online course: Steve Vai Guitar Techniques. This online course, presents students with the chance to gain a deep understanding of Vai’s death-defying playing styles, repertoire, techniques, and musical concepts from anywhere in the world, and to incorporate their learnings into their own playing.
Video games
"Juice" was featured on the 1996 video game "Formula One" for the
PlayStation.
In 1998, "Erotic Nightmares" was featured as the menu music in the video game WCW/nWo Revenge for the Nintendo 64.
Steve Vai's guitar-work appeared in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. David Lee Roth's "Yankee Rose" was featured on the game's soundtrack as well as "God Blessed Video" by Alcatrazz as part of the Lazlow-led, 1980s rock/metal radio station "V-Rock."
In 2004, Steve Vai was featured on Xbox's ''Halo 2'' (a game by Bungie Studios) Volume 1 soundtrack, performing a heavy rock-guitar rendition of the ''Halo theme'', known as ''Halo Theme (MJOLNIR Mix)''. He also performed on the track ''Never Surrender''. He later featured in the second volume of the soundtrack, where he performed on the track ''Reclaimer''.
In 2008, Steve Vai's ''For the Love of God'' and ''Halo Theme (MJOLNIR Mix)'' were featured as downloadable tracks for the game ''Guitar Hero 3''. A live version of the song "For the Love of God" was also available at release on the Rock Band Network as well as the song "Get the Hell Out of Here" from his 2002 album "The Elusive Light and Sound, Vol. 1" on March 4, 2010.
A re-recording of "Speeding" is featured in the 2010 video game Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock for Xbox 360, Wii and Playstation 3.
Movies
Steve Vai's music has appeared in a number of feature films, including ''
Dudes'' and ''
Ghosts of Mars''. He appeared onscreen in the
1986 Walter Hill film ''
Crossroads'', playing the demonically-inspired Jack Butler. At the film's climax, Vai engages in a guitar duel with
Ralph Macchio, whose guitar parts were dubbed by Vai and also
Ry Cooder, who played the initial slide work in the duel and Macchio's earlier performances in the film. Vai also composed the fast-paced
neo-classical track ''Eugene's Trick Bag'' that wins Macchio the competition. He based the body of the piece heavily on
Paganini's
Capriccio number 5. He later borrowed the opening riff from the track ''Head Cuttin' Duel'' for a song called ''Bad Horsie'' from his 1995 EP ''
Alien Love Secrets''. Later, the ''Crossroads'' duel reappeared on the 2002 album ''
The Elusive Light and Sound, volume 1''.
In 1991's ''Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey'', the introductory riff to KISS' "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You II", as performed by the Wyld Stallyns in the Battle of the Bands, was performed by Vai. He also composed and performed the soundtrack to ''PCU'' (1994), and made contributions in 2001 to the score for John Carpenter's ''Ghosts of Mars'', performing on the tracks "Ghosts of Mars" and "Ghost Poppin'". His track, "I'm the Hell Outta Here", can be heard during 1992's ''Encino Man'' in the scene where Brendan Fraser is taking a driving lesson. He plays guitar in the animated short film "Live Music".
Playing style
Vai is a virtuoso in the world of guitar music. His 1990 album ''
Passion and Warfare'' and the ballad ''
For the Love of God'' in particular received a significant amount of press and are often cited by critics and fans alike as among his best work, often noted since the entire piece, at just over six minutes, was reportedly recorded in one take.
Vai's playing style has been characterized as quirky and angular, due in large measure to his technical ability with the guitar instrument and deep knowledge of music theory. He regularly uses odd rhythmic groupings and his melodies often employ the Lydian mode. Perhaps his most readily-identifiable stylistic feature is his creative use of the floating vibrato, using it to add melodic lines that sound odd to the ear. His playing can also be described as lyrical, as if sung by a human voice. During the recording of "Eat 'em and Smile," with David Lee Roth, he employed several guitar techniques that "mimicked" the human voice, as heard in the opening bars of the opening track "Yankee Rose." He often uses exotic guitars: he plays both double and triple neck guitars (including a custom-made heart-shaped triple-neck model built by luthier Joe Despagni). Vai is regarded as the first to use the 7-string guitar in a rock context. Along with Ibanez, he designed a signature 7-string guitar, the Ibanez Universe, in 1989. He is also noted for being physically expressive as he plays his guitar.
On Composing/The "Evo Era"
“I wanted to be a composer ever since I was a young boy. To me written music on paper was (and is) beautiful. It looked like art and I wanted to have a complete understanding of how to speak, read and write that language. I knew that through the little black dots I could get the music that was in my head out into the world.
Though the guitar fell into my lap and my fingers were glued to the instrument, I studied composition and musical notation long before I even started playing the guitar. Through high school, college and beyond, I kept up my studies and kept composing through the years as I felt my eventual calling was in the compositional world.
Although I have listened to and studied most of the great older and contemporary composers, when I compose my music I take a similar approach as to when I am developing my voice on the guitar and that's to find and cultivate ideas that I have not heard before. That's the exciting part!
Once you understand the written language of music and the possibilities and limitations of various instruments, composing music is pure liberation. It's an art form that allows for deep personal expression. For me composing is the ultimate playground for my imagination. And to have the opportunity to hear your music performed is the greatest gift a composer could hope for, provided it's performed correctly.
I feel that my task is to merge my authentic rock sensibilities with my orchestrational skills to create a brand of contemporary music that is unique and fulfilling on an emotional and melodic level for the listener. Although rock musicians have worked with orchestras and contemporary composers have written for rock band instruments, I believe the catalog of music that I am building in this field is not what would be expected from either. I'm very excited about this brand and hope to inspire other composers to walk their own parallel lines within this movement. I call this movement "Evo", short for evolution. As it has been in the past through all of history, the 21st century will see a whole new wave of orchestral musical awareness develop. We are now entering the "Evo Era." -Steve Vai
Equipment
Vai is also a producer. He owns two studios ("The Mothership" and "The Harmony Hut" ), and his own recordings combine his guitar skills and novel compositions with studio and recording effects.
Vai helped design his signature Ibanez JEM guitar series. They feature a hand grip (fondly referred to as a "monkey grip") cut into the top of the body of the guitar, a humbucker–single coil-humbucker (H/S/H) DiMarzio pickup configuration with several different types of pickup including Evolution, Breed and EVO 2. He also uses the Ibanez Edge and Lo-Pro Edge double-locking tremolo systems (the current production JEMs have the newer Edge Pro), as well as an elaborate and extensive "Tree of Life" inlay down the neck. Vai also equips many of his guitars with an Ibanez Backstop, a tremolo stabilizer that has been discontinued. Lately Vai has also equipped some of his guitars with True Temperament fretboards to make his chords sound more in tune. Vai also has a 7-string model designed by him named Ibanez Universe, featuring DiMarzio Blaze II pickups in an HSH arrangement. The Universe later influenced the 7-string guitars used by Korn and other bands to create nu metal sounds in the late 1990s. He also has a signature Ibanez acoustic, the Euphoria. Before Ibanez, he briefly endorsed Jackson guitars, but this relationship only lasted two years. His two main guitars are white JEMs dubbed "Evo" and "Flo", each with their own unique modifications.
Steve Vai has also worked with Carvin Guitars and Pro Audio to develop the Carvin Legacy line of guitar amplifiers. Vai wanted to create an affordable amp that was unique, and equal in sound and versatility to any guitar amp he had previously used.
Over his long musical career, Steve Vai has used and designed an array of guitars. He even had his blood put into the swirl paint job on one of his signature JEM guitars, the JEM2KDNA. Only 300 of these were made. Currently, he mainly uses his white "Evo", a JEM7V, and his "Flo", which is a customized Floral JEM 77FP painted white. They are both inscribed with their names in two places, mainly so he can distinguish between them onstage. "Flo" is equipped with a Fernandes sustainer system.
He also has a guitar named "Mojo" with dot inlays that are blue LED lights. Additionally, he has a custom-made triple-neck guitar that has the same basic features as his JEM7V guitars. The top neck is a 12-string guitar, the middle is a six-string, and the bottom is a six-string fretless guitar with a Fernandes Sustainer pickup. This guitar was featured on the G3 2003 tour on the piece ''I Know You're Here''. Vai's effects pedals include a modified Boss DS-1, Ibanez Tube Screamer, Morley Bad Horsie, Ibanez Jemini Twin Distortion Pedal, TC Electronics G-System, Morley Little Alligator Volume pedal, DigiTech Whammy, and an MXR Phase 90/Phase 100 on the Passion and Warfare album. His flight cases are labeled "Mr. Vai", or lately, "Dr. Vai." He has used a number of rack effects units controlled via MIDI, but used a floor-based TC electronics G system instead for the Zappa Plays Zappa tour.
Philanthropy
In 2005, Vai signed on as an official supporter of
Little Kids Rock, a
nonprofit organization that provides free musical instruments and instruction to children in public schools throughout the U.S. He sits on LKR's Honorary Board of Directors.
Vai was a judge for the 3rd and 8th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists.
Vai is also the founder of the Make A Noise Foundation, which he started with his manager Ruta Sepetys. The foundation's goal is to provide funding for music education and programs for those unable to pursue music-related activities due to limited resources. Vai is also a patron of music education around the world giving master classes in such prestigious music schools as the Fermatta Music Academy.
Favored Nations
Vai owns
Favored Nations, a recording and publishing company that specializes in internationally procuring and maintaining
recording artists. Favored Nations is separated into three sections, 'Favored Nations', 'Favored Nations Acoustic' and 'Favored Nations Cool (Jazz style)'.
Personal life
Resides in
Encino, CA with his family. Vai is married to
Pia Maiocco, former
bass player of
Vixen, who can be seen in ''
Hardbodies''. Vai and Maiocco have two children, Julian and Fire. In his spare time Vai is an avid
beekeeper. and an honorary member of the British Beekeepers' Association. His bees regularly produce a crop of
honey that Vai sells for his
Make a Noise Foundation.
Vai is also a longtime vegetarian. "It has affected my music in a way I believe that what we put in our bodies has a reflection on the way we think," Vai told Veggies Rock. "And the way we think has a reflection on what we create. So I can’t tell you consciously how being a vegetarian affected my music but I’m sure it has." Many fans have been surprised to learn about his vegetarianism because he does not openly preach about it. "I think everyone has to find what’s right for them. I don’t judge anybody for what they eat. That’s their world and everybody has to find what resonates with them."
Band history (not including guest appearances)
More Info on www.vai.com
Young Bands
Hot Chocolate (1967)
The Ohio Express (1971–1972)
Circus (circa 1973 to 1976)
Ravge (circa 1973 to 1976)
Bold As Love (1977)
Berklee Bands
Axis (1978–1979)
Morning Thunder (1979)
Professional Bands
Frank Zappa (1980–1982)
The Out Band (Circa 1983)
The Classified (1984)
777 (1984)
Alcatrazz (1985)
David Lee Roth (1985–1989)
Whitesnake (1989–1991)
Solo Band (Since 1992)
1992-94 (VAI)
"Sex & Religion" Album:
Vocals: Devin Townsend
Guitar: Steve Vai
Bass: TM Stevens
Drums: Terry Bozzio
"Sex & Religion" Tour:
Vocals: Devin Townsend
Guitar: Steve Vai
Bass: Scott Thunes
Keys: Will Riley
Drums: Abe Laboriel, Jr., then Toss Panos
1995
Guitar: Steve Vai
Bass: Tony Pimental, then Scott Thunes
Keys: Will Riley
Drums: Chris Frazier
''This band toured Russia twice, South America and the US (opening for Bon Jovi).''
1996-99
Guitar, Vocals: Steve Vai
Guitar, Vocals and Keys: Mike Keneally
Bass, Vocals: Philip Bynoe
Drums: Mike Mangini
2000
Guitar, Vocals: Steve Vai
Guitar, Vocals and Keys: Mike Keneally
Guitar: Dave Weiner
Bass, Vocals: Philip Bynoe
Drums: Mike Mangini
Keyboards (South American Tour): Eric Goldberg
Drums (South American Tour): Chris Frazier
2001-02
Guitar, Vocals: Steve Vai
Bass, Vocals: Billy Sheehan
Guitar, Vocals and Keys: Mike Keneally, then Tony MacAlpine
Guitar: Dave Weiner
Drums: Virgil Donati
2003-04
Guitar, Vocals: Steve Vai
Bass, Vocals: Billy Sheehan
Guitar, Vocals and Keys: Tony MacAlpine
Guitar: Dave Weiner
Drums: Jeremy Colson
Discography (Solo)
Studio Albums & EPs
Live & Orchestral Albums (Inc. G3 (tour))
Other
| !Year
|
!Album
|
!Info
|
| 1998
|
"Bad Squad"
|
''promo 2-tracks CD from Morley to promote the Bad Horsie wah pedal.''
|
| 2005
|
''"Naked Tracks"''
|
This five cd package contains a large selection of tracks from the Vai catalog that have been mixed without the main lead and melody guitar tracks
|
Compilations
Discography (With Other Artists)
With Band (As Lead Guitarist)
Appearances on Zappa albums
| !Year
|
!Album
|
!Credit
|
| 1981
|
''Tinseltown Rebellion''
|
Rhythm guitar, vocals
|
| 1981
|
''Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar''
|
Rhythm guitar
|
| 1981
|
''You Are What You Is''
|
Guitar
|
| 1982
|
''Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch''
|
"Impossible Guitar parts"
|
| 1983
|
''The Man from Utopia''
|
Guitar parts
|
| 1984
|
''Them or Us''
|
Guitar
|
| 1984
|
''Thing-Fish''
|
Guitar, vocals
|
| 1985
|
''Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention''
|
Guitar
|
| 1987
|
''Jazz from Hell''
|
Guitar
|
| 1988
|
|
Stunt guitar
|
| 1988
|
''You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore Sampler''
|
Stunt guitar
|
| 1988
|
''You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 1''
|
Stunt guitar
|
| 1989
|
''You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 3''
|
Stunt guitar
|
| 1991
|
''You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 4''
|
Stunt guitar, vocals
|
| 1991
|
|
Stunt guitar
|
| 1992
|
''You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 5''
|
Stunt guitar
|
| 1992
|
''You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 6''
|
Stunt guitar
|
| 1995
|
''Strictly Commercial''
|
Guitar
|
| 1997
|
''Have I Offended Someone?''
|
Guitar
|
| 1998
|
|
Guitar
|
| 1999
|
''Son of Cheep Thrills''
|
Guitar, vocals
|
| 2001
|
''FZ Original Recordings; Steve Vai Archives, Vol. 2''(Only available as Vol.3 in The Secret Jewel Box)
|
"strat abuse" and "impossible guitar parts."
|
| 2008
|
|
Guitar
|
Appearances, Featuring (With Other Lead Artists)
| !Year
|
!Artist
|
!Album
|
!Info
|
!RIAA
|
| 1983
|
Lisa Popeil
|
''Lisa Popeil''
|
Steve performs on "What You're After", "You Can't Take It Away", "For A Time", "Don't Turn Me Off And On", "I Don't Get It", "The Viper", "Love In My Life", "Perfect Woman"
|
| 1985
|
Heresy
|
''At The Door''
|
Steve performs on "London : 1941" and "Wasted Moments"
|
| 1986
|
|
''The Great Nostalgia''
|
Steve performs on the track "Autumn in Nepal" & "There's Still Hope"
|
| 1986
|
Randy Coven
|
''Funk Me Tender''
|
Steve performs on the track "Funk Me Tender"
|
| 1987
|
Danny Mendez
|
''Death to All Mankind''
|
No Information
|
| 1986
|
Western Vacation
|
''Western Vacation''
|
Steve performs on the track "Western Vacation" (under the name "Reckless Fable")
|
| 1990
|
|
''The Best of Dreams''
|
Steve performs on "Supergirl" / This is a greatest hits CD
|
| 1991
|
Alice Cooper
|
''Hey Stoopid''
|
Steve performs with Joe Satriani on "Feed My Frankenstein"
|
| 1995
|
Ozzy Osbourne
|
''Ozzmosis''
|
Steve did not play guitar on this album. He Co-Wrote the song ''"My Little Man"''
|
2x Platinum
|
| 1996
|
|
''Cryin'''
|
Steve performs on "Let It Go"
|
| 1997
|
Munetaka Higuchi with Dream Castle
|
''Free World''
|
Steve plays guitar and bass on the track "Speed"
|
| 1998
|
Gregg Bissonette
|
''Gregg Bissonette''
|
Steve performs on "Common Road"
|
| 1998
|
Al Di Meola
|
''The Infinite Desire''
|
Steve performs on "Race with the Devil on Turkish Highway"
|
| 2000
|
Gregg Bissonette
|
|
Steve performs on the track "Noah's Ark"
|
| 2000
|
Thana Harris
|
''Thanatopsis''
|
Steve performs on the track "Fingers"
|
| 2000
|
Andrew Dice Clay
|
''Face Down, Ass Up''
|
No information
|
| 2001
|
Robin DiMaggio
|
|
Steve performs on the track "Mallorca" with L. Shankar
|
| 2001
|
Billy Sheehan
|
|
Steve Vai appears on the track "Chameleon"
|
| 2002
|
Tak Matsumoto
|
''Hana''
|
No information
|
| 2003
|
Surinder Sandhu
|
''Saurang Orchestra''
|
Steve Vai performs on the tracks "Amirah", The Little Hindu", "Movement One: Twice Born", "Movement Two: Sunday Morning in Calcutta", "Movement Three: Tradition of the New"
|
| 2002
|
Girls Together Outrageously (G.T.O)
|
"I'll Be Around" (SINGLE)
|
GTO (Girls Together Outrageously) is a Dutch trio who released a cover version of Steve's song "I'll Be Around". The CD single features a Radio Version (3:28) and an Extended Version (4:40). Steve performs the guitar solo on the Radio Version.
|
| 2003
|
Eric Sardinas
|
''Black Pearls''
|
Steve Vai performs on the track "Green Tea"
|
| 2003
|
Steve Lukather & Friends
|
''Santamental''
|
Steve Vai is featured on the track "Carol of the Bells"
|
| 2003
|
Hughes Turner Project
|
''HTP 2''
|
Steve Vai appears on the track "Losing My Head"
|
| 2003
|
|
''One in a Million''
|
Steve Vai performs on the track "Out Of My Mind"
|
| 2003
|
Yardbirds
|
|
Steve Vai performs on the track "Shapes of Things"
|
| 2004
|
Motörhead
|
|
Steve appears on the tracks "Terminal Show" and "Down On Me"
|
| 2004
|
Bob Carpenter
|
''The Sun, The Moon, The Stars''
|
This CD features a piano interpretation of “Whispering a Prayer”. It also features Steve Vai on acoustic guitar and Pia Vai on harp.
|
| 2005
|
|
''Songs for Sanity''
|
Steve appears on the song "Perineum"
|
| 2006
|
The Devin Townsend Band
|
''Synchestra''
|
Steve performs an extended guitar solo on the third track "Triumph"
|
| 2006
|
|
|
Steve performs on the song "Viper"
|
| 2006
|
Meat Loaf
|
''Bat out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose''
|
Steve performs on the song "In the Land of the Pig, the Butcher is King"
|
Gold
|
| 2007
|
Dream Theater
|
''Systematic Chaos''
|
Guest spoken words on "Repentance"
|
| 2007
|
Eros Ramazzotti
|
|
Steve performs on, produced and re-recorded the track "Dove C'e' Musica" on this album
|
| 2008
|
Jason Becker
|
|
|
| 2009
|
|
|
Steve performs on the song "Short And Sweet"
|
| 2009
|
Mike Stern
|
''Big Neighborhood''
|
Steve performs guitar on "Big Neighborhood" and sitar on "Moroccan Roll"
|
| 2009
|
Orianthi
|
|
Steve appears on and co-wrote the song "Highly Strung"
|
| 2010
|
Meat Loaf
|
''Hang Cool Teddy Bear''
|
Steve performs on "Love Is Not Real/Next Time You Stab Me in the Back" & "Song of Madness"
|
Soundtracks
| !Year
|
!Soundtrack
|
!Type
|
!Info
|
| 1986
|
|
Motion Picture Soundtrack
|
All part played by Steve on "The Elusive Light and Sound, Vol. 1"
|
| 1987
|
|
Motion Picture Soundtrack
|
Steve performs "Amazing Grace" / This OST is out of printAlso on "The Elusive Light and Sound, Vol. 1"
|
| 1987
|
|
Motion Picture Soundtrack
|
|
| 1991
|
|
Motion Picture Soundtrack
|
Steve performs the tracks "The Reaper" and "The Reaper Rap" and a few tracks which are not in the OSTAlso on "The Elusive Light and Sound, Vol. 1"
|
| 1992
|
|
Motion Picture Soundtrack
|
Steve performs with Joe Satriani on Alice Cooper's "Feed My Frankenstein"
|
| 1992
|
''Encino Man''
|
Motion Picture Soundtrack
|
Steve performs the track "Get The Hell Out Of Here"
|
| 1994
|
|
Motion Picture Soundtrack
|
Steve scored this film, and contributed the track "Now We Run" to this soundtrack
|
| 1997
|
''Formula 1''
|
Video Game Soundtrack
|
|
| 2001
|
''Ghosts of Mars''
|
Motion Picture Soundtrack
|
Steve Vai performs on "Ghosts of Mars" and "Ghost Poppin'"
|
| 2004
|
|
Video Game Soundtrack
|
Steve Vai performs on "Halo Theme Mjolnir Mix" and "Never Surrender"
|
| 2006
|
|
Video Game Soundtrack
|
Steve Vai performs on "Reclaimer"
|
| 2008
|
|
Video Game Soundtrack
|
Steve Vai song "For The Love Of God"
|
Compilations
| !Year
|
!Artists
|
!Compilation
|
!Info
|
| 1989
|
Various
|
''Guitar's Practicing Musicians''
|
Steve plays guitar on the track "Western Vacation" as Reckless Fable
|
| 1993
|
Various
|
''Zappa's Universe'' (Tribute to Frank Zappa)
|
Steve plays guitar on "Sofa" & "Dirty Love"
|
| 1995
|
Various
|
''In From The Storm''(The music of Jimi Hendrix)
|
Steve appears on "Drifting" and "Bold as Love"
|
| 1996
|
Various
|
''Songs of West Side Story''
|
Steve appears on "The Rumble" (Steve Vai's Monsters vs. Chick Corea's Elektric Band)
|
| 1997
|
Various
|
''Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas''
|
Steve performs on the gorgeous "Christmas Time is Here" (with Joe Satriani, Jeff Beck, Eric Johnson and more...)
|
| 1997
|
Various
|
|
Steve performs on "Der Holle Rache (Queen of the Night)". This album also features Steve Stevens and Eric Johnson
|
| 1999
|
Various
|
''Radio Disney Kid Jams''
|
Steve performs the track "Wipe Out"
|
| 2001
|
Various
|
|
Steve performs the tracks "Cliffs of Insanity" and "Misfits"
|
| 2002
|
Various
|
''Guitars For Freedom''
|
Steve contributed the track "Amazing Grace" to this benefit CD
|
| 2002
|
Various
|
''Warmth In The Wilderness Vol. II – A Tribute to Jason Becker''
|
Steve Vai performs the track "Feathers"
|
| 2004
|
Various
|
''The Sounds Of Nascar''
|
Steve is featured on the previously unreleased track "Rush" (Only on "iTunes Music Store")
|
| 2006
|
Various
|
''Monsters of Rock'' (EMI, 3CD compilation)
|
Steve performs with Whitesnake the song "Fool for Your Loving"
|
Videos
Live
With Other Artists
| !Year
|
!Type
|
!Album
|
!Artist
|
!Info
|
| 1982
|
VHS / DVD
|
''"The Dub Room Special"''
|
Frank Zappa
|
Steve appears 58 minutes into this video performing "Stevie's Spanking" (from The Palladium, NYC show on October 31, 1981)
|
| 1985
|
VHS
|
''"Power Live"''
|
Alcatrazz
|
Live concert recorded at Shinjuku Kousei Nenkin Hall (Japan) on 10/10/84.
|
| 1986
|
VHS
|
''"David Lee Roth"''
|
David Lee Roth
|
Steve performs on "Yankee Rose" and "Goin' Crazy!". There is also an alternate video take for Steve's guitar solo during the "Goin' Crazy!" video.
|
| 1987
|
VHS
|
''"Video from Hell"''
|
Frank Zappa
|
Steve appears 11:15 minutes into this video performing "Stevie's Spanking." (Rome, Italy - July 10, 1982)
|
| 1989
|
VHS
|
''"The True Story of 200 Motels"''
|
Frank Zappa
|
Steve appears 41:33 minutes into this video - in a brief interview shot on July 14, 1982 in Palermo, Sicily.
|
| 1990
|
VHS
|
''"Metal Head Vol.2"''
|
BMG Video Magazine
|
This hard to find "video magazine" features an interview with Steve.
|
| 1993
|
VHS / DVD
|
''"Zappa's Universe: A Celebration of 25 Years of Frank Zappa's Music"''
|
Various Artists
|
Steve performs on "Dirty Love" (with Dweezil), and "Sofa", a performance that won a Grammy.
|
| 1997
|
VHS / DVD
|
''"7th Heaven video by Ibanez"''
|
Ibanez Various Artists
|
Ibanez promotional-only video includes commentary and music from Steve Vai, Head & Munky from Korn, John Petrucci, Dino Cazares, Andy Timmons, Wes Borland, Jerry Sims.
|
| 2003
|
DVD
|
''"Rockthology"''
|
Various Artists
|
This video compilation features the "I Would Love To" promo video.
|
| 2003
|
DVD
|
''"The Satch Tapes"''(Originally released on VHS in 1993)
|
Joe Satriani
|
This DVD re-release features a brief interview with Steve circa 1992.
|
| 2004
|
DVD
|
''"Crossroads Guitar Festival"''
|
Various Artists
|
Steve and the band performing “Get The Hell Outta Here.
|
Movies (As an Actor)
| !Year
|
!Type
|
!Album
|
!Artist
|
!Info
|
| 1986
|
VHS / DVD
|
|
Columbia Tristar (Movie)
|
Steve appears in this movie as "Jack Butler", a devil guitarist
|
| 2005
|
DVD
|
"Bill & Ted's Most Excellent Collection"
|
MGM Video
|
Bonus Feature : “Score! An Interview With Guitarist Steve Vai.”
|
| 2008
|
DVD
|
|
FN Crazy Film LLC
|
Steve appears in this movie as "Hank Williams"
|
| 2008
|
DVD
|
|
|
Steve appears in this movie as himself
|
| 2009
|
TV
|
''"Metalocalypse"''
|
Animated TV Series
|
Steve appears as guest Voice on ep.39 "Renovationklok" & ep.40 "Tributeklok"
|
Awards and nominations
Grammy Awards
|-
|
1990
| ''Passion & Warfare''
| Best Rock Instrumental Album
|
|-
|
1994
| "Sofa" from ''Zappa's Universe''
|
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
|
|-
|
1995
| "Tender Surrender" from ''
Alien Love Secrets''
| Best Rock Instrumental Performance
|
|-
|
1997
| "For the Love of God" from ''
G3: Live in Concert''
| Best Rock Instrumental Performance
|
|-
|
1999
| "Windows to the Soul" from ''
The Ultra Zone''
| Best Rock Instrumental Performance
|
|-
| rowspan=2 |
2001
| "Whispering a Prayer" from ''
Alive in an Ultra World''
| Best Rock Instrumental Performance
|
|-
| ''No Substitutions''
|
Best Pop Instrumental Album
|
|-
|
2006
| "Lotus Feet"
| Best Rock Instrumental Performance
|
|-
|
2008
| "The Attitude Song"
| Best Rock Instrumental Performance
|
|-
|
2009
| "Peaches En Regalia" from ''
Zappa Plays Zappa''
| Best Rock Instrumental Performance
|
|-
|
2010
| "Now We Run" from ''
Where the Wild Things Are''
| Best Rock Instrumental Performance
|
|}
''Guitar Player'' magazine
1995 Gallery of Greats
1995 Best Rock Guitarist (Tie with Jimmy Page)
1995 Best Overall Guitarist - 3rd Place
1995 Best Experimental Guitarist (tie with Buckethead)
1995 Best Metal Recording - 3rd Place
1995 Best Overall Guitar Recording - 2nd Place
1995 Best Metal Guitarist - 3rd Place
1990 Best Rock Guitarist
1990 Best Overall Guitarist
1990 Best Guitar Album
1990 Best Metal Guitarist
1989 Best Rock Guitarist
1988 Best Rock Guitarist
1987 Best Rock Guitarist
1987 Best Overall Guitarist
1986 Best Rock Guitarist
''Guitar World''
1990 Most Valued Player (tie with Stevie Ray Vaughan)
1990 Best Album
1990 Best Rock Guitarist
1990 Best Guitar Solo (For the Love of God)
1989 Best Rock Guitarist
International Music Award Nomination
1990 Best Guitarist
''Select'' magazine (UK)
1990 Best Album (''Passion and Warfare'')
1990 Best Musician
1990 Sexiest Male
Guitar for the Practicing Musician
1993 Editor's Choice Award
1990 Reader's Choice – Guitar Album of the Year
1990 Best Instrumental Guitarist of the Year
1988 Rock Guitarist of the Year
1987 Hall of Fame
1986 Guitar in the 90's Award
''Kerrang'' (UK)
1993 Best Hard Rock Performance
1990 Guitarist of the Year
1989 Best Rock Guitarist
''Young Guitar'' (Japan)
1991 Best Rock Guitarist
1997 Best Rock Guitarist
''Rock Brigade Brazilian Magazine''
1996 Best Guitarist
1997 Best Guitarist
''RAW''
1990 Best Selling LP Sleeve (No. 1)
1990 Best Selling Promo Video (No. 5, I Would Love To)
1990 Best Selling Promo Video (No. 7, The Audience is Listening)
1990 Best Sex Object (No. 6)
1990 Best RAW Cover (No. 3)
''Playe''r
1995 Best Hard Rock Guitarist – 2nd Place
''Making Music''
1990 Best Album
1990 Best Guitarist
1990 Best Musician
''Metal Hammer''
1990 Best Guitarist (Reader's Poll)
California Music Awards
2001 Outstanding Guitarist (nominee)
Golden Stag Awards Romania
2009 Excellence Prize
See also
List of rock instrumentals
Steve Vai songs
References
External links
Steve Vai's Official homepage
[ Steve Vai] at
Allmusic
Audio Interview with Steve Vai on Guitar Jam Daily
Billboard.com Discography of Steve Vai
Steve Vai (1989) - Poster (Hi Res Scan)
Steve Vai Artist Page at GuitarvideoChannel.com
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Category:Grammy Award winners
Category:American musicians of Italian descent
Category:Lead guitarists
Category:Living people
Category:Musicians from New York
Category:People from Nassau County, New York
Category:Seven-string guitarists
Category:The Ozzy Osbourne Band members
Category:Whitesnake members
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