Interview With Steve Vai

By: Dennis M. Kelly (also Cindy Kurman & Lee Barrie)

Photos By: Beth Shandles


Brief Biography

Steve Vai’s storybook career: from shy youngster to top in his field
Steve picked up the guitar when he was a young teenager growing up in Long Island and began emulating his heroes at a time when guitar gods like Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) had turned the rock and roll world upside down with their intense yet melodic, blues-based approach to solo electric guitar.

For all of his accolades, Steve declares himself a shy person—not unlike brother Michael. Both are personable and engaging, but neither would be considered extroverted or egotistical.

As a teenager, and out of shyness, Steve practiced in the safety of his home—he always played for himself but never for the public. In private, he became a prolific player, helped by his guitar teacher, Joe Satriani, a local talent who also became a worldwide rock guitar star. It was only after gaining the courage to play in local rock bands did Steve decided to become a performer and make music his career.

At age 18 he attended the renowned Berklee School of Music in Boston where his 24/7 musical immersion gave him the musical technique and knowledge to assure his future success. Berklee awarded Steve an honorary Doctor of Music degree in 2000.

After completing Berklee, Steve became interested in the jazz-rock fusion music of Frank Zappa and took it upon himself to transcribe some of Zappa’s difficult compositions. He sent these to Zappa who was so impressed that such a young guitarist could do this that he invited him to jam with the band. To Steve’s surprise, Zappa invited him to join the band and thus began a worldwide musical career that has had put his name on the lips of virtually every aspiring rock guitarist.

In the mid-eighties, Steve became a guitar icon through his work as the lead guitarist for David Lee Roth’s solo band. His guitar mastery reached a mass movie audience in 1985 when he played a guitar slinger in the movie “Crossroads.” He stole the show in a scene where he musically went one-on-one with Ralph Macchio’s young bluesman character in a battle of guitar shredders. Over the years he has released many solo instrumental albums which are rich in composition and expressiveness, and his signature guitar virtuosity.

Steve’s discography—released records on which he has performed—totals nearly 100. Since 2000, Steve has released several new albums plus compilations of his earlier work. Notable releases include “Real Illusions” and “Passion and Warfare.” Compilation releases include “The 7th Song: Enchanting Guitar Melodies Archive” and a career milestone, the ten-disc box set, “The Secret Jewel Box.” He has also released a full-length live album, “Alive in an Ultra World.” For more information on Steve Vai, please visit his official website at www.vai.com.

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