Steve Vai

Steven Siro Vai (born June 6, 1960 in Carle Place, New York, USA), is an American guitarist and composer. He is arguably one of the most talented guitarist virtuosos alive.

The post-Zappa period

After leaving Zappa in 1982 he moved to California where he recorded his first album Flex-Able and performed in a couple of bands. Where Vai's contributions to others' material has been constrained by the largely rock or heavy-rock style of those bands, his own material is considerably more esoteric.

Related Topics:
1982 - California - Flex-Able

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In 1985 he replaced Yngwie Malmsteen as lead guitarist in Graham Bonnett'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 also surprised everyone by playing with ex-Sex Pistols John Lydon's Public Image Ltd on their album "Album" (now called "Compact Disc"). Then in 1989 Vai stepped into guitarist Adrian Vandenberg's shoes to record with British rock-group Whitesnake after Vandenberg injured his wrist shortly before recording was due to begin for the album Slip of the Tongue. Vai's playing style has been characterized as quirky and angular, owing to his superb technical facility with the instrument, proportionally symmetrical fingers, and deep knowledge of music theory. Vai has also been credited with the recent revival of the 7-string guitar. The earliest 7-string electric guitars were played by jazz guitarist George Van Epps in the 1930s and 1940s, but the concept was reintroduced to rock audiences by Vai.

Related Topics:
1985 - Yngwie Malmsteen - Graham Bonnett - Alcatrazz - Van Halen - David Lee Roth - Eat 'em and Smile - Skyscraper - 1986 - Sex Pistols - John Lydon - Public Image Ltd - 1989 - Adrian Vandenberg - Whitesnake - Slip of the Tongue

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Steve Vai continues to tour regularly, both with his own group and with his one time teacher and fellow Grammy award winning guitar instrumentalist friend Joe Satriani on the G3 series of tours. Former David Lee Roth Bassist Billy Sheehan also joined him for a world tour.

Related Topics:
Joe Satriani - G3 - Billy Sheehan

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Vai received a Grammy Award in 1991. Vai's band members throughout the 1990s included drummer Mike Mangini and bassist Philip Bynoe.

Related Topics:
Grammy Award - 1991

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In 1994 Steve Vai was hired to write and play on the upcoming Ozzy Osbourne album Ozzmosis. The plan was to have Vai appear on half the album and Zakk Wylde appear on the other half. Steve can only be heard on My Little Man and the leftover track Back On Earth that appeared on the greatest hits collection the Ozzman Cometh.

Related Topics:
Ozzy Osbourne - Zakk Wylde

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Steve Vai released a DVD of his performance at The Astoria is London in Decemeber 2001, featuring the lineup of bassist Billy Sheehan, formerly of David Lee Roth and Mr. Big, guitar and piano virtuoso Tony MacAlpine, Dave Weiner and drummer Virgil Donati.

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In July of 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".

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In 2003, Donati was replaced by drummer Jeremy Colson. Vai's latest album, , was released in 2005, and Steve Vai and the Breed, as the band is now called, has embarked on a world tour in support of that album.

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In 2004, Steve Vai played some of the guitar in the Halo 2 soundtrack. Specifically, Vai contributed a guitar line for the Halo 2 Theme (Mjolnir Mix) and Never Surrender.

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