Steve Vai

Steve Vai
Steve Vai in 2007
Background information
Birth name	Steven Siro Vai
Born	June 6, 1960 (1960-06-06) Carle Place, New York, U.S.
Genres	Instrumental rock, hard rock, heavy metal, progressive rock, progressive metal, experimental rock
Instruments	Guitar, keyboards, vocals
Years active	1980–present
Labels	Favored Nations, Relativity Records, Urantia Records, Akashic Records, Epic
Associated acts	Joe Satriani, Frank Zappa, John Petrucci, Alcatrazz, Orianthi, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, Dream Theater, Travis Barker, Eddie Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, Zappa plays Zappa, Billy Sheehan, G3, Bad4Good, Incubus, Devin Townsend,
Website	Official website
Notable instruments
Ibanez JEM Ibanez Universe Tom Anderson Drop Top Classic

Steven Siro "Steve" Vai (born June 6, 1960) is a three-time Grammy Award-winning American guitarist, songwriter 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 eight 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 he 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.

Steve Vai (on guitar in between the drums and keyboard), Frank Zappa and band during a concert at the Memorial Auditorium, Oct 25, 1980 Buffalo, New York

Vai mailed 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 (released January 1984) 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 (released July 1986) and Skyscraper (released 1988).

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.

Vai playing a twin-necked Ibanez

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 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. "The possibility to write for a full orchestra, as Vai was offered the opportunity to do during the last years, closes a circle back to the beginning of his solo career, his years with Frank Zappa and his first pieces for his debut record Flex-Able (1984)." 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.

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. The Attitude Song and a live version of The Crying Machine were both also added to the Rock Band Network.

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 performing in 2001

Steve Vai has been called 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 Rolston). 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

Year	Type	Album	Info
1984	LP	Flex-Able
1984	EP	Flex-Able Leftovers	Leftovers from the Flex-Able session
1990	CD	Passion and Warfare	Gold (USA), #18 on the Billboard 200 on June 30, 1990
1993	CD	Sex & Religion
1995	EP	Alien Love Secrets
1996	CD	Fire Garden
1998	CD	Flex-Able Leftovers (Re-release)	re-release of the limited edition 10” vinyl "Flex-Able Leftovers" With bonus tracks
1999	CD	The Ultra Zone
2005	CD	Real Illusions: Reflections

Live & Orchestral Albums (Inc. G3 (tour))

Year	Album	Info
1997	G3: Live in Concert	Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson
2001	Alive in an Ultra World
2004	G3: Rockin' in the Free World	Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen
2004	Live in London	The audio contained on this disc is the same audio contained on the DVD : Live at the Astoria, London
2005	G3: Live in Tokyo	Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, John Petrucci
2007	Sound Theories Vol. I & II	Orchestral Album from 5 European performances, a studio session and a soundcheck rehearsal recording (between 2004 and 2005)
2009	Where the Wild Things Are	Orchestral DVD & CD recorded and filmed at the State Theatre in Minneapolis, MN as part of Vai’s “Sound Theories” world tour
2010	Where the Other Wild Things Are	12 Tracks Bonus CD from "Where the wild thing are" DVD not included in the 2009 CD released

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

Year	Album	Info
2000	The 7th Song - Enchanting Guitar Melodies (Archives Vol. 1)	Compilation of the 7th song of Steve's Albums, and 3 tracks previously unreleased.
2001	The Secret Jewel Box	10 CD Collector Box
2001	Frank Zappa Original Recordings; Steve Vai (Archives, Vol. 2)	Not Sold Separately / Vol.3 of The Secret Jewel Box
2002	The Elusive Light and Sound, volume 1	Re-released of the Vol.1 of The Secret Jewel Box This disc collects Vai’s many contributions to film music
2003	Mystery Tracks (Archives Vol. 3)	Compilation of Steve's bonus tracks featured on Japanese releases of his CDs, along with promotional tracks, songs featured on other albums and unreleased/demo tracks / Vol.4 of The Secret Jewel Box
2003	Various Artists (Archives Vol. 4)	Collection of songs Steve has contributed to other projects and records. / Vol.5 of The Secret Jewel Box
2003	The Infinite Steve Vai: An Anthology	A career-spanning collection of 32 digitally remastered tracks over 2CDs (including work with other artists such as Alcatrazz and Whitesnake).
2004	"Vai: Piano Reductions, Vol. 1" (by Mike Keneally)	This is an album of 11 solo acoustic piano interpretations of Vai songs by Mike Keneally / Vol.6 of The Secret Jewel Box
2008	Steve Vai Original Album Classics	Box Set Re-release with : Flex-Able, Passion and Warfare, Sex and Religion, Alien Love Secrets & Fire Garden.
2010	Playlist: The Very Best of Steve Vai
2011	The Essential Steve Vai

Discography (With Other Artists)

With Band (As Lead Guitarist)

Year	Artist	Album	RIAA
1985	Alcatrazz	Disturbing the Peace
1985	Public Image Ltd.	Album
1986	Shankar & Caroline	The Epidemics
1986	David Lee Roth	Eat 'Em and Smile	Platinum
1988	David Lee Roth	Skyscraper	Platinum
1989	Whitesnake	Slip of the Tongue	3x Platinum
1994	Whitesnake	Whitesnake's Greatest Hits	Platinum
1997	David Lee Roth	The Best (Steve performs on a little over half of the songs on this disc)
1999	Joe Jackson	Symphony No. 1
2000	Whitesnake	The Back to Black Collection
2010	Alcatrazz	Disturbing the Peace Tour Live in Japan 1984.10.10 Audio Tracks

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	Guitar	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	Beat the Boots I: As An Am	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	Cheap Thrills	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	Zappa Plays Zappa (Dweezil Zappa Live CD & DVD)	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	Bob Harris	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	Rebecca	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	Wild Style	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	Submarine	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	Blue Planet	Steve performs on the track "Mallorca" with L. Shankar
2001	Billy Sheehan	Compression	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	Shankar & Gingger	One in a Million	Steve Vai performs on the track "Out Of My Mind"
2003	Yardbirds	Birdland	Steve Vai performs on the track "Shapes of Things"
2004	Motörhead	Inferno	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	John 5	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	Marty Friedman	Loudspeaker	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	e²	Steve performs on, produced and re-recorded the track "Dove C'e' Musica" on this album
2008	Jason Becker	Collection	Steve performs on the song "River Of Longing (Reprise)" with Marty Friedman
2009	Spinal Tap	Back from the Dead	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	Believe	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	Crossroads	Motion Picture Soundtrack	All part played by Steve on "The Elusive Light and Sound, Vol. 1"
1987	Dudes	Motion Picture Soundtrack	Steve performs "Amazing Grace" / This OST is out of print Also on "The Elusive Light and Sound, Vol. 1"
1987	Less Than Zero	Motion Picture Soundtrack	Steve performs "Bump 'N Grind", which is not on the OST
1991	Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey	Motion Picture Soundtrack	Steve performs the tracks "The Reaper" and "The Reaper Rap" and a few tracks which are not in the OST Also on "The Elusive Light and Sound, Vol. 1"
1992	Wayne's World	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	PCU	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	Halo 2 Soundtrack Volume 1	Video Game Soundtrack	Steve Vai performs on "Halo Theme Mjolnir Mix" and "Never Surrender"
2006	Halo 2 Soundtrack Volume 2	Video Game Soundtrack	Steve Vai performs on "Reclaimer"
2008	Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock     "Virtuoso Track Pack"	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 "Christmas Time is Here" (with Joe Satriani, Jeff Beck, Eric Johnson and more...)
1997	Various	Angelica	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	Roland Guitar Masters	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

Year	Type	Album	Artist	Info
1995	VHS / DVD	"Alien Love Secrets"	Steve Vai	Features full performances of all seven songs from the album Alien Love Secrets.
1997	VHS / DVD	"G3: Live in Concert"	Joe Satriani / Steve Vai / Eric Johnson	Steve plays on six tracks (three solo and three with Joe Satriani and Eric Johnson.)
2003	DVD	"Live at the Astoria, London"	Steve Vai	Steve's first live solo DVD. Filmed at the Astoria, London UK on December 6 & 7, 2001.
2004	DVD	"G3: Live in Denver"	Joe Satriani / Steve Vai / Yngwie Malmsteen	Steve performs on 3 tracks & 3 jam Tracks
2005	DVD	"G3: Live in Tokyo"	Joe Satriani / Steve Vai / John Petrucci	Steve performs on 6 tracks
2007	DVD	"Visual Sound Theories"	Steve Vai	This DVD features the live performances from the Aching Hunger concerts with the Holland Metropole Orchestra in July 2005.

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	"Crossroads"	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	"Crazy"	FN Crazy Film LLC	Steve appears in this movie as "Hank Williams"
2008	DVD	"Tattooed"		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

Year	Nominated work	Award	Result
1990	Passion & Warfare	Best Rock Instrumental Album	Nominated
1994	"Sofa" from Zappa's Universe	Best Rock Instrumental Performance	Won
1995	"Tender Surrender" from Alien Love Secrets	Best Rock Instrumental Performance	Nominated
1997	"For the Love of God" from G3: Live in Concert	Best Rock Instrumental Performance	Nominated
1999	"Windows to the Soul" from The Ultra Zone	Best Rock Instrumental Performance	Nominated
2001	"Whispering a Prayer" from Alive in an Ultra World	Best Rock Instrumental Performance	Nominated
	No Substitutions	Best Pop Instrumental Album	Won
2006	"Lotus Feet"	Best Rock Instrumental Performance	Nominated
2008	"The Attitude Song"	Best Rock Instrumental Performance	Nominated
2009	"Peaches En Regalia" from Zappa Plays Zappa	Best Rock Instrumental Performance	Won
2010	"Now We Run" from Where the Wild Things Are	Best Rock Instrumental Performance	Nominated

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)

Player

• 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

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