FUN GUITARIST PROFILE: STEVE VAI!

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Ah, so you thought I forgot my long-lapsed Fun Guitarist Profile? Not at all. It's more like, Comedian Andy Martello spinning 7 plates of life's entrees--that's what's been responsible for my last installment until today. So many plates in the air! But since FGP has no schedule, I can't feel too guilty. And to make up for it, today we look at American born (1960) Steve Vai. While I patiently wait out a personal friend of mine and a great local guitarist for "THE INTERVIEW", I wanted to roll with Steve. Here is a fascinating guitarist whose 12-hour daily practice schedules were directly influenced by his teacher, Joe Satriani--an older kid in his high school. By the age of 18 Steve became a student at Boston's Berklee School of Music. On a chance, he took Frank Zappa's song "Black Page", transcribed it and sent it to Zappa who was so impressed with the effort that he met with Vai and after a visit, he asked him to join his band! At just about the time Eddie Van Halen was beginning to receive some attention with Van Halen's Pop/Rock success, Vai replaced Yngwie Malmsteen in a similar style band called Alcatrazz and his pinch harmonics, fast picking and extreme vibrato trademarks were used to great effect on a release called Disturbing the Peace in 1985. The following year, he joined David Lee Roth for Eat 'Em and Smile and later joined Whitesnake for Slip of the Tongue. His formidable talent and sense of humor led to the CD Passion & Warfare ahead of several releases from his own band "Vai"--not the least of which is Alive In An Ultra World. He favors a 7-string Ibanez Universe 777 guitar and a signature model 6-string Ibanez. This led him to design a full line of guitars as well. This past year especially, he has heavily endorsed Carvin heads and speaker cabinets. Steve's musical influences are Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page and Eddie Van Halen. Enjoy today!