Steve Vai

Biography

Six-string wizard Steve Vai, together with his onetime instructor Joe Satriani, collection the typical for rock acoustic guitar virtuosity within the ’80s. Given birth to on June 6, 1960, and elevated in Carle Place, NY, Vai became thinking about your guitar via such famous performers as Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and Alice Cooper as an adolescent and, upon beginning high school, required lessons with a mature player from the institution, Joe Satriani. Playing in a number of local rings, Vai quickly found on the device, and by age 18 was participating in the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston. As students there, Vai transcribed many of Frank Zappa’s most officially challenging compositions for electric guitar, and even delivered a copy of 1 such transcription, “Dark Web page,” to Zappa himself. Zappa was therefore impressed using the youthful guitarist that upon conference him, he asked Vai to become listed on his music group. Subsequently, Vai toured the planet with Zappa (offering Vai the nicknames “Stunt Guitarist” and “Small Italian Virtuoso”) and performed on such albums as 1981’s Tinsel City Rebellion and you also Are EVERYTHING YOU Is, 1982’s Dispatch Arriving Too Later, 1983’s Guy from Utopia, plus 1984’s Them or Us and Thing-Fish, before departing to set from his own. To begin with was a set of self-financed, documented, and released single albums in 1984, Flex-Able and Flex-Able Leftovers, both which showcased Vai’s electric guitar playing and songwriting abilities, yet had been still heavily inspired by Zappa. With Truck Halen extremely popular by the middle-’80s because of their massive hard rock and roll/pop crossover achievement, Vai changed Yngwie Malmsteen within a likewise styled outfit known as Alcatrazz (which highlighted previous Rainbow vocalist Graham Bonnett), playing on the overlooked 1985 discharge Disturbing the Tranquility. Exactly the same season, Vai produced a cameo appearance within the film Crossroads (playing the Devil’s guitarist and shredding apart within a electric guitar duel with Ralph Macchio) and got an invitation from his friend/bass expert Billy Sheehan to test for your guitar place in vocalist David Lee Roth’s single band (Roth experienced just break up from Vehicle Halen), and finally got the gig. The debut launch from Roth and his stellar single music group, Eat ‘Em and Smile, found its way to 1986 and continued to become among the year’s best hard rock produces. Both Vai and Sheehan had been catapulted to superstardom because of the instrumental talents, because they required best honors in various acoustic guitar magazines for a long time afterward. But even though quartet demonstrated great guarantee, Sheehan jumped dispatch soon after their sophomore recording, Skyscraper, was released in 1988. Even though recording was even more pop-based than its forerunner, it became another sizable strike — with Vai gaining a co-producing credit in the record alongside Roth. Exactly the same calendar year, Vai released his own type of snazzy guitars, the Jem 777 series, via the Ibanez firm. Following the ensuing tour with Roth covered up in past due 1988, it had been Vai’s use jump ship. Furthermore to focusing on another single record, he was asked to become listed on up with chart-topping pop-metallists Whitesnake, an give he recognized. His only record with Whitesnake, Slide from the Tongue, was released in 1989, as was his third single record overall, Interest and Warfare, a calendar year later. The generally instrumental record was predicated on dreams that Vai experienced as an adolescent, and it became a big hit, earning platinum qualification and solidifying Vai’s standing up among the best guitarists of your day. It had been also for this period that Vai produced a seven-string acoustic guitar through Ibanez. Even though device didn’t capture on initially, it could by the middle- to past due ’90s, once the guitarists in such metallic functions as Korn and Limp Bizkit would make use of the device to accomplish super-low tunings. After a protracted hiatus, Vai created his first standard rock-band (known as…VAI) alongside newcomer Devin Townsend on vocals, T.M. Stevens on bass, and Terry Bozzio on drums — providing their only recording in 1993, Sex & Religious beliefs. When the recording became a disappointment both critically and commercially, Vai came back to all-instrumental use the 1995 EP Alien Like Secrets. For the rest from the 10 years, Vai continuing to issue single produces, including 1996’s Fireplace Backyard, 1998’s Flex-Able Leftovers (a re-release of his longer out of print out second single record, with added monitors), and 1999’s The Ultra Area. It had been also through the past due ’90s that Vai and Satriani reunited for an annual co-headlining tour (using a different third musician added every year), known as G3, unleashing a live record, G3: Reside in Concert, in 1997. The first 21st century noticed a flurry of produces from Vai, including a compilation of instrumentals, The 7th Melody: Enchanting Acoustic guitar Melodies Archive, in 2000, and his first full-length live launch, Alive within an Ultra Globe, in 2001, in addition to his mammoth career-encompassing ten-disc package set THE TRICK Jewel Package. In 2002 he gathered many pieces that he previously contributed to movies over time, including the acoustic guitar duel from Crossroads as well as the theme to Expenses and Ted’s Bogus Trip, and place them together inside a 40-monitor collection known as The Elusive Light and Audio, Vol. 1. Some compilations came following, and following a five-year hiatus from your studio, Vai came back in 2005 with Actual Illusions: Reflections. A tour using the Metropole Orchestra adopted and he released an ambitious dual live arranged documenting his shows, titled Sound Ideas, Vols. 1-2, in 2007. This year 2010, he performed using the North Netherlands Orchestra, debuting many fresh compositions that fused rock and roll music with orchestral preparations, dubbed the “Evo Period.” Vai also produced many television appearances this year 2010, performing over the Tonight Display and on American Idol with Mary J. Blige, Orianthi, Travis Barker, Ron Good, Orianthi, and Randy Jackson. In 2012, 8th studio record THE STORYPLOT of Light appeared, continuing the brand new age group themes first help with on True Illusions: Reflections, and including unforeseen twists like a rootsy blues cover supported by a complete gospel choir and a duet with Aimee Mann. In 2015, Vai authorized with Sony/Legacy; his 1st album for the label was Stillness in Motion: Vai Reside in L.A., a saving of an Oct 2012 concert from the guitarist. Over time, Vai offers guested on countless albums by additional performers, including Gregg Bissonette’s self-titled debut and Submarine, Alice Cooper’s Hey Stoopid, Randy Coven’s Funk Me Sensitive, Al di Meola’s Infinite Desire, Open public Picture Ltd.’s Recording, Joe Jackson’s Symphony 1, and Billy Sheehan’s Compression, and in addition produces from Mike Stern, Ozzy, and Meats Loaf. He is able to also be entirely on such extra Zappa produces as Jazz from Hell, Shut Up ‘n Play Yer Acoustic guitar, Acoustic guitar, and on many volumes from the ongoing You Can’t DO THIS on Stage Anymore series as well as the live tribute disk Zappa’s Universe. As though his busy plan weren’t complete plenty of, Vai pursued a lifelong curiosity when he started harvesting honey among five bee colonies within the garden of his house.

Quick Facts

• Facts
• Filmography
• Awards
• Salaries
• Quotes
• Trademarks
• Pictures



#	Fact
1	48th Annual Grammys [February 2006]
2	Releases his new album "Real Illusions: Reflections". [February 2005]
3	(Late 2004) Putting the finishing touches on his new album, "Real Illusions: Reflections", which will be out in stores on February 22, 2005.
4	For director John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars (2001) soundtrack, music producer Bruce Robb called upon his talent, along with some other famous rock musician friends -- Anthrax, Guns N' Roses' guitarists Buckethead and Robin Finck, and Elliot Easton (formerly of The Cars). The results yielded an award-winning soundtrack, and Vai can been seen in the DVD behind-the-scenes bonus feature filmed while recording in Robb's Cherokee Studios.
5	In the movie Crossroads (1986), he plays a demonic rock guitarist who has a final "cutting-heads" guitar showdown with Ralph Macchio. Both Vai and Macchio were born and raised on Long Island, New York.
6	Studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.
7	Recieved a Grammy nomination in the category of "Best Instrumental Rock Performance" in December of 2005 for his song "Lotus Feet" from the album "Real Illusions: Reflections"
8	Also has a younger son, name Fire.
9	Son's name is Julian Angel Vai.
10	Was taught the guitar by guitarist Joe Satriani.
11	Keeps bees as a hobby; harvested over 900 pounds of honey in 2001.
12	He appears on a number of Frank Zappa albums from the 1980s. He also made a cameo appearance in the movie Crossroads (1986).
13	Vai wrote two tracks on the soundtrack, plus he wrote and performed every air guitar solo for Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991).



Soundtrack

Soundtrack

Title	Year	Status	Character
One Hit Wonderland	2013	TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode
#1 Cheerleader Camp	2010	Video performer: "Bad Horse Naked", "Viv Woman" / producer: "Bad Horse Naked", "Viv Woman" / writer: "Bad Horse Naked", "Viv Woman"
Rock Bottom: From Hell to Redemption	2007	Documentary performer: "Junkie" / writer: "Junkie"
Rumble Roses XX	2006	Video Game lyrics: "Yankee Rose" / music: "Yankee Rose"
Air Guitar Nation	2006	Documentary writer: "Yankee Rose"
Rumble Roses	2004	Video Game writer: "Yankee Rose"
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City	2002	Video Game lyrics: "Yankee Rose" - as S. Vai / writer: "God Blessed Video" - as S. Vai
Encino Man	1992	performer: "Drive the Hell Out of Here" / writer: "Drive the Hell Out of Here"
Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey	1991	performer: "THE REAPER", "THE REAPER RAP" / producer: "THE REAPER", "THE REAPER RAP" / writer: "THE REAPER", "THE REAPER RAP"
Doogie Howser, M.D.	1990	TV Series performer - 1 episode
Less Than Zero	1987	lyrics: "Bump 'N Grind" / music: "Bump 'N Grind"
Dudes	1987	performer: "Amazing Grace"
Moonlighting	1986	TV Series writer - 1 episode
Crossroads	1986	performer: "BUTLER'S BAG", "HEAD CUTTIN' DUEL", "EUGENE'S TRICK BAG" / writer: "BUTLER'S BAG", "HEAD CUTTIN' DUEL", "EUGENE'S TRICK BAG"
David Lee Roth	1986	Video short writer: "Yankee Rose", "Goin' Crazy"

Actor

Actor

Title	Year	Status	Character
The Retinal Circus	2013	Video	Narrator
Steve Vai: Live from Club Nokia	2012	TV Movie
Metalocalypse	2009	TV Series	Damien Cornickelson
Tattooed	2008		Guitarist
Crazy	2008/II		Hank Williams
Crossroads	1986		Jack Butler

Composer

Composer

Title	Year	Status	Character
G3 Live in Denver	2004	Video documentary
Steve Vai: Live at the Astoria London	2003	Video
G3 Live in Concert	1996	Video documentary
Steve Vai: Alien Love Secrets	1995	Video short
PCU	1994

Music Department

Music Department

Title	Year	Status	Character
Halo 2	2004	Video Game musician: guitar
Ghosts of Mars	2001	musician: guitar - uncredited
Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey	1991	composer: additional music

Producer

Producer

Title	Year	Status	Character
Where the Wild Things Are	2009	Video executive producer
Crazy	2008/II	executive producer
Steve Vai: Live at the Astoria London	2003	Video producer

Thanks

Thanks

Title	Year	Status	Character
Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet	2012	Documentary special thanks
Tommy Emmanuel: Center Stage	2008	TV Movie special thanks

Self

Self

Title	Year	Status	Character
Do You Think I'm a Joke?		Documentary filming	Himself
Dude! Where's My Music?		Documentary post-production	Himself
Hired Gun	2016	Documentary	Himself
Hell's Kitchen	2016	TV Series	Himself - Guitarist
The Ritchie Blackmore Story	2015	Documentary	Himself
Pop Wrapped TV	2015	TV Series documentary
Sharon Isbin: Troubadour	2014	Documentary	Himself - interviewee / guitarist
Summer '82: When Zappa Came to Sicily	2014	Documentary	Steve Vai
Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet	2012	Documentary	Himself
27th Annual NAMM/TEC Les Paul Award Tribute honoring Steve Vai	2012	Short	Himself
My First Guitar	2011	Documentary	Himself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno	1993-2010	TV Series	Himself - Guest Musician / Himself
I'm in a Rock 'n' Roll Band	2010	TV Mini-Series documentary
American Idol	2010	TV Series
Lemmy	2010	Documentary	Himself
Orianthi and Steve Vai: Highly Strung	2010	Video short	Himself
That Metal Show	2009	TV Series	Himself - Guest
Where the Wild Things Are	2009	Video	Himself
Rock Prophecies	2009	Documentary
The Story of the Guitar	2008	TV Series documentary	Himself
Zappa Plays Zappa	2007	Video	Himself
G3 Live in Tokyo	2005	Video	Himself
Score!: An Interview with Guitarist Steve Vai	2005	Video short	Himself - Guest
G3 Live in Denver	2004	Video documentary	Himself
Steve Vai: Live at the Astoria London	2003	Video	Himself
The 44th Annual Grammy Awards	2002	TV Special	Himself
Scoring Ghosts of Mars	2001	Video documentary short	Himself
The 43rd Annual Grammy Awards	2001	TV Special	Himself
The Genius of Lenny Breau	1999	Documentary
G3 Live in Concert	1996	Video documentary	Himself
Steve Vai: Alien Love Secrets	1995	Video short	Himself
Zappa's Universe	1993	Video	Himself - Guitar
Ein Leben als Extravaganza - Das Genie Frank Zappa	1993	TV Movie documentary	Himself
Joe Satriani: The Satch Tapes	1993	Video	Himself
Late Night with David Letterman	1990-1992	TV Series	Himself
Leyendas de la guitarra	1991	TV Movie documentary	Himself
Guitar	1991	Video documentary	Steve Vai
Hard 'N Heavy Volume 10	1991	Video documentary	Himself - Whitesnake
Metalhead Video Magazine Volume 2	1990	Video documentary	Himself
Hard 'N Heavy Volume 11	1990	Video documentary	Himself
Hard 'N Heavy Volume 2	1989	Video	Himself
Video from Hell	1985	Video	Himself
The Dub Room Special!	1984	Video	Himself

Looks like we don't have awards information. Sorry!



Looks like we don't have salary information. Sorry!



Looks like we don't have quotes information. Sorry!



Looks like we don't have trademarks information. Sorry!



Source: Celebrity Pictures & Images