Steve Vai
Steve
Vai was born in Long Island, New York on June 6, 1960. While
being tutored by Satriani at the age of 13, he formed his first band
called Rayge. Vai also studied music on his own until he
entered the Berklee School of Music.
In 1979, he moved to Los Angeles, California, Vai was 18 years old. He was known for his rigorous 10 hour a day practice sessions.
By 1984, Vai had built his own recording studio, and experimented with jazz, rock and classical fusion. He eventually released a home recorded album called "Flex-able", which was influenced by Zappa's eclecticism and unpredictable style.
In 1985, he replaced Malmsteen in the band Alcatrazz, for the album "Disturbing the Peace". He went on to record two more albums, this time with David Lee Roth, and then moved on to White Snake in 1989. The album, Passion and Warfare, released in 1990 brought him into the ranks as an internationally recognized solo artist. It was a stunning collection of guitar brilliance with high speed soloing, and guitar wizardry. The album reached number 18 on the Billboard Chart, and won him a Gold Album.
In 1995, he released Alien Love Secrets. This was just another example of his genius for dynamics, style, and imagination with guitars. (listen to the guitar sounding like horses in "Bad Horsie")
In
1999 he released The Ultra Zone, which was another collection of
ingenious work. A mixture of stunning guitar work, and amazing
use of a Whammy Bar. Not to mention his astounding art for
manipulating sound.
Vai also involves himself with
guitar makers. In 1988, he and Ibanez came up with the Jem
featuring a two octave fret board, 3 pick-ups, and a scalloped
fingerboard beyond the twentieth fret to maximize fast lead
work. In 1990, they came up with the Universe. It had
the same features as the Jem, but with an additional low string.
This was tuned to a 'B' which gave the guitar a four and a half
octave range.
Guitars
Steve Vai used a Strat for his early recordings. It was
customized with active circuitry and high powered pick-ups.
Later, he got together with Ibanez and came up with the Jem,
followed by the 7-string Universe in 1990.
Click on the pic to Purchase G3 Live on DVD
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Steve Vai: Alien Love Secrets - Naked Vamps
Performed by Steve Vai. For guitar. Includes instructional
book and accompaniment CD. With guitar tablature, standard
notation, chord names, guitar scale charts, guitar notation
legend, instructional text, performance notes and
introductory text. Instrumental rock and hard rock. Series:
Hal Leonard Signature Licks. 52 pages. 9x12 inches.
Published by Hal Leonard. (HL.695223) See more info... |