Rehearsals are over, and the Generation Axe tour—featuring Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi—is finally hitting the road.
Above, you can check out the first official photo of the Generation Axe crew!
"The Generation Axe show is a unique performance of five fiercely talented guitar players coming together to create a six-string extravaganza that is sure to amaze and delight,” Vai said in February, when the tour was announced.
The Generation Axe fan experience will go beyond simply gathering five guitar greats on one stage to jam. Each stop will include collaborations by the five players, including everyone performing together as one band with a rhythm section that includes Pete Griffin (Zappa Plays Zappa) on bass, Nick Marinovich (Yngwie Malmsteen) on keys and Matt Garstka of Animals As Leaders on drums. Vai, Wylde, Malmsteen, Bettencourt and Abasi will perform songs from their various catalogs and join forces on some well-known songs (as well as probably a few unexpected, unearthed gems).
Making this rare tour experience even more special, Generation Axe VIP packages will be offered, giving fans access to these guitars masters and exclusive one-of-a-kind memorabilia. A front-row package (including a meet & greet), a meet & greet package and a VIP tour package will be available.
Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.
