<![CDATA[ Latest from Guitar World in Steve-vai ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/tag/steve-vai Mon, 11 May 2026 16:25:01 +0000 en <![CDATA[ “It was a whole library of tapes. It was such great stuff”: Steve Vai on the time Eddie Van Halen played him never-before-released material – at the guitar legend’s house ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/steve-vai-has-heard-unreleased-van-halen-material ntfLtFeytnyNUqP5qm2n74 Mon, 11 May 2026 16:25:01 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Yngwie was replaced for becoming difficult. We auditioned Steve Vai in secret”: Gary Shea’s never-say-never approach to Alcatrazz, New England… and maybe even Vinnie Vincent ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/bassists/gary-shea-alcatrazz-interview epQAiBGH8rArc4n5RceGTE Mon, 04 May 2026 05:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ “The original idea was Steve Stevens, but he was busy with Billy Idol”: How Steve Vai ended up joining David Lee Roth's post-Van Halen band – thanks to Billy Sheehan ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/how-steve-vai-joined-david-lee-roth-post-van-halen-band PvSZ62oFZyXz3c2QMoFd5K Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:37:35 +0000 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:19:03 +0000 <![CDATA[ Steve Vai’s LA property – and his Harmony Hut guitar sanctuary – has been listed for $11.7 million ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/steve-vai-harmony-hut-for-sale pkAzeggLff6SKwVAud6FGR Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:40:49 +0000 Fri, 01 May 2026 08:34:19 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I had a two-neck guitar, then Steve Vai came out with his three-neck guitar. My label wanted me to challenge Steve to a duel”: Michael Angelo Batio on the origin of his four-neck guitar ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/the-origins-of-michael-angelo-batios-quad-guitar xLuLFRjyumF2z54sLx3oEX Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:49:10 +0000 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:27:03 +0000 <![CDATA[ Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Pete Thorn trade solos over Led Zeppelin classic at recent SatchVai Band show ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/bands/satchvai-band-covers-led-zeppelin-and-steppenwolf 53j4UMLLpTQqRFhKewn5a8 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:18:27 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I just remember thinking, ‘I can’t play this thing’”: Why Steve Vai struggled to play Brian May’s iconic Red Special ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/steve-vai-on-brian-mays-red-special-guitar UQVz54qTKGUBhYAs7zqoqm Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:24:33 +0000 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:00:41 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I discovered that it would be harder to try to replicate his tone than anybody else”: Steve Vai has followed in the footsteps of many guitar greats – this was the hardest one to nail ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/the-hardest-guitarist-for-steve-vai-to-replicate 3ukLNP2r5SsUTzkp5aevQ8 Mon, 23 Mar 2026 13:16:25 +0000 Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:20:48 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I never know what might come across my desk, but this was a taker”: Steve Vai has recorded a new solo over Van Halen’s Jump – which has been crowned the official World Cup 2026 anthem ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/music-releases/steve-vai-van-halen-jump-world-cup-anthem DfeMhvNz5UHMwsPM9Vf9aR Mon, 09 Mar 2026 11:45:59 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I was using my Line 6 POD. He said, ‘I’ve got something that may work better.’ He sent me two things in the mail…” When Joe Satriani volunteered to help Dethklok mastermind Brendon Small with his home recording ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/brendon-small-satchvai-dancing-video S9ZL5NG9hcWWRvu8GzCwX5 Wed, 04 Mar 2026 10:31:31 +0000 Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:00:48 +0000 <![CDATA[ “He is truly one of the best players in the new generation”: Matteo Mancuso names the emerging virtuoso that you need to know about ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/matteo-mancuso-on-daniele-gottardo bksK9m37w7NJSdqhm7YhPi Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:42:41 +0000 <![CDATA[ “It was the most coveted guitar chair in rock. I adored Edward’s playing, so I understood that people would be skeptical”: How Steve Vai lived his ultimate guitar rockstar fantasy on David Lee Roth’s Eat ’Em and Smile ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/steve-vai-on-david-lee-roth-eat-em-and-smile J8pTvA8uXMorGErukygA2U Fri, 27 Feb 2026 11:48:41 +0000 <![CDATA[ “It became an overnight sensation when Stevie Wonder used the effect”: Loved by Frank Zappa, Bootsy Collins, Steve Vai and more, how the Mu-Tron III became a vintage pedalboard icon ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/guitar-pedals/mu-tron-iii qk3XXyLQZ7W6BA3qZU5gPS Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:20:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ “He was across the hall and I mentioned my tone troubles to him…” How Steve Stevens saved Steve Vai on his David Lee Roth debut ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/steve-vai-on-eat-em-and-smiles-guitar-tones C42zoNVjPJWPEYL2HYu3Ra Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:07:49 +0000 <![CDATA[ “It’s a versatile workhorse that I’ve been using for everything”: Ibanez shares first look at 2026 artist guitar lineup – and Nili Brosh’s long-awaited signature leads the charge alongside new Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Nita Strauss models ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/ibanez-signature-guitar-lineup-2026-at-namm-2026 F3qVGRqsbYnUgiemydryBJ Tue, 27 Jan 2026 21:44:55 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I know myself better musically thanks to this album”: Steve Vai features on the new Matteo Mancuso album – and he had one piece of advice for the young virtuoso ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/music-releases/matteo-mancuo-route-96-and-steve-vai-advice gYiQYFgi5QpKLqnGCprs2E Fri, 16 Jan 2026 17:39:19 +0000 <![CDATA[ “He told me the story about a young guitarist he once let play his guitar at rehearsal. I said, ‘Brian, that was me’”: Steve Vai pays tribute to Brian May as he receives his radical custom Red Special ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/steve-vais-green-red-special-brian-may-tribute xFtfU8sWnVDfbBzNoxWrhJ Wed, 07 Jan 2026 15:49:38 +0000 <![CDATA[ “For the Love of God, written by Steve Vai and performed by my 14-year-old son Roman”: Tom Morello says “there is hope” as his son shreds Steve Vai's For the Love of God ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/roman-morello-shreds-for-the-love-of-god yM3pR6LFRFkK4hesyMDD8R Mon, 05 Jan 2026 22:11:29 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Every time I go to plug in, it feels like Christmas. I knew it was going to be useful. I just didn’t realize how useful”: Steve Vai on the first mini amp he found that could truly punch above its weight ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/amps/steve-vai-on-his-signature-positive-grid-spark-mini wPBR2maiPMNubMtYunkcxg Mon, 15 Dec 2025 13:12:32 +0000 Tue, 16 Dec 2025 10:32:25 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Being in the same band with Joe felt like watching a childhood fantasy step out of my teenage brain”: Steve Vai and Joe Satriani announce the return of the SatchVai Band with their debut U.S. tour – and tease an upcoming album ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/concerts-gigs-tours/steve-vai-and-joe-satriani-announce-the-satchvai-band-first-us-tour ij8oMDANVrLD4SiaEwBumX Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:34:20 +0000 <![CDATA[ “It’s not every day you get to work for a player rightfully belonging on the pantheon of rock gods”: Steve Vai has reimagined Brian May’s Red Special in his own vision with the help of a UK boutique guitar builder ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/steve-vai-brian-may-red-special-guyton-guitars 5QbMwCXmhmdyXLByGefjEB Thu, 27 Nov 2025 17:35:56 +0000 Thu, 27 Nov 2025 17:37:16 +0000 <![CDATA[ “We parked up outside Steve Vai’s caravan. His guitar tech saw me. Next thing you know, Steve’s there, and I’m trying my best to play Tobacco Road”: He was a guitar god at 8, then he disappeared – the unlikely story of Thomas McRocklin ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/thomas-mcrocklin-where-did-he-go kfC7rtJyqxqzPzg5oYpenj Wed, 26 Nov 2025 15:55:00 +0000 Thu, 27 Nov 2025 09:47:30 +0000 <![CDATA[ “They plug me into Zakk Wylde’s amp. Next thing I’m going crazy. Ozzy goes, ‘Let’s get him on tonight!’” In 1988, a shred prodigy opened for Ozzy Osbourne. He was eight years old ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/how-an-8-year-old-shred-prodigy-ended-up-opening-for-ozzy-osbourne g2WZTmNTFqyukVncD7VjBh Tue, 18 Nov 2025 17:19:59 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I was tired of not having a great tone. I could never figure out why I don’t sound good. So I started to experiment with how I pick”: Great tone starts with the pick – just ask Steve Vai. Here’s how honing your picking can improve your tone for free ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/techniques/improve-your-pick-tone kVHV8UxSKDoPVGBuGFwVnn Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:02:00 +0000 Mon, 24 Nov 2025 11:49:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I thought it was the worst film I’d seen in my life! I was super-embarrassed. But that solo became part of the franchise’”: Stevie Salas on Bill & Ted, playing arenas with Rod Stewart then opening for Joe Satriani, and turning down both Van Halen singers ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/stevie-salas-back-from-the-living fqUMVt9mjmJMPh4K97GmGi Wed, 12 Nov 2025 18:07:19 +0000 Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:19:43 +0000 <![CDATA[ From the shred heroics of Joe Satriani to the melodic mastery of George Benson and fascinating phrasing of Yvette Young, we chart 25 game-changing Ibanez guitarists ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/the-25-most-important-ibanez-guitarists dJMxmk2gjmNXx7UASQGWM6 Sun, 26 Oct 2025 13:00:00 +0000 Mon, 27 Oct 2025 09:14:59 +0000 <![CDATA[ “If the guitar has ever been your sanctuary, you already know you need to be there”: Nuno Bettencourt announces four-day guitar camp – and he's recruited some big-name players to help ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/nuno-bettencourt-six-string-sanctuary L8CKk3R5Sr8YhGakvfnS6b Fri, 10 Oct 2025 16:10:14 +0000 Thu, 16 Oct 2025 15:38:32 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Cat Stevens asked me to play on his recordings…it never got to the point where I felt like I could add as much as I wanted”: Eric Johnson reflects on his early session career with Carole King and Christopher Cross – and getting fired by Donald Fagen ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/eric-johnson-early-session-career 9DFJrbUzSp2ReZZb2SJJM8 Fri, 29 Aug 2025 10:31:50 +0000 Wed, 03 Sep 2025 11:43:13 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I ended up getting three of them. I just fell in love with them”: Steve Vai on the affordable modeling amp that stole his heart ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/steve-vai-on-falling-in-love-with-the-positive-grid-spark-mini Wb4HcgGG3CnVsFdeExPEzE Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:33:33 +0000 Wed, 03 Sep 2025 11:24:06 +0000 <![CDATA[ “My guitar was slightly out.Steve Vai walked past and said,‘Your low E was four cents flat.’And he’d been in the green room!” Meet Derek Day, the swaggering virtuoso who went from busking on the streets to touring with his hero ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/derek-day-i-cant-imagine yB5XpSDwcPAjAEZiLhnb99 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:56:35 +0000 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:53:28 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I can tell you how to become a virtuoso very easily”: Steve Vai on how anybody can become an elite guitar player ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/steve-vai-how-to-become-a-virtuoso w5fCVPoYHu3PPQMWZ5MBDX Fri, 22 Aug 2025 15:46:51 +0000 Thu, 28 Aug 2025 09:48:01 +0000 <![CDATA[ “It was probably the greatest 10 seconds of guitar playing I’ve ever seen in my life”: Billy Corgan quizzes Steve Vai on his epic guitar battle with Yngwie Malmsteen – and the guitar lick that left them both in disbelief ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/steve-vai-guitar-battles-with-yngwie-malmsteen fP4WJzZ7GjUm4QSmD6Woo7 Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:18:50 +0000 Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:57:22 +0000 <![CDATA[ “As soon as I heard the news, I turned to my roommate and said, ‘That's my gig.’ The next day, Dave rings”: Steve Vai on how he joined David Lee Roth’s band – and Roth’s desire to “beat Van Halen” ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/steve-vai-joining-david-lee-roth-beating-van-halen QnesrBETWsQqsz5WUykfME Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:34:36 +0000 Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:40:20 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Steve Vai walked me through the process – he’s had it done twice. He introduced me to one of the best surgeons in the US”: Adrian Belew on his carpal tunnel fears and recovery, working with Vai and Frank Zappa, and his next musical adventure ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/adrian-belew-beat-live ibqr5QfDSRnu2SCGjBnRiF Tue, 12 Aug 2025 10:55:40 +0000 Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:53:19 +0000 <![CDATA[ “The year that I spent with Frank was the first and only time that I’ve ever had serious instruction”: Adrian Belew reflects on his game-changing year with Frank Zappa – and what the avant-garde musician taught him about music and the business ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/adrian-belew-reflects-on-his-game-changing-year-with-frank-zappa c5jaFTvWUTXUVTGrfR9W2C Fri, 08 Aug 2025 11:24:29 +0000 Wed, 13 Aug 2025 15:27:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ “My hand started getting numb and it would stay numb from the moment that I woke up, all the way until soundcheck. It was a little scary”: Adrian Belew reflects on having his left hand repaired – and how his playing is recovering ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/adrian-belew-reflects-on-having-his-left-hand-repaired-and-how-his-playing-is-recovering aSFwUkG3Qg9a5daMZkMH3k Thu, 24 Jul 2025 12:40:16 +0000 Wed, 13 Aug 2025 15:27:57 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I never thought I would ever see anything like this”: Steve Vai considers this solo to be his “ultimate achievement” – and one fan’s cover has left him in awe ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/steve-vai-tub-guitar-and-we-are-one-cover yL3x9zUUNQe2jpSMw2z2Jd Mon, 14 Jul 2025 16:26:57 +0000 Mon, 21 Jul 2025 12:04:54 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Steve Vai goes, ‘I’ve been thinking about this a long time. He’s a really good guitar player.’ That’s unusual’”: Paul Reed Smith on the time John Mayer was hailed by a shred hero – and why he found it strange ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/john-mayer-steve-vai-praise 9x58nPdoPuBpwVSNX4RPzQ Mon, 30 Jun 2025 15:01:29 +0000 Tue, 08 Jul 2025 11:37:29 +0000 <![CDATA[ Their ranks have included blues-rock luminary Bernie Marsden, shred god Steve Vai, and journeyman virtuoso Reb Beach – here's the ultimate guide to the A-team guitarists that have shaped Whitesnake's blockbuster, stadium-conquering sound ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/bands/a-guide-to-whitesnakes-guitarists Wcf7MNq635UwYvMpNd8bQN Sat, 07 Jun 2025 13:00:00 +0000 Thu, 19 Jun 2025 08:52:29 +0000 <![CDATA[ “The importance of one clear voice playing the melodies and solos are things we take seriously”: Joe Satriani reveals how Satch/Vai’s onstage chemistry works – and why sometimes some songs are best left to Steve Vai ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/joe-satrani-on-playing-steve-vai-songs-with-satchvai-band SULYdWX9kPJ3ZcskXqQzSM Fri, 06 Jun 2025 21:26:57 +0000 Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:00:25 +0000 <![CDATA[ “This song depicts all of the things Joe and I loved about pounding rock ‘n’ roll and the glorious guitar”: The SatchVai Band's second single is an ode to the instrument that made them famous – and it features Glenn Hughes on vocals ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/music-releases/satchvai-band-i-wanna-play-my-guitar ub6YXKEG3G5nF9odzoLVp6 Tue, 06 May 2025 20:41:56 +0000 Tue, 13 May 2025 14:13:24 +0000 <![CDATA[ “A virtuoso beyond virtuosos”: Matteo Mancuso has become one of the hottest guitar talents on the planet – now he’s finally announced his first headline US tour ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/concerts-gigs-tours/matteo-mancuso-us-and-canada-tour-2025 KdMu6TsFchRwfyJpKnoNxN Fri, 11 Apr 2025 18:00:00 +0000 Mon, 14 Apr 2025 10:25:41 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Something’s stirring behind closed doors…” Joe Satriani plays For the Love of God? Steve Vai and Satch tackle each other’s most iconic leads in first SatchVai Band rehearsal footage ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/concerts-gigs-tours/satchvai-band-first-rehearsal-footage CKmQwrmcVHxb7hZhRwuDiV Thu, 10 Apr 2025 12:28:57 +0000 Mon, 14 Apr 2025 10:21:58 +0000 <![CDATA[ “The tone of the note has so many moving parts to it. There are so many parameters”: Steve Vai on how players can instantly change their guitar tone – without buying new gear ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/steve-vai-guitar-tone-tips-without-buying-gear SPCjVM7N3HhPAQXR3djiMV Mon, 10 Mar 2025 15:18:43 +0000 Tue, 18 Nov 2025 11:21:16 +0000 <![CDATA[ “The world’s most convenient all-tube amp head”: Steve Vai-backed firm Synergy has unveiled a tiny amp head that lets you swap in tones from some of the world’s biggest amp builders ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/guitar-amp-heads/synergy-syn20ir u8JU3nhzcY2qwMiEWpuDmY Wed, 05 Mar 2025 16:50:56 +0000 Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:07:57 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Playing the melody on top of that was the real challenge”: Steve Vai, Eric Johnson and Joe Satriani share the secrets behind 3 instrumental epics in these exclusive Guitar World lessons ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/song-lessons/steve-vai-eric-johnson-eric-johnson-instrumental-epic-lessons ciAxDC5wteTrCfxVRBcvSF Thu, 27 Feb 2025 16:27:09 +0000 Wed, 05 Mar 2025 14:16:50 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I would say he’s underrated in the echelons of guitar. Honestly, there’s no-one close”: Steve Vai reveals what it’s like to work side by side with fellow Frank Zappa alum Adrian Belew on the BEAT tour ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/steve-vai-reveals-what-it-is-like-to-work-with-adrian-belew-on-the-beat-tour MzXV2AkptTYKfu2eaYZmu Tue, 18 Feb 2025 17:28:32 +0000 Mon, 24 Feb 2025 14:21:43 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I’d hear it on the radio as a kid, and now I’m standing beside Don Henley playing it – I had to do both solos, Joe Walsh’s and Steve Lukather’s”: The SatchVai Band is just the latest of many high-profile stops for Pete Thorn ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/pete-thorn-satchvai-band CUJhB9JTiYQzSgLgvnDWwn Tue, 04 Feb 2025 17:10:17 +0000 Tue, 25 Feb 2025 12:48:42 +0000 <![CDATA[ “They’ve achieved so much in their careers. I love hearing their stories. Every time we plug in together, I grow as a player”: Lari Basilio reveals what she learned from playing side by side with all-time guitar and session greats ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/lari-basilio-reveals-what-she-learned-from-all-time-guitar-and-session-greats fWbZP9U8SnbVjxuhGJiLGB Tue, 04 Feb 2025 14:56:43 +0000 Tue, 25 Feb 2025 12:47:25 +0000 <![CDATA[ “There was no way we would cancel the gig, but there were no guitars, amps, pedals, or anything. How am I going to make the show work for Steve Vai?” When Steve Vai’s gear got lost in transit, his tech stepped in to save the day ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/how-steve-vai-tech-saved-show-when-gear-didnt-turn-up MmjYsEDWEQ4qpcqSRNNmAo Mon, 03 Feb 2025 13:11:14 +0000 Tue, 25 Feb 2025 12:39:42 +0000