Steve Vai

Latest about Steve Vai

Steve Vai performs onstage during Tollwood Festival at Olympiapark on July 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany
"I can tell you how to become a virtuoso very easily”: Steve Vai on how anybody can become an elite guitar player

By Matt Owen Published

Vai – who had a gruelling practice routine growing up – has shed some light on what it takes to become a virtuoso

9 Comments
Guitarists
Guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen (R) and Steve Vai of Generation Axe performs on stage at Humphrey's on April 10, 2016 in San Diego, California
Billy Corgan quizzes Steve Vai on his epic guitar battle with Yngwie Malmsteen – and the guitar lick that left them both in disbelief

By Matt Owen Published

The two virtuosos went toe-to-toe during the Generation Axe tour, and Malmsteen walked away as the victor

8 Comments
Guitarists
Steve Vai performing with David Lee Roth at the Oakland Coliseum in 1986 / David Lee Roth playing in 'David Lee Roth band' performing at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California on June 14, 198
Steve Vai on how he joined David Lee Roth’s band – and Roth’s desire to “beat Van Halen”

By Matt Owen Published

In 1985, Vai was recruited to join Roth's post-Van Halen band – and the singer had lofty ambitions for his new project

23 Comments
Guitarists
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 09: Adrian Belew of BEAT performs on stage at Humphreys Concerts By the Bay on November 09, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
Adrian Belew on his carpal tunnel fears and recovery, working with Vai and Frank Zappa, and his next musical adventure

By Andrew Daly Published

As he recovers from surgery, the progressive guitar icon draws a line from Frank Zappa through Talking Heads, King Crimson and Beat, explains his synergy with Steve Vai, and hints at the pedals that will drive his future creations

Guitarists
Left-Adrian Belew performs with 'David Bowie' at the Fresno Convention Center in Fresno, California on April 2, 1978; Right-Frank Zappa performs at Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento, California on November 18, 1977
Adrian Belew reflects on his game-changing year with Frank Zappa

By Janelle Borg Published

Belew was discovered and handpicked by Zappa in 1977 after the latter saw him playing at a bar in Nashville

4 Comments
Guitarists
Adrian Belew of BEAT performs on stage at Humphreys Concerts By the Bay on November 09, 2024 in San Diego, California
Adrian Belew reflects on having his left hand repaired – and how his playing is recovering

By Janelle Borg Published

Belew was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome during his BEAT tour alongside Steve Vai, Tony Levin, and Danny Carey

Guitarists
Steve Vai and Tub Guitar
Steve Vai considers this solo to be his “ultimate achievement” – and one fan’s cover has left him in awe

By Phil Weller Published

Vai has singled out an aspiring player on Instagram for their flawless cover

Guitarists
Steve Vai of SatchVai perform onstage during a concert at the Eventim Apollo on June 14, 2025 in London, England AND ohn Mayer of Dead & Company performs onstage at 2025 MusiCares Person Of The Year Honoring The Grateful Dead at Los Angeles Convention Center on January 31, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
“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

By Matt Owen Published

Smith recalls Vai singling out Mayer for praise – and reveals what Mayer’s songwriting background means for his overall guitar style

4 Comments
Guitarists
David Coverdale (left) and Reb Beach of Whitesnake perform onstage at Alcatraz in Milan, Italy on November 29, 2015
A guide to all of Whitesnake's A-team guitarists

By Jenna Scaramanga Published

David Coverdale’s revolving door of talent has included some of the finest rock guitarists of all time. This is how they each contributed to the many-times-platinum band's legacy

Bands
Joe Satriani [left] fistbumps Steve Vai onstage as the pair perform together onstage with their Ibanez signature guitars
Joe Satriani reveals how Satch/Vai’s onstage chemistry works – and why sometimes some songs are best left to Steve Vai

By Jonathan Horsley Published

Satch says playing with Steve Vai is an opportunity to expand each other's material, but says maintaining one clear voice for melodies and solos is key

Guitarists
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