August 2012 \ Features \ Artist Interview \ Interview: Steve Vai - The Gospel According to Steve

Interview: Steve Vai - The Gospel According to Steve

Joe Charupakorn

The revered prophet of the 6- and 7-string parts the shroud to reveal the mysteries of his tones, compositions, and gear on "The Story of Light."
Premier Guitar August 2012
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YouTube It
For a taste of Steve Vai’s quirky brand of virtuosity, check out the following clips on YouTube:


Vai performs “The Attitude Song”—one of his seminal classics—with the Metropole Orchestra in 2008.


Three necks are better than one, as Vai demonstrates during this 2003 G3 concert (with Yngwie Malmsteen and Joe Satriani) in Denver. From 4:34–4:40, Vai plays the most insane 5ths-based sequence ever.


Vai and bass god Billy Sheehan perform “Shy Boy,” the unison-filled shredfest that symbolized their respective instrumental powers during their stint with David Lee Roth in the mid ’80s. Here, Sheehan takes vocal duties.


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Comments

 (20 comments) display by
UsernameComment
john Bohlinger
on 09/02/2012 		Love that Vai reveals his insecurities about working with Aimee Mann. Wonderful to see an incredible talent combine with humility. Steve Vai is a true artist. So glad to see Premier Guitar give him his due.
Vai Fanboy
on 08/26/2012 		I would pay $500 for an afternoon of playing guitars in the Harmony Hut. A lifetime event.
Jostein
on 08/18/2012 		Great interview!
TheDude
on 08/18/2012 		MporkIV, we'll make sure for Premier Guitar's next interview they find a guitar player who doesn't stray too far from minor pentatonic. Would that make you feel better
Dave
on 08/17/2012 		Ah, Steve Vai. Awesome as always... But starting to look like a middle aged lesbian. Fair play to him.
Straight Eye
on 08/14/2012 		After looking at the September cover, I have to wonder: Does Steve use Elton John as a fashion consultant? Boy George wouldn't be seen in an outfit like that. Steve: you're 52 years old. Get a mirror.
Ned Harkey
on 08/14/2012 		Try as I might I don't see one of Vai's psychedelic paint job Jem 77s on the walls in that picture of his home studio.
Vai Rules
on 08/12/2012 		MporkIV = troll. I can't think of another guitarist/composer with the scope, range, depth and mastery of the electric guitar with as much style and quirkiness as Steve Vai to come along in the last thirty years. Passion and Warfare kicked everyone's ass along side the revolutionary Ibanez Jem guitars. MporkIV's narrow minded self absorption and attempt to mar a great article speaks more of MporkIV's character than the article itself.
Muppet
on 08/09/2012 		MporkIV, I don't get your comment. I'm 43, and have been looking forward to this interview, these photos, and this rig rundown for a month, since they hinted at it. If you're such an adult, why don't you keep comments like that to yourself?
Dave
on 08/09/2012 		Great article. Thanks.



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