Steve Vai is a living guitar legend. Voted the #1 Best Shred Guitarist on Guitar World‘s 2023 “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” poll, the axe man was a leader among the talented crop of metal and heavy rock electric guitar masters that came to prominence during the 1980s.
At the age of 13, after having purchased his first guitar and begun taking his first lessons with fellow New York native Joe Satriani, Vai became obsessed with the discipline of practice. Vai’s routine, consisting of a rigid regimen of ten- to fifteen-hour daily practice schedules, became the basis of his work ethic for the rest of his career.
Vai got started in the music industry as an 18-year-old transcriptionist for Frank Zappa and went on to join Zappa’s band for several years before embarking on a decorated solo career. He has also toured with seminal ’80s rock acts like Whitesnake and David Lee Roth and participated in live projects like Zappa Plays Zappa and “Experience Hendrix,” and has recorded with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Meatloaf, and many more. A thoroughly individual player, Vai’s playing is marked by his technical proficiency and diverse playing techniques, including two-handed tapping, sweep picking, whammy bar acrobatics, and beyond
Beyond his own personal playing, Vai is known for his technical innovations in the world of the electric guitar. The Ibanez JEM model that he co-designed, with its trademark body handle, is one of the most recognizable instruments in contemporary rock. He also designed the first commercially-produced 7-string guitar, the Ibanez Universe, which became virtually ever-present in heavy rock and metal sub-genres throughout the ensuing decade.
Steve Vai – “30 years of the Ibanez JEM”
In honor of his birthday today, take a few minutes to bask in the glory of these classic Steve Vai shred-fests below, like this video of Vai tapping and riffing away on a triple-necked guitar at The Fillmore in Denver on 10/20/03…
Steve Vai – “I Know You’re Here” – 10/20/03
…or this clip of Vai’s shred duel with actor Ralph Macchio from the 1986 film Crossroads…
Steve Vai vs Ralph Macchio Epic Guitar Battle | Crossroads (1986)
…or this clip of Vai and former Ozzy Osborne guitarist Zakk Wylde tag-teaming Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child…”
Steve Vai & Zakk Wylde –”Voodoo Child” (Jimi Hendrix) – 2017
…or this glamorous live performance of his Alien Love Secrets (’95) instrumental, “Tender Surrender”.
Steve Vai – “Tender Surrender” (Live)
Happy birthday, Steve!
[Originally published 6/6/17]