Steve Vai
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“Saying it was an honor to be up there is a wildly drastic understatement”: Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson and Steve Vai have wrapped up the G3 2024 tour – here are the biggest guest guitarists who joined them along the way
By Matt Owen published
Progressive pioneers, heavy rock royalty and even Satch's son took to the stage with the G3 trailblazers at various points across the hotly anticipated tour

“Steve Vai and Joe Satriani’s setups are amazing examples of streamlined innovation. But with my maple neck Strat, it would be hard to do what they’re doing”: Eric Johnson on G3, profilers, and the custom pedal he “might actually put on the market”
By Andrew Daly published
Reunited with old friends for a new run of shows, Johnson still swears by his custom Strat and pedal – and rejects the idea that Joe Bonamassa owes him an apology

“Sounds better than ever!”: Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson and Steve Vai shred classics and jam Crossroads as the OG G3 lineup reunites for the first time in nearly 3 decades – and now fan footage has surfaced
By Phil Weller published
It’s the first time the trio has embarked on a joint G3 jaunt since 2000 – and the opening show in Tucson proved to be quite the curtain-raiser

“I couldn’t play the Hydra and I was in a lot of pain. Then things shifted into gear. I felt like I’d reached another dimension of performing”: Steve Vai on his Inviolate tour struggles, upcoming G3 reunion and first-ever music with Joe Satriani
By Andrew Daly published
With his longest-ever road trip and most rewarding Vai Academy camp behind him, the virtuoso teases what to expect from the upcoming G3 and Satch/Vai tours – and gives Satch some advice on tackling Eddie Van Halen’s guitar parts

“Do not try to play them like Edward – because you can’t”: Steve Vai says this is the secret to nailing Eddie Van Halen’s guitar parts in front of a live audience
By Matt Parker published
Vai has been considering his experiences winning the hearts and minds of Van Halen fans back in the ’80s – as his friend Joe Satriani gets ready to do the same this summer

“My jaw was on the floor so many times!” Steve Vai once tipped Matteo Mancuso for greatness – now the two virtuosos have finally shared the stage in one of the most technically dazzling jams you’ll ever see
By Matt Owen published
It's been almost two years since Vai hailed Mancuso as the evolution of guitar, and at long last the pair have locked fretboards in a no-holds-barred guitar dual

“It’s one thing to listen, but when you play these songs, you go, ‘It’s no wonder Eddie had so much fun playing this’”: Tackling Van Halen, reforming G3, recording with Steve Vai – Joe Satriani is gearing up for his biggest year yet
By Andrew Daly published
He’s the godfather of shred, but over four decades into his career, Joe Satriani is busier than ever. He explains why he’s playing catch-up after avoiding Van Halen songs in the ‘80s, what his “intentionally excessive” collaborations with Vai have in store, and the biggest struggles he’s facing in covering “the greatest guitar player of all time”

The ‘90s was a watershed era for gear, and set the template for the future of the electric guitar – these are the retro designs, digital innovations and misfit toys that defined a decade and beyond
By Chris Gill published
The invention of the seven-string, emergence of digital modeling and rise of the boutique pedal industry all took place during the ‘90s, and provided the blueprint for the sound of guitar music to come

“Every time we play together it takes me back to when we were teenagers… pushing, challenging and helping each other to be the best we could be”: For the first time ever, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai are working on new music together
By Matt Parker published
The two virtuosos have also announced a huge tour marking their first co-headline dates outside of their G3 shows

“Steve Vai tried to school me on string bending, but you just don't do that on bass!” Pete Griffin reflects on his time with Steve Vai, and his latest solo EP
By Nick Wells published
The seasoned sideman compares notes on Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt, Zakk Wylde and Dweezil Zappa
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