While many musicians fit easily into a single category, Steve Vai's unique musical vision remains unclassifiable. After more than 20 years, Vai continues to use unbridled guitar virtuosity and soulful artistry to explore the spectrum of human emotion.

From his self-released solo debut "Flex-Able" (1984) to his most recent "Alive In An Ultra World" (2001, Epic), Vai creates a sound all his own by striking a balance between technical ability and poetic phrasing. "I make music to push my own buttons," explains Vai. "I've always been driven by an addiction to create sounds that are unique – not better than what other people do, just different."

That obsession with running down the voodoo in his head remains the guiding force behind Vai's ongoing musical evolution and what he loves most about being a musician. "For me, the real gravy is when I hear a strange or beautiful sound in my head and then make it real in the world using the devices I have as a musician," says Vai. "The things that have never been done before are what interest me most."

His desire to break new ground led Vai to a special performance with the 100-piece Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra this summer in Japan. Together they performed a concerto for electric guitar called "Fire Strings" composed by distinguished Japanese composer and concert pianist Ichiro Nodaira. Learning the 20 minutes of raging, atonal electric guitar was the most demanding challenge of Vai's career. "It's almost impossible to play, and that's why I did it," says Vai. "I think a few other guitar players could play it, but I don't know any who would because of the tremendous time and dedication the music required. It was certainly an honor to be a part of it."


FANTASY & REALITY

Growing up on Led Zeppelin and progressive rock, Vai has always had a penchant for the conceptual side of rock. While many of his albums revolve around a specific thematic axis, Vai considers "Alive in an Ultra World" (2001, Epic) the high point of his conceptual efforts.

A contender for one of the most ambitious live albums ever recorded, Vai wrote, rehearsed and recorded the music for the two-disc set during a 32-country world tour. Each song is dedicated to a different country – Bulgaria, Spain and Romania to name a few – and reflects the flavor of each country's indigenous music. Creating the album was equally exhausting and rewarding. "On paper the project looks insurmountable," says Vai. "I wrote songs in the morning, rehearsed the new music at sound check with the band in the afternoon, played a two and a half hour show at night and then download the show from my mobile studio later that night. Somewhere in all that craziness, I found time to immerse myself in music from different countries.

"It was hell on me and the band making that record, but when I listen to the music now there are no words that can describe the joy I feel for having made that fantasy a reality."

"Alive in an Ultra World" includes "Whispering a Prayer (Song for Ireland)," which earned Vai his sixth Grammy nomination to go along with his 1991 Grammy win for best rock instrumental performance for his version of Frank Zappa's "Sofa" on the live Zappa tribute album, "Zappa's Universe." "Whispering a Prayer is probably the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever played in my life," says Vai. "Every time I play it, I'm overcome by feelings of freedom and happiness."

In contrast, Vai needed 20 years of patience to realize his idea for "The Seventh Song: Enchanting Guitar Melodies - Archives Vol. 1" (2000, Epic). The album features the seventh song from every Vai solo album before 2000. "The seventh song on my records has always been the wistful, screaming guitar ballad. Those songs sounded a bit out of place on the original records, but when I put them all together it creates a beautiful, flowing musical experience."

Without a doubt his biggest achievement in terms of sheer girth is "The Secret Jewel Box"

July 19, 2007
Birmingham Show
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Steve and the band were held up at UK immigration this morning due to work visa issues. We would like to apologize to fans who were kept waiting at the show, or who were confused by different messages about whether the show would take place or not. Steve and the band overcame all obstactles and put on a show that was on par with everything you would expect from him and his band. It's just a shame they had to go on an hour late, and we thank you for your patience.



July 05, 2007
Zappa Plays Zappa DVD Preview
Check the videos page of the Zappa Plays Zappa mini-site for previews of the amazing forthcoming ZPZ DVD - including a clip of Steve plaing "Zomby Woof" with the band. You can also view clips of "Call Any Vegetable" and the full DVD trailer featuring some of the many tasty highlights on this DVD - coming soon...



June 28, 2007
Sound Theories - OUT NOW
Sound Theories Vol. I & II is in stores now! A limited edition deluxe digipak is also available exclusively through Vai.com. The deluxe digipak features extra photos and a full-color booklet and 2,500 random copies will contain a satin pass that will admit the purchaser into any one (1) meet & greet aftershow on Steve's upcoming Sound Theories tour.

We have created a special reviews thread on our Vai.com Message Board to hear your thoughts and feedback on the new album. Click here to visit the special thread.

Sound Theories Tour Begins Tonight
The Sound Theories Tour officially kicks off tonight in Luxembourg. Check out reviews of the show in our fan reviews threads on the Vai.com Message Board. If you attended this show, or any upcoming show on the tour, Steve and the band would love to read your thoughts.

Tour Behind The Scenes and Updates
Check Vai.com regularly in the coming days and weeks for photos, videos and behind the scenes goodies from the road!



June 06, 2007
Happy Birthday Steve!
Today is Steve's birthday. Wanna send him a birthday message? Visit our message board and post your comments in the official online birthday card.



June 01, 2007
Sound Theories Pre-Order & Aftershow Pass Giveaway
A limited edition of 10,000 deluxe digipak versions of Steve's amazing new album Sound Theories Vol. I & II will be available exclusively through Vai.com. The deluxe digipak features extra photos and a full-color booklet.

2,500 random copies will contain a satin pass that will admit the purchaser into any one (1) meet & greet aftershow on Steve's upcoming Sound Theories tour. This aftershow pass is not valid without a concert ticket - aftershow pass holder must purchase their own ticket to the show. Terms and conditions apply. Instructions appear on the satin pass - all winners should read them carefully.

This deluxe digipak version of the album will NOT be available in stores. It can only be purchased through this website.

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER THE LTD. EDITION DIGIPAK!



May 29, 2007
A New Postcard From Steve
With rehearsals for the upcoming tour under way, Steve writes a postcard about auditions, and introduces the new band. Click here to read...



May 23, 2007
The New Band
Steve Vai's "String Theories"

SV: guitar, vox and audience panderer. (not so new member)
Jeremy Colson: drum kit and all sorts of things that you hit. (not so new member either)
Dave Weiner: Rhythm guitar, sitar, acoustic guitar and smile. (The longest member besides Steve)
Bryan Beller: Bass and impossible ears.
Alex DePue: Electric and acoustic violin, keyboards, the new fast fingers.
Ann Marie Calhoun: Electric and acoustic violin, Viola, Banjo and keyboards, confidence personified.
Zack Wiesinger: Solo opening act guitar extravaganza and perhaps a few saxophone honks here and there with the band.



Setting Something Straight...
Click here to read Steve's open letter regarding The Breed.



EVO Experience - Pre-Sale Over
Our

Steve Vai Biography:
Along with his one-time teacher Joe Satriani, six-string wizard Steve Vai set the standard for rock guitar virtuosity in the '80s. Born on June 6, 1960, and raised in Carle Place, NY, Vai became interested in the guitar via such legendary artists as Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and Alice Cooper as a teenager, and upon starting high school, took lessons with an older player from his high school, Joe Satriani. Playing in several local bands, Vai quickly picked up on the instrument, and by the age of 18 was attending the renowned Berklee School of Music in Boston. As a student there, Vai transcribed several of Frank Zappa's most technically demanding compositions for guitar, and even sent a copy of one such transcription, "Black Page," to Zappa himself. Zappa was so impressed with the young guitarist that upon meeting him, he invited Vai to join his band.

Subsequently, Vai toured the world with Zappa (giving Vai the nicknames "Stunt Guitarist" and "Little Italian Virtuoso"), and played on such albums as 1981's Tinsel Town Rebellion and You Are What You Is, 1982's Ship Arriving Too Late, 1983's Man From Utopia, plus 1984's Them or Us and Thing Fish, before leaving to set out on his own. First off was a pair of self-financed, recorded, and released solo albums in 1984, Flex-Able and Flex-Able Leftovers, both of which showcased Vai's guitar playing and songwriting talents, yet were still heavily influenced byZappa.

With Van Halen all the rage by the mid-'80s due to their massive hard rock/pop crossover success, Vai replaced Yngwie Malmsteen in a similarly styled outfit called Alcatrazz (which featured former Rainbow vocalist Graham Bonnett), playing on their overlooked 1985 release, Disturbing the Peace. The same year, Vai made a cameo appearance in the movie Crossroads (playing the devil's guitarist and shredding away in a guitar duel with Ralph Macchio) and got an invite from his friend/bass master Billy Sheehan to try out for the guitar spot in singer David Lee Roth's solo band (Roth had just split from Van Halen), and eventually landed the gig. 1986 saw the debut release from Roth and his stellar solo band, Eat 'Em & Smile, which went on to become one of the year's top hard rock releases. Both Vai and Sheehan were catapulted to super-stardom due to their instrumental talents, as they took top honors in numerous guitar magazines for years afterwards.

But although the quartet showed great promise, Sheehan jumped ship just after their sophomore album, Skyscraper, was issued in 1988. Although the album was more pop-based than its predecessor, it became another sizeable hit -- with Vai earning a co-producing credit on the album along with Roth. The same year, Vai issued his own line of snazzy guitars, the Jem 777 series, via the Ibanez company. After the ensuing tour with Roth wrapped up in late '88, it was Vai's turn to jump ship. In addition to working on another solo album, he was invited to join up with chart topping pop-metallists Whitesnake, an offer which he accepted. His one and only album with Whitesnake, Slip of the Tongue, was issued in 1989, as was his third solo album overall, Passion & Warfare, a year later. The album was based on dreams that Vai experienced as a teenager, as the largely instrumental album became a sizeable hit, earning gold certification and solidifying Vai's standing as one of the top guitarists of the day. It was also around this time that Vai created a seven-string guitar through Ibanez. Although the instrument didn't catch on initially, it would by the mid- to late '90s, when the guitarists in such metal acts as Korn and Limp Bizkit would utilize the instrument to achieve super-low tunings.

After an extended hiatus, Vai formed his first conventional rock band (called...VAI) along with newcomer Devin Townsend on vocals, T.M. Stevens on bass, and Terry Bozzio on drums -- offering their one and only album in 1993, Sex & Religion. When the album proved to be a disap