Steven Siro "Steve" Vai (born June 6, 1960) is a three time Grammy Award-winning Italian-American rock guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and producer. After starting his professional career as a music transcriptionist for Frank Zappa, Vai recorded and toured in Zappa's band for two years, from 1980 to 1982. The guitarist began a solo career in 1983 and has released 13 solo albums as of 2008. Apart from his work with Frank Zappa, Vai has also recorded and toured with Public Image Ltd., Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth, and Whitesnake. Vai has been a regular touring member of the G3 Concert Tour which began in 1996. In 1999 Vai started his own record label, Favored Nations, intending to showcase, as Vai describes, "...artists that have attained the highest performance level on their chosen instruments."Career

[edit]1970s and 1980s
Vai began playing guitar in 1973, at the age of 13.[2] In 1974, he took guitar lessons from guitarist Joe Satriani, and played in numerous local bands, one of which was called "The Steve Vais." He acknowledged the influence of many guitarists including Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Glen Buxton,[3] and jazz fusion guitarist Allan Holdsworth. Vai followed those lessons by attending the Berklee College of Music, afterwards recording a promotional piece for them in which he spoke about auditioning for Frank Zappa at age twenty.


Steve Vai (on guitar in between the drums and keyboard), Frank Zappa and band during a concert at the Memorial Auditorium, Oct 25, 1980 Buffalo, New York
Vai mailed Frank Zappa a transcription of Zappa's "The Black Page", an instrumental for drums, along with a tape with some of Vai's guitar playing. Zappa was so impressed that, in 1979, he hired him to transcribe a number of his guitar solos, including some on the Joe's Garage album and the Shut Up 'n' Play Yer Guitar series. These transcriptions were published in 1982 in The Frank Zappa Guitar Book.
Subsequent to being hired as a transcriber, Vai did overdubs on many of the guitar parts for Zappa's album You Are What You Is. Thereafter he became a full-fledged band member, going on his first tour with Zappa in the autumn of 1980. One of those early shows with Vai on guitar, recorded in Buffalo, was released in 2007. While touring with Zappa's band, Vai sometimes asked audience members to bring musical scores and see if he could sight-read them on the spot. Zappa referred to Vai as his "little Italian virtuoso" and listed him in the liner notes as performing "stunt guitar" or "impossible guitar parts." Later, Vai was a featured artist on the 1993 recording Zappa's Universe. In 2006 he returned to Frank Zappa's music as a special guest on Dweezil Zappa's 'Zappa Plays Zappa' tour, alongside friends from his early years with Zappa.
After leaving Zappa in 1982 he moved to California, where he recorded his first album, Flex-Able, in 1983 and performed in a couple of bands. In 1985 he replaced Yngwie Malmsteen as lead guitarist in Graham Bonnet's Alcatrazz, with whom he recorded the album Disturbing the Peace. Later in 1985, he joined former Van Halen front man David Lee Roth's group to record the albums Eat 'Em and Smile and Skyscraper.
In 1986, Vai played with John Lydon's Public Image Ltd on their album Album (also known as Compact Disc or Cassette). Then, in 1989, Vai joined Whitesnake, replacing Vivian Campbell. When Adrian Vandenberg injured his wrist shortly before recording was to begin for the album Slip of the Tongue, Vai played all the guitar parts. Vai also played on the Alice Cooper album Hey Stoopid, along with Joe Satriani on the song "Feed my Frankenstein."1990s and 2000s
Vai continues to tour regularly, with his own group and with his one-time teacher and fellow guitar instrumentalist friend Joe Satriani on the G3 series of tours. Former David Lee Roth and Mr. Big bassist Billy Sheehan also joined him for a world tour. In 1990, Vai released his critically acclaimed solo album Passion and Warfare
The song "For the Love of God" was voted #29 in a readers' poll of the 100 greatest guitar solos of all time in Guitar World Magazine.
In 1994 Vai began writing and recording with Ozzy Osbourne. Only one track from these sessions, "My Little Man", was released on the Ozzmosis album. Despite Vai penning the track he does not appear on the album. His guitar parts were replaced by Zakk Wylde. Another track, "Dyin' Day", appeared as an instrumental on Vai's Fire Garden album. Vai's band members in the 90's included drummer Mike Mangini, guitarist Mike Keneally, and bassist Philip Bynoe. In 1994 Vai received a Grammy Award for his performance on the Frank Zappa song Sofa from the album Zappa's Universe.


Vai playing a twin-necked Ibanez
Steve Vai released a DVD of his performance at The Astoria in London in December, 2001. The performance featured Billy Sheehan, guitarist/pianist Tony MacAlpine, guitarist Dave Weiner, and Australian drummer Virgil Donati.
In July 2002, Steve Vai performed with the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra at the Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Japan, in the world premiere of composer Ichiro Nodaira's Fire Strings, a concerto for electric guitar and 100-piece orchestra.
In 2004, a number of his compositions and orchestral arrangements including some previously recorded pieces, were performed in The Netherlands by the Metropole Orchestra in a concert series entitled The Aching Hunger. In 2003, drummer Jeremy Colson joined Vai's group, replacing Virgil Donati. Vai's latest album, Sound Theories, was released in 2007.
In February 2005, Vai premiered a dual-guitar (electric and classical) piece that he called The Blossom Suite, with classical guitarist Sharon Isbin at the Châtelet Theatre in Paris. In 2006, Vai played as a special guest guitarist alongside additional guest Zappa band members, drummer Terry Bozzio, guitarist-singer Ray White, and saxophonist-singer Napoleon Murphy Brock in the "Zappa Plays Zappa" tour led by Frank's son Dweezil Zappa in Europe and the U.S. in the Spring, as well as a short U.S. tour in October.
On September 21, 2006, Vai made a special appearance at the Video Games Live concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, California. He played two songs with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra; Halo Theme, and a second song for the world premier trailer for Halo 3.
Steve Vai made an appearance at the London Guitar Show in 2007 on the April 28, 2007 at the ExCeL Center. In late April 2007, Vai confirmed the release of his most recent record, Sound Theories, on June 26. The release is a two-CD set, mostly of previously released material that Vai rearranged and played with a full orchestra. Vai says the project was a great joy because he considers himself a composer more than a guitarist, and he is happy to see music he has composed played by an orchestra that can play it well. A DVD followed the record later that year. He guested on the Dream Theater album, Systematic Chaos, on the song "Repentance". The appearance was vocal rather than instrumental, as Vai was only one of many musical guests recorded. The song features contributions from many artists, with the aim of apologizing to important people in their lives for wrongdoings committed in their pasts. On August 29, 2009, he appeared on stage with Dream Theater during the final show of their Progressive Nation tour at the Greek Theater, where he performed in an improvised jam with the other musicians on tour. Broken Records magazine (Volume 1, Issue 3) quotes Vai as saying, "I enjoy challenging myself to come up with new ideas that I believe are unique."
In 2010, Vai released several "VaiTunes" singles of tracks that were previously recorded and later finished. They are available on www.vai.com, iTunes and Amazon.com. On September 14, 2010, Steve released "Where The Wild Things Are" as double vinyl through his label Favored Nations and made a guest appearance with Rickey Minor and The Tonight Show Band on NBC. In October, 2010 Steve completed his first full symphony and performed the compositions at the Steve Vai Festival which featured Vai and the North Netherlands Symphony Orchestra (NNO) on October 20-24, 2010. Immediately after the Holland shows, Steve embarked for the US to headline the "Experience Hendrix Tour" which features Eric Johnson, Kenny Wayne Shephard, Susan Tedeschi, Billy Cox, Vernon Reid, Robert Randolph, Johnny Lang, Brad Whitford and other top-notch guitarists.
[edit]Video games

"Juice" was featured on the 1996 video game "Formula One" for the PlayStation.
In 1998, "Erotic Nightmares" was featured as the menu music in the video game WCW/nWo Revenge for the Nintendo 64.
Steve Vai's guitar-work appeared in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. David Lee Roth's "Yankee Rose" was featured on the game's soundtrack as part of the Lazlow-led, 1980s rock/metal radio station "V-Rock."
In 2004, Steve Vai was featured on Xbox's Halo 2 (a game by Bungie Studios) Volume 1 soundtrack, performing a heavy rock-guitar rendition of the Halo theme, known as Halo Theme (MJOLNIR Mix). He also performed on the track Never Surrender. He later featured in the second volume of the soundtrack, where he performed on the track Reclaimer.
In 2008, Steve Vai's For the Love of God and Halo Theme (MJOLNIR Mix) were featured as downloadable tracks for the game Guitar Hero 3. A live version of the song "For the Love of God" was also available at release on the Rock Band Network as well as the song "Get the Hell Out of Here" from his 2002 album "The Elusive Light and Sound, Vol. 1" on March 4, 2010.
A re-recording of "Speeding" is featured in the 2010 video game Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock for Xbox 360, Wii and Playstation 3.
[edit]Movies

Steve Vai's music has appeared in a number of feature films, including Dudes and Ghosts of Mars. He appeared onscreen in the 1986 Ralph Macchio movie Crossroads, playing the demonically-inspired Jack Butler. At the film's climax, Vai engages in a guitar duel with Macchio, whose guitar parts were dubbed by Vai and also Ry Cooder, who played the initial slide work in the duel and Macchio's earlier performances in the film. Vai also composed the fast-paced neo-classical track Eugene's Trick Bag that wins Macchio the competition. He based the body of the piece heavily on Paganini's Capriccio number 5. He later borrowed the opening riff from the track Head Cuttin' Duel for a song called Bad Horsie from his 1995 EP Alien Love Secrets. Later, the Crossroads duel reappeared on the 2002 album The Elusive Light and Sound, volume 1.
In 1991's Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, the introductory riff to KISS' "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You II", as performed by the Wyld Stallyns in the Battle of the Bands, was performed by Vai. He also composed and performed the soundtrack to PCU (1994), and made contributions in 2001 to the score for John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars, performing on the tracks "Ghosts of Mars" and "Ghost Poppin'." His track, "I'm the Hell Outta Here", can be heard during 1992's Encino Man in the scene where Brendan Fraser is taking a driving lesson. He plays guitar in the animated short film "Live Music".Playing style


This section may contain original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding references. Statements consisting only of original research may be removed. More details may be available on the talk page. (March 2008)


Vai performing in 2001
Vai is a virtuoso in the world of guitar music.[4] His 1990 album Passion and Warfare and the ballad For the Love of God in particular received a significant amount of press, and are often cited by critics and fans alike as amongst his best work.[5]
Vai's playing style has been characterized as quirky and angular, owing to his technical ability with the instrument and deep knowledge of music theory. He regularly uses odd rhythmic groupings and his melodies often employ the Lydian mode. Perhaps his most readily-identifiable stylistic feature is his creative use of the floating vibrato, using it to add melodic lines that sound odd to the ear. His playing can also be described as lyrical, as if sung by a human voice. He often uses exotic guitars: he plays both double and triple neck guitars (including a custom-made heart-shaped triple-neck model built by luthier Joe Despagni), and is regarded as the first to use the 7-string guitar in a rock context.[6] Along with Ibanez, he designed a signature 7-string guitar, the Ibanez Universe, in 1989. He is also noted for being physically expressive as he plays his guitar as well.
On Composing/The "Evo Era
“I wanted to be a composer ever since I was a young boy. To me written music on paper was (and is) beautiful. It looked like art and I wanted to have a complete understanding of how to speak, read and write that language. I knew that through the little black dots I could get the music that was in my head out into the world. Though the guitar fell into my lap and my fingers were glued to the instrument, I studied composition and musical notation long before I even started playing the guitar. Through high school, college and beyond, I kept up my studies and kept composing through the years as I felt my eventual calling was in the compositional world. Although I have listened to and studied most of the great older and contemporary composers, when I compose my music I take a similar approach as to when I am developing my voice on the guitar and that's to find and cultivate ideas that I have not heard before. That's the exciting part!
Once you understand the written language of music and the possibilities and limitations of various instruments, composing music is pure liberation. It's an art form that allows for deep personal expression. For me composing is the ultimate playground for my imagination. And to have the opportunity to hear your music performed is the greatest gift a composer could hope for, provided it's performed correctly.
I feel that my task is to merge my authentic rock sensibilities with my orchestrational skills to create a brand of contemporary music that is unique and fulfilling on an emotional and melodic level for the listener. Although rock musicians have worked with orchestras and contemporary composers have written for rock band instruments, I believe the catalog of music that I am building in this field is not what would be expected from either. I'm very excited about this brand and hope to inspire other composers to walk their own parallel lines within this movement. I call this movement "Evo", short for evolution. As it has been in the past through all of history, the 21st century will see a whole new wave of orchestral musical awareness develop. We are now entering the "Evo Era." -Steve Vai
[edit]Equipment



Steve Vai at G3 in Milan, Italy, June 2004
Vai is also a producer. He owns two studios ("The Mothership" [7] and "The Harmony Hut" [8]), and his own recordings combine his guitar skills and novel compositions with studio and recording effects.
Vai helped design his signature Ibanez JEM guitar series. They feature a hand grip (fondly referred to as a "monkey grip") cut into the top of the body of the guitar, a humbucker–single coil-humbucker (H/S/H) DiMarzio pickup configuration with several different types of pickup including Evolution, Breed and EVO 2. He also uses the Ibanez Edge and Lo-Pro Edge double-locking tremolo systems (the current production JEMs have the newer Edge Pro), as well as an elaborate and extensive "Tree of Life" inlay down the neck. Vai also equips many of his guitars with an Ibanez Backstop, a tremolo stabilizer that has been discontinued. Lately Vai has also equipped some of his guitars with True Temperament fretboards to make his chords sound more in tune.[9] Vai also has a 7-string model designed by him named Ibanez Universe, featuring DiMarzio Blaze II pickups in an HSH arrangement. The Universe later influenced the 7-string guitars used by Korn and other bands to create nu metal sounds in the late 1990s. He also has a signature Ibanez acoustic, the Euphoria. Before Ibanez, he briefly endorsed Jackson guitars, but this relationship only lasted two years. His two main guitars are white JEMs dubbed "Evo" and "Flo", each with their own unique modifications.
Steve Vai has also worked with Carvin Guitars and Pro Audio to develop the Carvin Legacy line of guitar amplifiers. Vai wanted to create an affordable amp that was unique, and equal in sound and versatility to any guitar amp he had previously used.[10] Over his long musical career, Steve Vai has used and designed an array of guitars. He even had his blood put into the swirl paint job on one of his signature JEM guitars, the JEM2KDNA.[11] Only 300 of these were made. Currently, he mainly uses his white "Evo", a JEM7V, and his "Flo", which is a customized Floral JEM 77FP painted white. They are both inscribed with their names in two places, mainly so he can distinguish between them onstage. "Flo" is equipped with a Fernandes sustainer system.
He also has a guitar named "Mojo" with dot inlays that are blue LED lights. Additionally, he has a custom-made triple-neck guitar that has the same basic features as his JEM7V guitars. The top neck is a 12-string guitar, the middle is a six-string, and the bottom is a six-string fretless guitar with a Fernandes Sustainer pickup. This guitar was featured on the G3 2003 tour on the piece I Know You're Here. Vai's effects pedals include a modified Boss DS-1, Ibanez Tube Screamer, Morley Bad Horsie, Ibanez Jemini Twin Distortion Pedal, TC Electronics G-System, Morley Little Alligator Volume pedal, Digitech Whammy, and an MXR Phase 90/Phase 100 on the Passion and Warfare album. His flight cases are labeled "Mr. Vai", or lately, "Dr. Vai." He has used a number of rack effects units controlled via MIDI, but used a floor-based TC electronics G system instead for the Zappa Plays Zappa tour.
[edit]Philanthropy

In 2005, Vai signed on as an official supporter of Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit organization that provides free musical instruments and instruction to children in public schools throughout the U.S. He sits on LKR's Honorary Board of Directors.
Vai was a judge for the 3rd and 8th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists.[12]
Vai is also the founder of the Make A Noise Foundation, which he started with his manager Ruta Sepetys.[13] The foundation's goal is to provide funding for music education and programs for those unable to pursue music-related activities due to limited resources.[14] Vai is also a patron of music education around the world giving master classes in such prestigious music schools as the Fermatta Music Academy.
[edit]Favored Nations

Vai owns Favored Nations, a recording and publishing company that specializes in internationally procuring and maintaining recording artists. Favored Nations is separated into three sections, 'Favored Nations', 'Favored Nations Acoustic' and 'Favored Nations Cool (Jazz style)'.
[edit]Personal life

Vai is married to Pia Maiocco, former bass player of Vixen, who can be seen in Hardbodies.[15] Vai and Maiocco have two children, Julian and Fire. In his spare time Vai is an avid beekeeper.[16] His bees regularly produce a crop of honey that Vai sells for his Make a Noise Foundation.[17]
[edit]Band history – not including guest appearances

Frank Zappa (1980–1982)
Alcatrazz (1984–1985)
David Lee Roth (1985–1989)
Public Image Ltd.
Whitesnake (1989–1991)
Solo (1983–present)
[edit]Current band members
Steve Vai – vocals, lead guitar
Dave Weiner – rhythm guitar, electric sitar
Ann Marie Calhoun – violin, keyboards
Alex DePue – violin, keyboards
Bryan Beller – bass guitar
Jeremy Colson – drums, percussion
[edit]Discography

[edit]Solo albums
Flex-Able (1984)
Flex-Able Leftovers (1988)
Passion and Warfare (1990) – Gold (USA),[18] #18 on the Billboard 200 on June 30, 1990
Sex & Religion (1993)
Alien Love Secrets (1995)
Fire Garden (1996)
The Ultra Zone (1999)
The 7th Song - Enchanting Guitar Melodies, Archives Vol. 1 (2000)
Alive in an Ultra World (2001)
The Elusive Light and Sound, volume 1 (2002)
FZ Original Recordings; Steve Vai Archives, Vol. 2 (2001)
Mystery Tracks - Archives Vol. 3 (2003)
Various Artists - Archives Vol. 4 (2003)
The Infinite Steve Vai: An Anthology (2003)
Live In London (2004)
Real Illusions: Reflections (2005)
Sound Theories Vol. I & II (2007)
Where the Wild Things Are (2009)
Where the Other Wilds Are (2010)
Background information Also known as
Satch
Joe JatrianiJatch
Born :July 15, 1956 (1956-07-15) (age 54)Westbury, New York Genres Instrumental rock, hard rock, heavy metal
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Joe Satriani
Satriani in 2004
Background information
Also known as
Satch
Joe JatrianiJatch
Born
July 15, 1956 (1956-07-15) (age 54)Westbury, New York
Genres
Instrumental rock, hard rock, heavy metal
Occupations
Musician, songwriter, producer, guitar instructor
Instruments
Guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals, harmonica, banjo, harp
Years active
1978–present
Labels
Sony, Epic, Relativity

Associated acts
Alice Cooper, Mick Jagger, Deep Purple, Steve Vai, G3, Sammy Hagar, Chickenfoot, Jason Becker
Website
Official website
Notable instruments
Ibanez Joe Satriani Signature model
Joseph "Joe" Satriani (born July 15, 1956 in Westbury, New York) is an American multi-instrumentalist, known primarily for his work as an instrumental rock guitarist, with multiple Grammy Award nominations. Early in his career, Satriani worked as a guitar instructor, and some of his former students have achieved fame with their guitar skills (Steve Vai, Larry LaLonde, Kirk Hammett, Andy Timmons, Charlie Hunter, Kevin Cadogan, Alex Skolnick). Satriani has been a driving force in the music credited to other musicians throughout his career, as a founder of the ever-changing touring trio, G3, as well as performing in various positions with other musicians.
In 1988, Satriani was recruited by Mick Jagger as lead guitarist for his first solo tour.[1] Later, in 1994, Satriani was the lead guitarist for Deep Purple.[2] Satriani worked with a range of guitarists from several musical genres, including Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Eric Johnson, Larry LaLonde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Brian May, Patrick Rondat, Andy Timmons, Paul Gilbert, Adrian Legg, and Robert Fripp through the annual G3 Jam Concerts.[3] He is currently the lead guitarist for the supergroup Chickenfoot.
He is heavily influenced by blues-rock guitar icons such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Ritchie Blackmore and Jeff Beck,[2][4] possessing, however, his own easily recognizable style. Since 1988, Satriani has been using his own signature guitar, the Ibanez JS Series, which is widely sold in stores.[5] He has a signature series amplifier, the Peavey JSX, signature VOX amPlug headphone amp, and signature VOX pedals The "Satchurator" distortion pedal, The "Time Machine" delay pedal, The "Big Bad Wah" wah pedal and The "Ice 9" overdrive pedal.
Satriani was inspired to play guitar at age fourteen soon after learning of the death of Jimi Hendrix.[6] He has been said to have heard the news during a football training session, where he confronted his coach and announced that he was quitting to become a guitarist.[7] In 1974, Satriani studied music with jazz guitarist Billy Bauer and with reclusive jazz pianist Lennie Tristano. The technically demanding Tristano greatly influenced Satriani's playing. Satriani began teaching guitar, with his most notable student at the time being fellow Long Island native Steve Vai. While he was teaching Vai, he was attending Five Towns College for studies in music.

In 1978 Satriani moved to Berkeley, California to pursue a music career. Soon after arriving in California, he resumed teaching. His students included Steve Vai, Kirk Hammett of Metallica, David Bryson of Counting Crows, Kevin Cadogan from Third Eye Blind, Larry LaLonde of Primus / Possessed, Alex Skolnick of Testament, Rick Hunolt (ex-Exodus), Phil Kettner of Lääz Rockit, Geoff Tyson of T-Ride, Charlie Hunter and David Turin.
[edit] 1980s
Satriani started playing in a San Francisco-based band called the Squares,[8] where he continued to network and make musical connections (Squares sound man John Cuniberti co-produced his second album). He was eventually invited to join the Greg Kihn Band, who were on the downside of their career, but whose generosity helped Satriani pay off the overwhelming credit card debt from recording his first album.[9] When his friend and former student Steve Vai gained fame playing with David Lee Roth in 1986, Vai raved about Satriani in several interviews with guitar magazines, including Guitar World magazine. In 1987, Satriani's second album Surfing with the Alien produced popular radio hits and was the first all-instrumental release to chart so highly in many years. In 1988 Satriani helped produce the EP The Eyes of Horror for the death metal band Possessed.
In 1989, Satriani released the album Flying in a Blue Dream. It was said to be inspired by the death of his father, who died in 1989 during the recording of the album. "One Big Rush" was featured on the soundtrack to the Cameron Crowe movie Say Anything.... "The Forgotten Part II" was featured on a Labatt Blue commercial in Canada in 1993. "Can't Slow Down" featured in a car-chase sequence in the Don Johnson starring show Nash Bridges.
[edit] 1990s
In 1992, Satriani released The Extremist, his most critically acclaimed and commercially successful album to date. Radio stations across the country were quick to pick up on "Summer Song" which also got a major boost from being used by Sony at the time in a major commercial campaign for their Discman portable CD players.[10] "Cryin'", "Friends" and the title track were also regional hits on radio.
In late 1993, Satriani joined Deep Purple as a temporary replacement for departed guitarist Ritchie Blackmore during the band's Japanese tour. The concerts were a success, and Satriani was asked to join the band permanently but he declined, having just signed a multi-album solo deal with Sony, so Steve Morse took the guitarist slot in Deep Purple.[11]

Satriani, Steve Vai, and John Petrucci, as G3 Melbourne, 2006 Photo Mandy Hall
[edit] G3
In 1996, Satriani founded the G3, a concert tour intended to feature a power trio consisting of three instrumental rock guitarists. The original lineup featured Satriani, Vai, and Eric Johnson. The G3 (tour) has continued periodically since its inaugural version, where Satriani is the only permanent member, featuring differing second and third members. Other guitarists who have performed in such a G3 configuration include among others: Yngwie Malmsteen, John Petrucci, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Robert Fripp, Andy Timmons, Uli Jon Roth, Michael Schenker, Adrian Legg and Paul Gilbert.
In 1998 Satriani recorded and released Crystal Planet, which went back to a sound more reminiscent of his late '80s work. Planet was followed up with Engines of Creation, one of his more experimental works featuring the 'Electronica' genre of music. During the subsequent tour, a pair of shows at the Fillmore in San Francisco were recorded in December 2000 and released as Live in San Francisco, a two-disc live album and DVD.
[edit] 2000 and beyond
Over the next several years, Satriani regularly recorded and released evolving music, including Strange Beautiful Music in 2002 and Is There Love in Space? in 2004.
In 2006 Satriani recorded and released Super Colossal and Satriani Live!, another two-disc live album and DVD recorded May 3, 2006 at the Grove in Anaheim, CA.
On August 7, 2007 Epic/Legacy Recordings re-released Surfing with the Alien to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its release. This was a two-disc set that includes a remastered album and a DVD of a previously never-before-seen live show filmed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1988.[12]
Satriani's next album, titled Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock, was released on April 1, 2008.[13]
Satriani released a live DVD recording of a concert in Paris titled Live In Paris: I Just Wanna Rock and a companion 2 CD set on February 2, 2010.[14]
In March 2010 Satriani participated with other guitarists in the Experience Hendrix Tribute Tour, performing music written and inspired by Jimi Hendrix.[15][16] In April, Satriani and the rest of Chickenfoot voiced themselves in an episode of the animated television series Aqua Teen Hunger Force. In May 2010, through his website, Satriani announced he was about to enter the studio to record a solo album, and dates were also released for an autumn tour. He also said that demos had been recorded for a second Chickenfoot album.
In May of 2010, Satriani joined Sound Strike, a movement led by Rage Against the Machine singer Zack de la Rocha protesting Arizona SB1070. [17][18] As a result, Satriani refuses to perform live in Arizona.
Satriani released his 14th studio album, titled Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards, on October 5, 2010.[19]
[edit] Copyright infringement lawsuit against Coldplay
On December 4, 2008 Satriani filed a copyright infringement suit against Coldplay in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Satriani's suit asserts that the Coldplay song "Viva la Vida" includes "substantial original portions" of the Satriani song "If I Could Fly" from his 2004 album, Is There Love in Space?. The Coldplay song in question received two Grammy Awards for "Song of the Year."[20] Coldplay denied the allegation.[21][22][23] The lawsuit was ultimately dropped after both parties agreed to an out of court settlement.[24]

Joe Satriani with Stu Hamm in concert, Rijnhal, Arnhem (June 12, 2008)
[edit] Other work
Satriani is also credited on many other albums, including guitar duties on shock-rocker Alice Cooper's 1991 album Hey Stoopid, Spinal Tap's 1992 album Break Like the Wind, Blue Öyster Cult's 1988 album Imaginos, band members Stu Hamm and Gregg Bissonette's solo albums. Interestingly, he was credited with singing background vocals on the 1986 debut album by Crowded House. In 2003, he played lead guitar on The Yardbirds's CD release Birdland. In 2006 he made appearances on tracks for Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan's solo CD/DVD dual disc Gillan's Inn. On Dream Theater's 2007 album, Systematic Chaos, Satriani contributed spoken lyrics to the song "Repentance". Satriani contributed a guitar solo to Jordan Rudess' 2004 solo release Rhythm of Time. He also composed much of the soundtrack for the racing video game NASCAR 06: Total Team Control and contributed to Sega Rally Championship.
He featured in the 2006 Christopher Guest film For Your Consideration as the guitarist in the band that played for the late-night show.[25]
[edit] Chickenfoot
Main article: Chickenfoot (band)
It was revealed on May 29, 2008 that Satriani is involved in a new hard rock band called Chickenfoot with former Van Halen members Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony, and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. The band features Hagar on vocals, Satriani on guitar, Anthony on bass and Smith on drums.[26] Their debut album was released on June 5, 2009.[27] The first single and video released from this album is the track "Oh Yeah", which was also played on the Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien on June 5, 2009. Satriani received a writing credit on each of the songs featured on the band's self-titled debut album. [28] When Broken Records magazine asked Joe in volume 1 issue 3, about his new band, he enthusiastically mentioned that "it was great fun" and it gives him a "kick in the music bone" to be playing with such great talent. He said it felt quite natural to step back and play more rhythm guitar than solo guitar.
[edit] Technique and influence

Satriani in 2005
Satriani is recognized as a technically advanced rock guitarist, and is a guitar virtuoso.[29][30] He has mastered many performance techniques on the instrument, including legato, two-handed tapping and arpeggio tapping, volume swells, harmonics, and extreme whammy bar effects. One of his trademark compositional traits is the use of pitch axis theory, which he applies with a variety of modes.[citation needed] During fast passages, Joe favors a legato technique (achieved primarily through hammer-ons and pull-offs) which yields smooth and flowing runs. He is also adept at other speed-related techniques such as rapid alternate picking and sweep picking, but does not often use them.
Satriani has received 14 Grammy nominations[31] and has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide.[32] Many of his fans and friends call him "Satch," short for "Satriani".
An influential guitarist himself,[33] Satriani has many influences, including jazz guitarists Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery, Allan Holdsworth and Charlie Christian,[34] and rock guitarists Jimi Hendrix,[35] Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Ritchie Blackmore.[36]
[edit] Equipment
Satriani has endorsed Ibanez's JS Series guitars, and Peavey's JSX amplifier. Both lines were designed specifically as signature products for Satriani. The Ibanez JS100 was based on and replaced the Ibanez 540 Radius model which Satriani first endorsed. However, Satriani uses a variety of gear. Many of his guitars are made by Ibanez, including the JS1000, and JS1200. These guitars typically feature the DiMarzio PAF Pro (which he used up until 1993 in both the neck and bridge positions), the DiMarzio Fred (which he used in the bridge position from 1993 to 2005), and the Mo' Joe and the Paf Joe (which he uses in the bridge and neck positions, respectively, from 2005 to present day). The JS line of guitars is his signature line with the JS1000, JS1200, JS2400, JSBDG, and JS20th using the original edge bridge one of the original double locking tremolo systems made by ibanez. The JS100 and JS20s both use the Edge 3 tremolo bridge another ibanez tremolo system. The JS1600 is a fixed bridge guitar with no tremolo system. The guitar with which he was most often associated during the nineties was a chrome-finished guitar nicknamed "Chrome Boy" (this instrument can be seen on the Live in San Francisco DVD). However, the guitar used for most of the concert was in fact a lookalike nicknamed "Pearly", which featured Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates pickups.
Satriani uses a number of other JS models such as the JS double neck model, JS700 (primary axe on the self-titled CD and seen on the 1995 tour "Joe Satriani", which features a fixed bridge, P-90 pickups, and a matching mahogany body and neck), JS6/JS6000 (natural body) , JS1 (the original JS model), JS2000 (fixed bridge model), a variety of JS100s, JS1000s and JS1200s with custom paint work, and a large amount of prototype JSs. All double locking bridges have been the original Edge tremolo, not the newer models, which point to a more custom guitar than the "off the shelf" models. Joe played a red 7-string JS model, seen in the "G3 Live in Tokyo" DVD from 2005. He also has a prototype 24-fret version of the JS which he has used with Chickenfoot now labeled as the JS-2400.

Satriani and the band
Satriani has used a wide variety of guitar amps over the years, using Marshall Amplification for his main amplifier (notably the limited edition blue coloured 6100 LM model) up until 2001, and his Peavey signature series amps, the Peavey JSX, thereafter. The JSX began life as a prototype Peavey XXX and developed into the Joe Satriani signature Peavey model, now available for purchase in retail stores. Joe Satriani has used other amplifiers over the years in the studio, however. Those include the Peavey 5150 (used to record the song 'Crystal Planet'), Cornford, and the Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (used to record the song 'Flying in a Blue Dream'), amongst others. He has recently switched to the Marshall JVM series.
His effects pedals include the Vox wah, Dunlop Cry Baby wah, RMC Wizard Wah, Digitech Whammy, BK Butler Tube Driver, BOSS DS-1, BOSS CH-1, BOSS CE-2, BOSS DD-2 and a standard BOSS DD-3 (used together to emulate reverb effects), BOSS BF-3, BOSS OC-2, Barber Burn Drive Unit, Fulltone Deja Vibe, Fulltone Ultimate Octave, and Electro-Harmonix POG (Polyphonic Octave Generator), the latter being featured prominently on the title cut to his 2006 Super Colossal.
Satriani has partnered with Planet Waves to create a signature line of guitar picks and guitar straps featuring his sketch art.
Although Satriani endorses the JSX, he has used many amps in the studio when recording, including the Peavey Classic. He used Marshall heads and cabinets, including live, prior to his Peavey endorsement. Most recently Satriani used the JSX head through a Palmer Speaker Simulator. Joe Satriani has also released a Class-A 5-watt tube amp called the "Mini Colossal".
He is currently working with Vox on his own line of signature effects pedals designed to deliver Satriani's trademark tone plus a wide range of new sounds for guitarists of all playing styles and ability levels. The first being a signature distortion pedal titled the "Satchurator", and recently, the "Time Machine" which will be a delay pedal, with more to follow in 2008, including a wah pedal called the "Big Bad Wah".[37] On March 3, 2010 a new pedal was announced on Satriani's website regarding the new Vox overdrive pedal called "Ice 9".[38]
[edit] Recurring themes

Satriani during a concert at the Rijnhal, Arnhem (June 12, 2008)
Satriani's work frequently makes references to various science fiction stories and ideas. "Surfing with the Alien", "Back to Shalla-Bal" and "The Power Cosmic 2000" refer to the comic book character Silver Surfer, while "Ice 9" refers to the secret government ice weapon in Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle. "Borg Sex" is a reference to Star Trek, which features a homogeneous cybernetic race known as the Borg. His albums and songs often have other-worldly titles, such as Not of this Earth, Crystal Planet, Is There Love in Space?, and Engines of Creation.
On the album Super Colossal the song titled "Crowd Chant" was originally called "Party on the Enterprise". "Party on the Enterprise" featured sampled sounds from the Starship Enterprise from the Star Trek TV show. But as Satriani explained in a podcast, legal issues regarding the samples could not be resolved and he was unable to get permission to use them.[39] Satriani then removed the sounds from the song and called it "Crowd Chant." This song is now used as goal celebration music for a number of National Hockey League teams including the Minnesota Wild.[40]
"Redshift Riders", another song on the Super Colossal album, is "based on the idea that in the future, when people can travel throughout space, they will theoretically take advantage of the cosmological redshift effect so they can be swung around large planetary objects and get across [the] universe a lot faster than normal," Satriani said in a podcast about the song.[41]
On the album Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock the song "I Just Wanna Rock", is about a giant robot on the run who happens to stumble upon a rock concert.[42]
The song "Raspberry Jam Delta-v" is most likely a reference to the lethal amount of g-force taken from the book Endymion, by Dan Simmons.[43][44]
[edit] Philanthropy
In 2006, Satriani signed on as an official supporter of Little Kids Rock, a non-profit organization that provides free musical instruments and instruction to children in underserved public schools throughout the U.S.A. Satriani has personally delivered instruments to children in the program through a charity raffle for the organization and, like Steve Vai, sits on its board of directors as an honorary member.
[edit] Awards and nominations
[edit] Nominations
Satriani has the second most Grammy Award nominations of any artist (15) without winning.[45][46]
Nominations
Year
Album
Category
1989
Always With Me, Always With You
Best Pop Instrumental Performance
Surfing with the Alien
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
1990
The Crush of Love
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
1991
Flying in a Blue Dream
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
1993
The Extremist
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
1994
Speed of Light
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
1995
All Alone
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
1997
(You're) My World
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
1998
Summer Song (Live)
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
1999
A Train of Angels
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
2001
Until We Say Goodbye
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
2002
Always With Me, Always With You (Live)
Best Rock Instrumental Performance from Live in San Francisco
2003
Starry Night
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
2006
Super Colossal
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
2008
Always With Me, Always With You (Live)
Best Rock Instrumental Performance from Satriani Live!
[edit] Discography
Main article: Joe Satriani discography
Not of This Earth (1986)
Surfing with the Alien (1987)
Flying in a Blue Dream (1989)
The Extremist (1992)
Time Machine (1993)
Joe Satriani (1995)
Crystal Planet (1998)
Engines of Creation (2000)
Strange Beautiful Music (2002)
Is There Love in Space? (2004)
Super Colossal (2006)
Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock (2008)
Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards (2010)
[edit] References
^ Joe Satriani's G3 rounds up another trio of guitar slingers
^ a b Shrivastava, Rahul. "Joe Satriani Interview". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/music/2004/06/satriani_interview.shtml. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
^ John R., Luini. "Joe Satriani Biography". ForeverJoe. http://foreverjoe.com/bio.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
^ Joe Satriani Interview
^ Harris, Rich. "Ibanez JS Joe Satriani Guitar Specs". http://www.jemsite.com/ibanez/spec_js.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
^ Hard N Heavy Video Magazine interview - 1989
^ Joe Satriani: The Satch Tapes - 1993
^ Selvin, Joel (May 10, 2009). "Guitarist Satriani joins Hagar for Chickenfoot fun". San Francisco Chronicle. http://articles.sfgate.com/2009-05-10/entertainment/17199969_1_van-halen-band-jam. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
^ Blackburn, Mike (March 25, 1998). "Interview with Joe Satriani". BWBK. http://www.satriani.com/vault/1998-iview-blackburn.shtml. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
^ “”. "Sony CD Commercial Satriani Summer Song". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_rWVPRP0nQ. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ Satriani's Offer of a Future with Deep Purple. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
^ joe satriani - discography > surfing with the alien
^ NEW MUSIC BLOG: Joe Satriani musicradar.com
^ "Joe Satriani - Live In Paris: I Just Wanna Rock". Satriani.com. http://www.satriani.com/discography/Live_In_Paris-I_Just_Wanna_Rock/. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ satriani.com
^ experiencehendrixtour.com
^ Rohter, Larry (May 27, 2010). "Performers to Stay Away From Arizona in Protest of Law". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/us/28boycott.html.
^ Condon, Stephanie (May 28, 2010). "Musicians Boycott Arizona to Protest Immigration Law". CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20006306-503544.html.
^ Joe Satriani To Release 'Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards' In October
^ "GRAMMY.com". GRAMMY.com. http://grammy.com/grammy_awards/51st_show/list.aspx. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ Retrieved 10 December 2008.
^ Guitarist Satriani sues Coldplay
^ Coldplay Sued By Joe Satriani For Allegedly Plagiarizing 'Viva La Vida' Melody », peoplestar.co.uk, Retrieved on 2008-12-06.
^ "Coldplay copyright case 'settled'". BBC News. September 16, 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8258217.stm. Retrieved May 6, 2010.
^ Talk Show Guitarist. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
^ "" All Things Loud " Jon Cohan's Drum Tech Site". Allthingsloud.blogspot.com. http://allthingsloud.blogspot.com/. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/van_halen_red_hot_chili_peppers_launch_new_project.html
^ Joe Satriani home news
^ Rock Guitar World: Joe Satriani
^ CANdYRAT Records
^ joe satriani - home > news
^ Joe Satriani Interview
^ Harmony Central April 21, 2008 Real "Guitar Hero" Joe Satriani turns Teacher at WorkshopLive.com
^ [1][dead link]
^ "Q&A with Joe Satriani". Beat a Go Go. http://www.beat-a-go-go.com/story/2006/5/3/111454/0700. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ "Tyne - People & Places - BBC Introducing". BBC. 2010-07-20. http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/music/2004/06/satriani_interview.shtml. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ joe satriani - gear > 2008-01-18 vox announcement
^ joe satriani - gear > 2010-03-03 vox announcement
^ http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/JoeSatriani/podcast/super_colossal/13_crowd_chant_podcast.mp3
^ "Minnesota Wild Home". Minnesotawild.com. http://www.minnesotawild.com/. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/JoeSatriani/podcast/super_colossal/04_redshift_riders_podcast.mp3
^ "Joe Satriani - Artist Bio Myplay: Powered by Sony Music". Myplay. http://myplay.com/artists/joe-satriani/bio#review-form. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ Joe Satriani (1998-03-03). "Crystal Planet: Album review and songs from". Answers.com. http://www.answers.com/topic/crystal-planet. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ "Endymion - Google Books". Books.google.com. http://books.google.com/books?id=-GwCfhB-xgAC&pg=PA33&lpg=PA33&dq=raspberry+jam+delta+v+endymion&source=bl&ots=RL3W9IP2Oz&sig=9_YgTl5kuN4GAKIFUPShbLr3Hlg&hl=en&ei=t2r8S5XIGZG-NtXs-N0B&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ Rock On The Net: Grammy Awards: Best Rock Instrumental Performance
^ Rock On The Net: Grammy Awards: Best Pop Instrumental Performance

Background information Also known as
Satch
Joe JatrianiJatch Born July 15, 1956 (1956-07-15) (age 54)Westbury, New York Genres Instrumental rock, hard rock, heavy metal Occupations Musician, songwriter, producer, guitar instructor Instruments Guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals, harmonica, banjo, harp Years active 1978–present Labels Sony, Epic, Relativity Associated acts Alice Cooper, Mick Jagger, Deep Purple, Steve Vai, G3, Sammy Hagar, Chickenfoot, Jason Becker Website Official website Notable instruments Ibanez Joe Satriani Signature model



Joseph "Joe" Satriani (born July 15, 1956 in Westbury, New York) is an American multi-instrumentalist, known primarily for his work as an instrumental rock guitarist, with multiple Grammy Award nominations. Early in his career, Satriani worked as a guitar instructor, and some of his former students have achieved fame with their guitar skills (Steve Vai, Larry LaLonde, Kirk Hammett, Andy Timmons, Charlie Hunter, Kevin Cadogan, Alex Skolnick). Satriani has been a driving force in the music credited to other musicians throughout his career, as a founder of the ever-changing touring trio, G3, as well as performing in various positions with other musicians.
In 1988, Satriani was recruited by Mick Jagger as lead guitarist for his first solo tour.[1] Later, in 1994, Satriani was the lead guitarist for Deep Purple.[2] Satriani worked with a range of guitarists from several musical genres, including Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Eric Johnson, Larry LaLonde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Brian May, Patrick Rondat, Andy Timmons, Paul Gilbert, Adrian Legg, and Robert Fripp through the annual G3 Jam Concerts.[3] He is currently the lead guitarist for the supergroup Chickenfoot.
He is heavily influenced by blues-rock guitar icons such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Ritchie Blackmore and Jeff Beck,[2][4] possessing, however, his own easily recognizable style. Since 1988, Satriani has been using his own signature guitar, the Ibanez JS Series, which is widely sold in stores.[5] He has a signature series amplifier, the Peavey JSX, signature VOX amPlug headphone amp, and signature VOX pedals The "Satchurator" distortion pedal, The "Time Machine" delay pedal, The "Big Bad Wah" wah pedal and The "Ice 9" overdrive pedal.


Satriani was inspired to play guitar at age fourteen soon after learning of the death of Jimi Hendrix.[6] He has been said to have heard the news during a football training session, where he confronted his coach and announced that he was quitting to become a guitarist.[7] In 1974, Satriani studied music with jazz guitarist Billy Bauer and with reclusive jazz pianist Lennie Tristano. The technically demanding Tristano greatly influenced Satriani's playing. Satriani began teaching guitar, with his most notable student at the time being fellow Long Island native Steve Vai. While he was teaching Vai, he was attending Five Towns College for studies in music.
In 1978 Satriani moved to Berkeley, California to pursue a music career. Soon after arriving in California, he resumed teaching. His students included Steve Vai, Kirk Hammett of Metallica, David Bryson of Counting Crows, Kevin Cadogan from Third Eye Blind, Larry LaLonde of Primus / Possessed, Alex Skolnick of Testament, Rick Hunolt (ex-Exodus), Phil Kettner of Lääz Rockit, Geoff Tyson of T-Ride, Charlie Hunter and David Turin.
[edit] 1980s
Satriani started playing in a San Francisco-based band called the Squares,[8] where he continued to network and make musical connections (Squares sound man John Cuniberti co-produced his second album). He was eventually invited to join the Greg Kihn Band, who were on the downside of their career, but whose generosity helped Satriani pay off the overwhelming credit card debt from recording his first album.[9] When his friend and former student Steve Vai gained fame playing with David Lee Roth in 1986, Vai raved about Satriani in several interviews with guitar magazines, including Guitar World magazine. In 1987, Satriani's second album Surfing with the Alien produced popular radio hits and was the first all-instrumental release to chart so highly in many years. In 1988 Satriani helped produce the EP The Eyes of Horror for the death metal band Possessed.
In 1989, Satriani released the album Flying in a Blue Dream. It was said to be inspired by the death of his father, who died in 1989 during the recording of the album. "One Big Rush" was featured on the soundtrack to the Cameron Crowe movie Say Anything.... "The Forgotten Part II" was featured on a Labatt Blue commercial in Canada in 1993. "Can't Slow Down" featured in a car-chase sequence in the Don Johnson starring show Nash Bridges.
[edit] 1990s
In 1992, Satriani released The Extremist, his most critically acclaimed and commercially successful album to date. Radio stations across the country were quick to pick up on "Summer Song" which also got a major boost from being used by Sony at the time in a major commercial campaign for their Discman portable CD players.[10] "Cryin'", "Friends" and the title track were also regional hits on radio.
In late 1993, Satriani joined Deep Purple as a temporary replacement for departed guitarist Ritchie Blackmore during the band's Japanese tour. The concerts were a success, and Satriani was asked to join the band permanently but he declined, having just signed a multi-album solo deal with Sony, so Steve Morse took the guitarist slot in Deep Purple.[11]

Satriani, Steve Vai, and John Petrucci, as G3 Melbourne, 2006 Photo Mandy Hall
[edit] G3
In 1996, Satriani founded the G3, a concert tour intended to feature a power trio consisting of three instrumental rock guitarists. The original lineup featured Satriani, Vai, and Eric Johnson. The G3 (tour) has continued periodically since its inaugural version, where Satriani is the only permanent member, featuring differing second and third members. Other guitarists who have performed in such a G3 configuration include among others: Yngwie Malmsteen, John Petrucci, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Robert Fripp, Andy Timmons, Uli Jon Roth, Michael Schenker, Adrian Legg and Paul Gilbert.
In 1998 Satriani recorded and released Crystal Planet, which went back to a sound more reminiscent of his late '80s work. Planet was followed up with Engines of Creation, one of his more experimental works featuring the 'Electronica' genre of music. During the subsequent tour, a pair of shows at the Fillmore in San Francisco were recorded in December 2000 and released as Live in San Francisco, a two-disc live album and DVD.
[edit] 2000 and beyond
Over the next several years, Satriani regularly recorded and released evolving music, including Strange Beautiful Music in 2002 and Is There Love in Space? in 2004.
In 2006 Satriani recorded and released Super Colossal and Satriani Live!, another two-disc live album and DVD recorded May 3, 2006 at the Grove in Anaheim, CA.
On August 7, 2007 Epic/Legacy Recordings re-released Surfing with the Alien to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its release. This was a two-disc set that includes a remastered album and a DVD of a previously never-before-seen live show filmed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1988.[12]
Satriani's next album, titled Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock, was released on April 1, 2008.[13]
Satriani released a live DVD recording of a concert in Paris titled Live In Paris: I Just Wanna Rock and a companion 2 CD set on February 2, 2010.[14]
In March 2010 Satriani participated with other guitarists in the Experience Hendrix Tribute Tour, performing music written and inspired by Jimi Hendrix.[15][16] In April, Satriani and the rest of Chickenfoot voiced themselves in an episode of the animated television series Aqua Teen Hunger Force. In May 2010, through his website, Satriani announced he was about to enter the studio to record a solo album, and dates were also released for an autumn tour. He also said that demos had been recorded for a second Chickenfoot album.
In May of 2010, Satriani joined Sound Strike, a movement led by Rage Against the Machine singer Zack de la Rocha protesting Arizona SB1070. [17][18] As a result, Satriani refuses to perform live in Arizona.
Satriani released his 14th studio album, titled Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards, on October 5, 2010.[19]
[edit] Copyright infringement lawsuit against Coldplay
On December 4, 2008 Satriani filed a copyright infringement suit against Coldplay in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Satriani's suit asserts that the Coldplay song "Viva la Vida" includes "substantial original portions" of the Satriani song "If I Could Fly" from his 2004 album, Is There Love in Space?. The Coldplay song in question received two Grammy Awards for "Song of the Year."[20] Coldplay denied the allegation.[21][22][23] The lawsuit was ultimately dropped after both parties agreed to an out of court settlement.[24]

Joe Satriani with Stu Hamm in concert, Rijnhal, Arnhem (June 12, 2008)
[edit] Other work
Satriani is also credited on many other albums, including guitar duties on shock-rocker Alice Cooper's 1991 album Hey Stoopid, Spinal Tap's 1992 album Break Like the Wind, Blue Öyster Cult's 1988 album Imaginos, band members Stu Hamm and Gregg Bissonette's solo albums. Interestingly, he was credited with singing background vocals on the 1986 debut album by Crowded House. In 2003, he played lead guitar on The Yardbirds's CD release Birdland. In 2006 he made appearances on tracks for Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan's solo CD/DVD dual disc Gillan's Inn. On Dream Theater's 2007 album, Systematic Chaos, Satriani contributed spoken lyrics to the song "Repentance". Satriani contributed a guitar solo to Jordan Rudess' 2004 solo release Rhythm of Time. He also composed much of the soundtrack for the racing video game NASCAR 06: Total Team Control and contributed to Sega Rally Championship.
He featured in the 2006 Christopher Guest film For Your Consideration as the guitarist in the band that played for the late-night show.[25]
[edit] Chickenfoot
Main article: Chickenfoot (band)
It was revealed on May 29, 2008 that Satriani is involved in a new hard rock band called Chickenfoot with former Van Halen members Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony, and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. The band features Hagar on vocals, Satriani on guitar, Anthony on bass and Smith on drums.[26] Their debut album was released on June 5, 2009.[27] The first single and video released from this album is the track "Oh Yeah", which was also played on the Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien on June 5, 2009. Satriani received a writing credit on each of the songs featured on the band's self-titled debut album. [28] When Broken Records magazine asked Joe in volume 1 issue 3, about his new band, he enthusiastically mentioned that "it was great fun" and it gives him a "kick in the music bone" to be playing with such great talent. He said it felt quite natural to step back and play more rhythm guitar than solo guitar.
[edit] Technique and influence

Satriani in 2005
Satriani is recognized as a technically advanced rock guitarist, and is a guitar virtuoso.[29][30] He has mastered many performance techniques on the instrument, including legato, two-handed tapping and arpeggio tapping, volume swells, harmonics, and extreme whammy bar effects. One of his trademark compositional traits is the use of pitch axis theory, which he applies with a variety of modes.[citation needed] During fast passages, Joe favors a legato technique (achieved primarily through hammer-ons and pull-offs) which yields smooth and flowing runs. He is also adept at other speed-related techniques such as rapid alternate picking and sweep picking, but does not often use them.
Satriani has received 14 Grammy nominations[31] and has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide.[32] Many of his fans and friends call him "Satch," short for "Satriani".
An influential guitarist himself,[33] Satriani has many influences, including jazz guitarists Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery, Allan Holdsworth and Charlie Christian,[34] and rock guitarists Jimi Hendrix,[35] Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Ritchie Blackmore.[36]
[edit] Equipment
Satriani has endorsed Ibanez's JS Series guitars, and Peavey's JSX amplifier. Both lines were designed specifically as signature products for Satriani. The Ibanez JS100 was based on and replaced the Ibanez 540 Radius model which Satriani first endorsed. However, Satriani uses a variety of gear. Many of his guitars are made by Ibanez, including the JS1000, and JS1200. These guitars typically feature the DiMarzio PAF Pro (which he used up until 1993 in both the neck and bridge positions), the DiMarzio Fred (which he used in the bridge position from 1993 to 2005), and the Mo' Joe and the Paf Joe (which he uses in the bridge and neck positions, respectively, from 2005 to present day). The JS line of guitars is his signature line with the JS1000, JS1200, JS2400, JSBDG, and JS20th using the original edge bridge one of the original double locking tremolo systems made by ibanez. The JS100 and JS20s both use the Edge 3 tremolo bridge another ibanez tremolo system. The JS1600 is a fixed bridge guitar with no tremolo system. The guitar with which he was most often associated during the nineties was a chrome-finished guitar nicknamed "Chrome Boy" (this instrument can be seen on the Live in San Francisco DVD). However, the guitar used for most of the concert was in fact a lookalike nicknamed "Pearly", which featured Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates pickups.
Satriani uses a number of other JS models such as the JS double neck model, JS700 (primary axe on the self-titled CD and seen on the 1995 tour "Joe Satriani", which features a fixed bridge, P-90 pickups, and a matching mahogany body and neck), JS6/JS6000 (natural body) , JS1 (the original JS model), JS2000 (fixed bridge model), a variety of JS100s, JS1000s and JS1200s with custom paint work, and a large amount of prototype JSs. All double locking bridges have been the original Edge tremolo, not the newer models, which point to a more custom guitar than the "off the shelf" models. Joe played a red 7-string JS model, seen in the "G3 Live in Tokyo" DVD from 2005. He also has a prototype 24-fret version of the JS which he has used with Chickenfoot now labeled as the JS-2400.

Satriani and the band
Satriani has used a wide variety of guitar amps over the years, using Marshall Amplification for his main amplifier (notably the limited edition blue coloured 6100 LM model) up until 2001, and his Peavey signature series amps, the Peavey JSX, thereafter. The JSX began life as a prototype Peavey XXX and developed into the Joe Satriani signature Peavey model, now available for purchase in retail stores. Joe Satriani has used other amplifiers over the years in the studio, however. Those include the Peavey 5150 (used to record the song 'Crystal Planet'), Cornford, and the Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (used to record the song 'Flying in a Blue Dream'), amongst others. He has recently switched to the Marshall JVM series.
His effects pedals include the Vox wah, Dunlop Cry Baby wah, RMC Wizard Wah, Digitech Whammy, BK Butler Tube Driver, BOSS DS-1, BOSS CH-1, BOSS CE-2, BOSS DD-2 and a standard BOSS DD-3 (used together to emulate reverb effects), BOSS BF-3, BOSS OC-2, Barber Burn Drive Unit, Fulltone Deja Vibe, Fulltone Ultimate Octave, and Electro-Harmonix POG (Polyphonic Octave Generator), the latter being featured prominently on the title cut to his 2006 Super Colossal.
Satriani has partnered with Planet Waves to create a signature line of guitar picks and guitar straps featuring his sketch art.
Although Satriani endorses the JSX, he has used many amps in the studio when recording, including the Peavey Classic. He used Marshall heads and cabinets, including live, prior to his Peavey endorsement. Most recently Satriani used the JSX head through a Palmer Speaker Simulator. Joe Satriani has also released a Class-A 5-watt tube amp called the "Mini Colossal".
He is currently working with Vox on his own line of signature effects pedals designed to deliver Satriani's trademark tone plus a wide range of new sounds for guitarists of all playing styles and ability levels. The first being a signature distortion pedal titled the "Satchurator", and recently, the "Time Machine" which will be a delay pedal, with more to follow in 2008, including a wah pedal called the "Big Bad Wah".[37] On March 3, 2010 a new pedal was announced on Satriani's website regarding the new Vox overdrive pedal called "Ice 9".[38]
[edit] Recurring themes

Satriani during a concert at the Rijnhal, Arnhem (June 12, 2008)
Satriani's work frequently makes references to various science fiction stories and ideas. "Surfing with the Alien", "Back to Shalla-Bal" and "The Power Cosmic 2000" refer to the comic book character Silver Surfer, while "Ice 9" refers to the secret government ice weapon in Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle. "Borg Sex" is a reference to Star Trek, which features a homogeneous cybernetic race known as the Borg. His albums and songs often have other-worldly titles, such as Not of this Earth, Crystal Planet, Is There Love in Space?, and Engines of Creation.
On the album Super Colossal the song titled "Crowd Chant" was originally called "Party on the Enterprise". "Party on the Enterprise" featured sampled sounds from the Starship Enterprise from the Star Trek TV show. But as Satriani explained in a podcast, legal issues regarding the samples could not be resolved and he was unable to get permission to use them.[39] Satriani then removed the sounds from the song and called it "Crowd Chant." This song is now used as goal celebration music for a number of National Hockey League teams including the Minnesota Wild.[40]
"Redshift Riders", another song on the Super Colossal album, is "based on the idea that in the future, when people can travel throughout space, they will theoretically take advantage of the cosmological redshift effect so they can be swung around large planetary objects and get across [the] universe a lot faster than normal," Satriani said in a podcast about the song.[41]
On the album Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock the song "I Just Wanna Rock", is about a giant robot on the run who happens to stumble upon a rock concert.[42]
The song "Raspberry Jam Delta-v" is most likely a reference to the lethal amount of g-force taken from the book Endymion, by Dan Simmons.[43][44]
[edit] Philanthropy
In 2006, Satriani signed on as an official supporter of Little Kids Rock, a non-profit organization that provides free musical instruments and instruction to children in underserved public schools throughout the U.S.A. Satriani has personally delivered instruments to children in the program through a charity raffle for the organization and, like Steve Vai, sits on its board of directors as an honorary member.
[edit] Awards and nominations
[edit] Nominations
Satriani has the second most Grammy Award nominations of any artist (15) without winning.[45][46]
Nominations
Year
Album
Category
1989
Always With Me, Always With You
Best Pop Instrumental Performance
Surfing with the Alien
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
1990
The Crush of Love
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
1991
Flying in a Blue Dream
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
1993
The Extremist
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
1994
Speed of Light
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
1995
All Alone
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
1997
(You're) My World
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
1998
Summer Song (Live)
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
1999
A Train of Angels
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
2001
Until We Say Goodbye
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
2002
Always With Me, Always With You (Live)
Best Rock Instrumental Performance from Live in San Francisco
2003
Starry Night
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
2006
Super Colossal
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
2008
Always With Me, Always With You (Live)
Best Rock Instrumental Performance from Satriani Live!
[edit] Discography
Main article: Joe Satriani discography
Not of This Earth (1986)
Surfing with the Alien (1987)
Flying in a Blue Dream (1989)
The Extremist (1992)
Time Machine (1993)
Joe Satriani (1995)
Crystal Planet (1998)
Engines of Creation (2000)
Strange Beautiful Music (2002)
Is There Love in Space? (2004)
Super Colossal (2006)
Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock (2008)
Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards (2010)
[edit] References
^ Joe Satriani's G3 rounds up another trio of guitar slingers
^ a b Shrivastava, Rahul. "Joe Satriani Interview". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/music/2004/06/satriani_interview.shtml. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
^ John R., Luini. "Joe Satriani Biography". ForeverJoe. http://foreverjoe.com/bio.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
^ Joe Satriani Interview
^ Harris, Rich. "Ibanez JS Joe Satriani Guitar Specs". http://www.jemsite.com/ibanez/spec_js.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
^ Hard N Heavy Video Magazine interview - 1989
^ Joe Satriani: The Satch Tapes - 1993
^ Selvin, Joel (May 10, 2009). "Guitarist Satriani joins Hagar for Chickenfoot fun". San Francisco Chronicle. http://articles.sfgate.com/2009-05-10/entertainment/17199969_1_van-halen-band-jam. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
^ Blackburn, Mike (March 25, 1998). "Interview with Joe Satriani". BWBK. http://www.satriani.com/vault/1998-iview-blackburn.shtml. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
^ “”. "Sony CD Commercial Satriani Summer Song". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_rWVPRP0nQ. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ Satriani's Offer of a Future with Deep Purple. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
^ joe satriani - discography > surfing with the alien
^ NEW MUSIC BLOG: Joe Satriani musicradar.com
^ "Joe Satriani - Live In Paris: I Just Wanna Rock". Satriani.com. http://www.satriani.com/discography/Live_In_Paris-I_Just_Wanna_Rock/. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ satriani.com
^ experiencehendrixtour.com
^ Rohter, Larry (May 27, 2010). "Performers to Stay Away From Arizona in Protest of Law". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/us/28boycott.html.
^ Condon, Stephanie (May 28, 2010). "Musicians Boycott Arizona to Protest Immigration Law". CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20006306-503544.html.
^ Joe Satriani To Release 'Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards' In October
^ "GRAMMY.com". GRAMMY.com. http://grammy.com/grammy_awards/51st_show/list.aspx. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ Retrieved 10 December 2008.
^ Guitarist Satriani sues Coldplay
^ Coldplay Sued By Joe Satriani For Allegedly Plagiarizing 'Viva La Vida' Melody », peoplestar.co.uk, Retrieved on 2008-12-06.
^ "Coldplay copyright case 'settled'". BBC News. September 16, 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8258217.stm. Retrieved May 6, 2010.
^ Talk Show Guitarist. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
^ "" All Things Loud " Jon Cohan's Drum Tech Site". Allthingsloud.blogspot.com. http://allthingsloud.blogspot.com/. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/van_halen_red_hot_chili_peppers_launch_new_project.html
^ Joe Satriani home news
^ Rock Guitar World: Joe Satriani
^ CANdYRAT Records
^ joe satriani - home > news
^ Joe Satriani Interview
^ Harmony Central April 21, 2008 Real "Guitar Hero" Joe Satriani turns Teacher at WorkshopLive.com
^ [1][dead link]
^ "Q&A with Joe Satriani". Beat a Go Go. http://www.beat-a-go-go.com/story/2006/5/3/111454/0700. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ "Tyne - People & Places - BBC Introducing". BBC. 2010-07-20. http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/music/2004/06/satriani_interview.shtml. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ joe satriani - gear > 2008-01-18 vox announcement
^ joe satriani - gear > 2010-03-03 vox announcement
^ http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/JoeSatriani/podcast/super_colossal/13_crowd_chant_podcast.mp3
^ "Minnesota Wild Home". Minnesotawild.com. http://www.minnesotawild.com/. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/JoeSatriani/podcast/super_colossal/04_redshift_riders_podcast.mp3
^ "Joe Satriani - Artist Bio Myplay: Powered by Sony Music". Myplay. http://myplay.com/artists/joe-satriani/bio#review-form. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ Joe Satriani (1998-03-03). "Crystal Planet: Album review and songs from". Answers.com. http://www.answers.com/topic/crystal-planet. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ "Endymion - Google Books". Books.google.com. http://books.google.com/books?id=-GwCfhB-xgAC&pg=PA33&lpg=PA33&dq=raspberry+jam+delta+v+endymion&source=bl&ots=RL3W9IP2Oz&sig=9_YgTl5kuN4GAKIFUPShbLr3Hlg&hl=en&ei=t2r8S5XIGZG-NtXs-N0B&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
^ Rock On The Net: Grammy Awards: Best Rock Instrumental Performance
^ Rock On The Net: Grammy Awards: Best Pop Instrumental Performance