ION INDIE MAGAZINE January 2017, Volume 32 | Page 17

During my tenure with this publication, I have written one or two reviews, some acts just were not my cup of tea. Some, I was
just a huge fan of. With that said, those reviews were very easy to write, as they should be.
When I was approved to cover STEVE VAI here in “The Big Easy”, I knew I was in store for something special and I was not
denied that “something”. Here it is two weeks later and I still get goosebumps when I think back to December 1, 2016 at the
JOY THEATER. Before I start this, let me share some fun facts about Steve Vai…
He's 56 and started his career in ‘78 with FRANK ZAPPA. He toured with Frank from ‘80 to ’82. I only state those years because
I saw Frank three times during the 70’s and early 80’s—and I saw Steve with Frank on my third time catching Frank Zappa…
how cool is that?
He took some of his first lessons from JOE SATRIANI out in L.A. His solo career started in ‘84 with the release “Flex-Able”, and
when he released “Passion and Warfare” in ‘90, this just solidified his place as a virtuoso rock guitarist. He is a 3 time Grammy
winner and a 15 time nominee.
He's worked with MARY J. BLIGE, SPINAL TAP and OZZY OSBOURNE…toured with WHITESNAKE, DAVID LEE ROTH, ALCATRAZZ,
G3, ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA and the EXPERIENCE HENDRIX TOUR.
To his credit are 9 studio albums in 32 years, 2 EPs, 8 live albums, 12 soundtracks, 20 compilation albums and 6 DVDs.
I had not covered a show here in New Orleans at the Joy Theater, and I could not have asked for a better show to pop my cherry
at the Joy than Steve Vai's “Passion and Warfare 25th Anniversary Tour”.
Now, this is a seated show with no pit, but security let me get in front of the stage for my three songs, no flash. Now those 3
songs generally last 13 to 17 minutes, but in this case, I was up front for just under 30 minutes, simply because Steve's songs
are so long. As you may know, or not know, there are no vocals, just Steve talking to you thru his guitar and to add to this, he
uses his hands and fingers with the guitar to act out as if there were someone doing the vocals--if that makes any sense at all.
This performance is hard to describe, you just have to experience it for yourself. For the first time, I am just at a loss for words
on how fantastic this show was!
In closing, I wrote back to the publicist the following morning thanking him for approving me to cover the show. I told him that
I had been going to shows since ‘72 and during those 44 years, I have seen everyone…but hands down, last night’s show was
one of the best shows I've seen in many years. Also, there are a couple of shots enclosed of last night’s performance.
He wrote me right back and was glad that I enjoyed the show and then informed me that he had just forwarded my last email
to Steve Vai. Needless to say, I'm pretty much a wreck at this point. I wrote him back asking that if Steve answers, would you
please share that with me. Ten minutes later, the publicist emails me saying Steve had replied with one word…
“Yeah!!!!!!!”
Again…how cool is that?!!!!

www.vai.com