Steve Vai - His First 30 Years | The Documentary

None of the money from the ads you see goes to this channel. If you see too many ads, email me at thetapesarchive@gmail.com/, and I will send you a link so you can download the video free of ads. Please subscribe and hit that like button. Chapter markers 00:00:00 - Intro to Steve Vai documentary 00:00:36 - Steve Vai growing up in Carle Place, and his family 00:01:20 - His first musical revelation 00:01:53 - His love for the musical Westside Story 00:02:35 - His first musical instrument 00:03:11 - His first records 00:04:09 - His first band is formed 00:04:57 - His second band 00:05:11 - He is introduced to Led Zeppelin 00:05:52 - Steve Vai’s first guitar 00:06:23 - Vai tells his Dad he wants to play the guitar 00:06:54 - Taking lessons from Joe Satriani 00:08:29 - Vai meets Bill Westcott 00:09:08 - Vai plays the Tuba 00:11:51 - Vai has one last blow-out before college 00:12:19 - Vai almost gets busted by the cops 00:13:04 - Vai’s ritual of the tuna melt 00:13:46 - The worm had turned 00:15:45 - One last drive around Carle Place 00:16:27 - Steve Vai heads off to Berklee College of Music 00:17:40 - Via meets his future wife, Pia 00:18:16 - The first time he tried to connect with Frank Zappa 00:18:51 - He talks to Zappa 00:20:04 - Vai’s first mention in a music magazine 00:20:29 - Vai considers leaving Berklee 00:21:01 - Moving out to California 00:21:47 - Transcribing Zappa’s music 00:22:18 - Trying out for Frank Zappa’s band 00:23:00 - Frank Zappa’s thoughts on Vai’s guitar playing 00:23:37 - Vai goes on his first Zappa tour 00:23:51 - Vai asks Zappa for an honest appraisal of his playing 00:24:34 - Onset of Vai’s depression 00:25:41 - Vai finds some help 00:26:53 - Vai reclaims his mojo 00:28:11 - The Palermo, Italy riot 00:29:44 - What Vai learned from Zappa 00:30:10 - The ethic he learned from Zappa 00:31:43 - SYVA studio and FlexAble 00:32:21 - Trying out for Alice Cooper 00:33:12 - Building Stucco Blue Studio 00:34:34 - Why the name FlexAble is the name of his first album 00:35:44 - Why he said no to a record deal 00:36:33 - The birth of Akashic and Urantia Records 00:37:55 - FlexAble is released 00:39:08 - Joining Alcatrazz 00:40:14 - Alcatrazz works on their album 00:40:54 - Alcatrazz’s God Bless Video 00:41:58 - The movie Crossroads 00:42:20 - Arlen Roth 00:42:38 - The original duel 00:43:29 - Ry Cooder calls Guitar Player magazine looking for talent 00:43:52 - Vai is hired for the movie Crossroads 00:44:20 - Vai did not want to be in the movie Crossroads 00:44:51 - Shuggie Otis plays in the duel 00:45:04 - Another Frank Zappa connection 00:45:27 - Vai’s recycle riffs for Bad Horsie 00:46:04 - Eugene’s Trick Bag and who played what 00:46:26 - Niccolo Paganini’s connection to Crossroads 00:47:09 - Steve Vai’s other acting gigs 00:47:50 - Vai gets a call from David Lee Roth 00:48:28 - David Lee Roth’s acting career and movie 00:49:12 - Billy Sheehan steps in 00:49:24 - Roth’s first choice of guitarist 00:51:19 - Eat ‘Em and Smile 00:52:04 - Guitar makers want Steve Vai 00:52:42 - The creation of the Flame guitar and the Monkey Grip 00:52:58 - Vai’s guitar is stolen 00:53:09 - Vai goes to Performance Guitar 00:53:23 - The prototype JEMs before Ibanez 00:53:44 - Ibanez needs their own Eddie Van Halen 00:54:39 - Vai’s request to all guitar companies 00:55:35 - Steve Vai signs with Ibanez 00:55:46 - Unveiling the Ibanez JEM 00:55:56 - Why Vai named it the JEM guitar 00:56:33 - David Lee Roth’s Skyscraper album 00:57:58 - Billy Sheehan leaves the band 00:58:32 - Just like Paradise and the show 90210 00:59:06 - Vai turns in his resignation to Roth 00:59:30 - Whitesnake comes along 01:01:58 - The influence the Ibanez 7-string had over music 01:02:42 - Vai turns his attention to Passion and Warfare 01:03:59 - What was Passion and Warfare written around? 01:05:47 - Sound effects on Passion and Warfare 01:08:42 - The melody Vai has reused several times 01:09:32 - Vai’s mastery in the studio 01:10:55 - For the Love of God backstory 01:13:22 - Finding a record deal for Passion and Warfare 01:14:46 - Releasing Passion and Warfare 01:15:16 - Critic response to Passion and Warfare 01:15:44 - Why did he not tour for Passion and Warfare

This documentary is the absolute best gift to all Vai fans around the globe. Congratulations to the writers/editors and everyone involved.

This documentary deserves millions of views. Steve Vai is an absolute legend. He has changed the full landscape of guitar metal music. He is the ultimate inspiration to guitar 🎸

How impressive, not many guys would do what this man has done including building his own studio. New respect for you Steve. I play Ibanez because of you. Thanks man.

Not just a guitar player, he has a good heart

This is really incredible. As a lifelong Vai fanatic this was really special to watch! And now that he's in his 60s it would be great to see the next 30 years!

Not only is he one of the best guitar players in the world but dude know how to move and entertain on stage like no other.

A good friend of mine, a good guitarist, took his son to a meet and greet with Steve In Brazil. He said Steve was very gracious despite the long line of fans. When they were walking away, Steve still took the time to say a last thing, something like “the thing that made me a good guitarist was having a supportive dad.” Fucking beautiful.

30 years. Damn, we got old. Thankfully, Steve Vai's brilliance is timeless.

Steve Vai has probably influenced me and my guitar playing the most. Passion And Warfare is one of my absolute favorite albums. For me, Steve Vai is not only one of the best guitar players on this planet, but above all one of the most interesting composers. Thanks for everything Steve!

The moment I saw Steve's post about this I came flyin' in here to watch this documentary! Steve is God for me. I cannot express in words how much I revere him and how great of an influence he's had on me. This documentary is gold! Real gold! Thank you for putting this together, Alan. I love it! I. Love. It! #LoveFromIndia

My wife got me tickets to see the Satriani/Vai show in Cincinnati for Christmas. We went to the show yesterday. It was a life changing experience. Amazing show, and such a positive vibe i want to carry with me for the rest of my life!!!

Since Crossroads I have listened to Vai’s playing. I liked also seeing how nicely he was hosting Ellen Alaverdyan’s visit to his studio. Truly a great person and guitarist.

Now you know why Steve Vai has been my favorite musician for so many decades. Absolutely one of a kind on his own level.

Steve is a treasure of a human being. Not only is he an incredible and accomplished musician and a virtuoso guitar player, he is a genuinely good man. He has lots of life wisdom and depth of insight. Even if he wasn't a famous person, I would still care to listen to what he has to say about life. Lots of love for Steve.

Absolutely amazing documentary. Every Vai fan should see this! 🎸

His solo work is not really my cup of tea, but he is very talented and, more importantly, seems like a good man. Glad he has done very well. Good film!

This is really a top quality documentary, I hope we'll get to see a part 2!

I remember going to the record store every single day for weeks and months in a row, waiting for the album "Passion and Warfare" to get released. And then, when I finally got it, I put it on the recordtable like it was the holy grale, laid down with my headphones on, taking a deep breath and flying into outer space! Still one of my favorite albums of all time. Thanks Stevie! Yeah and great thanks to The Tapes Archive for this extraordinary documentary!

Dude, I wish this went for longer but thank you. Steve is such a real life legend. Seems like a great person which has been almost as inspiring as his guitar playing. The cat food story was hilarious.