steve vai

Born: June 6, 1960 in Long Island, NY

Vai was a pupil of Joe Satriani as a teenager and studied at The Berklee School of Music before moving to Los Angeles at age 19. He was a huge fan of Frank Zappa's and joined Zappa's band after proving that he knew most of the repertoire and could transcribe orchestral pieces by ear. Zappa credited him on albums as the "stunt guitarist." He released the self-produced Flex-Able in 1984, combining his Zappa and Satriani influences, and went on to play with Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth, and Whitesnake. Vai released his finest solo effort, the varied Passion and Warfare, in 1990. He then formed a backing group called VAI featuring vocalist Devin Townsend for Sex & Religion before recording the solo Alien Love Secrets; Fire Garden followed in 1996. Vai is considered to be one of rock's top instrumentalists. (-- Steve Huey)

Picture on the right sent by Craig Howell

discography

samplers

bootlegs

coverversions / audio tutorials

• various artists: guitar part no.101
      (2002, mag + cd, france, studio press) - incl.jean-jacques rébillard playing vai & satriani
• various artists: lords of karma
      (2002, cd, mascot records) - all compositions by satriani or vai; = satriani / vai tribute cd
• various artists: guitar techniques, november 2002
      (2002, mag + cd, uk, future publishing) - incl.dave kilminster: 'the crying machine' (vai)

videos

• alcatrazz: power live
      (1985, vid, jpn, shouchiku) - feat.steve vai

dvd

• joe satriani, eric johnson, steve vai: g3 - live in concert
      (2000, dvd, usa, smv 50157 9) – feat.mike keneally; incl. ‘my guitar wants to kill your mama’ (frank zappa)
• steve vai: alien love secrets
      (2002, dvd, usa, high insight / favored nations fn 7771-9) - feat.tommy mars
• steve vai: live at the astoria, london
      (2003, 2dvd, usa, favored nations)
• g3: live in denver
      (2004, dvd, ??, epic epc 202303 9)

laserdisc

• joe satriani, eric johnson, steve vai: g3 - live in concert
      (2000, laserdisc, japan, srlm-1526) – feat.mike keneally; incl. ‘my guitar wants to kill your mama’ (frank zappa)

concerts

* * * performing as "steve vai" * * *
            steve vai: guitar
            randy coven: bass
            todd tukisher: drums

• 1983/03/18    concert 'my father's place', nyc, new york, usa
      part of the concert was released on bootleg: steve vai: new york, my father's place 18/03/83

* * * on tour with alcatrazz

• 1984/        with alcatrazz

* * * performing as "777" * * *
            steve vai: guitar
            stuart hamm: bass
            chris frazier: drums

• 1985/05/04    concert 'spirit club', san diego, usa
      part of the concert was released on bootleg: steve vai: 777

* * * on tour with whitesnake * * *

• 1990/06/12 Whitesnake - concert 'Winnipeg Arena', Winnipeg, Canada

  • David Coverdale - vocals, Steve Vai - guitar, Adrian Vandenberge - guitar, Tommy Aldridge - drums, Rudy Sarzo - bass

  • Slip Of The Tongue, Slide It In, Judgement Day, Slow And Easy, Is This Love?, Kittens Got Claws, Adrian Vandenberge solo, The Deeper The Love, Cheap And Nasty, Crying In The Rain, Steve Vai Solo, Here I Go Again, Bad Boys, Still Of The Night

  • A 108-minute audience recording of this show circulates
    

• 1990/08/10 Whitesnake - concert 'Anfiteatro Casa Campo - Rockodromo', Madrid, Spain
  • David Coverdale - vocals, Steve Vai - guitar, Adrian Vandenberge - guitar, Tommy Aldridge - drums, Rudy Sarzo - bass
  • Slip Of The Tongue, Slide It In, Judgement Day, Slow An' Easy, Kittens Got Claws, Vandenberg Solo, The Deeper The Love, Cheap & Nasty, Crying In The Rain (inc drum solo), Fool For Your Loving, Vai Solo, Here I Go Again, Bad Boys / Children Of The Night, Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City, Still Of The Night
  • A 108-minute audience recording of this show circulates    

* * * performing at the "guitar legends" concert in spain, together with brian may, joe satriani and others

• 1991/10/19    concert 'auditorio de la isla de cartuja', sevilla, spain
      part of the concert was released on bootleg: steve vai: welcome to the ultra zone

* * * performing at "zappa's universe" as a special guest * * *

• 1991/11/07 - 1991/11/10    "zappa's universe" - a tribute to frank zappa in his 50th birthday year
      at 'the ritz', nyc, ny, usa
      organised by joel thome
      concert by the orchestra of our time (cond.joel thome), rock group, persuasions, rockapella and guests

* * *

• 1996/09/28 concert 'Eastman Concert Hall', Rochester, NY, USA
  w/ Eastman School Orchestra cond. by Joel Thome
  • 5 minutes of this performance were shown on japanese tv

1997/--/--    concert seoul, korea (picture on the right shows the concert programme booklet)

* * * on tour: "the ultra zone" * * *

• 2000/03/07    concert 'de vereeninging', nijmegen, the netherlands
      the concert + interview was broadcasted on dutch radio 4
      the concert was released on bootleg: steve vai: welcome to the ultra zone
  
• 2001/04/01  panel discussion at the cmw music convention:
  "the artists i've seen (artist panel)" with dweezil zappa & steve vai
  westin harbour castle hotel, 1 harbour sq.
  (= at the cmw music convention)

2001/--/--  concert hong kong

• 2001/11/29 concert 'zeche', bochum, germany
  • the audience is listening, shy boy, giant balls of gold, erotic nightmares, blood and glory, blue powder, the crying machine, the animal, fire garden suite, bad horsie, (billy sheenan piece), (unknown), little wing, whispering a prayer, incantation, jibboom, for the love of god, liberty, the attitude song

• 2002/06/13    radio special on aol radio (america online): interview + music

* * * "fire strings" * * *

2002/07/24 - 26    concert 'suntory hall', tokyo, japan steve vai performs ichiro nodaira's "fire strings", a concerto for guitar and 100-piece orchestra (the tokyo metropolitan symphony orchestra, conducted by yutaka sado).  the concert program also includes bernstein's "candide overture" and stravinsky's "le sacre du printemps. (picture on the right shows the concert programme booklet)

* * * "the aching hunger" : steve vai with the metropole orkest

• 2004/05/22 concert 'de oosterpoort', groningen, the netherlands
  
• 2004/05/23 concert 'paradiso', amsterdam, the netherlands
  
• 2004/05/24 concert 'paradiso', amsterdam, the netherlands

* * * on tour with g3 * * *

* * * at eric clapton's "crossroads" festival * * *

• 2004/06/06 concert 

* * * steve vai band

• 2004/07/22 concert ‘metro city’, perth, australia

• 2004/07/24 concert ‘the barton theatre’, adelaide, australia

• 2004/07/25 concert ‘the palace’, melbourne, australia

• 2004/07/26 concert ‘the enmore theatre’, sydney, australia

• 2004/07/27 concert ‘the arena’, brisbane, australia

• 2004/07/29 concert ‘suntec’, singapore

• 2004/08/01 concert ‘taipei city music hall’, taipei

• 2004/08/03 concert kowloon, hong kong

• 2004/08/05 concert ‘tjm squeare hall’, beijing, china

STEVE VAI AND DAVE MATTHEWS TO HONOR CARLOS SANTANA

• 2004/08/30 steve vai + david matthews - concert 'Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles, ca, usa

• 2004/09/08 radio broadcast dutch radio 4: steve vai & the metropole orkest
  • is it over yet? * theadolite * memories of a silent rose * helios & vesta * kill the guy with the ball * gentle ways/reflections * answers * the attitude song
  • source: 2004/05/22 concert groningen, nl
     
• 2004/09/10 radio broadcast dutch radio 4: steve vai & the metropole orkest
  • liberty * reflections(*) * memories of a silent rose (*)+(**) * answers(*) * lotus feet * is it over yet?
  • source: 2004/05/22 concert groningen, nl,
    plus (*) 2004/05/23 concert amsterdam, nl  &  (**) 2004/05/24 concert amsterdam, nl
     
• 2004/09/15 radio broadcast dutch radio 4: steve vai & the metropole orkest
  • helios & vesta * theadolite * frangelica * gentle ways/reflections * murder * answers * ballerina * for the love of god * the attitude song
  • source: 2004/05/24 concert amsterdam, nl

"The Blossom Suite"

• 2005/02/05 Steve Vai - concert paris, france

On tour

2005/03/01  Marquee Theatre,  Phoenix, AZ, usa 2005/03/02  Sunshine Theatre,  Albuquerque, NM, usa 2005/03/04  Verizon Wireless Theatre,  Houston, TX, usa 2005/03/05  Granada Theatre,  Dallas, TX, usa 2005/03/06  Antone's,  Austin, TX, usa 2005/03/08  New Daisy Theatre,  Memphis, TN, usa 2005/03/09  The Cannery,  Nashville, TN , usa 2005/03/10  Boutwell Auditorium,  Birmingham, AL, usa 2005/03/11  House of Blues,  New Orleans, LA, usa 2005/03/14  Tampa Theatre,  Tampa, FL, usa 2005/03/15  Julius Littman PAC,  Miami, FL, usa 2005/03/16  House of Blues,  Orlando, FL, usa 2005/03/17  Freebird Live,  Jacksonville, FL, usa 2005/03/18  House of Blues,  Myrtle Beach, SC, usa 2005/03/19  The Roxy,  Atlanta, GA, usa 2005/03/20  The Orange Peel ,  Asheville, NC , usa 2005/03/22  Ziggy's,  Winston Salem, NC, usa 2005/03/23  Birchmere,  Alexandria, VA, usa 2005/03/24  Rams Head Live,  Baltimore, MD, usa 2005/03/25  Webster Theatre,  Hartford, CT, usa 2005/03/26  Town Hall,  New York, NY, usa 2005/03/28  The Trocadero Theatre,  Philadelphia, PA, usa 2005/03/29  Westbury Music Fair,  Westbury, NY, usa 2005/03/30  Starland Ballroom,  Sayreville, NJ, usa 2005/03/31  Avalon Ballroom,  Boston, MA, usa 2005/04/01  Metropolis,  Montreal, QC, usa 2005/04/02  Massey Hall,  Toronto, ONT, usa 2005/04/04  Univ. Buffalo Center for Arts,  Buffalo, NY, usa 2005/04/05  Rex Theatre,  Pittsburgh, PA, usa 2005/04/06  House of Blues,  Cleveland, OH, usa 2005/04/07  Newport Music Hall,  Columbus, OH, usa 2005/04/08  State Theatre,  Detroit, MI, usa 2005/04/09  Bogart's,  Cincinnati, OH, usa 2005/04/10  The Pageant,  St. Louis, MO, usa 2005/04/12  The Eagles Club,  Milwaukee, WI, usa 2005/04/13  House of Blues,  Chicago, IL, usa 2005/04/14  To Be Announced,  To Be Announced 2005/04/15  Fitzgerald Theatre, St. Paul, MN, usa 2005/04/16  To Be Announced 2005/04/17  To Be Announced 2005/04/19  Fox Theatre,  Boulder, CO, usa 2005/04/20  The Venue,  Salt Lake City, UT , usa 2005/04/21  The Big Easy,  Boise, ID, usa 2005/04/22  Showbox,  Seattle, WA, usa 2005/04/23  Commodore Ballroom,  Vancouver, BC, usa 2005/04/24  Roseland Theatre,  Portland, OR, usa 2005/04/26  The Fillmore,  San Francisco, CA, usa 2005/04/27  The Grove,  Anaheim, CA, usa 2005/04/28  House of Blues,  Las Vegas, NV, usa 2005/04/29  4th and B,  San Diego, CA, usa 2005/04/30  Wiltern Theatre,  Los Angeles, CA, usa

steve vai & the metropole orkest

2005/09/16 concert  Graz, Austria - Orpheum Theatre 2005/09/17  concert Innsbruck, Austria - Venue To Be Announced 2005/09/18  concert Linz, Austria - Posthof 2005/09/20  concert Vienna, Austria - Planet Music 2005/09/21  concert Budapest, Hungary - Petofi Czarnok 2005/09/22  concert Ljubljana, Slovenia - Ljubljana-Krizanke 2005/09/23  concert Firenze, Italy - Saschall 2005/09/24  concert Modena, Italy - Vox 2005/09/25  concert Milan, Italy - Alcatraz 2005/09/27  concert Munich, Germany - Eiser Halle/Tonhalle 2005/09/28  concert Stuttgart, Germany - Longhorn 2005/09/29  concert Cologne, Germany - Ewerk 2005/09/30  concert Hamburg, Germany - Fabrik 2005/10/01  concert Antwerp, Belgium - Hof Ter Lo 2005/10/02  concert Tilburg, Netherlands - 013 2005/10/04  concert Copenhagen, Denmark - Vega 2005/10/05  concert Stockholm, Sweden - Arenan 2005/10/06  concert Gothenburg, Sweden - Vagen 2005/10/07  concert Malmö, Sweden - Kulturbolaget 2005/10/09  concert Oslo, Norway - Rockerfeller 2005/10/11  concert Helsinki, Finland - Nosturi / Tavastia

2005/10/19 concert 'Hammersmith Apollo', London, uk 2005/10/20 concert 'Civic Theatre', Wolverhampton, uk 2005/10/21 concert 'Royal Concert Hall', Glasgow, uk 2005/10/22 concert 'City Hall', Newcastle, uk 2005/10/23 concert 'Royal Centre', Nottingham, uk 2005/10/24 concert 'Carling Apollo Manchester', Manchester, uk 2005/10/26  concert Dublin, Ireland - Vicar St ... The picture on the right shows the "Europe 2005 Tour Book"

• 2005/12/04 radio special, dutch radio 4, 'nps output': the 2005-10-02 tilburg concert

• 2005/12/11 radio special, dutch radio 4, 'nps output': the 2005-07-07 "Aching Hunger Phase II"  groningen concert with the Metropole Orkest

• 2005/12/12 tv special, dutch nederland 3, 'nps output': the 2005-07-07 "Aching Hunger Phase II"  groningen concert with the Metropole Orkest - part one

• 2005/12/18 radio special, dutch radio 4, 'nps output': bonus material from tilburg & groningen

• 2005/12/19 tv special, dutch nederland 3, 'nps output': the 2005-07-07 "Aching Hunger Phase II"  groningen concert with the Metropole Orkest - part two
  

2006/03/14 autograph session, Ekaterinburg, Russia 2006/03/14 masterclass, Ekaterinburg, Russia 2006/03/16 autograph session, Kiev, Ukraine 2006/03/16 masterclass, Kiev, Ukraine 2006/03/18 autograph session, Moscow, Russia 2006/03/18 masterclass, Moscow, Russia

coverversions

magazine specials and articles

backstage muziekmagazine, october 1990: 2-page article
metal hammer aardschok , november 1990: 3 page article
metal hammer aardschok , august 1993: 3 page article
backstage muziekmagazine, december 1993: 2-page article
aardschok, june 1995: 2 page article
steve vai: fire garden phase 1 - band score     (1997, book, japan, taiyo music inc) a 112-page book with the complete score for "Fire Garden".
gitarist, september 2004     (2004/09, magazine, nl, --) including a 5-page article about the G3-tour.
STEVE FEATURED IN GUITAR WORLD MAGAZINE Steve appears on the cover of the latest Guitar World magazine (along with Alexi Laiho and Zakk Wylde). If you pick the magazine up from the newsstands you'll also get a bonus CD-ROM with an exclusive video of Steve talking about the recording of “Freak Show Excess” from his new album. The video will be continued in next month's edition. For fans in Japan, Steve is on the cover of both Sound Designer magazine and Player magazine. The article in Sound Designer details Steve’s Mothership Studio set-up, as well as details on the new album, while the Player article features an interview with both Steve and Billy Sheehan.
Guitar World, march 2005	Sound Designer, march 2005
Gitarist, may 2005	Guitar & Bass, june 2005
guitar legends: hero meets hero     (2007/04, magazine, usa) The "Hero meets hero" issue of Guitar Legends has an eight-page interview with Steve Vai and Joe Satriani by Alan Di Perna. Great page-size pictures as well.
total guitar: shred special     (2007/05, magazine, uk) This special edition of Total Guitar magazine not only had Steve Vai on the cover, but also included various articles on and by Vai: Steve Vai: 10 hour practice routine - part one (7 pages) Steve Vai: 10 hour practice routine - part two (6 pages) Steve Vai: 'For The Love Of God' (12 pages) plus a bonus CDrom various artists: total guitar - shred special     (2007, cdrom, uk, tgs16-06-07)  Steve Vai: 'For The Love Of God' Steve Vai: 'For The Love Of God' - backing track Steve Vai guitar workout
total guitar: issue 168 - nov 2007     (2007/11, magazine, uk) The November issue of Total Guitar magazine included a transcription of Steve Vai's 'Sisters'. The track can also be found on the bonus CD. various artists: total guitar #168     (2007, cdrom, uk, tg168/11/07) Steve Vai: 'Sisters' Steve Vai: 'For The Love Of God' - backing track

Steve Vai's 2005 X-mas card

videography

• 1982 The Dub Room Special

• 1985 Alcatrazz- Power Live

• 1986 Crossroads

• 1986 David Lee Roth

• 1987 Video From Hell

• 1989 The True Story of 200 Motels

• 1993 Zappa's Universe

• 1993 Zappa's Universe (Swedish TV Broadcast)

• 1995 Steve Vai- Alien Love Secrets (VHS)

• 1997 7th Heaven video by Ibanez

• 1997 Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai - "G3 Live In Concert"

• 1998 Steve Vai- Alien Love Secrets (DVD)

• 1999 The Genius of Lenny Breau

• 1999 Various Artists- '80s New Wave - Millenium Party

• 2000 Steve Vai- The 7th Song

random notes

Does anyone out there know what's  gonna happen with the project that Steve Vai mentioned in Sept. guitar world, That is him, Bozzio + the Ensemble Moderne playing frank's 'complicated' stuff (i.e 'black page') in fall 94.

His band Vai toured Europe late 1993, then supposedly broke up, but apparently didn't and off to Japan in March 1994.

Vai's credits are quite extensive--he has (more than) 3 albums: 

  Flexible - The CD version has bonus tracks from "Flexible Leftovers".  One of the tracks, "Bledsoe Bluvd," features Tommy Mars playing the violin and ejaculating "Thren keld, wing nut, why not rheam." Another track, "So Happy," features the infamous Laurel Fishman (see Real FZ Book), who is noted for the spherical shitball as well as her lifestyle (summed up in "Stevie's Spanking").
  Passion and Warfare - Probably his best work.
  Sex and Religion - The title made me decide not to buy it--that and I heard his music is primarily vocal now, bordering on "pop rock."
Aside from his solo material, he has also worked with David Lee Roth, on the album "Eat 'Em and Smile," and Whitesnake.
And then there is P.I.L's "Album" (later renamed to "Compact Disc" on CD).
The Ozzy project was canceled by the record company pricks. It's rumored that Zack Wilde will be doing it instead. Also Vai has a new album do out in June called alien love secrets, I have an advance copy and if you like Passion you definitely won't be disappointed.

Vai's work on PIL's stuff is great, as is his own earlier solo music - Passion & Warfare has its moments, the Sex/Religion one sucked to high heaven, and now (1995) he has a new album out, ALIEN LOVE SECRETS (sound familiar?) I  hope this is better; a lot of the guitar `shredders' of the 1980s tried to move away from the image of `widdly widdly' guitar playing & little else by indulging in horrendous FM rock (Sex & Religion). I think this trend has stabilized now, so let's hope Alien Love Secrets is better. (Vai has also cut his hair short - a welcome relief from that metal cut he had!)

Check out Steve Vai's official website at http://www.vai.com !  This site was just nominated for Best Music Website by  Hollywood Digital, along with sites from the likes of Madonna and The Rolling Stones!  If you're a Vai fan, you have to check this out!

     Fred "Blood Bros" speaketh:
Do you know that Fire Garden is Out ?

     David Areval (valmaris@mnl.sequel.net) sez:
Steve Vai Has recently put out a new album, FIRE GARDEN. This collosal album (more than 73 min. long) will really satisfy fans who've been disapointed by the brevity of ALIEN LOVE SECRETS. There are two "phases", one which is instrumental(as always), and the other, on which exhibits Vai's hidden talent-his voice. Yup, he's singing on this one! Guitar fans shouldn't be dissapointed because he does have a good voice, and his guitar work is as phenomenal as ever.

     From: RUBEN ARNAO RODRIGUEZ (930053@aloe.ulima.edu.pe)
I saw a CD recently of a concert with Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson ( G3 - Live ). They play the Zappa song "My guitar wants to kill your mama".

     From: Andreas Klaer (klaer@irpsnc.ias.uni-stuttgart.de)
i've read following interview of guitarworld with s. vai:

Right before Frank Zappa passed away, he was putting together a project that included myself, Terry Bozzio and a bass player with this 35-piece ensemble out of Germany called the Ensemble Moderne. We were going to do all of Frank's most difficult music. There was this one piece called "Mo 'n' Herb's Vacation," which has really ridiculous, intimidating melodies. It was written for clarinet, which goes lower than the guitar, so I explained to Frank about the seven-string guitar. He got so excited because he knew I could play the melody on the seven-string. Unfortunately, it was the last project Frank started, and it never happened.

     From: Jon M Hayes (Martok@ozemail.com.au)
Merry Axemas has been released, and proves two things: Steve Vai continues to get better as the seconds pass. Hail to thee. Joe Satriani is just getting older and staler. He sounds just the same as he did 10 years ago. R.I.P.

     From: Simon Westaway (s.westaway@virgin.net)
Steve Vai and Vinnie Colaiuta both appear on a Hendrix project called "in from the storm", along with the likes of Steve Lukather, Stanley Clarke, Sting, Carlos Santanna etc. (Source: I bought it on CD this morning in Malta International airport). Vinnie plays on "The wind cries Mary", and Vai plays on "Drifting" (with Corey Glover from Living Colour on vocals).

     From: "." (plainsongs@aol.com)
Steve Vai has just completed his new record, "The Ultra Zone", currently scheduled for a Sept 7, 1999 release on Epic/Sony. He plans to tour starting in September, and his site is located at www.vai.com. He also has a great newsletter called Greasy Kid's Stuff which goes out three times a year and contains info the site does not, they're kinda brother/sister publications.

THE OFFICIAL STEVE VAI NEWSLETTER: SPECIAL MAIL OUT - December 17, 2004.

STEVE VAI: REAL ILLUSIONS TOUR
SATURDAY PRE-SALES AND "EVO PREMIUM EXPERIENCE" PACKAGE!

The next round of our exclusive Vai.com ticket pre-sales for the 2005 Real Illusions tour will begin Saturday December 18, 2004 at 12 noon in the local time for each show.

We will also begin selling our exclusive "EVO PREMIUM EXPERIENCE" package as an optional upgrade to your ticket purchase.

The following cities are going on sale Saturday, December 18 at 12 noon - local time for each show:

2005/03/01 - Phoenix, AZ
2005/03/02 - Albuquerque, NM (Note: 21+ Venue)
2005/03/08 - Memphis, TN
2005/03/25 - Hartford, CT
2005/03/30 - Sayreville, NJ
2005/03/31 - Boston, MA
2005/04/07 - Columbus, OH

ACCESS THE PRE-SALES HERE: http://www.stevevai.tickets.musictoday.com

THE EVO PREMIUM EXPERIENCE: $125 (plus ticket price)

The EVO Premium Experience is an option that you can add to your Vai.com pre-sale ticket purchase, that allows you the exciting opportunity to see Steve and the band prepare for a show; and the ability to ask Steve questions in an intimate group discussion.  Availability is VERY limited for each show - so don't miss out.  The package includes:

• Preferred seating where applicable.
• The opportunity to attend a portion of soundcheck. (Usually no less than 15 minutes.)
• An intimate pre-show group Q&A/Discussion session with Steve. (Usually no less than 15 minutes.)
• A special EVO Laminate that allows entrance to the portion of soundcheck, Q&A, as well as early entry into the venue where possible.
• An autographed "Real Illusions: Reflections" CD booklet.
• An audio CD exclusive to the tour - containing a commentary by Steve Vai on each track of "Real Illusions" along with audio snippets, plus a bonus track that does not appear on the album.
• Deluxe Tour Program
• Special Guitar Pick

As mentioned above, the "EVO Premium Experience" will be available as an "add-on" to our exclusive ticket pre-sales through Vai.com. People wishing to purchase the EVO package should choose the "EVO Premium Experience" when ordering on our online store.

Premium package items will be given to you on the evening of the show. You will receive an email with further instructions on what time to attend the "EVO Premium Experience", along with answers to other frequently asked questions as the tour draws nearer.

IMPORTANT: You must bring photo ID, and a printout of your purchase confirmation for the EVO package, with you to the show.

• NO babes in arms
• NO video cameras
• NO recording devices
• NO flash photography*  (* Cameras allowed subject to venue policy)
• All sales are final
• Passes are NOT transferrable
• Persons who appear drunk or intoxicated will not be allowed into the EVO Premium Experience.

More information on the EVO Premium Experience will be posted on the Tour Dates page.

To see all dates for the 2005 Real Illusions US Tour, visit our Tour Dates page:
http://www.vai.com/News/tourdates.html

Stay glued to Vai.com for more pre-sales in the coming days!

----- Original Message -----
From: "Vai.com"
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2004

Subject: STEVE VAI TOUR 2005: WEDNESDAY PRE-SALES

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE OFFICIAL STEVE VAI NEWSLETTER: SPECIAL MAIL OUT
 December 21, 2004
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEVE VAI: "REAL ILLUSIONS" TOUR - WEDNESDAY PRE-SALES AND "EVO PREMIUM EXPERIENCE" PACKAGE!

The third round of our exclusive Vai.com ticket pre-sales for the 2005 "Real Illusions" tour will begin Wednesday December 22, 2004 at 12 noon in the local time for each show.

We will also be selling our exclusive "EVO PREMIUM EXPERIENCE" package as an optional upgrade to your ticket purchase.

The following cities are going on sale on Wednesday.  We may add more shows between now and then, so please check the Vai.com Tour Dates page: http://www.vai.com/News/tourdates.html

• 2005/03/04 concert Houston, TX, usa

• 2005/03/10 concert Birmingham, AL, usa

• 2005/03/11 concert New Orleans, LA, usa

• 2005/03/14 concert Tampa, FL, usa

• 2005/03/19 concert Atlanta, GA, usa

• 2005/03/22 concert Winston Salem, NC, usa

• 2005/04/01 concert Montreal, QUE, can

• 2005/04/05 concert Pittsburgh, PA, usa

• 2005/04/12 concert Milwaukee, WI, usa

• 2005/04/13 concert Chicago, IL, usa

• 2005/04/15 concert St. Paul, MN, usa

• 2005/04/22 concert Seattle, WA, usa

• 2005/04/24 concert Portland, OR, usa

• 2005/04/26 concert San Francisco, CA, usa

ACCESS THE PRE-SALES HERE: http://www.stevevai.tickets.musictoday.com

Note that while dates may appear in the pre-sale page they will not go on sale until Wednesday, December 22 at 12 noon (local time for each show.)

* These shows are for EVO Premium Experience packages only. Regular tickets for these shows can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com

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THE EVO PREMIUM EXPERIENCE: $125 (plus ticket price)
The EVO Premium Experience is an option that you can add to your Vai.com pre-sale ticket purchase, that allows you the exciting opportunity to see Steve and the band prepare for a show; and the ability to ask Steve questions in an intimate group discussion.  Availability is VERY limited for each show - so don't miss out.  The package includes:

• Preferred seating where applicable.

• The opportunity to attend a portion of soundcheck. (Usually no less than 15 minutes.)

• An intimate pre-show group Q&A/Discussion session with Steve. (Usually no less than 15 minutes.)

• A special EVO Laminate that allows entrance to the portion of soundcheck, Q&A, as well as early entry into the venue where possible.

• An autographed "Real Illusions: Reflections" CD booklet.

• An audio CD exclusive to the tour - containing a commentary by Steve Vai on each track of "Real Illusions" along with audio snippets, plus a bonus track that does not appear on the album.

• Deluxe Tour Program

• Special Guitar Pick

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As mentioned above, the "EVO Premium Experience" will be available as an "add-on" to our exclusive ticket pre-sales through Vai.com. People wishing to purchase the EVO package should choose the "EVO Premium Experience" when ordering on our online store.

Premium package items will be given to you on the evening of the show. You will receive an email with further instructions on what time to attend the "EVO Premium Experience", along with answers to other frequently asked questions as the tour draws nearer.

More information on the EVO Premium Experience can be found on the Tour Dates page.

To see all dates for the 2005 "Real Illusions" US Tour, visit our Tour Dates page:
http://www.vai.com/News/tourdates.html

Stay glued to Vai.com for more pre-sales in the coming days!

THE OFFICIAL STEVE VAI NEWSLETTER
Special Mail-Out: March 18, 2005

G3'05 JAPAN - EVO PREMIUM EXPERIENCE

Attention fans in Japan!  G3'05 with Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and John Petrucci is coming to Japan in May 2005.

We will be offering our exclusive EVO Premium Experience at each show, which allows fans the opportunity to watch Steve and the band soundcheck; the chance to spend time asking Steve questions during an intimate question and answer discussion before the show; and a special pass to attend the aftershow meet and greet to meet the Vai band, as well as Joe Satriani and John Petrucci.

EVO Premium Experience ticket holders will also receive a special package containing a full-color 28-page tour book, a special EVO laminate, an autographed Real Illusions: Reflections CD booklet; one of Steve's guitar picks; and a special interview CD featuring Steve's comments on each song from Real Illusions and a bonus track that does not appear on the album.

To purchase your EVO Experience Ticket for G3 Japan, visit the Vai.com Tour Dates page:  http://www.vai.com/News/tourdates.html

Click the "Buy EVO Premium Tickets" next to the show you'd like to attend.  Select the show on our ticket page and create a user account in our online store.

Tickets are selling quickly - so don't miss this amazing opportunity!


EVO PREMIUM EXPERIENCE - CHICAGO 4/14

We are making a limited number of EVO Premium Experience tickets available for the show in Chicago, IL on April 14. This is one of the last shows on the US tour that we have EVO packages available for (along with Salt Lake City, UT and Boise ID).  The EVO Premium Experience is receiving rave reviews from fans and this is your last chance to experience it for yourself.

Visit our Tour Dates page for more info: http://www.vai.com/News/tourdates.html


THE ACHING HUNGER - PHASE II: JULY 1 & 2, 2005

Steve will be joining the Metropole Orchestra in Groningen, Holland for two more shows on July 1 and 2, 2005.  If you missed the last performances of The Aching Hunger, now is your chance to see the legendary breathtaking show that everyone is talking about.  We are making tickets available exclusively through Vai.com NOW.  Tickets are selling fast - so visit our Tour Dates page to get yours: http://www.vai.com/News/tourdates.html

THE OFFICIAL STEVE VAI NEWSLETTER: SPECIAL MAIL OUT
June 3, 2005.

STEVE VAI - REAL ILLUSIONS TOUR EUROPE 2005
UK TICKETS ON-SALE MONDAY JUNE 6. "EVO PREMIUM EXPERIENCE" PACKAGE AND TICKET PRE-SALES

Hello to all Vai fans in the UK!

The first dates for the long-awaited Steve Vai Real Illusions European Tour have been announced!

2005/10/19 concert London - Hammersmith Apollo
2005/10/20 concert Wolverhampton - Civic Theatre
2005/10/21 concert Glasgow - Royal Concert Hall
2005/10/22 concert Newcastle - City Hall
2005/10/23 concert Nottingham - Royal Centre
2005/10/24 concert Manchester - Carling Apollo Manchester

Tickets will go on-sale on Monday June 6, 2005 at 9AM UK time. 

We will be selling EVO Premium Experience tickets for all shows only through Vai.com.  EVO Tickets are highly limited to 30 places per show and are priced at US$225 (approx. £124.) This includes the cost of ticket as well as the Premium Experience package including soundcheck, a Q&A discussion with Steve, as well as a special laminate, tour book, exclusive interview CD, autographed and numbered Real Illusions booklet, and one of Steve's guitar picks. For more information on EVO Premium Tickets, click here: http://www.vai.com/News/evo_premium.html

You can access the special Vai.com EVO Premium Experience ticket sale here: http://www.stevevai.tickets.musictoday.com

A special pre-sale for regular tickets will be available through GetLive.co.uk from June 6 until June 30.  It's recommended that you register an account with them ahead of Monday's on-sale time. Visit GetLive's pre-sale page here: http://www.getlive.co.uk/events/event_info.aspx?rid=117802

Keep checking Vai.com's News Page and the Tour Dates page for more info: http://www.vai.com/News/tourdates.html

The entire European Tour will begin in mid September, and will run until mid December. 

We will be announcing more dates soon, so keep checking!

STEVE VAI AND THE METROPOLE ORCHESTRA - THE ACHING HUNGER: PHASE II

The Aching Hunger: Phase II shows featuring Steve Vai and The Metropole Orchestra in Groningen, Holland on July 1 & 2 are rapidly approaching. Tickets are still available for both shows, however the July 2 show is almost sold out. If you haven't purchased your tickets yet, be sure to get them soon as both shows are expected to sell out! Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.nl here:
http://www.ticketmaster.nl/html/artist.htmI?l=NL&artist=STEVE%20VAI%20EN%20HET%20METROPOLE%20ORK

Fans who attended last year's shows would agree that these concerts were both amazing and historical events. If you missed out last time, now is your chance to see these incredible performances again - and with new material too!

THE OFFICIAL STEVE VAI NEWSLETTER: SPECIAL MAIL OUT
June 9, 2005.

STEVE VAI - REAL ILLUSIONS TOUR EUROPE 2005
NEW TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED! GERMANY, NORWAY AND UPDATED UK ON-SALE DATES

Hello to all Vai fans in the Europe!

We are pleased to announce further additions to the Steve Vai Real Illusions European Tour itinerary:

• 2005/09/16 concert  Graz, Austria - Orpheum Theatre
• 2005/09/17  concert Innsbruck, Austria - Venue To Be Announced
• 2005/09/18  concert Linz, Austria - Posthof
• 2005/09/20  concert Vienna, Austria - Planet Music
• 2005/09/21  concert Budapest, Hungary - Petofi Czarnok
• 2005/09/22  concert Ljubljana, Slovenia - Ljubljana-Krizanke
• 2005/09/23  concert Firenze, Italy - Saschall
• 2005/09/24  concert Modena, Italy - Vox
• 2005/09/25  concert Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
• 2005/09/27  concert Munich, Germany - Eiser Halle/Tonhalle
• 2005/09/28  concert Stuttgart, Germany - Longhorn
• 2005/09/29  concert Cologne, Germany - Ewerk
• 2005/09/30  concert Hamburg, Germany - Fabrik
• 2005/10/01  concert Antwerp, Belgium - Hof Ter Lo
• 2005/10/02  concert Tilburg, Netherlands - 013
• 2005/10/04  concert Copenhagen, Denmark - Vega
• 2005/10/05  concert Stockholm, Sweden - Arenan
• 2005/10/06  concert Gothenburg, Sweden - Vagen
• 2005/10/07  concert Malmö, Sweden - Kulturbolaget
• 2005/10/09  concert Oslo, Norway - Rockerfeller
• 2005/10/11  concert Helsinki, Finland - Nosturi / Tavastia
• 2005/10/26  concert Dublin, Ireland - Vicar St

Please visit the Vai.com Tour Dates page for more info: http://www.vai.com/News/tourdates.html

GERMANY SHOWS ON-SALE, FRIDAY JUNE 10:

Tickets will go on sale for all shows in Germany this Friday, June 10 at 9am local time. "EVO Premium Experience" tickets for all shows in Germany will be available exclusively through Vai.com. EVO Tickets are highly limited to 30 places per show and are priced at US$225 (approx 182 Euros.) This includes the cost of ticket as well as the Premium Experience package including soundcheck, a Q&A discussion with Steve, as well as a special laminate, tour book, exclusive interview CD, autographed and numbered Real Illusions booklet, and one of Steve's guitar picks. For more information on EVO Premium Tickets, click here: http://www.vai.com/News/evo_premium.html</