"I hear Linda Ronstadt is looking for a guitarist" Now that's the best! I'm pretty sure Vai was already hired at that point. Frank just had to have some fun with him.
Great story. Vai strikes the perfect blend of annoyance, wonder, and self-deprecation here. He obviously has good memories of this time in his life and career. This is a pleasure to watch.
Absolutely a great story... I was a huge Zappa fan, and remember when Steve Vai came to the band. Also remember when drummer great Terry Bozzio (name -? spelling?) came to Zappa too! Zappa was a true musical Genius.
"I'm gonna go home now" "You're in the band" I have some of those early tapes where Steve had to duplicate Frank's vocals not for note - with the same inflections and phrasings. Absolutely insane.
XD great stuff. Frank just breaking the kids' balls, and turned the poor boy yellow. Looked like Steve got a little choked-up after he says he hugged Frank at 1:35.
I think there is a huge misconception of Vai's personality. Most think he's arrogant as hell. Arrogance is simply needed at times....kind of like Patton saying "lead, follow, or get out of the way!". But, Vai is much more complex than that. I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Steve twice, over all these years now. He's a very humble and "down to Earth" guy, taking nothing for granted. He's very unlike other "guitar gods" like Yngwie, EVH, Vivian Campbell, Ritchie Blackmore...the list goes on and on. Satriani is very similar to Vai...easy to approach and willing to discuss music (or anything really) with a light-hearted view on life. I simply didn't care for much of Zappa's work. But it's amazing how under-rated he truly was/is as a guitarist and musician. Like many others that have gone before and after you...rest in peace.
i'm not into stevie vai. don't like listening to that fast playing though, admittedly, i'd love to be able to play that fast. but he seems so cool. listening to him in this video it's like listening to your friend casually tell you a story. seems very down to earth and modest. even though i have only ever seen him speak for 2 minutes and 19 seconds.
Frank Zappa was a cool dude..Wasn't a fan of the music but certainly a fan of the Man..Big Loss that no once since has come close to his Honesty.. Miss you Frank..
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"I hear Linda Ronstadt is looking for a guitarist" Now that's the best! I'm pretty sure Vai was already hired at that point. Frank just had to have some fun with him.
Zappa called Vai "My little Italian virtuoso"
I really want to know how that unpossible lick Vai had to play sounded like
Great story. Vai strikes the perfect blend of annoyance, wonder, and self-deprecation here. He obviously has good memories of this time in his life and career. This is a pleasure to watch.
Vai is a really good dude...you can see it. Clearly Frank saw it too...
Steve vai is legit. He has paid his dues.
Absolutely a great story... I was a huge Zappa fan, and remember when Steve Vai came to the band.
Also remember when drummer great Terry Bozzio (name -? spelling?) came to Zappa too!
Zappa was a true musical Genius.
"I hear Linda Ronstadt is looking for a guitar player" lol.
this is one of the sweetest interviews I've ever watched .. wow, sweet guy, Steve .. and sweet Zappa .. oh my
20 years old, up all night, touring, groupies - "tough tour". Great upload - thanks.
Zappa helped discover Adrian Belew and Alice Cooper.
Love how he mentions "Ask Vinnie".
"by the time i got to texas i turned yellow" -steve vai
"I'm gonna go home now" "You're in the band" I have some of those early tapes where Steve had to duplicate Frank's vocals not for note - with the same inflections and phrasings. Absolutely insane.
When I feel down I listen to Steve's rendition of Sofa. Never misses.
Thanks so much for posting this. New respect for Vai.
XD great stuff. Frank just breaking the kids' balls, and turned the poor boy yellow. Looked like Steve got a little choked-up after he says he hugged Frank at 1:35.
I think there is a huge misconception of Vai's personality. Most think he's arrogant as hell. Arrogance is simply needed at times....kind of like Patton saying "lead, follow, or get out of the way!".
But, Vai is much more complex than that. I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Steve twice, over all these years now. He's a very humble and "down to Earth" guy, taking nothing for granted. He's very unlike other "guitar gods" like Yngwie, EVH, Vivian Campbell, Ritchie Blackmore...the list goes on and on. Satriani is very similar to Vai...easy to approach and willing to discuss music (or anything really) with a light-hearted view on life.
I simply didn't care for much of Zappa's work. But it's amazing how under-rated he truly was/is as a guitarist and musician. Like many others that have gone before and after you...rest in peace.
That was lovely. Thank you. He was a taskmaster, hey, why not, most composers/conductors do just the same thing.
I bet Vai was sweating bullets during this Audition, funny story, Zappa was a one of a kind man
"OK, now play it in 7/8 raegee" :D
The little Italian virtuoso. Mr Vai seems like a cool guy and what a player too!
Vai is amazing! Great artist!
Wow! This should go somewhere as the hardest audition process ever for a rock-type gig… Frank… You are missed!!!
Thanks for putting this up :) Love it !
Great line : 'By the time we got to Texas I was Yellow'!!
Steve Vai is so cool...
".......he was always cool, he was always great!" nothin left to say.
Frank Zappa, the musician's musician. Died way too young.
incredible!!
Good for Steve for not shitting himself at that audition.
The music industry NEEDS the voice and ideals of Frank Zappa right now. Can you imagine Frank talking about NAPSTER???
Zappa - always great.
Pretty funny story. Thanks for posting.
I wonder what the impossible note was.
Funny ! got to love Frank .
Thanks Steve Vai.
from the story I heard from Tommy Mars, Zappa was very hard on Vai when he first joined.
great story. life can be hard, zappa was testing steve's mettle and i'm guessing he got a valuable lesson in what it takes to succeed.
Great clip props to Columbus Ohio!
incredible
i'm not into stevie vai. don't like listening to that fast playing though, admittedly, i'd love to be able to play that fast. but he seems so cool. listening to him in this video it's like listening to your friend casually tell you a story. seems very down to earth and modest. even though i have only ever seen him speak for 2 minutes and 19 seconds.
Frank Zappa was a cool dude..Wasn't a fan of the music but certainly a fan of the Man..Big Loss that no once since has come close to his Honesty.. Miss you Frank..
never knew steve played for and with zappa.
u're in da band
Great story.
Great!
just an awesome story, Frank loved to goof on people
What would reggae 7/8 time amount to? Doesn't reggae have to be in 4/4 or something even like that?
Why hasn't anyone liked this?
If you think he was a fool(Zappa) just listen to this interview...
what is this from?
hahaha that's a classic!
"I hear Linda Ronstadt is looking for a guitar player" lmao
Funny!
Wonder what he asked him to do that was physically impossible..
this guy tries so hard...always did...
Why was it impossible? I'm not a great guitar player, but surely you could play any note and you're only a bend away from making it work.