Steve Vai’s Journey: From Fan to Friend with Brian may

Renowned guitarist Steve‍ Vai recently shared memories of two important encounters ⁣with his idol, brian⁤ May, describing them as ⁣”the most‍ fulfilling full-circle moments the universe has bestowed upon me.”

A Gift of Musical Legacy

Formerly⁣ associated with iconic ⁢acts like Frank ⁤Zappa, David Lee Roth, and Whitesnake, Vai took to ‍Instagram to unveil his custom ‘Green red Special’ guitar, a remarkable gift from May himself. This ‍instrument, inspired by may’s ⁢legendary homemade guitar, incorporates essential modifications to prevent ⁣a repeat of their initial meeting mishap.

Crafted by the U.K.-based Guyton Guitars, this electric guitar is ⁢what Vai calls “devotion made tangible.” It boasts a longer scale length of 25.5 inches, surpassing May’s original 24-inch design, and ​features a stunning quilted maple top, ‍a slimmer neck, and custom-wound Yonderbosk Vai-Sonic pickups, tailored specifically for Vai. For him, this guitar represents the culmination of a lifelong aspiration.

Inspiration from a Rock Legend

Reflecting on his youth, Vai recalls, “In the 1970s, as a young boy in⁤ Carle Place, I was captivated by Brian May. His tone and ⁢technique radiated rock and ⁣roll ⁤elegance.” He continued, “The​ music he created and the notes he selected resonated deeply within me, shaping my vision of who I wanted to become.”

“to me, his Red Special was not merely a guitar; it was a mythical artifact, an alchemical wand crafted by ⁢a prodigy ​and ‌his father,” he added.⁣ “I scrutinized every image⁢ and rumor⁤ I could find, and that guitar‌ inspired ⁤the dream‍ of one day creating my own-though thankfully, that never materialized due to my lack‌ of skills.”

A Surreal Encounter in Los Angeles

Though, Vai’s dreams began to take shape ​when ⁤he moved to ​Los Angeles at the age of 20. He started as a transcriber for Frank Zappa, eventually becoming a⁤ guitarist and gaining invaluable insights ⁢from the eccentric artist.

“I found a ‌small apartment at Fairfax and Sunset, and ⁢one evening, I walked into⁢ the Rainbow Bar and Grill and ​spotted Brian standing there, all⁤ alone. it felt surreal,” Vai reminisces.⁤ “I thought I was imagining things.”

“Brian was incredibly gracious to this unknown kid and did something unusual: he invited me to a Queen rehearsal‌ at Zoetrope,” he recalls, still⁣ in awe of the moment.

Meeting ⁤the Legend

For Vai, being​ in the same room with ⁣the ⁢entire Queen band was already​ a dream come‌ true, but seeing the Red Special was a moment of pure ⁢magic. “I pointed​ and asked, ‘Is that it?’ and Brian​ replied, ‘Yes. Want to give it a try?’⁣ Time seemed to stand still,” he said.

Yet, he soon discovered that the ‌guitar, while iconic, was not the perfect fit for him. “After ⁤idolizing that guitar throughout my youth, holding it was monumental,” Vai expressed. “But I quickly realized that I didn’t sound like Brian May; I sounded​ like myself. With the .08 gauge‌ strings, ultra-low action, ⁢and ‍a neck reminiscent of a small tree, I‌ felt like a baby giraffe on roller skates. Still, it was pure bliss.”

A Full-Circle Revelation

Despite the ⁢guitar not living up to ⁤his youthful‍ fantasies, the experience remained etched in his ‍memory.It seems May also cherished‌ that encounter. “Years later, after the release of my second album, *Passion‍ and Warfare* in 1990, I was invited to perform​ at a Guitar Legends concert in Seville, Spain, where Brian served as the musical director,” ⁤vai shared.

“Brian recounted a story​ about a ​young guitarist he once allowed to play his guitar during a ⁢rehearsal, a kid working with Zappa who played exceptionally well. I⁢ let him finish the story before revealing, ‘Brian, that was me.’ This moment stands as⁣ one of the most gratifying full-circle experiences I’ve ever had.”

Ongoing Friendship and Musical Collaboration

“Over the years, I’ve been blessed to get to know ⁤Brian, jam with him ⁣on several occasions, and even collaborate. It’s always ​a tremendous honor, and he ⁣consistently delivers like a true maestro,” ⁣Vai reflected.

“And now, the part ‌that‍ still ‌leaves me in disbelief: the ⁣incredible‍ honor of receiving this custom-made guitar from him. It’s a ‘Green’ Red Special! Finding⁣ the right words to express ‍my gratitude is challenging. I am genuinely humbled.”

In addition, May has also gifted his⁤ close friend, Tony ⁣Iommi, a unique left-handed version of the Red Special,⁢ which‍ may soon see a Gibson-made reissue. In 2024,‍ May signed with the ​historic guitar manufacturer, releasing his first-ever signature model, a 12-string SJ-200 acoustic, which debuted last year.