In addition to being one of the greatest guitarists in modern history, Steve Vai has had the unique experience of collaborating with several music icons, including two legendary frontmen named David.
Two years after leaving Frank Zappa's band and launching his solo career, Vai was scooped up by David Lee Roth to help launch the ex-Van Halen singer's solo career in 1985. After four years with Roth, Vai did another solo album and then began working with David Coverdale in Whitesnake.
In a recent conversation with Guitar World, Vai contrasted the outrageous Roth with the eminent Coverdale.
"David [Coverdale] was a prince!" Vai said. "He had a lot of confidence in me and basically knew he needed to just let me do my thing. David knew what I was capable of and didn't really interfere with what I wanted to do."
As a hired gun, Vai learned to defer to the vision and vibe of his band leader for everything, from the music to his onstage persona.
"With David lee Roth in the '80s, it didn't really get any bigger than the rock 'n' roll we were doing, and there was an element of fun and even a quirkiness to it," he continued. "I was perfectly suited to the Roth gig and I think that experience taught me how to translate what I do to a big audience — how to truly entertain in a rock band."
Whereas Zappa required the utmost precision and diligence, Roth and Coverdale needed Vai to be an entertainer. He says be onstage with Roth or with Whitesnake reminded him of what he dreamt of as a kid.
"What I didn't realize at the time is I was creating who I'd become," Vai said. "We all do it and don't even realize we're doing it, but whatever you're thinking about and fantasizing about as a kid, you might become if you're lucky and work hard."
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