Whatever Happened to Vito Bratta? The Enigmatic SILENCE of A Rock Legend!🎸

[@TheRhNegative]

I've been a huge Vito Bratta fan for decades. So talented.

[@JoeR203]

Same here. I even made a couple of tribute guitars. I have vids of them.

[@ChiefRock74]

@@JoeR203 one of my guitar heroes

[@2AChef-n-BBQ]

Salt of the earth guy, hes a better human than 99% of us. Hope he makes another record when hes ready

[@JJFace-q3m]

There is so much work in being a rock star that struggle is a real thing

[@carriesitar9155]

Love Vito Bratta guitar playing for White Lion he is a great guitar player love White Lions songs he has Awesome Riffs on guitar

[@paulsinigaglia735]

I am born and raised on Staten island and still live there, I met him with my friends, we thought we knew which house was his, so we knocked on the door and a little old lady opened the dorr, I asked is Vito home? She says hold on and friggin Vito comes to the door and we said sorry to just knock, were big fans, He brought us in the yard gave us sodas and autographs> The nicest down to earth famous musician i ever met, Him and A J Pero the drummer of twisted sister, Super nice guys

[@JoeR203]

Vito doesn't need to get a band, go in the studio, make an album and tour. If he just uploaded a video of him noodling on guitar once or twice a month, that would be enough to satisfy us fans. It's a shame that we'll never see Jason Becker play again because he can't move a muscle in his body. It's also a shame that we'll never see Vito play again.......because he doesn't want to.

[@DavyCrockett101]

I agree 💯 anything even just talking some and playing a little. We just want to hear him a little.

[@jeepreworked6388]

How do you know? Do you require a full health update from anyone that gave you a good vibe in the 80s? I doubt your body and mind is '89.

[@chrisa1125]

One of the best virtuoso guitarists of the 80's. Even though he was compared to Eddie because of the tapping, he had a really original style. That "Wait" solo alone is such an original masterpiece.

[@severinlourenco8355]

White Lion will always be on my playlist, with great melodic songs that either rocked or genuine ballads with great guitar 🎸 work from Vito Bratta. 😊

[@nthewalk]

No matter what ….THANK YOU VITO!!!!!!! Respect ✊ Thank You 🙏 Thank You 🙏

[@mattfritch6375]

Very humble, very talented and very much missed. One of the greats of that era and always loved his tone, phrasing and solo's.

[@cc8751]

His solos were so emotional. I don't know how he created so many masterpieces.

[@GuitarAnthony]

Everyone knows where he is. Drive through Staten Island, NY and look for the red Lamborghini in the driveway.

[@tmooney1274]

So he still lives in West Brighton huh That's awesome! Long live Vito Bratta!

[@8BitLatinGamer]

So in the end he did suffer an injury and had a hard time playing the guitar. Vito is one of my top ten favorite guitarist of all times!

[@lrm215]

Definitely had his own style great songwriter too he deserves much props

[@MrGrand2000]

In other words he’s financially stable and doesn’t need to waste his time playing state fairs and clubs like so many others out there…

[@TheRealBarshonk]

I firmly believe he will return someday as I don’t think he would relearn those tunes without imagining “what if?”. His music has resonated in my heart and soul for over 35 years. There is something about his melodic playing that has never escaped me. I will always love the guy.

[@mrhyde2250]

Honestly, we’ve built him up so much that I think he’s probably terrified to put out a record!

[@eddiejr540]

Hahahahaha….good point!!

[@Squirrel-i6u]

White lion was one of the most talented bands from that time. Their version of radar love is phenomenal!

[@TC-Guitar]

He had a unique voice on guitar, in an era (post Eruption)when everyone sounded the same. Malmsteen and George Lynch have also stood the test of time 😎

[@tmooney1274]

Saw George a little over a year ago with dokken and Lynch mob he's a living legend in phenomenal obviously on guitar luckily I was able to get his guitar pick in the crowd at a show.

[@TC-Guitar]

@@tmooney1274 Cool, I saw them (Dokken) open for Kiss in '85 or '86, George was so good. I remember him just storming through that Tooth and Nail solo, it was awesome.

[@richardarzillo1029]

I knew nothing about guitar playing but when I heard him play as a kid I wanted to learn. He has a gift of writing and choosing notes that were melodic. To this day still have not felt it again.

[@billyt9987]

From the interview he gave recently. Vito has been taking care of his elderly mother. That seems to be his main focus in the last few years. Dude is a standup guy. If and when he wants to do music again he will. He did say, it would take some time to get back to playing.

[@samiam3297]

Where did you hear this? I'm in the same boat albeit im not famous as Vito. I heard elsewhere that he was ill himself. Not verified.

[@billyt9987]

@@samiam3297 Eddie Trunk interview, Guitar World interview

[@llg3pe]

He playing on Radar Love is amazing

[@geezberry8889]

he's a landlord now

[@blackbeansmatter1280]

Crazy

[@geezberry8889]

@@blackbeansmatter1280 probably pays more

[@bluematrix5001]

I ONLY LISTENED TO WHITE LION BECAUSE VITTO.S GUITAR.... WITH ANOTHER SINGER THAT WOULD BE SIMPLY AMAZING!

[@brysonz]

Vito was so much like Eddie, he could just move around the neck and make the most melodic notes and chords come to life. He made it look easy.

[@Feefifofum24]

Absolutely incredible guitarist. I can only hope he releases another album or goes on a tour with him playing the old hits. Killer player and clearly a good person to stay caring for his parents this long. Maybe one day!

[@michaelbujanda8785]

I kind of like the egnimatic mystery!!!! 😊😊 Somehow Vitto seems more cooler 😎 to me because he's NOT out there!!!! Guitarist with mystic!!!! Makes him more legendary!!! Some people make their mark and are happy!!!! Vitto was a Down To Earth kind of dude!!!! I know he's influenced a lot of guitar players (me included) to devote them selves to playing the guitar even if its just for pure enjoyment!!!! 😊😊😊😊

[@liontone]

What a gift he was to his era. I know whenever people ask me about that mid-late 80s era, Vito, along with EVH, and John Sykes, is always in the first round of top players. I always put him over Satch and Vai, even though I love them too. Vito could write a song, and then use the solo to propel the song forward in a holistic way. Most of the rock players of that era had forgotten how to do that.

[@trynsurviven2440]

If Vito does decide to come back he will have plenty of fans waiting to enjoy his talent. Until then I say what ever the reason is for his absence is his business and we should respect that.

[@shawnnoble2686]

Vito was so underrated. I feel he didn’t get the recognition he deserved.

[@jerryrn62]

Vito, Vito, Vito! Miss You!!!!

[@zandig666]

Had tickets for main attraction and they cancelled 😢 main attraction great album largely overlooked

[@tmooney1274]

It's a very small world. I used to hang out about a block and a half from where Vito lived back in the late 1980s my girlfriend at the time you still live a block and a half away. Her brother actually delivered flowers to Vito's home one day back in 19 89

[@rizz917]

I miss him

[@dietrichearl1363]

I related much to this awesome viddy.

[@CutiePie-hh3gg]

Mane Attraction was Vito's masterpiece

[@eddiejr540]

VITO 🤘

[@TheOicyu812]

Fortunate to have seen him live when White Lion and Vixen opened for Ozzy at the Richmond Coliseum (ca. 6-19-89). Two guitar gods (Vito and Zakk) in one evening.

[@benedictdonald4338]

I saw the same tour. Fantastic gig.

[@michaelbeem1737]

As a wannabe guitarist growing up in the 80s, he was one of my hero's , and when he suddenly disappeared, needless to say I was devastated, but that was "my" own selfishness, and after hearing the interview with Trunk, and reading articles and about how he left fame for family... Then my admiration for him was next level...And "yes" I believe he would have been a great choice for Sammy Hagar's Best Of All Worlds Tour, especially after going back at watching White Lion: Live at the Ritz here on KZbin... If or When you come back Vito, your fans will have your back all the way man...

[@johnroche7541]

Absolutely a guitar virtuoso. Could have been the axe player for Ozzy except Sharon Osborne intervened. Could have been the guitar player in Kiss but they were afraid they would be out shone by his guitar skill and wizardry. I had posters of him on my bedroom wall which had all my guitar hero's. I was learning guitar back in the late 1980's. He was in all the guitar magazines back in the day. Huge fan of White Lion. I saw them open for AC/DC in New York. The crowd gave them a hard time as they wanted to see AC/DC. Vito was so talented but what an asshole as a person. Saw him getting out of a lift and politely,respectfully asked for an autograph. He was full of bad attitude and rude to a 15 year old kid.. Goodness me I was the only person who recognised him. No one around knew who he was. Needless to say it left a bad inpression and me as a 15 year old. Also I dont have to state that my Vito posters came down very quickly when I got home. What an absolute brilliant guitar player with such top quality technique. Amazing musician. Obviously he was very influenced by the late great EVH. Not a nice person on a hunan level.

[@bluematrix5001]

I HEARD HE COULD BE AN ASSHOLE....

[@chrismorgan9153]

That's a shame that you experienced that. I've always found that the musicians other people just adore were the rudest to me or vice versa. Hopefully, Vito was just having a godawful day and wasn't/isn't actually a jackass.

[@johnroche7541]

@@chrismorgan9153 Thank you for your reply. Sadly other White Lions fans had similar experiences with Vito.. They talk about them on otherer sites. Maybe Vito must be having a life full of bad days! . Some musicians are absolutely awesome. For example I went to a Billy Idol gig with my older brother who was a big fan. We were at tbe front literally inches from the stage. My brother was holding original Billy Idoll LP Covers and dancing. I noticed Billy looking at my brother a few times during the gig and he obviously noticed the LP covers which made Billy realise my brother was a fan from the early days.. Then during a musical break Billy literally goes over to my brother and takes out a marker pen from his pocket and signed all my brothers album covers in the middle of a gig. We never expected this. Billy then gave my brother his famous snarl smile and a thumbs up to my brother. On a human level Billy went sky high in our estimation. What a legend. I was lucky too at the same gig as Steve Steven's his guitarist was in front of us doing a solo. I chanced my arm by miming I wanted his pick(plectrum) and Steve winked and nodded at me. When he finished his solo he simply flicked the pick to me. I was literally just inches away from him. Nobody else noticed me miming the actions that I wanted his pick and people probably did not notice him flicking his pick to me. Big fan of Steve on both a musical and person level. He did the guitar on Michael Jacksons "Dirty Diana" and Vince Neil(Morley Crue) solo track "Your Unvired ut Your Friend Cant Come".

[@cycyopmin]

Maybe the best Talented Guitar Player, ever

[@crislaing6234]

Fuckin legend,seriously fantastic guitar player

[@toddprater14]

Eddie Van Halen was asked what 80’s guitarist do you like he said not really any of them except this cat Vito bratta…

[@DenkendeMystik-ll8oi]

Vito is on the Yngwie Malmsteen, George Lynch, Eddie van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Uli Jon Roth and Warren DeMartini level

[@VivaToddVegas]

He doesn’t need to tour and he doesn’t need to reunite with White Lion… But it would be awesome if he could record some new stuff. Almost anyone can afford Logic or Pro Tools these days. He could stay right in his house (where he could keep an eye on his mother) and still make new music.

[@davejohnsonmusic]

He doesn't have to record any new album.... most guitar players would be happy if he just became somewhat active on the socials and posted some videos of him playing and breaking down his licks.

[@komoru]

I'm such a Vito Bratta fan that even gave this AI robot generated video a thumbs up.

[@anotherrudeawkening2k610]

Where are ya Vito???

[@paulp6983]

How about a whatever happened to Harry K Cody from Shotgun Messiah??

[@CarlosMartins-bw4fz]

He’s probably making pizzas in Long Island but I still love his music

[@therealandrecorbin4050]

He did some great stuff, don't blame him for staying away. 60 year old dudes singing teen girl music is not going to feel right.

[@RingOfRae]

C’mon! No output in all these years! Zero! Nada! Why? Nothing here fits straight on line. Why did he got injured? It is dangerous to doubt and stand still in the middle of an ongoing process. Then again, why doubting your talent and potential? Why freezing in the middle of it all? Why did you back off? Why? You can be tired and disillusioned of the music business, but that should not be an impediment for creativity and independence. I know many musical geniuses that prefer to keep their creation for themselves and a few close ones. I’ve always seen that kind of attitude as core selfishness, over all in regards to someone like Jason Becker. See what I mean? Taking care of mom and dad, that’s very important, overall if you are Italian. Then again, this leads to the question : what is more important, Life or Music? Why making a dichotomy of it? Again, zero output in all these years, it’s unacceptable! This case makes me think about one of the parables given by Jesus , the one where the Land Lord gives three talents to one of his workers, two to another , one to another… this parable has a very shocking and enigmatic ending, it a very useful parable, you can have different lectures, depending on where you are in life. I wonder in which category is our dear Vito. I hope he is not in the category of the “only one talent” people… I hope that he will be healed of whatever is impeaching him to shine again. Then again, you can get tired and disappointed with music itself, and you can get easily into a kind of misanthropic phase and think think that none deserves to enjoy of the fruits of your own private garden.

[@97warlock]

t first they were just called Lion

[@donaldyoung9838]

In Our Hearts And Mind We Hope He Returns But His Family Should Come First Im A Truck driver So I Know What It Means To Be Away My Mother I Was On The Road When She Passed Away

[@Music-qt3ok]

It's a weird story.

[@rockhead69]

Rock legend???? In what planet???

[@dagoelius]

He was always unfairly compared to Van Halen. I never understood it, he only ever sounded like himself and no-one else which was/is such a hard thing to do especially at that time. Tramp is a really nice guy and a decent frontman but lets be real he was a terrible singer.

[@jamesmoore3694]

never heard of him

[@jackb348]

If you are under 45, you probably haven’t.

[@jamesmoore3694]

@@jackb348 over 45, still never heard of

[@benedictdonald4338]

@@jamesmoore3694why do you hate rock?

[@tmooney1274]

Wow cuz you really missed out.Legendary!

[@tmooney1274]

​@@jamesmoore3694You really missed out on a great artist.

[@AvoidLloyd95]

Calling Bratta a legend totally makes that word meaningless.

[@duanewright1412]

What do you mean?? Please explain. Vito had an incredible melodic style, 2nd to none.

[@AvoidLloyd95]

@@duanewright1412 When you mention guitar legends. The names Page, Hendrix, Clapton, Van Halen come to mind. The name Bratta not so much.

[@bluematrix5001]

@@AvoidLloyd95 I GET WHAT YOU SAY, BUT MAYBE IS A LEGEND FOR A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE

[@duanewright1412]

@AvoidLloyd95 I agree with you. VB never got the recognition he deserved. I'm sure there's many guitar players that didn't get recognition, who are talented enough to fit the mold. CHEERS

[@johnroche7541]

@@AvoidLloyd95 As I stated in a previous post Vito was head hunted by both Ozzy and Kiss. Obviously those gigs never materialised. However Vito was featured in all the top guitar magazines at the time. He was well respected in the music industry by fellow guitarists. White Lion were great but were not huge like Bon Jovi for example and that is why people make the ludicrous claim he was underrated.