Frank Zappa & Steve Vai

[@nevermanishere]

When Vai talks about Zappa's conversational guitar, this is what he means. f'n brilliant.

[@anniedarkhorse6791]

I love the fact that Zappa was such a great guitar player and yet his ego was so secure and he was such a professional, that he could offer a spotlight to a brilliant young guy like Vai. Great clip. Frank, I wish you were still here.

[@setasan]

Yeah and he did the same for Adrian Belew before that too. Zappa was a great guy.

[@nedce3442]

@@setasan Your wish has been granted - Frank is still alive!

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

he plays kinda sloppy actually if you hear it well is like he is playing near at top of his ability meanwhile for Vai is effortless and clean. Zappa doesnt use his pinky finger much either

[@rafffaaa6975]

​@@naegleriafowleri2230🤓🤓?

[@rafffaaa6975]

​@@naegleriafowleri2230i actually really like how "dirty" and "sloppy" he is on guitar

[@blindgamer584]

It's amazing to think Steve Vai was only 22 at the time. Just the sheer level of talent, skill and professional on guitar is astonishing.

[@MartialGolf]

Absolutely and Vai only got better after this

[@kosta130]

Zappa was filth

[@adam37spade78]

​@@kosta130 he had stink foot

[@kosta130]

Without shit ugly zappa, the music World would be much better 🤣 🤣

[@tvinla9259]

@@kosta130 WTF does that mean?

[@johnarmijo8221]

not only did Vai have the chops to do this, much more importantly he was able to get into Frank's unique headspace and expand on those trippy musical rides from the inside

[@jeffwiles2441]

He also transcribed Zappa's music starting in 1978

[@robertpatterson3406]

Frank was a true musical genius in every sense of the word and Steve is a guitar wizard and when you put them together you had a force to be reckoned with.

[@cassandraborden5248]

The camera work and sound engineering make this possible to witness now

[@FloridaManMatty]

Truth be told, Vai has considerably more facility with musical scores than he has with the guitar. Wherever that invisible line is that separates musicians from composers, little Stevie Vai pole vaulted over it decades ago.

[@rickdunkley2919]

I think that Zappa doesn't get near the credit he deserves as a musician. Many people only look at the surface and see the strange and controversial things. But below the surface is some deep sound poetry. Like him or not, it's difficult to argue with the fact that FZ is an amazing artist and weaving a tapestry of sounds...

[@babacofobia]

+Rick Dunkley Ouvindo agora e pensando "como esse cara não é reconhecido nem por outros músicos nem por listas do tipo Os 10 mais??

[@rickdunkley2919]

Muitos pessoas nao pensarem serios de Zappa porque ele era estranho para eles. Tambem fez temas e falou cosias controversas. Ele sempre gostava de musica classical como Stravinsky e nos utimos anos fez mais com isso e electronico como o album Jazz From Hell (um dos meus favoritos.)

[@sinjinbeatbox]

+Rick Dunkley i listen to his music and fall asleep. it's boring.

[@Hrolgrim]

+Rick Dunkley Courtney Love in the same boat imho

[@kc8ntp]

+jj ww Because, you have no idea the profound influence that was and is Frank Zappa. Without his influence, we wouldn't have some of the high-end guitarist we do. Well, without Zappa, Blackmore, Hendrix, and Holdsworth, we wouldn't, but I am sure you get the point. You obviously don't play music, or you wouldn't be saying it's boring.

[@SirPhilMcCrackinVonBeggington]

Steve Vai seem like he was created in a lab by Frank specifically to play his music.

[@enigmatictrash]

😂

[@zackzallie8735]

Every member of The Mothers of Invention might as well being created in the Zappa lab lol

[@SirPhilMcCrackinVonBeggington]

@@zackzallie8735 That's a fair statement lol

[@andersjacobsson9798]

Well'Dude he's a full blowned Xenomorph on meth,,blow,,me to Zappas Garage for an full service,,you dig^^?

[@PrivateAllstar]

why is the top comment a dsp detractor lmaooooooo pig ups

[@capt.lovestarii2752]

The sheer density and fluidity of Zappa's solos is unbelievable. Amidst the onslaught of notes he still finds fleeting moments of soul and bluesinness. A contrapunct to the flamboyance and dexterity of Vai They were amazing together..

[@rickdeckard1075]

his guitar playing and note-agglomerations (can't really call them melodies) are extremely linear and the very opposite of "fluid"

[@placeholderplaceholder6056]

​@rickdeckard1075 someone's hate-watching, lol. Three comments soying out on this video alone.

[@rickdeckard1075]

@@placeholderplaceholder6056 oooooo i have a fan! soooo arguably excited! such underrated recognition! lol....

[@placeholderplaceholder6056]

@@rickdeckard1075 I can pull up a little menu that shows all the comments you've left, it's not really a lot of effort to see all your insecure ranting

[@rickdeckard1075]

@@placeholderplaceholder6056 😊😊😊 its like being cyberstalked but in a good way! lol

[@rstarguitar5350]

Zappa as a guitarist,as a composer and as an a unique character in music is Unmatched

[@rogerthat1100]

The white zone is for loading and unloading only..

[@jamesrieff3658]

Genius

[@jamesrieff3658]

So you wanna be a pop star?

[@danender5555]

@@jamesrieff3658 If you want load or unload, go to the white zone.

[@rickdeckard1075]

zappa's "music" sounds like an intelligent but completely unmusical person decided to invent a character who is a professional musician, and then that actor/writer decided to write and play "music" as they saw it.... it's annoying, a-melodic noise but it seems like he put a lot of work into producing very consistent annoying a-melodic noise

[@burningrabbitacres8330]

My son sent me here. I'm glad he did, because it shows me he loves this music too!

[@soeurtherese5747]

god job !

[@winstonsmith9533]

I finally saw Zappa 1977, in Miami. I was way in the back and yelling and clapping like mad before the end of one of the songs. He stepped to the mic and said you guys sound really desparate out there, I yelled and clapped some more and they played some more. I love his music, can't get enough of him. Shame he passed, we needed another 40 years of him!!

[@nabonidusscorpio6090]

One thing always struck me about FZ's guitar playing: His true feelings were laid bare. Not only was he brilliant in technique and unique in style. He played with such passion and feeling it was raw and revealing and to me it was brave. With this particular solo when Frank joins in there is such joy and happiness in his playing. At least that's my impression. :-)

[@GammaFZ]

his technical ability was nowhere near vai. But he is a brilliant musician though

[@kennethsrensen7706]

Totally agree , you can be technically ' perfect ' but that doesn't mean you are good . True feelings and the imperfectionism is the way . Zappa was a genius and technically was a perfectioanist hes music compositions clearly reveal this and thats why mostly musicians understand what he did . But when he played he didn't consentrate on being perfect , no no he played it as you mention with hes feeling and the small imperfections here and there really gave this it's ' sould ' . Music can be too cold and sterile . Look at all hose over edited pieces of music out thre today . Even guitar is quantisiced to follow perfect and drums too ect . Well nobody can play true on beat all time and the small ' out ' of beat ( but still within ) is what gives the music it's soul and the sound of HUMANS playing. Otherwise it all just sound as a machine with all totally correctec , quantisiced and overdubbed and samples put in place of errors ect . Modern music production is crap and make all sound the same and with the loudness war well can it be worse ? Hopefully bands will go back to just PLAY THE MUSIC instead of just edit the music . ( I know a few producers who DO this and their productions sound great )

[@GammaFZ]

@@kennethsrensen7706 les gooo

[@volpeverde6441]

frank's guitar playing looks jerky and awkward to me....more of a composer.... he's doing something right though, I have over 50 of his albums, including bootlegs....

[@kosta130]

Could shit zappa play guitar with his ugly nose? Hahahaha

[@zitronenhaipapagei2699]

Does anyone notice how awesome and perfectly fluent Vai´s solo is? He finds amazing melodies! Not just some shred

[@selliantuttimusi6735]

I find Zappa's solo much more interesting.

[@rams6702]

vai was born into the shred scene and trained his fingers for it, but was in ways sculpted by zappa. the most impressive mentor to student ever

[@decolas852]

@@selliantuttimusi6735 Yes, for all his brilliance Vai is'nt near the excellence of FZ, only in technique, where he probably beat his mentor, and that's the difference. FZ is analogue vinyl listening, while Vai is more clinical, like a CD or digital ha, ha, :D But hey that's also an art, just not so much for me.

[@MrGravloc]

@@selliantuttimusi6735 trust me they BOTH made each other better . Frank is top dog here and its more about his unique style and melodic sense but what was created by mixing peanut butter and chocolate here is VERY GOOD and works VERY well to draw each player into the others world and makes them BETTER FOR IT. I would go as far as to say that even saying anything that hints at negative is an afront to Frank considering how serious he was about HIS ART and the fact that he liked Steve and was able to take his playing somewhere with him which is PART OF FRANKS GENIUS of seeing things and also not coming so much from EGO but rather result oriented which is pretty rare . Just because Steve went on the have a career playing and writing certain types of music doesnt mean that THE MUSIC CREATED HERE isn't part of his work and a highlight but not a place he was ever gonna go on his own for so many reasons including wanting to EAT as Frank took a difficult road wearing his shoes on the wrong foot . Lotta people would want to be as far out as Frank or at least explore a bit more and GUESS WHAT . it might end their ability to express themselves in other ways based on the limited demographic that Frank Served and Still does. Frank is my favorite Musician so i am a fan but many fans dont realize that MANY PEOPLE DO NOT GET FRANKS THING , his name is pretty known but that doesnt mean people listen or appreciate his art and it took a fair amount of his intellect to monetize his art and balance his artistic goals AND the REAL SHIT of having a life , a family and like daily life including a home recording lab and enough money to be left alone to work and make his art . What Frank did was a feet in many ways and some of that includes not being untrue to his impulses both ethical or moral and artistically which weave a bit. Trust me , This shit is bad ass as a moment for both players and people . TRUST FRANK he wasn't much of a liar and this was VERY MUCH his expression as the Sage kinda character with the young Jedi here and its pretty epic and makes TOO MUCH SENSE .

[@fiolds350]

@@MrGravloc yes. The student influences the teacher. Once the journeymen says to the apprentice. "you got it kid" does the journeymen take notes. At that point they fed off each other

[@zolarczakl3880]

Zappa didn't tour in the states in '82. European tour only. Many of his best performances came from the '82 tour. He gave the European audiences better musical performances because they generally were more interested in his playing than in hearing "the hits". This performance exemplifies that.

[@derkommissar785]

Other than Valley Girl, Zappa had no hits

[@kurtkensson2059]

I saw this band play in December of 1981, in San Diego. It was an excellent show. Moon even came out with a paper bag over her head, and sang "Valley Girl." We had no idea who, or what it was...

[@junglajuan]

​@@derkommissar785 "hit" wasnt a Zappa word, keep listening..

[@matthewlawson3237]

@@derkommissar785think he means songs such as Bobby brown and yellow snow, a better word than hit would be popular I suppose

[@aldodainese6105]

Il maestro zappa con lalievo Steve vai.2 mostri musicali.grandissimi!!Dainese aldo.

[@joseluisxandricoutinho5318]

As an old admiror of Zappa, and recently fan of Vai, this is for me the most amazing piece of them together. I hate to admit it, but I have been an absolute ignorant of so many productions of this kind, that I deeply regret not having access to them before. God bless youtube

[@benaxx]

Never too late

[@kordep]

me too

[@DaveHogerty]

it's good to have it now. with appreciation to those photographers and audio technicians who documented them.

[@kosta130]

Zappa was trash Street musicians sound much better than shit ugly boring asshole zappa

[@kurthouser9571]

you get lost in frank's incomparable composing and forget how amazing he was for sheer guitar hero fun. so good!

[@pascalsimon-tc6jh]

Quel GÉNIE!! Il me manque!! Cela fait 40 ans que je l'écoute et je ne m'en l'asse pas, Et avec Steve VAI, quel duo!!

[@ArtieMoskowitz]

HOLY SHIT. THIS IS AMAZING. DUAL LEAD GUITARS!!!!! So glad I have been a Zappa fan since 1973 and got to see him too many times to count...like Every Halloween show in NYC for 7 years in a row. My sisters boyfriend used to plug a Nacamichi tape deck right into the sound board because the sound guys all knew us from years of seeing them... Amazing bootleg tapes. Some great connections to Frank. Warren Cucarillo was a friend of mine and played with FZ. A determined kid, he took guitar lessons 5 days a week to become good enough for Frank. Also, My cousin dated Steve Vai's son for a while and she got to see Steve's sacred Frank Zappa room in his house. Almost nobody got to go in that room. But being a huge fan, he let her in. I miss the wit and wisdom of Frank Zappa but mostly I miss those improv solos where no two shows were alike.

[@terrybarton1604]

Frank was a genius/Legend in his own lifetime. The great sage, not just in music. What a brain!!!Immortal ☘

[@valuecalc]

I agree. It's too bad that he wasn't around longer.

[@jimiplayscobo5877]

@@valuecalc The World could really use Frank Zappa and George Carlin about now. RIP Peace

[@valuecalc]

@@jimiplayscobo5877, those two men were phenomenal entries in the world of show business.

[@markcat1]

Amazing to see the master with his young apprentice. RIP Zappa

[@less_concerned1221]

Mark Catalano Together they were the Sith.

[@Kyle-mz8ng]

Joe Satriani was Darth Plagueis

[@dimitrageorgiadi5087]

Joe Satriani was also a teacher of Vai. He had the best on his side.

[@halaman9500]

Hey Xavier

[@DarrellS54]

@@dimitrageorgiadi5087 Graduated Satriani High and got his Master`s at Zappa University!

[@paulhundy2986]

This is the musical equivalent of riding a sports bike on a twisty mountain road, in the groove, knee down at the corners, pure freedom. Mind expanding solos !

[@moztheroz]

Love this comparison

[@butchrasmussen6520]

Nailed it

[@Verwurster60-je9el]

greetings from Germany. My first music love in 1974 was Zappa. Love this guitar and chaos music, lyrics I hardly understood. Today I miss him very much, and the world needs him like never before, politically. This is the Music get into Brain positiv.

[@danielmartens156]

This should be in the Library of Congress!!

[@blackwaterdogs4256]

Zappa was my first-ever concert (The Balloon Farm, NYC, 1966). Changed my perspective on music forever. I really miss Frank....

[@wolfsinghproductions]

Thank you universe for giving us this fella

[@allen6924]

Zappa was a child prodigy, same as Billy Preston ir George Benson. These great musicians are God sent.

[@jaaklucas1329]

For those of us who like heavy guitar but not hair rock this is where it comes together. Steve on top of his great guitar playing and sound is possibly the greatest Zappa-ologist post Frank today. A ton of information to carry! Dweezil also but Vai played with him and got schooled in Franks band from the ground up. Steve has endless music credibility for me and I like his music too, always interesting.

[@jillsarkisian2512]

Saw this tour at Fox Theatre in San Diego back in 1981 high on mushrooms! Brooks Wackerman on drums. Amazing show!

[@ricardoorange-fq1lk]

Desde Barcelona,España,majestuoso Zappa,como siempre.Tuve el honor de estar en un concierto en Barcelona en 1983,fue muy bueno.Llevo siguiéndole desde 1977.Un saludo a los Zappadictos.

[@ecstasteve]

this should have 14 million likes... imagine seeing that live... thanks frank.

[@arthurnas3941]

two of the best guitar players together man that is cool

[@wineghost317]

Two musical freak-geniuses. Holy sheet, that’s all that can be said. And Steve is a fantastic human. They just feel what’s happening in the music, and add a little part of their soul. It’s amazing.

[@dogzofwar4504]

Steve had the right approach with Frank, and Zappa responded with kindness and generosity!

[@sawman3364]

I only saw Frank once but it was this tour at the UCSB event center in Santa Barbara. I remember saying to my friend " IDK who that other guitarist is but he's as good as Zappa" It would be years and years later that I found out it was Steve Vai. What a show!

[@DATA-qt3nb]

This performance makes me genuinely happy to watch, always come here when I'm bored and uninspired

[@todoeSSonido]

The idea, creativity , vocabulary of Zappa in the impro solos blow my fking head off so many times..... o lost the count. Sorry for my english, and greetings from Buenos Aires.

[@carloslaertef.dasilva30]

Zappa um dos maiores guitarristas e compositores da música mundial,Vai também um dos maiores guitarristas com influências do mestre. Grande postagem.Zappa faz falta !

[@cooliovasquez]

Frank zappa had such an interesting way of soloing. Didn't just play the same old licks.

[@neeltheother2342]

He always improvised. Never pre-written.

[@dragonxz61]

@@neeltheother2342 the songs were written and he improvised them every set

[@eduardobinotto4818]

Genius.

[@jessechard-perez2465]

He said it brilliantly in an interview: He is given a portion of time to decorate. It's so beautifully poetic, and encapsualtes the intellect and approach he had to music. And it reflects, he's not just playing licks, he's communicating something beyond the verbal. It's language, but Frank's language, in bursts of improvisional motifs.

[@joachimlagerstrom8958]

I guess you need to know all the scales there are to avoid them! Love his playing though.

[@evyatarof]

What i like about frank zappa its his evolving since the 60's 70's Back in the 70's before van helan made tapping more popular i remember watching frank zappa did live black napkins and i saw him tapping with the guitar pic back in 1976

[@jefffriedmann1482]

Saw Zappa live once. Don't remember what year it was. '81 or '82. I do remember it was the "Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch" tour. He had a big band with him that he would conduct but it was when he strapped on his guitar and sat on a stool he had onstage the crowd really appreciated. Definitely one of the best live guitarists I've ever heard.

[@RIFFRAFF104]

I saw that tour in NYC. Incredible show..

[@markbryantaylor6331]

zappa was so misunderstood as a musician,everyone heard his lyrics and said he's a bad man,but when you really listen to him,his guitar work,his composition of all the people in the band,he was the best,been listening to him since i was 14,got turned on to him from a friend singing billy the mountain,my favorite song still after all these years,i'm 55 now so

[@waynedanberry]

+Russell White I'm 62! First thing I heard from Frank, was "Weasels Ripped My Flesh", with The Album Cover Going "RRRRRRZZZZZ! That Clean Cut Dude Shaving with A Weasel! I was maybe 16? It Was Like WTF? I HAD To Check This OUT!

[@ellenrosenblatt5463]

+Russell White zappa was not misunderstood at all. you were either interested in his musical inventions or you weren't. but misunderstood? No, i don't think so. bro.

[@katumbakawonga]

+Russell White yeah, i' m 60, from Austria, Zappa was and is great.

[@Wardell43]

+Russell White I'm 64 and been a fan since Absolutely Free And Freakout! in the late 1960's. Frank's head was miles above our heads. Yes, we had Zappa and Hendrix and all of the good music.

[@Wardell43]

+Wardell Brown "Hi, I'm James Carl Black and I'm the only Indian in the band, When are we going to get paid and can I get a beer". I was a friend of the late Bruce Cameron and Ant-Bee(Billy James) If you are a fan of Zappa's than don't miss the fantastic music from these guys.

[@billdowney6891]

I seen Frank's Shut up and play your guitar tour at Cobo Hall in 82' ( I'm pretty sure of the year). it was beyond belief. Ever note and nuance was crystal clear, the place would be dead silent while they played especially when Frank soloed but when they were done, holy fuck the place exploded!!!!!

[@billdowney6891]

Cobo Hall in Detroit.

[@andythomas706]

The '82 tour was The Guitar Apocalypse Tour with Vai in the band! Some of the European gigs are astounding!

[@charliedee9276]

It was 80, I was a junior in high school. Cobo Hall was rocked that night. He left after getting hit with a nickel.

[@billdowney6891]

charlie dee, your right. he got hit before that with a glow stick and Frank warned the crowd and suggested to the fan that threw it to use it as an anal probe. Good times and awesome concert. I was crushed when I heard he passed.

[@donbeissel2965]

Voodoo Child saw, not “seen”. Frank would have cringed when you typed that hillbilly shit.

[@adambinnie1332]

One of my favourite music clips in youtube.

[@ty-3510]

貴重な動画ありがとう

[@ksue333]

THE finest collab of ALL time! And I imagine a relevant moment in the evolution of Vai.

[@tsugacan13]

frank zappa is the best guitar player ever.enjoy all he has to offer!

[@willthacker5182]

Fuck cancer! RIP Frank!

[@jonathanbrake3364]

well to be fair, the prostate eating a dick is precisely what resulted in Freddie getting AIDS....

[@dadzbluz]

@Jonathon Homophobe much? Nice joke, but think about the shite you spout before you...

[@jonathanbrake3364]

Not sure what was homophobic about my comment...I was really just stating a fact in an unusual way

[@jlkbbk2003]

why? My gay friends joke that with each other ALL THE TIME and even call each other "fags" all the time. What, do you go from video to video policing the comments and telling the bad people what they can and can't say. THAT IS how Merc got it. If Trump got it YOU'D make some nasty comment and you actually probably already have said something far worse. Get a life. It was a joke. I wouldn't say it, but so what if he did. Ignore it. We don't need you being the social police or need you being a heterophobe.

[@jlkbbk2003]

Phobe would imply he was "frightened" by homos (to use your term) and I did not sense that in his post. Are you a true heterophobe?

[@bluesharp59]

Rest In Peace Frank, you are forever missed and thanks for the memories.

[@winstonsmith9533]

Terrible loss

[@bluesharp59]

@@winstonsmith9533 I agree also.

[@rogerthat1100]

Why does it hurt when i pee....

[@bluesharp59]

@@rogerthat1100 See your Doctor !

[@kosta130]

Zappa was garbage

[@rafaelfernandeslopesdeoliv1700]

2:24 - 2:28 hands down my favourite beginning to a guitar solo, everytime i listen to this i replay that part at least three times.

[@robertofascina4996]

Don't tell me.I was there and i am still listening to It After 39 years...

[@napomania]

i like so much Frank's intro part. at the times i did not know the sung version ( the one into the Them or Us album) and i was impressed by the difference between the two. this is so much brilliant

[@andreaslandgren1681]

Its badass

[@jazzpianoman01]

Nice to see Frank playing alongside Steve Vai, what a great performance

[@waynedanberry]

7:52/Steve Blew The Ashes Off Franks(Winston) Cigarette! Awesome!

[@kimhansen8615]

Wow - One of the times where Zappa seems to really concentrate and feel inspired. F*cking amazing. Vai must have had some good influence there :-) Zappa made some unique sound sculptures...

[@Michael50358]

I like how when Steve is playing at 1:14 he misses the fret board and then at 1:19/20 he gives this look over to Frank as if to say "I hope he didn't catch that". And then goes on to play with such confidence. Steve is one of the greatest guitarists to ever play and it is real cool to see him at the begging of his career.

[@lifelongfan07]

I’m looking at this 9 years later and I don’t see Steve missing the fret board….it also sounds like he’s just cruising along IMO.

[@rogerthat1100]

Lets not be too critical. Sometimes I can't find my keys.. but then i do.

[@Duende70]

No. The solo is absolutely fluent and in tune in my honest opinion!

[@absolutelypositively]

I was lucky enough to see Steve play his first tour with FZ in 1980. He didn’t get to cut loose like in this show, but my roommates and I were like ‘who is that guitarist? He’s ‘f’n great!’

[@zwastiunburzy3688]

@@lifelongfan07 Yeah, he did miss. Not that it matters at all, but he did. Look closer.

[@buismuis1]

So glad this has been recorded, I watch this video over and over and over again. Thnaks Frank and Steve. eo over and over again.

[@justinshepherd7390]

This never gets old, i'll always watch & enjoy this historic performance~~~!!!

[@kswck]

Saw him years ago, during his PC tours. WISH I could see him again.Self taught and what He could do with a guitar......Awesome

[@rdickinsondickinson]

Zappa had the true innate ability to foresee the the next not only riff of a a gifted guitarist but the ability to see where society was headed. He has been proven correct.

[@nivekiohc]

He joined Frank Zappa when he was only 20 years old. Jesus christ what am i doing with my life?

[@ramparts1445]

Atchur Plezhour He started transcribing for Frank when he was 18. Frank didn’t let him tour with the band until he was 20

[@MegaCarmine12]

i saw steve at the fillmore east when he first started to play live shows met his parents there

[@loutrec4375]

The bass player of peaches en regalia was only 15 at the time of the recording and had to put a fake mustache to look older

[@Synthetrix]

@@loutrec4375 Shuggie Otis!

[@Maxx61]

Right up there with Blues Saraceno playing with Ginger and Jack when he was 17. Yikes.

[@thomasthompson3206]

Frank Zappa born December 21, 1940.Today at almost 84, I have a feeling He'd still be kickin' it . Sorely missed. P.S. Stevie's version of FRANK is incredible.

[@MarcoLungo]

I was there. I saw it live, which was impressive, not least because it started after about two hours, and the thing you don't notice if you weren't there is that Chad Wacherman, one of the most impressive drummers I've ever seen live, calls the close twice, but Zappa and Vai go on. If you notice, you can clearly hear the call but nothing, the two go on undeterred, with Vai bent over the guitar and Zappa remaking the same chords for him two octaves lower and looking at him... A fantastic, chilling thing....

[@reverendayglow]

So nice at 8:00 where Steve lovingly blows the nearly burnt down cigarette of Frank's Fender headstock so it does not get damaged.

[@XMIR10C]

Yes, we dont want a cigarette to get damaged

[@kerbygator]

I saw Zappa 5 times in the 70's, and Vai was with him on 2 or 3 of those occasions. Freaking excellent concerts. We were tripping every time, it's what we did at Zappa concerts. lol The acid was good then, too.

[@remisolal5155]

ZAPPA HATED DRUGS

[@kerbygator]

We didn't. Of course Frank didn't. That's why he was so talented. He was sober and smart.@@remisolal5155

[@VisibleMantra-c1x]

@@remisolal5155Also Steve Vai only joined the Zappa band late in 1980. So this guy never saw him "in the 1970s"

[@thestevemartin6735]

Love how steve has integrated this into his live shows now. Only 20 years old and grew up with frank zappa and steve vai. Was honoured enough to meet steve 2 times and see him 3 times. Last show in London Steve jammed with this on a huge screen. Was incredible.

[@adambinnie1332]

It's one of my favourite youtube clips ever!

[@jessn3312]

Oh boy. Thank you so much. Out of this world invention and musical appreciation like nothing I’ve ever come across. A knowledgeable understanding of how the world works. I give up all my knowledge in understanding why this isn’t more important to us all

[@ziggyzappada4554]

I am back here again, time to watch Frank and Steve, play this song again. I still miss him.

[@diamondavid]

Front roll seats please lol

[@ziggyzappada4554]

Diamon david Me too thanks LOL!

[@walterkaufmann6542]

+Ziggy Zappada (“Frappanised”) Yes my friend, here we are, happy together for a great great show....And the secred word of tonigt is.............let me tell you something, all what'past is a seed of future.....so the secret Word of tonigt is..... Frank Zappa, and welcome to all you followers .and fall-owers

[@dooshbag612]

+Ziggy “Frappanised” Zappada damn. i think i've seen you in every Zappa video I've seen xD respekt.

[@ziggyzappada4554]

dooshbag612 lol... you probably have, usually on a six month rotation of each Zappa site, There is good music around, but nothing compared to Frank. Thanks for your comment.

[@epipd5712]

Frank Zappa could rip a guitar. He was so gifted musically. RIP

[@briancarr993]

Wow those boys can play some guitar!!! I saw FZ in 70's amazing....long live rock & roll!!!

[@funnrun3399]

The DVD is awesome too see a young Steve Vai with Frank Zappa.

[@hickorymccay2994]

No, it's not. It's Vai's Charvel Strat. The Hendrix Strat is sunburst with burn marks all over it and some weird kind of pickups.

[@hickorymccay2994]

@@funnrun3399 No, it's a Stratocaster-type guitar, as in double cutaway with contours, 3 single coils, and a whammy bar.

[@funnrun3399]

Huh I did not say anything about Steve Vais guitar why are you so upset 🤔

[@shaldongabriel1413]

Theres just something quite special about Zappa's soloing, it is just so unique and captivating, just able to take you on a journey like trans feeling!

[@timothymccaskey4362]

Two of the greatest in a shining moment of raw power and emotion that is simply sublime. RIP FZ. Rock on Steve.

[@briannemeth3296]

Zappa's guitar melodies are very classically oriented. He helped me evolve from Mozart and gave me the ability to approach the greatest musical genius of our time- Miles Davis.

[@Ianno_]

A performance for the ages, we should be teaching our kids this!

[@peach495]

Seen him live in '73 & again in '74. You got about 2 hrs. of this intense, tearin' it up guitar. On acid both times, loved it.

[@DrKennyWang]

Came for Vai, stayed for Frank going absolute bananas

[@LeMoveableFeast]

like Zappa, two guitars in one who found each other, beautiful

[@edpawelko6544]

Zappa was a genius...period. Vai certainly doesn't deserve any of the criticism he receives from wannabe musicians.

[@sebdos]

Ed Pawelko maybe. But only musicians listen to him.

[@meadowshorerecords8138]

@@sebdos incorrect

[@booghboogha]

It's the difference between being a virtuoso musician, composer, singer with years of experience and a virtuoso guitar player. Vai looks over at Zappa several times while soloing while Zappa just plays with calm confidence. Vai is a virtuosic instrument player and part of Zappa's orchestra. Zappa is the consummate musical genius. Vai stays in the upper strings of his guitar. Zappa is all over using each sonic range for deep emotional effect. Vai is great. Zappa is supreme. A more complete musician than Vai ever became. And, to Vai's credit, Zappa didn't let just anyone play with him as part of his band. He must have seen something in Vai. But I cannot, for the life of me, remember any Vai songs.

[@dannydorko7075]

@@booghboogha I don't know much about Vai but don't people say that he's an average songwriter?

[@booghboogha]

@@dannydorko7075 I never got into Vai either. Technical virtuosity without much soul leaves me bored.

[@jimobrien1154]

I am absolutely blown away by this masterful performance.

[@bcancun123]

Jim Obrien me 2

[@Abdorabbihi]

Nothing compares to you FZ. R.I.P. and long life to your special play...

[@McMUDDY-BUDDY]

There's nothing like this in modern music. We won't see the likes of Frank again. You can not question his genius,he was a next level being. Steve Vai as well a next level guitarist,obviously seen in this duet with Frank.

[@JoeyRapps1]

This is an amazing video in the sense it shows a snapshot in time of two schools going at once: methodical (Vai) and abstract (Zappa). Frank talked in interviews about his imagination guiding him while playing. The strictly methodical approach has trouble grasping that and will never come up with what the abstract does, and vice versa. Bringing both into your playing opens many doors. (I don't smoke pot)

[@kcb5336]

JoeyRapps1 Vai way better than Zappa. Zappa sucked. Reminds of the movie “Dewey Cox” when he goes through the Bob Dylan phase. He’s up there singing a bunch of gibberish and the other is saying “it’s deep on another level”. Zappa was gibberish.

[@gohaman6799]

@@kcb5336 lol what a trash, way better? Ur opinion . I would say Vai is alot more boring than Zappa. Thasts my opinion

[@kcb5336]

Goha Man Well of course all music is subject to opinion so let’s take opinion out of it. Ask any average person to name a Frank Zappa song or two. Now ask the same folks to name a zeppelin or ac/dc song. Music is about groove and making another person feel it, making someone else dance or bob. Frank as a “professional” musician was/is unable to do that, he fell short as a musician therefore. He was playing complete gibberish / noises, and that was his goal.

[@gohaman6799]

@@kcb5336 i started listen Zappa after all this bands, and what do i think ? They want to give u a sense of drive and make ur head shakes, mostly. After Zappa they sounds pretty boring. Ofcourse he is alot more complicated to understand his music. And u know, most of average ppl, like young, cant fucking understand real poetry of the music. If their head isnt shake they think its not a music but trash. But open on vid on youtube with over 100kk view, and they will tell u Thats the real music... Ok. Srv also got 1kk views or less and alot of ppl will tell u his blues too hard and they cant understand his machine gun play. And remember thats Frank wasnt on TV so much as acdc or ledz, maybe thats why they dunno Zappa? But when they check ten different zappa songs(which are so different) - its a Shock. Most of people dont want try to understand more than 3 chords in one song. And after all , from other side, i know ppl which cant tell u any song of acdc or ledz or queen, they heard names but dunno any song. So? For me, Zappa is a real musician and not s TV musician. He didnt want to be loved, how ledz or queen or acdc did. Its all about hows hard to understand his music. Also some ppl hate comedian songs, they need a fucking tragedy in the songs.

[@kcb5336]

Goha Man Well songs like “whole lotta love”, “stairway to heaven”, “back in black” contain no tragedies. Plenty of humorous music has found success also. The song “what does the fox say?” will go down as one of the most popular songs in history. Why? The head bob factor. It’s real music even tho it’s silly as hell. As for most people not wanting to understand more than 3 chords. You’re right, but it’s not just about “want”. This gets into base human psychology. The “want” for only 3 chords is almost more subliminal, tribal, deeper into our brains than a mere want or not. A good music groove taps deep into our psychology in ways we don’t fully understand. Check out what music can do for Alzheimer’s or dementia patients. A good (and predictable) rhythm can lower blood pressure. There is certainly something very deep happening. As you’ve stated Frank very purposefully tried to be “shocking”. Rather than looking to make music as it comes naturally Frank tried to reach for an obscure chord, just to be obscure, just because it’s difficult to finger on a guitar, just because it’s somewhat unexpected and to break the flow of naturalized music predictability. And though there may be a small niche market that finds Frank’s “music” more interesting or technical, it’s a very narrow group. Frank sucked. The video of him trying to play “music “on the bicycle wheel spokes. Just plain idiotic.

[@jeffbrodie42]

Genius legend, 1 of a kind greatest composer of all time, and 1 of the greatest guitarists also.

[@stratakat]

You have to love those Shorts. Stevie Was ON FIRE!

[@Hory16vy]

He was one of the best 3 musicans ever! Music GOD!

[@gordonsmith5620]

Two guys playing like this in synch w each other, and never just dropping into wankery to impress…love it

[@ErrollBrantley-oo7zh]

Frank is an amazing guitar player. He's virtuoso composer. Steve Vai is a virtuoso guitar player for he finds Melody and feel within his shredding. But if you listen to his first album there's a song called Little Green Men and you can hear Franks influence on Steve

[@jeangiusto9895]

Thank you. I'll listen to that song.

[@johndoe35859]

Frank actually has a monologue in that song ahah

[@j_freed]

This is actually beautiful, if you really understand music. I have always accepted whatever Frank Zappa did, but this is a moment in time transcending of any studio work.

[@michaelmattice4986]

I hope that Stevie Vai kid keeps at it...He's got some spunk!:)

[@michaelmattice4986]

***** You never know:)

[@jeffreyp1855]

+TR6988 I'll be watching this Vai kid, he may be famous, someday!

[@michaelmattice4986]

Jeffrey P Let me know:)

[@Wardell43]

+michael mattice I saw him just over a week ago. He's almost got it. He needed Tosin, Nuno, Zack and some other young un named Yngwei to help him out. That stuff almost put you to sleep. It seems like if they wanted to play all of the notes, they had to use both hands on the fret board which didn't leave them any hands to pick with. Just twiddly twiddly twiddly all over the place and making faces and trying to pick with your tongue. And what's with that name "Steve"???? Why can't he pick a normal name like Tosin or Zack or Nuno or Yngwie???? He'll never be a big star with a name like Steve. Just sad

[@jeffreyp1855]

***** Agreed! He needs to get with the times and get a normal guitarists name. A few more "Slash", "C.C.", "Satchel", "Angus", "K.K.", "Dweezel"! Come on Steve! No one cares, because you have a lame name!

[@chuffpup]

The electric guitar! what an instrument! Frank Zappa was an amazing musicologist, check out the early video of him playing a bicycle in a 1960s tv studio, Seriously.

[@nickdreique]

Zappa was a true genius and a super talented guitar player. Some voices say that his compositions were the result of what he saw in cartoons. Steve Vai still didn't have the mastery of Zappa but still another great talent

[@Neptuneman07]

This is why I love Zappa, a brilliant musician. And always with the best line-ups too.

[@LyubomirStoychev]

I 100% agree with you, to me Zappa compared to Vai is like comparing Hendrix and Page... it's like Hendrix opened people's minds of what's possible to be done with electric guitars and "gave birth" to a whole new era of great UNIQUE guitarists. To me Zappa is the one that melodically can melt my ears, and Vai can technically stop my heart...

[@ecstasteve]

frank is the greatest shredder of all time.. no one can touch his endless soul jams.

[@OvertheHIL524]

🧐

[@kosta130]

Zappa was a boring clown

[@kreyzeekrey7]

@@kosta130 nothing about this video says “clown”. You’re the boring one

[@highwaystar3780]

@emmanueltzikas-mn6wx many of his ex band members complained that His Endless improvisations went Nowhere!

[@kosta130]

@@highwaystar3780 without the shit ugly zappa, the music World would be much better 🤣

[@osvaldocenturion5267]

Temazo de F. Zappa y S.Vai saludos desde 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires 2/23

[@mosiprop]

"Incredible" isn't an adequate word .. no superlative can do this music justice.. we miss you Frank... and Steve Vai.. both fv

[@davidcora2751]

Don’t forget Zappa composed many albums and directed his amazing musicians. A true music genius IMO.

[@zombywoof864]

Releasing 8 albums in 3 years is wild

[@ScottSmiley-fn4fo]

They even put out a movie, 200 Motels! An indy favorite!

[@OdaKa]

Unpopular opinion: I loved listening to both guitarists equally for the different things they brought to the table

[@kawaiinesscuresdepression2363]

Yup

[@EvilSean62]

i cant get anywhaere close to either ... yes i can play isolatd licks ...but they were cohesive !!!!

[@MrMW2nd]

its unpopular to like both steve vai and frank zappa? what

[@OdaKa]

@@MrMW2nd Have you seen this comment section?

[@joesmoker3378]

????

[@guso1330]

Both great guitarists, but Zappa's tone is... on another level!!!

[@dingdong7440]

Must have been the cigarette butt burning on the headstock.

[@franmanning9659]

Zappa's tone is way better on that fender than that s.g.

[@deadreckoning292]

Sorry… I disagree. Way too much cheap sounding chorus on both of their guitar tones. It was just an 80s thing to do though.

[@sallygo9946]

Incroyable! la première fois que je vois ce duo🙏

[@bert_beyens]

never better duo than this... very moving... when the old maestro meets the young maestro... (only the old maestro knows; the young maestro hopes)...