My Favorite Riff with Nikki Sixx: Steve Vai

Legendary shredder and melter of faces, Steve Vai, talks about the mentoring he received from Frank Zappa, his favorite Led Zeppelin songs and more on this episode of My Favorite Riff, our video series where some of the world’s greatest guitar and bass players, along with future stars, talk about music, gear, and most importantly, riffs.
► More at sixxsense.iheart.com
► Facebook: / sixxsense
► Twitter: / sixxsense
► Instagram: / sixxsenseradio

[@samscheffer8811]

If ever there were a musician that deserved to have a "rock star" ego, it would be Steve Vai. Yet he just seems cooler and more humble with each day that passes.

[@wwtastingroom75]

I like seeing Vai struggle to remember some of those old riffs...it proves he's human.

[@tribunation]

I met Steve back at 2004 NAMM. An absolute genuine person. Very nice guy. He talked to me like a normal human being. Paul Gilbert is a great guy too.

[@conanthedestroyer7123]

No one plays like Steve Vi. He has such a melodic gift and he is the real deal.

[@davedoucette1256]

That smile Nikki had while Steve is shredding, I had that same smile, thank you Nikki for this interview, freakin Steve Vai is a guitar god.

[@Vailover4ever]

Steve playing Jimmy Page, I love him even more and Nikki's smile while Steve is shredding is priceless.

[@GrovesGuitars]

Yankee Rose was a huge deal. That vid was the pinacle of 80`s LA rock. David`s new band with the hottest guitar and bass player in town. The impact of that debut should not be understimated!

[@danisanchez85]

Steve is such an intelligent person he always blows my mind

[@nodaysback8390]

Why the heck would anybody thumbs down this? It's just two dudes having a friendly talk

[@axekicker78]

Sixx really is the best interviewer out there, he's always sincere, interested and keeps the conversation going where you want it to go. Great.

[@KesslerMickschGeorgeII]

watching steve vai sit on a couch and stumble through a song is totally worth the watch.

[@leemundy1613]

My favorite Steve Vai song is "Bad Horsie", it just does things to me on a visceral level, one of the nastiest licks EVER!

[@robistocco]

OMG that arpeggio from the Zappa's days, it's sooo amazing!!!

[@krinkle442]

The Zappa riff he's playing is "What's New in Baltimore..." one of my favorite Zappa songs, ever (from "Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention").

[@guyfromoc9107]

“It’s like I’m 16 again, staring at the mirror playing a tennis racket” lmao he’s one of us

[@DarrenMatthes]

Steve's "shredding" is like painting with sound! And it's awesome!

[@lemonpi3386]

Steve is so smooth.... wish i had even half the smoothness he has between notes and phrases....

[@jeffinlv]

Nikki Sixx seems like such a nice guy, would love to meet him someday.

[@nitrokyosho]

i met Steve Vai back in 1999 at the guitar center in Manchester CT he autographed my guitar and took pictures with me and signed album covers ,he was such a nice guy and did not rush me off he listened to me talk, such a awesome intelligent awesome guitar player.i promised steve i would not sell the guitar on ebay and i still have it and all the pictures framed still on display through out my house.i feel honored and great full for having met him

[@infiniteuniverse9528]

Came for Vai, stayed for the Zappa stories. Steve blows me away when he does those "Slinky bends" only he does. "Once upon a time It was in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There were these girls that worked at the college. They were really cool. They thought so anyway. They would be delighted to tell you how suave they were at the drop of a hat..." Zappa: Jazz Discharge Party Hats.