Vito Bratta - Interview

Interview

[@stemikger]

He lives in Staten Island and I used to see him all the time. Before he made it he was in a few bands that played the local scene. The first time I saw him was battle of the bands at Susan Wagner High School and I knew he was destined to make it. He was not only the best guitarist I ever saw that wasn't famous but he had a coolness about him that fit in with the scene at the time. I saw him n in a few small bars and got to spend time talking to him and he was a very nice guy. I got the impression he didn't care about being famous and that's why he retired from music and enjoying a simple life which I loudly applaud!!

[@mrwl2912]

I really envy you because you can see Vito's progress and have direct contact. meeting vito bratta in person is one of my dreams

[@kerzytibok3211]

Had to be damn cool to be in high school back then and seeing this local guy who had the same chops as EVH and could tap just like him --- that woulda blown my mind going to a dive club and seeing a dude just shreddin' like a bad ass

[@MurderbyGravy]

@@kerzytibok3211 I've always thought Vito and Eddie sounded similar, but couldn't ever nail what was different about them. EVH was like a mad scientist of the guitar, VB is like if Mozart was a guitar player that didn't become Yngiwe Malmsteen

[@kerzytibok3211]

@@MurderbyGravy yeah that's kinda how I saw it --- EVH always sounded a little more aggressive with his playing and tone, at least when the song wasn't a ballad --- Vito was a little more "softer" on his riffs and solos, but in an elegant way, sort of more feminine?

[@deldia]

What about recently?

[@hazor777]

VITO! PLEASE COME BACK & SAVE US FROM THIS MODERN MUSIC HELL !!

[@levivolaju883]

I can breathe a bit wider now because I'm not the only one who's scared from this adversity

[@franciscotorres7554]

hazor777 l lobo

[@tonynotaro4607]

Thinking the same here....where is he??

[@frankmccollum1443]

You got that fkng right..!

[@gh2568]

Jazzinto Reinthard Vito hurt his playing hand 😭

[@salmanbashir7012]

most underrated guitarist of all time....

[@motel29]

You know, I think he's being honest about players and saying that Page was the ultimate...til he heard EVH and wanted to know how that sound was created and if he could do it too. I think he pulled it off and I agree underrated at best. Kiss took these guys on the road in 1988 and we saw the show.

[@Johnmasterson5600]

very just like carlos gavozo

[@stephenpaden1618]

You know what.... I totally agree with you

[@ministryofanti-feminism1493]

I was going to suggest John Sykes or Paul Gilbert, but tbh, you are probably right.

[@CelestialWoodway]

Rated about where he should be rated.

[@bunnyhnt]

Vito is one of the greatest HUMANS of all time. Takes care of his mom, humble as heck, so greatful for his career and talent. I wish all the greats were this good.

[@beefcake0354]

I could listen to wait solo every day for the rest of my life, and never get bored .. I really could

[@Anya-d4c]

Mme too

[@CelestialWoodway]

Loser.

[@MICKSHRED]

@@CelestialWoodway lol

[@tonypowell250]

Sad :-(

[@fviannaval]

me too

[@aaronmcbryer3980]

Vito, one of the most brilliant guitarists in the world.

[@rezamangini2626]

❤️ ah yang betul

[@markaggie1]

Vito's solos are incredible, but my favorite thing (just like EVH) is that during the vocal verses he's busy all over the fretboard with fills and patterns rather than the power chord rhythm most rock guitarists do.

[@muratozdal2309]

That was a remarkable comment you umderstood him so well his guitar playing is beautiful

[@romeosempukom9325]

That's the reason why whitelion doesn't need two guitarists

[@vitob5898]

Of the millions of comments on Vito (and EVH)...THIS one is spot on!! Thier rythem playing set them far far apart from the others. A different level altogether.

[@fanstfs7661]

U r right

[@johndrake2729]

You are right. Matthias Jabs of Scorpions is good at that as well.

[@Thedesertguy75]

The most beautiful and fluid melodic solos I've ever heard. What a talented musician Vito was....a true artist.

[@henryrojas2000]

When I first heard Vito I knew he was special, his phrasing is untouchable

[@nikospaleologos3907]

When I first heard the "Wait" solo, I realized that I was listening to something genius and beyond beautiful.

[@fryingwiththeantidote2486]

This man is pure staten island

[@trekuhl3966]

Vito Bratta still blows me away to this day. The best guitarist to come out of that time. His solo's still raise the hair on the back of my neck. Incredible!!!

[@wakethebarbarian4577]

Agreed, he was in a class of his own. There's been a lot of incredible guitarists, but Vito stands out in my mind as the best and I've listened to a tremendous amount of rock music.

[@louiedesantis411]

He is the reason I play guitar for the past 30 years.

[@tailhookmd2546]

The way he left, just walked away. Said F it to the whole business, like I don’t need this shit. And the dude just oozed cool! That’s what makes the legend!

[@googleuser6164]

I don't blame him for not coming back to the music business. The music business sucks now these days more than ever. I think it's the ultimate cool for Vito to keep his legacy back in the 80's and not come back. It just makes his legacy more exclusive and valued.

[@rbagel55]

You are right. Bands today don't make near the money they did back in the 80's. Even back then a lot of bands were getting shafted by bad management, or their record label screwed them-like they did White Lion. Now there are more bands than ever, and with KZbin, people buy less cd's. Plus all the younger people here in the states seem to be more into Hip hop and rap than rock

[@vendmaster7107]

Google User get what you are saying but.... would love to see him play. . obviously his passion is gone

[@vasilishimself9806]

Word has it that he can't play for more than 10 minutes because he damaged his wrist from too much playing (torn tendons or something)

[@stevehunt914]

Great Comment, Google User! - i came here to say how much i would give to hear a new album from him, but you make a great point about his legacy remaining intact. - If I i wasn't so selfish i'd put his needs before my own - lol - But i just GOTTA hear what he plays like these days!!!

[@gusgiesel]

Commercialism and consumerism -- where the dollar is most important -- they have ruined creativity of artists. The vast majority of professional musicians are not making the music they want to make, they are making whatever will appeal to the masses and sell the most albums... again the dollar rules. The term "successful" does not mean what it used to.

[@tarrue]

The most melodic electric guitar player I have ever listened to.

[@gh2568]

Because he uses slot of major scale and modes most just shred minor

[@teevandy]

Word

[@maxmenius9839]

I don't disagree with you. I love his playing too, but right up there with him is Tom Scholz of Boston. Very melodic guitar solos.

[@thedadyouneverhadchannel3544]

Never heard evh huh?

[@jrgilbert]

Gosh I love this guy. I need melody. I need heavy. He says, I wanted to be heavier like Eddie, but be melodic like Boston, Journey, Elton John!!! It is no wonder why Vito was incredible.

[@youtubenpc8273]

Very innovative guitarist. He stood out in the 80s. When he played, you knew it was him.

[@sbw89]

damn that guy was good... one of the best in my opinion.

[@Papiyoski73]

Vito is one of the greatest guitar players ever..... Its not to shred fast .... its all about melody and being melodic... bless

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

Vito carried this band in my opinion. He just had an ear for melody, solo's and tone. I was never a huge WL fan but Vito's playing always grabbed my attention and found myself listening to entire song just to hear him.

[@numidie]

Same.

[@THRASHFKINFILLETS]

The melodic king I think.

[@fattystools]

Hands down THE best guitarist to come out of the entire era. Others may have been a little faster or flashier, but nobody mixed the melodic phrasing along with the shredding like Vito. Guy was a master. I've been playing for over 40 years and was around through all of it, (and can mimic most of it) yet I'd still give my left nut to be able to write and play like that.

[@mgdarenz]

That's pretty subjective. Sadly, he never really recorded any monumental material. Sure, there is great soloing and melodic goodness here and there, but doomed by poor songs and the rest of the band. Perhaps you have never heard of Criss Oliva, from Savatage. That guy gets my vote for the best of the era, hands down. Great songs and riffs and solos, and he kept getting better and better until his untimely death in 1993. Absolutely ferocious live as well.

[@shanecarravello2922]

Has everyone just completely forgot about Jason Becker? How sad. That was the complete package right there my friend!!

[@thomasbrown5445]

@@mgdarenz yes he was from Sirens all the way to Edge of Thorns.You could hear him improving on every lp. People obviously hasn't discovered him. I proudly did in 1988 when Hall of the Mountain King and 24hrs Ago was constantly aired on MTV's Headbangers ball.I was blown away by thier talent.

[@erikgagne7259]

Umm wrong, Vito is still one of my biggest influences but Nuno was arguably the head of the 80's pack, Nuno had incredible phrasing and mixed funk, rock, jazz, and classical all in one, but still to this day even with only 2 major albums Randy Rhoads was the best guitar player to ever play metal, but that's just my opinion

[@shanecarravello2922]

@Marcos C thank you for remembering him, he is greatly missed. Marty gets choked up when talking about him because he misses his friend and phonamal player.

[@andygoulet68]

Blew my passenger side door speaker during the "Wait" solo. That's so metal 🤘🏼! Come back Vito!

[@tomnekuda3818]

Anybody can beat hell out of the axe.....but Vito made it all melodic! I love this guy! Addendum: 2023.....Damn, I still love this guy's guitar!!

[@YandTIII]

“Heaviness with Melody,”perfect musical combo!

[@olivares8358]

Maybe EVH was his "teacher" but finally Vito's solos are far much better...

[@longbeach7623]

Vito has that down-to-earth, no-nonsense swag you don’t see much anymore in show biz. The “Lonely Nights” solo by him is one of my favorites.

[@ChristopherCox]

I miss hearing new music from these guys so much. Vito was truly one of a kind. His guitar parts fit so perfectly into each song. So many great melodies , flawless technique, and execution.

[@mastersofmetalllc8188]

" he pieces it together"??????.....so that's what you call it!!! Vito doesn't seem to understand that he is one of the most naturally talented guitarists ever born. A true legend.

[@j.t.creations7048]

Wrong. Nobody is just that "Naturally talented". Vito's abilities on guitar come from YEARS and YEARS of playing, learning, studying and figuring out the riffs of other players. Nobody is just a natural talent of that level and saying that undermines all the work and effort he and every other guitar player puts into their instrument. That's why so many are base level players and so few truly rise above. People like to assume there are short cuts to greatness. There are none. You put in the hours, the sweat, you put your social life on hold and you make your instrument your priority. That's how you get to this place. Nobody is born with a guitar in their hands.

[@RickT-hq4jh]

@@j.t.creations7048 you are exactly right!!!

[@charlestidd4616]

@@j.t.creations7048 You got it.

[@scramick]

@@j.t.creations7048 Agree. EVH sat as his bedside 10 hrs a day playing/practicing. Also, just like Kobe Bryant. When he got into the NBA, he said most players are lazy. They got in on talent alone and some hard work BUT nothing like what Kobe did. That is why he is one of the greats.

[@SSVplus]

@sumdyude The learned quick. They weren't born playing. What they had naturally was the interest and desire to keep up instead of toying around.

[@GhettoFrosty]

These guys were so badass, everyone was scared of them,Vito was a deity to me, still blows my mind, last time I saw him in an interview he had stopped playing guitar, he will always be a hero to me.

[@cristongumban2086]

Vito Bratta my influenced in playing guitar. Master of Melodic shred tapping technique. Most underrated guitarist of all time. My idol!🎸💥🎶

[@aroradreem]

so beautiful it makes me cry. I'm so lucky to have grown up with this music

[@frankie.d1127]

Little fighter solo is sooo well constructed. I remember when I was a kid saying, ahhh what’s with the Yngwie style pedal tone rip off!?! Lol! What a dope I was. I listen to this solo now at 46 and cannot get enough of it. Fantastic guitarist.

[@stabblooder6148]

Yes! Everyone talks about Wait or Radar Love, but Little Fighter is where its at. Living on the Edge is a close 2nd imo

[@andysedgley]

Little Fighter, Don't Give Up and Going Home Tonight - three of the most beautiful, incredible, melodic guitar solos to this day ever committed to tape.

[@deanwitt7903]

He certainly was gifted . Tasty melodic solos , great song writing . Greatful we got to witness this guy in the music scene .

[@SixStringRacer]

Vito was the reason I picked up a guitar in 88 and taught myself how to play. His melody and style I still enjoy to this day. Its such a shame he just quit the music world and dropped off the planet. A damn shame. I loved Mikes voice too, together they created some great music.

[@woodchuk1]

Absolutely. Along with Vito's solo in "When the Children Cry," it's one of the few solos from that time period that I can "scat" nearly note for note by memory alone 25 years later. That alone speaks volumes. Vito had an uncanny sense of melody and phrasing - something missing all too often among the "hair metal" of the time. And IMO, Vito actually tried to come up with a style that logically progressed from EVH and was influenced by him while still remaining original. Brilliant player!

[@MichaelInsinger]

Underrated guitarist. Thank you Vito for your playing.

[@mastershredder78]

Always leave them wanting more....What a legacy this guy has left for guitarists everywhere. He truly was one of the best in the world and then one day he just dropped the mic and disappeared forever without even saying goodbye. You gotta respect the mystique of this guitar god. He showed up on the scene, kicked major ass and then rode off into the sunset leaving us all in awe of his work 20+ years later.

[@randommetalhead7]

fucking beautiful. truly one of the greatest guitar players of all time.

[@louiedesantis411]

Best solo writer ever!

[@Musclemachoman]

This guy was my favourite guitarist in the whole 80's please come back Vito!!!

[@deldia]

I remember being 16 and trying to tell my guitar teacher about Vai and Malmsteen - he pulled out a White Lion CD. Obviously I'd never heard of them but he is not the kind of player that requires a 2nd listen.

[@Guppusmaximus]

That was your mistake. You don't tell people about YJM. You pop in the Steeler cassette , FF to the intro to 'Hot on your Heels' and watch your teachers head explode. Then when he spews that nonsense about speed without soul then you play him Icarus Dream Suite and then find a real teacher. Vito is amazing but there are no words to describe Malmsteen in the 80s.

[@shionyr]

Few virtuosos can also make their solos melodic and beautiful for people who don't play guitar. Vito is a treasure.

[@billybobtexas]

He is still my biggest guitar hero after Eddie. His style, melody, rhythm, that elegant tone, all magical.

[@Searchin4tone]

I just love every solo he does. They have it all,, soul,, melody, technique. He doesn't sound like a robot,, pure emotion. Miss you Vito

[@guitarsnake368]

Vito is a very underrated and great guitar player. Yeah Vito, we'd love to hear you play again man!

[@poribrajok]

He was a great musician. Unfortunately we cant hear him nowadays :(

[@mtnbk71]

Really miss Vito's playing. Glad I got to see White Lion live. So good!!!!

[@phallystorm]

Wait! One of the BEST Solos of that Time Period

[@leeyandzlim7763]

Vitto is one of my favorite players of all time

[@finaljesus]

Vito is one of my most favorite guitarist I love his guitar playing and the bands music please come back

[@briankoncyk3379]

Vito was always cool and a GREAT guitar player! Wish we could someday see him share his talent with the world again.

[@countvond233]

He was special. Remember around Spring '88 when Wait hit. Lot of stuff coming out but these guys were on a different level. Vito was a hero from the start. Always a thoughtful writer/player.

[@austins9510]

one of the best and most underrated

[@keyguy4752]

Vito please come back, we miss love you.... Canada loves you!

[@tonymascarenhas5754]

I still love Vittos music.. he is such a melodic shredder. Never overdid it

[@njterra]

WOW Vito is truely the greatest guitarist ever. Soft spoken, down to earth and has been missed for so long. I keep praying for your return to music and for healing to your hands. JT

[@davidrmohr]

Would love to see Vito performing live. I really like his style, sound and ability.

[@MyGuitarArtistry]

Incredible, Magical, Guitar Wizard!! Vito Bratta is one of the Best on the planet!!

[@t.j.fuller9531]

Fantastic guitarist. Where Eddie improvised a lot of his solos. Vito thought them out and mixed them up by adding the 80’s techniques but with taste . Those Ada preamps gave a great 80s sound without being to high gain or fizzy. Reb beach is a killer player like vito

[@scottbaines4747]

Eddie improvised but then would comp together the best sections of each improvised take. So he kind of thought them out after the fact, if that makes sense. Just a different way to approach it. That said, I don't believe Eddie could have beaten Vito's "Wait" solo, which is an absolute masterpiece.

[@cameronlaroche3536]

@@scottbaines4747 ehhh but does it really matter? Lol this guy was so overlooked, he'll never have the proper due. But I'd say he's one if the 80s guitarists who prob could go toe to toe with eddie in that arena. Which in my opinion is epic cause eddie just did so God damn much in general.

[@bufufubu]

The guitar solo on Wait is just flawless. Melodic as hell and catchy too. I wish Vito was still playing. Glad I caught White Lion live in their heyday. 🤘

[@KingPepeLePew]

gotta love Vito's honesty and candid nature when explaining how he was influenced by EVH. a true and honest guitar master AFAIC, one of the few who built logical melody into his tunes & solos......absolutely wonderful stuff for the ears.

[@alemalia6888]

wow vito has the best melodic notes in his head ,,,take me to an another world always..sir i grew uo listening to you

[@genebassman]

I grew up on Staten Island, New York, two neighborhoods from Vito Bratta, he was/is a great guitar player and truly needs to come back

[@bstar777777]

“You know, I da na na here, wiggle and baaa-rrrrow there, slide up and neeeeooow, and yeah, that’s the Wait solo.” - Vito Bratta

[@redlightningvlogs7849]

I will take this guy over slash anyday.

[@mookyyzed2216]

🍻 Damn straight!

[@themilkman4585]

Slash is till a great guitarist

[@rustymiller194]

Slash is a sloppy player.

[@kingwinter2024]

@@rustymiller194 Still most likely better than you will ever be.

[@rustymiller194]

@@kingwinter2024 sorry I hurt your feelings, slash fan boy.

[@joshkaye5303]

And that he had to leave it all behind is tragic. He had a special gift that guy. Sooo in tune with his instrument and the melodies in his head flowing through it.

[@louiedesantis411]

Vito, Eddie, and Zakk are my personal favorites! They can't be touched.

[@lucapux09]

please , come back .... :(

[@2112GTR]

What a great player this guy is!!! I've not really listened to much of the White Lion stuff, but the guy is amazing. A great mix of technique and musicality. The melodic stuff reminds me of a lot of Nuno Bettencourt, but I guess he was around before Nuno, so Nuno was probably listening to him!!! There is nothing wrong with having great technique, as long as you are still musical. Guys like this show what is possible. Come back Vito, the guitar world misses talent like yours!!!

[@kathehun6034]

I use to have the vhs tape in the early 90s hot liks videos and i fall in love with his playing . Now after 30years later watching him and in the meantime hearing some mega talented playes i fall in love once again with his playing !!! He is one of the best player i have EVER heard, just beautiful soulful playing ! Thanx for the upload and thanx Vito for the awsome playing man !!!

[@joenieto5491]

Vitto a genius. I also thought that what would he sound like in Bonjovi? and i thought this as Richie Sambora left Jovi they should of snapped Vitto up.

[@garysanders3193]

This man needs to bless us with his presence again!

[@iconicon7354]

Vito's Attitude is remarkably admirable that he doesn't follow rules and understands that there are no rules in art, music and life/

[@TexasNova]

He seems so laid back. Someone you could become friends real easily.

[@ghostninja2041]

TexasNova actually I heard this guy is one of the biggest assholes you could meet

[@mttgilmore5]

Absolutely without a doubt one of the best guitarists

[@Anthony9592]

Primary reason for me to fall in love with White Lion is the insane, ethereal solos of Vito.. Definitely one of the most underrated legends of all time....

[@davidjollie3807]

This dude was beyond amazing. He took ideas from Eddie Van Halen and absolutely blew him away. Vito plays with heart, soul and feeling. His solos tell stories that bring tears to your eyes. Incredible guitarist.

[@tonye.5661]

For those who want to know where Vito Bratta is, he lives in my hometown of Staten Island where he was born and raised and does nothing with music anymore. This guy was a great guitarist, always admired him, Wish he would come back into the music business again!

[@HigzyTeflon]

My personal favourite (living) guitarist. I wish he had never left the music scene, but he is right for "hating the music industry" and at the end of the day, family comes first. Vito chose correctly... family over fame. Bless him.

[@sweenykim]

Vitto, have to respect your wishes & desire to live YOUR life the way YOU choose. That said, do know there are MANY who truly appreciate the unique melodic contribution your music has had on us all. A gifted & groundbreaking performer who left an indelible mark in the world of metal. We are all profoundly greatful...

[@thepracticingguitarist]

One of the best. Thanks for the music, Vito.

[@thepracticingguitarist]

***** Many thanks... Love my 540pii.

[@googleuser6164]

Vito is the man!!

[@virajelix]

That's it!!! Vito the most wonderful player of all time!!! Unique, versatile and music rules breaker!!!

[@sc230mb]

So jealous of the ease of how the notes flow. Vito has a lingering haunting sound.

[@jakemf1]

This guy was so underrated!!

[@ryanbonga4012]

Legend...period

[@tomjanssen1912]

He had so much more to give the World!!!

[@aaronhill9018]

His work on Little Fighter still my favorite.

[@DoWatchUrStep]

he makes the best solos ever!.

[@jerryfreese7572]

To me he was like half George Lynch and Half EVH.. Probably my favorite player. Absolutely inimitable.

[@TrustNone35]

Great way to describe his playing! Same here, he was always one of my favorites. I worked security at one of the White Lion shows back in the day and got to stand 10 feet away from him when they did their set. He was awesome!

[@paulspecht5165]

GOD Bless Vito. I know he is one of the best guitarists ever. Even Zakk Wylde said the solo to Wait was the best he ever heard.

[@LC-ou812]

This man is ONE OF THE BEST!!! Just listen!!! Vito fucking ROCKS!!! SMOKIN!!!

[@danel102]

Vito bratta one of the most best ever guitarist of all time

[@TurkiyeCumhurbaskani]

tasty solos, underrated legend.

[@arturovecchione]

I just don't know why all these lake of tears still in my eyes 30 years later. It was such a abeautiful vision of a life ahead of me by that time. And today I feel so lonely without this music. Believe me. yes 'm sad and happy.

[@johnrogers3843]

The 1st White Lion album blew me away this guy has so much talent

[@gerardotrinidad888]

One of the greats!

[@asianzeusecannon5880]

Vito is so underrated,just the sound melody,the unique skills he brings is amazing n the talent.so sad to see these musicians fade away.

[@wolfgang4136]

He is so Awesome!!! God...music blows these days

[@steverherb]

Vito, such a cool dude. I miss hearing those incredible solos. Time to break out my White Lion CDs!