Steve Vai

Acting

Steve Vai

Born

1960-06-06 (66)

Place of birth

Long Island, New York, USA

Known for

Acting

Credits

59 titles

Steve Vai is an American guitarist, composer, and producer widely recognized as one of the most technically accomplished virtuosos in rock music history. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he has won three Grammy Awards, sold over 15 million records, and established himself as a definitive "guitar god" through his jaw-dropping speed, unique phrasing, and eccentric instrument designs.

Known for

Hell's Kitchen poster
6.9

Aspiring restaurateurs brave Ramsay and his fiery command of the kitchen as he puts the competitors through an intense culinary academy to prove they possess the right combination of ingredients to win a life-changing grand prize.

Hell's Kitchen

2005

Classic Albums poster
7.7

A documentary series about pop and rock albums that are considered the best or most distinctive of a well-known band or musician or that exemplify a stage in the history of music.

Classic Albums

1997

Studio 666 poster
5.8

Legendary rock band Foo Fighters move into an Encino mansion steeped in grisly rock and roll history to record their much anticipated 10th album. Once in the house, Dave Grohl finds himself grappling with supernatural forces that threaten both the completion of the album and the lives of the band.

Studio 666

2022

Crossroads poster
7.4

A wanna-be blues guitar virtuoso seeks a long-lost song by legendary musician, Robert Johnson.

Crossroads

1986

Zappa poster
7.2

With the help of more than 10,000 dedicated Zappa fans, this is the long-awaited definitive documentary project of Alex Winter documenting the life and career of enigmatic groundbreaking rock star Frank Zappa. Alex also utilizes in this picture thousands of hours of painstakingly digitized videos, photos, audio, writing, and everything in between from Zappa's private archives. These chronicles have never been brought to a public audience before, until now.

Zappa

2020

Hired Gun poster
7.1

A documentary film about session and touring musicians that are hired by well-established and famous bands and artists. These people may not be household names, but are still top-notch performers!

Hired Gun

2017

Film credits

2020s · 9 titles

Studio 666 poster
5.8

Legendary rock band Foo Fighters move into an Encino mansion steeped in grisly rock and roll history to record their much anticipated 10th album. Once in the house, Dave Grohl finds himself grappling with supernatural forces that threaten both the completion of the album and the lives of the band.

Studio 666

2022

Zappa poster
7.2

With the help of more than 10,000 dedicated Zappa fans, this is the long-awaited definitive documentary project of Alex Winter documenting the life and career of enigmatic groundbreaking rock star Frank Zappa. Alex also utilizes in this picture thousands of hours of painstakingly digitized videos, photos, audio, writing, and everything in between from Zappa's private archives. These chronicles have never been brought to a public audience before, until now.

Zappa

2020

Chicago & Friends in Concert poster
8.0

Experience the electrifying performance of the 10-time GRAMMY-winning Rock band, Chicago, at Ovation Hall. Joining them on stage are an impressive lineup of special guests, including GRAMMY-Nominee R&B vocalist Robin Thicke, rock superstar Chris Daughtry, renowned guitar virtuoso Steve Vai, the harmonious a cappella quintet VoicePlay, pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph, GRAMMY-winning songstress Judith Hill, and the acclaimed Bules guitarist & vocalist Christone “KINGFISH” Ingram. Together, they create a sensational musical collaboration that promises an unforgettable night of entertainment.

Chicago & Friends in Concert

2024

Beat - Neon Heat Disease - Live In Los Angeles poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Beat - Neon Heat Disease - Live In Los Angeles

2025

BEAT: Neon Heat Disease - Live in Los Angeles poster
NR

BEAT (Adrien Belew, Steve Vai, Tony Levin, Danny Carey) perform the 80's music of King Crimson. Recorded live on 11/10/24 at the United Theater on Broadway in Los Angeles, CA.

BEAT: Neon Heat Disease - Live in Los Angeles

2025

Steve Vai - His First 30 Years: The Documentary poster
8.5

This is the first documentary covering Steve Vai's life from 1960 to 1990. (Co-written by Steve Vai.) Cover Vai's life growing up all the way until 1990's Passion and Warfare album.

Steve Vai - His First 30 Years: The Documentary

2022

The Pedal Movie poster
7.0

For the first time ever, the story of guitar pedals and effects will be told by the people who make them and the artists that use them. Coming in 2021, The Pedal Movie, Reverb's first-ever feature-length film, will dive into the culture of pedals and tell the story of how a small industry grew from a handful of companies into the galaxy of different makers building pedals today.

The Pedal Movie

2021

Devin Townsend's Crappy Halloween Party poster
NR

Devin Townsend's livestreamed Halloween concert from October 2020. With quest appearances from Anneke van Giersbergen, Steve Vai and Gene Hoglan.

Devin Townsend's Crappy Halloween Party

2020

Tribute to Jimi Hendrix poster
7.5

No synopsis available yet.

Tribute to Jimi Hendrix

2023

2010s · 17 titles

Hired Gun poster
7.1

A documentary film about session and touring musicians that are hired by well-established and famous bands and artists. These people may not be household names, but are still top-notch performers!

Hired Gun

2017

#NoJoke poster
6.2

A musician's journey to create a song with some of the biggest stars in the industry. Along the way, he faces up to his painful past, while giving viewers a deep personal insight into the issue of bullying.

#NoJoke

2019

Lemmy poster
7.6

Over four decades, Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister has registered an immeasurable impact on music history. Nearly 65, he remains the living embodiment of the rock and roll lifestyle, and this feature-length documentary tells his story, one of a hard-living rock icon who continues to enjoy the life of a man half his age.

Lemmy

2010

The Ritchie Blackmore Story poster
7.5

The Ritchie Blackmore Story traces the long and winding road of the guitar legend — from his early days as a session player (with legendary producer Joe Meek) and his early ’60s combo the Outlaws up through his years guiding one of hard rock’s finest bands, Deep Purple, and into his recent work with Blackmore’s Night.

The Ritchie Blackmore Story

2015

In Your Face: The Neil Zlozower Story poster
NR

Rock music and rock photography are synonymous for the wild antics of their rockstars with one common denominator: Neil Zlozower, photographer extraordinaire and in-your-face madman. The daily dalliances of 'Zloz' as part of the rock n' roll stage show, in front and behind the stage and in the studio, are well documented and collaborated by the stars themselves - While his 'unique' communication skills may leave a lot to be desired in the real world, the end result of his work can only be described as phenomenal. No other photographer had the access, the attitude and lifestyle to bring a seductive photo perspective, a peep show if you will, of the down and out lifestyle of rockstars through the professional lens of 'Zloz'.

In Your Face: The Neil Zlozower Story

2018

G3: Live in Moscow poster
7.0

No synopsis available yet.

G3: Live in Moscow

2012

Sharon Isbin: Troubadour poster
NR

This one-hour documentary portrait of multiple GRAMMY-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin shows us a trailblazing performer and teacher who over the course of her career has broken through numerous barriers to rise to the top of a traditionally male-dominated field. The film explores what it takes to nurture a dream against all odds to become a world class musician.

Sharon Isbin: Troubadour

2014

No artwork available
NR

Sepultura at City of Rock MGM Resorts Festival Grounds, Las Vegas, NV, USA. Setlist: The Vatican / Kairos Propaganda / Breed Apart / Manipulation of Tragedy / Dialog / Sepultura Under My Skin Arise / Refuse/Resist / Kaiowas - Bad Horsie - Kaiowas (with Steve Vai) / Roots Bloody Roots (with Steve Vai)

Sepultura: Rock in Rio USA 2015

2015

Ozzy Osbourne: Thirty Years After The Blizzard poster
8.0

“Thirty Years After The Blizzard” DVD chronicles Ozzy’s years with Randy Rhoads features previously unseen footage of Ozzy and Randy filmed in 1981 & 1982; it incorporates rare archival photos and films; along with new and revelatory interviews with Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Lemmy (Motorhead), Steve Vai, Nikki Sixx, Rob Halford, Zakk Wylde, Bill Ward and more.

Ozzy Osbourne: Thirty Years After The Blizzard

2011

Steve Vai: Rock In Rio 2015 poster
8.0

Steve Vai and Camerata Florianópolis at Cidade do Rock, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 25, 2015. Setlist: Kill the Guy With the Ball / Racing the World / The Murder / Velorum / Whispering a Prayer / The Crying Machine / Lotus Feet / Fire Garden Suite IV - Taurus Bulba / Liberty / For the Love of God

Steve Vai: Rock In Rio 2015

2015

Frank Zappa – Summer '82: When Zappa Came to Sicily poster
7.4

In the feature documentary, Summer 82 – When Zappa Came to Sicily, filmmaker and Zappa fan Salvo Cuccia tells the behind-the-scenes story of Frank Zappa's star-crossed concert in Palermo, Sicily, the wrap-up to a European tour that ended in public disturbances and police intervention. Cuccia had a ticket to the concert but never made it. Thirty years later, collaborating with Zappa's family, he re-creates the events through a combination of rare concert and backstage footage; photographs; anecdotes from family, band members, and concertgoers; and insights from Zappa biographer and friend Massimo Bassoli. The story is also a personal one, as Cuccia interweaves the story of Zappa's trip to Sicily with his own memories from that summer.

Frank Zappa – Summer '82: When Zappa Came to Sicily

2014

Remaking the Legend: Halo 2 Anniversary poster
8.3

Remaking the Legend - Halo 2: Anniversary is a documentary chronicling 343 Industries’ journey as they re-imagine Halo 2, one of the most beloved video games of all time, for its ten-year anniversary. Get unprecedented access to the development process as 343 and their team of partners from around the world bring Halo 2 to the Xbox One, while maintaining and honoring its fabled past.

Remaking the Legend: Halo 2 Anniversary

2014

Steve Vai: The Making of The Story of Light poster
NR

Steve takes discusses the concepts and story behind the second instalment of his Real Illusions trilogy. Includes outtakes and footage of the Harmony Hut.

Steve Vai: The Making of The Story of Light

2012

STEVE VAI Front And Center 2016 poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

STEVE VAI Front And Center 2016

2016

Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet poster
7.5

When doctors diagnosed 19-year-old rock star Jason Becker with Lou Gehrig's Disease, they said he would never make music again and that he wouldn’t live to see his 25th birthday. 22 years later, without the ability to move or to speak, Jason is alive and making music with his eyes.

Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet

2012

Whitesnake: Live At Donington 1990 poster
7.0

Whitesnake, recorded live at the Monsters Of Rock Festival, Castle Donington on 18th August 1990. This incendiary performance marked the band's third Donington appearance and their second time headlining the famous festival.

Whitesnake: Live At Donington 1990

2011

Steve Vai: Stillness in Motion - Vai Live in L.A. poster
6.3

Stillness In Motion - Vai Live in L.A., a spectacular performance recorded October 12, 2012 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles revisits the 49th concert from Vai's monumental Story of Light World Tour. Running from 2012 through 2014, The Story of Light World Tour totaled out at 253 engagements (including shows, master classes and concerts with various orchestras) in 52 countries. In addition to the full Club Nokia performance, Stillness In Motion includes a bonus feature premiering "The Space Between the Notes (Tour Mischief)," a revelatory video diary comprised of more than three and a half hours of footage, lensed around the world on-stage, off-stage and behind-the-scenes during Vai's epic Story of Light World Tour.

Steve Vai: Stillness in Motion - Vai Live in L.A.

2015

2000s · 14 titles

Classic Albums: Frank Zappa - Apostrophe (') Over-Nite Sensation poster
6.5

This episode focuses on Zappa's early 70s albums, Overnight Sensation (1973) and Apostrophy (') (1974). Together they encapsulate Zappa's extraordinary musical diversity and were also the 2 most commercially successful albums that he released in his prolific career. Included are interviews, musical demonstrations, rare archive & home movie footage, plus live performances to tell the story behind the conception and recording of these groundbreaking albums. Extras include additional interviews and demonstrations not included in the broadcast version, 2 full performances from the Roxy in 1973 and Saturday Night Live in 1976, and new full live performance done specially for these Classic Albums.

Classic Albums: Frank Zappa - Apostrophe (') Over-Nite Sensation

2007

Scoring 'Ghosts of Mars' poster
NR

Featurette focusing on scoring the film, featuring John Carpenter and Anthrax. Produced for the “Ghosts of Mars” DVD.

Scoring 'Ghosts of Mars'

2001

Crazy poster
5.5

Crazy is the story of a legendary guitar player who emerged from Nashville in the 1950s. Blessed with incomparable, natural talent, Hank Garland quickly established his reputation as the finest sessions player in Nashville.

Crazy

2008

Live Music poster
NR

A crowdsourced animated musical about a rock n' roll guitar that falls in love to the wrong song but ends up with the violin of his dreams.

Live Music

2009

Zappa Plays Zappa poster
NR

Zappa Plays Zappa is the name of a concert tour and band led by Dweezil Zappa, the oldest son of the late composer and musician Frank Zappa. The show is a collection of Frank Zappa's rock-oriented compositions from 1960s to 1980s. Features Dweezil on lead guitar, Napoleon Murphy Brock (sax, flute, vocals), drummer/singer Terry Bozzio and electric guitarist Steve Vai.

Zappa Plays Zappa

2007

Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival poster
8.4

Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2004 Recorded Live at the Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas Captures Highlights from Festival With Performances and Collaborations by Guitar Wizards Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, John Mayer, Robert Cray, Robbie Robertson, Sheryl Crow, Derek Trucks and More

Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival

2004

An Evening with Frank Zappa During Which... The Torture Never Stops poster
5.8

A "thing" created by Frank Zappa from two concerts filmed live at the Palladium, New York City, on Halloween 1981. With Ray White, Steve Vai, Bobby Martin, Tommy Mars, Ed Mann, Scott Thunes & Chad Wackerman.

An Evening with Frank Zappa During Which... The Torture Never Stops

2008

Rockthology 2 poster
NR

Rockthology is the ultimate reference of rock music! With bands like Guns 'n Roses, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Iron Maiden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queen, The Doors and Ozzy Osbourne, Rockthology is a "must have" for every rock fan! The complete Rockthology series consists of 20 parts, each with its own theme; from Sex to Fired Up, from No Fear to Raw.

Rockthology 2

2004

G3 - Live in Tokyo poster
7.1

G3, a guitar supergroup that features top-tier shredders Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and John Petrucci, is a guitar-lover's dream come true. The band's usual high energy is cranked up even higher on this live Tokyo date, and the amount of heavy riffing and blistering leads throughout the set is mightily ferocious. Petrucci, who rose to prominence in the progressive metal band Dream Theater, distinguishes himself here, and proves that his six-string skills are on par with revered axe-slinging of Vai and Satriani. In addition to some extended jams, there are covers of classic, guitar-defining rock songs (Deep Purple's "Smoke On the Water" and Jimi Hendrix's "Foxey Lady," among them) that add a dash of fun to the jaw-dropping pyrotechnics on offer.

G3 - Live in Tokyo

2005

No artwork available
4.2

A documentary about rock 'n' roll photographer Robert M. Knight and his mission to find the world's best new guitar player.

Rock Prophecies

2009

Steve Vai: Live at the Astoria London poster
7.0

Guitar virtuoso Steve Vai teams up with bassist Billy Sheehan, drummer Virgil Donati, guitarist Dave Weiner and keyboardist/guitarist Tony McAlpine for an amazing, one of a kind show at the Astoria in London.

Steve Vai: Live at the Astoria London

2003

G3: Live in Denver poster
6.6

Joe Satriani, Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai make up the all-star group G3, who came together in October of 2003 for a series of shows throughout the United States. The trio's amazing guitar prowess is showcased in songs such as "Satch Boogie", "Midnight", "I Know You're Here", "Evil Eye", "Far Beyond the Sun" and many others.

G3: Live in Denver

2004

Steve Vai: Visual Sound Theories poster
4.3

Visual Sound Theories consistes of orchestral music and other rich compostional pieces that Steve has written. Vai was commissioned to compose an hour of music for the Metropole Orkest in Holland but ended up putting together an exceptional two hours of quality work. The first CD of this double disc masterpiece has Steve conducting while the second CD contains conpositions of him playing guitar with the Orchestra. This new album is sure to impress the masses as it highlights some of Steve Vai's best work.

Steve Vai: Visual Sound Theories

2007

Steve Vai: Where The Wild Things Are poster
5.9

Taken from a two hour and 40 minute sold out show recorded at The State theatre in Minneapolis, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE is yet another live showcase of meticulously mapped Steve Vai compositions. Much of the material is new, and tested out in front of an unfamiliar but eager audience, with Vai exercising his chops to the limits.

Steve Vai: Where The Wild Things Are

2009

1990s · 9 titles

G3: Live In Concert poster
7.6

G3: Live in Concert is a live album and DVD by the G3 project, led by Joe Satriani. It was released in 1997 by Epic Records. This lineup of G3 includes Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson and Steve Vai. In 2005, a DVD of this concert was also released.

G3: Live In Concert

1997

Joe Satriani: The Satch Tapes poster
6.0

When Joe Satriani's Surfing With The Alien hit the street in 1987, people took the record to heart. The unknown artist on the then underground Relativity label struck the right chord with music fans around the world with his powerful signature style. A baffled and astonished record industry could only step back and watch in amazement as Surfing With The Alien went on to defy traditional instrumental rock limitations to become a multi-million selling GRAMMY(r)-nominated critical tour de force. Joe was touted as the soft-spoken maverick, a rock and roll guitar-slinger who proved there was an audience for music that didn't fit into tidy categories and opened the door for the slew of rock instrumentalists who have since followed his path.

Joe Satriani: The Satch Tapes

1993

Guitar poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Guitar

1991

No artwork available
9.0

The documentary examines Frank Zappa and his music through archive footage, including unique video excerpts from Austrian television archives featuring interviews with Zappa and backstage scenes from the 1970s and 1980s. The entire film is divided into chapters discussing the most important themes in Zappa's life and work.

A Life of Extravaganza - The Genius Frank Zappa

1993

Steve Vai - Alien Love Secrets poster
8.0

Full performances of all seven songs from Alien Love Secrets. The performance features Steve's power trio of Robbie Harrington on bass, Chris Frazier on drums, and of course Steve himself on guitar. This unique performance video format allows you a special view into both Steve's guitar playing, as well as the creative musical mood and aura of each song. Featured songs include: Juice Die To Live and the grand finale power guitar ballad Tender Surrender.

Steve Vai - Alien Love Secrets

1995

The Genius of Lenny Breau poster
NR

This documentary explores and celebrates the all-too-short, heartbreaking but triumphant life and unworldly talent of Lenny Breau, considered by many to have been the greatest guitar player of all time. Long before the term "fusion" was coined, Lenny was melting musical boundaries to produce original pieces that borrowed from styles as diverse as jazz, classical and flamenco. Through a combination of never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with family and colleagues, viewers are offered a close-up look at a sensitive, selfless but flawed musical genius who redefined what the guitar could do. - Telefilm Canada

The Genius of Lenny Breau

1999

Hard 'N Heavy Volume 11 poster
NR

Video magazine with interviews and video clips. Featured on this volume is: Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Poison, Steve Vai, Hunter / Ronson, Billy Idol, Cinderella, Scorpions, Slaughter, Kita Ford and more.

Hard 'N Heavy Volume 11

1990

Guitar Legends EXPO '92 at Sevilla - The Hard Rock Night poster
NR

Guitar Legends was a concert held over five nights, from October 15 to October 19, 1991, in Seville, Spain, with the aim of positioning the city as an entertainment destination to draw support for Expo '92 beginning the following April. The event featured 27 top guitarists, including BB King, Brian May, George Benson, Joe Walsh, Keith Richards, Les Paul, Robbie Robertson, Robert Cray, Roger Waters, Albert Collins, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. The vocalists included Rickie Lee Jones, Bob Dylan and Joe Cocker. Five 90-minute shows and a one-hour documentary were broadcast. Forty-five countries showed at least one live show. Later, broadcasters in 105 countries broadcast one or more programmes.

Guitar Legends EXPO '92 at Sevilla - The Hard Rock Night

1991

Zappa's Universe poster
NR

This live recording is a true gem for Zappa fans. It features acrobatic muscianship of the highest order played straight from the heart and mind. Mike Keneally's guitar work left my jaw slack especially after hearing him play Jazz Discharge Party Hats in which he both talks and doubles his vocal pitches with the guitar at the same time. Additionally he plays Zappa's impossible synclavier composition Night School with pin point accuracy. Steve Vai, guitar god and the king of impossible guitar parts gives a burning heartfelt rendition of Zappa's Sofa. This is one of Vai's best performances captured on disc.

Zappa's Universe

1991

1980s · 4 titles

Series credits

Behind the camera