94-778: Roger Taylor may refer to: Roger Taylor (Queen drummer) (born 1949), drummer for Queen Roger Taylor (Duran Duran drummer) (born 1960), drummer for Duran Duran Roger Taylor (author) , author of epic fantasy Hawklan series Roger Taylor (college president) , former president of Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois Roger Taylor (tennis) (born 1941), British tennis player Roger Taylor (American football) (born 1958), American football player Roger Taylor (photographic historian) (born 1940), curator and photographic historian See also [ edit ] Roger Tayler (1929–1997), British astronomer [REDACTED] Topics referred to by
188-566: A 14-date solo tour (Outsider Tour) in the UK, from 2 to 22 October. In January 2023, Queen single "Radio Ga Ga" was sampled on singer Che Lingo's single "My Radio"; Taylor and Queen were credited as co-lead artists on the song. In November 2023, Taylor's bar The Wild, a collaboration with his wife Sarina Taylor, Adam Lambert , Bryan Patrick Franklin, and Michael Solis, opened in West Hollywood, California. Taylor has stated that his early role model as
282-515: A BSc at East London Polytechnic . Taylor met Brian May and Tim Staffell in 1968 after a friend saw an advert for a drummer on a noticeboard at Imperial College . Smile included May on lead guitar, Staffell on lead vocals and bass, and later Taylor on drums. The band lasted for two years before Staffell departed to join Humpy Bong , leaving the band with a catalogue of nine songs. Smile reunited for several songs on 22 December 1992. Taylor's band
376-517: A band that included Devin Townsend on vocals, T. M. Stevens on bass, and Terry Bozzio on drums. The group released Sex & Religion on July 23, 1993, that was described as visceral in nature, combining a compositional and progressive metal rhythm section with Devin Townsend's vocal arrangements. After the following tour in support of the album, the group disbanded. Vai began working with Ozzy Osbourne in 1994, with whom he wrote and recorded
470-482: A drummer was Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience . He said: "I still think listening to Mitch Mitchell, especially the early stuff with Hendrix, is just fantastic. This fusion of jazz technique and wonderful riffs but with this rolling ferocious attack on the whole kit, it had lots of jazz influences I think. In fact for me he played the kit like a song, it was just wonderful. Total integration into
564-613: A drummer when he realised he had a more natural aptitude for it. Taylor taught himself to tune his drums, inspired by Keith Moon of the Who because of the "great drum sounds" on the early Who records. Another key influence on Taylor was Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience , who Taylor stated was his early role model. In 1967, Taylor went to London to study dentistry at the London Hospital Medical College , but he became bored with it and changed to biology obtaining
658-531: A featured artist on the track "Do You Feel Love" from Jacob Collier's 2019 album Djesse Vol. 2 . On December 1, 2021, Steve Vai announced the release of his tenth studio album, entitled Inviolate , alongside its lead single "Little Pretty". The album was released on January 28, 2022. Upon release, it debuted at No. 1 on the Current Hard Rock Albums chart (his first No. 1 album), No. 8 on Top Hard Rock Albums, and No. 40 on Top Album Sales. To support
752-429: A fourth album of material, which will then be released with the previous three installments and completed storyline in order. In speaking of the storyline, Vai says "It's a human interest story, about the human condition. ... It's a story about this man who has a traumatic experience in his life, and it drives him insane. We see the story through his eyes. It also involves the town he lives in and this stranger that enters
846-426: A further five major hits (" Radio Ga Ga ", " A Kind of Magic ", " Heaven for Everyone ", " Breakthru " and " The Invisible Man "). He has collaborated with such artists as Eric Clapton , Roger Waters , Roger Daltrey , Robert Plant , Phil Collins , Genesis , Jimmy Nail , Kansas , Elton John , Gary Numan , Shakin' Stevens , Foo Fighters , Al Stewart , Steve Vai , Yoshiki , Cyndi Almouzni and Bon Jovi . As
940-459: A large amount of music that was not originally intended for release. Out of this material, Vai compiled his first studio album Flex-Able . He created his own record label, Akashic Records (later Light Without Heat Records), which he used to take Flex-Able directly to distribution channels. Flex-Able was released in January 1984. Vai began his rise to public acclaim in 1983 when, shortly before
1034-604: A musical composer fluent in the composition and arranging of orchestral music. In May 2004, Vai premiered "The Aching Hunger", a project commissioned by the Netherlands Programme Service and performed with the Netherlands' Metropole Orchestra . "The Aching Hunger" performances consisted of two parts: the first showcasing Vai's original contemporary orchestral compositions, and the second consisting of Vai (on guitar) playing newly arranged material from his catalog with
SECTION 10
#17328847212561128-485: A nationwide tour of the United States. In March 2011, Vai (in conjunction with the online education division of Berklee College of Music) set a Guinness World Record for the world's largest online guitar lesson. The lesson was held as a promotion for Berklee's online "Steve Vai Guitar Techniques" course, which Vai helped to construct. In April 2011, Vai (along with music and technology entrepreneur Andy Alt) announced
1222-695: A new band, the Cross , which released three albums over their six years of existence. In 1993, the band split up, after performing one final gig at the Gosport Festival . In 1994, Taylor worked with Yoshiki , drummer and pianist of X Japan and released the song "Foreign Sand" and a reworking of the Cross's "Final Destination". The album Happiness? was "Dedicated to the tasmanian tiger – thylacinus cynocephalus, but most especially... for Freddie". "Nazis 1994" from this album became Taylor's first hit single in England and
1316-464: A new single called "Gangsters Are Running This World" on 1 April 2019, and on 8 April released a more rocking version of this song called "Gangsters Are Running This World-Purple Version". Both versions became available for streaming on 8 April 2019. On 10 May 2019 he and Czech Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Čech released a song called "That's Football" which Čech wrote for his retiring football career. In October 2021, Taylor embarked on
1410-547: A producer, he has produced albums by Virginia Wolf , Jimmy Nail and Magnum . As a singer, Taylor employs a falsetto vocal range. During the 1980s, in addition to his work with Queen, he formed a parallel band known as the Cross , in which he was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist. During the early 1980s, Taylor was also a panellist on the UK quiz show Pop Quiz , hosted by Mike Read . In 2014, he appeared in The Life of Rock with Brian Pern as himself. Roger Meddows Taylor
1504-536: A recording of his college band, Morning Thunder, to Zappa. Impressed by this, Zappa responded by putting Vai on salary to transcribe his work, which included pieces from the Joe's Garage and Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar albums. After leaving Berklee College of Music and moving to California, Vai auditioned for and became a full-time member of Zappa's band, going on his first tour with Zappa in late 1980. Zappa often referred to Vai as his "little Italian virtuoso", and Vai
1598-855: A rendition of the Led Zeppelin classic " Stairway to Heaven ", on the hit television show American Idol . October 2010 saw more movement from Vai as a composer, with the premiere of two original symphonies at the Steve Vai Festival in Groningen , the Netherlands, and performed by the North Netherlands Orchestra . Shortly after the festival, Vai embarked on the Experience Hendrix tour (along with Eric Johnson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd , Susan Tedeschi , Billy Cox , Vernon Reid , Robert Randolph , Jonny Lang , Brad Whitford , and others) for
1692-485: A three-month tour of North America called "Beat". A reinterpretation of the 1980s King Crimson albums Discipline , Beat and Three of a Perfect Pair . In 2022, a 77 minutes long documentary was released to honor his first 30 years. This is the first documentary covering Vai's life from 1960 to 1990. It was co-written by Steve Vai. The video covers his life growing up, attending Berklee College of Music , playing with several artists like Frank Zappa , Alcatrazz ,
1786-435: A transcriptionist, and in the middle of his fourth semester, moved to California to start his career as a session and touring artist for Zappa. Also while at Berklee, Vai met his future spouse Pia Maiocco . They have been together since they met and have two children. In 2003, Vai was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee . In 1978, Vai sent both a notated transcription of Frank Zappa's " The Black Page ", and
1880-644: A video or picture representation of each show of all of the 254 engagements attended. 2014 saw the announcement of a new, intensive guitar camp called the "Vai Academy", which was an evolution of the Alien Guitar Secrets masterclass. Each year the camp is held, Vai creates a syllabus with a particular theme and invites special guests to help him teach it. During the day, Vai and the special guests (some of whom have been Guthrie Govan , Jeff Baxter , Vernon Reid, Eric Johnson, Sonny Landreth , and others) hold classes in which they add their insight and perspective to
1974-424: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Roger Taylor (Queen drummer) Roger Meddows Taylor OBE (born 26 July 1949) is an English musician, songwriter and record producer. He achieved international fame as the drummer and backing vocalist for the rock band Queen . As a drummer, Taylor was recognised early in his career for his unique sound and
SECTION 20
#17328847212562068-606: Is frequently listed in the liner notes of Zappa's albums as having performed "stunt" or "impossible" guitar parts. Vai was a featured artist on the 1993 release Zappa's Universe , and in 2006, Vai appeared as a special guest on Dweezil Zappa 's Zappa Plays Zappa tour; both projects won Vai a Grammy Award . After moving on from Zappa's employ in 1983, Vai bought a house in Sylmar, Los Angeles , where he built his first professional studio. During this period, Vai formed two bands (The Classified and 777) as well as writing and recording
2162-489: The Ozzmosis album. Due to conflicts, the album was re-written and recorded with Zakk Wylde on guitar. In 1994, Vai won a Grammy award for his performance of "Sofa", from Zappa's Universe . While recording his fourth studio album Fire Garden , Vai took time to record and release the stripped down EP Alien Love Secrets . A departure from the often highly compositional and heavily produced style of his previous projects,
2256-613: The David Lee Roth band, and Whitesnake , the recording of both his solo albums Flex-Able and Passion and Warfare , plus Vai's role in the movie Crossroads , and how he helped create the Ibanez JEM guitar. "Juice", from Alien Love Secrets , was featured on the 1996 video game Formula One for the PlayStation . Vai's guitar work also appeared in the 2002 video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City . David Lee Roth's " Yankee Rose "
2350-594: The Where the Wild Things Are DVD. In 2008, Vai announced the release of his signature Ibanez Jemini distortion pedal , a twin distortion pedal with both a custom overdrive and lead distortion section. 2010 marked the twentieth anniversary of the production of the Ibanez Universe guitar, which was commemorated with a twentieth anniversary Universe model. A reissue of the early 1990s Universe 77 MC (multi-color swirl),
2444-772: The 2015 release of Vai's fourth live DVD project Stillness in Motion , filmed in October 2012 during his Story of Light tour at the Club Nokia in Los Angeles. Released on April 7, the double-disc set contained a copy of the Stillness in Motion concert footage and a special bonus feature disc called The Space Between the Notes . The latter is a complete chronological timeline of the Story of Light tour, with
2538-526: The American singing contest television show American Idol . The first appearance was on 11 April 2006, during which that week's contestants were required to sing a Queen song. Songs performed included " Bohemian Rhapsody ", " Fat Bottomed Girls ", " The Show Must Go On ", " Who Wants to Live Forever ", and " Innuendo ". The second time Queen appeared was on the show's season 8 finale in May 2009, performing "We Are
2632-545: The B-side "I Cry For You" and Rick Parfitt co-wrote and played on "It's An Illusion". David Richards, Queen's engineer and producer at the time, also co-wrote two of the tracks. The album includes covers of Bruce Springsteen 's " Racing in the Street " and Bob Dylan 's " Masters of War ". In 1986, Taylor co-produced Vigilante , the sixth studio album by rock band Magnum . After Queen finished their 1986 Magic Tour , Taylor started
2726-523: The Beat Tour (playing 1980s era King Crimson), and the Experience Hendrix Tour, as well as headlining international tours. Vai has been described as a "highly individualistic player" and part of a generation of "heavy rock and metal virtuosi who came to the fore in the 1980s". He released his first solo album Flex-Able in 1984, while his most successful release, Passion and Warfare (1990),
2820-521: The Champions" with finalists Adam Lambert and Kris Allen . The third appearance was during the eleventh season on 25 and 26 April 2012, performing a Queen medley with the six finalists on the first show. The following day, they performed " Somebody to Love " with the Queen Extravaganza band. In November 2009, Taylor appeared on the reality TV show The X Factor with May as Queen mentoring
2914-546: The Champions". In 2011, Taylor, along with Steven Tyler and Roger Daltrey , joined the advisory board of Edge Music Network. Taylor performed in the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony in London on 12 August. In 2013 and 2014, Taylor served as an executive producer of the film Solitary , directed by Sasha Krane. In addition to those duties, he provided original music, including the song "When We Were Young" and three instrumental songs which serve as incidental/background music in
Roger Taylor - Misplaced Pages Continue
3008-487: The Cross were headliners and he brought May and Staffell on to play "Earth" and "If I Were a Carpenter". In 1969, Taylor was working with Freddie Mercury at Kensington Market in London (they were sharing a flat at around the same time). Mercury, then known as Farrokh “Freddie” Bulsara, was a fan of Smile. The band split up in 1970. In the same year, Taylor turned down the chance to become drummer for Genesis , which led to Phil Collins joining instead. Bulsara convinced
3102-835: The Royal Family. In 2002, Taylor appeared on the "Twelve Drummers Drumming" Christmas card in the " Twelve Days of Christmas " set sold at Woolworths to raise money for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children , alongside Duran Duran 's drummer of the same name . Taylor was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to music. At his investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in March 2022, Taylor dedicated his OBE to
3196-513: The String Theories band, with pieces such as the visceral Grammy-nominated " Now We Run ", to the dynamic ballad "Angel Food". 2007 also marked the 20th anniversary of the production of the Ibanez JEM guitar, a milestone which was commemorated with the 20th anniversary JEM model. Made of an acrylic body with three-dimensional "swirl painted" interior, this guitar can be seen in the beginning of
3290-535: The age of eighteen as a transcriptionist for Frank Zappa , and played in Zappa's band from 1980 to 1983. He embarked on a solo career in 1983 and has released eight solo albums to date. He has recorded and toured with Alcatrazz , David Lee Roth , and Whitesnake , as well as recording with artists such as Public Image Ltd , Mary J. Blige , Spinal Tap , Alice Cooper , Motörhead , and Polyphia . Additionally, Vai has toured with live-only acts G3 , Zappa Plays Zappa ,
3384-457: The age of five I walked up to [a] piano, hit a note, and noticed that to the right the notes go higher and to the left the notes go lower. In that very moment, I had a full-on epiphany. I was flooded with the instinctual realization of how music was created and how it worked from a theoretical standpoint—the whole language of music was very obvious. I also understood immediately, instinctually, and unequivocally something that has only deepened through
3478-653: The album had reached number 18 in the Billboard 200, selling over a million and a half copies worldwide. Passion and Warfare won Vai a number of awards such as Guitar World and Guitar Player' s "Best Album" and "Best Rock Guitarist" awards. Passion and Warfare has been cited as one of the most pertinent instrumental albums released. 1990 also saw the release of the Ibanez Universe seven-string guitar co-designed by Vai in conjunction with Ibanez. Vai left Whitesnake in 1990 to pursue his own musical avenues and formed
3572-648: The album in 1991, but it remained unpublished after Sombrotto's death in a motorcycle accident on September 7, 1998. Vai and Sombrotto had bonded over a shared love of motorcycles. The album cover features a photo of Sombretto, showing the extensive burn scars he sustained in a 1977 motorcycle crash. The album released on January 27, 2023. Having previously covered her composition, "Mullach a tSí" for The Story of Light in 2012 and performing together in Vicar Street in Dublin, Vai collaborated with Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin for
3666-683: The album was "Let's Get Crazy". Taylor's next solo venture, Strange Frontier , came in June 1984. The three singles from the album were the title track, "Beautiful Dreams" (in Portugal only) and "Man on Fire", the latter becoming a live favourite for him in later years. No attempts to promote the singles were made since Queen was touring to promote The Works , with Taylor not even performing on any TV shows. Strange Frontier included guest appearances by bandmates Freddie Mercury, Brian May and John Deacon. Mercury sang backing vocals on "Killing Time", Deacon remixed
3760-510: The album, Vai embarked upon a 54-date American tour of the same name. In 2021, Vai was also featured on a track called "Lost Children of the Universe" on the latest album by Star One , a project led by Arjen Anthony Lucassen . In 2022, Vai was featured on Polyphia 's track "Ego Death". On November 10, 2022, Vai announced his latest album, Vai/Gash , alongside its lead single "In The Wind". Vai and singer Johnny "Gash" Sombrotto had recorded
3854-490: The aspect of teaching and sharing his experiences in life and in the music business, Vai began a series of "Alien Guitar Secrets" masterclasses in 2006- a touring masterclass in which Vai holds open forum discussion about his own experiences in the music industry, explains the key principles to understanding success, plays to backing tracks (often inviting class attendees to jam with him), answers questions, articulates key points of guitar technique, and more importantly goes beyond
Roger Taylor - Misplaced Pages Continue
3948-502: The band. He was replaced by Cacophony guitarist Jason Becker . In 1985, after having joined Roth's band, Vai designed the JEM guitar, a unique instrument that incorporated a series of groundbreaking designs that have since become staples in feature throughout the guitar industry, such as the inclusion of 24 frets on a guitar with humbuckers, single-coil middle pickup and a locking tremolo system. Vai began working with Ibanez in 1986 to develop
4042-518: The bandmates, paying tribute to the 40th anniversary of Queen's founding. In 1999, Taylor became the second living person, other than members of the British Royal Family and Sir Francis Chichester in 1967, to appear on a Royal Mail stamp , being seen behind Freddie Mercury as part of a "Great Britons" issue. This caused controversy as it was an understood rule that the only living people allowed to appear on British stamps could be members of
4136-500: The box set, were released to the public both in 2001 and the years following. Also in 2001, Vai's record label Favored Nations released No Substitutions: Live in Osaka . The release, which Vai himself produced and engineered, won him his second Grammy award for Best Pop Instrumental Album in February 2002. While most widely recognized for his stature as a rock guitar player, Vai is also
4230-470: The contestants and performing " Bohemian Rhapsody ". That month Taylor confirmed he was planning to tour with Taylor Hawkins, which Taylor described as a "quick tour". At the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards on 6 November, Queen received the Global Icon Award , and Taylor and May closed the awards ceremony, with Adam Lambert on vocals, performing "The Show Must Go On", "We Will Rock You", and "We Are
4324-501: The drummer for Queen, Taylor fronted the Cross as rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist. On its debut release, The Cross incorporated dance influences which they dropped on their remaining two albums. Taylor has appeared along with May for various other events and promotions, including Queen's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and the " Party at the Palace " in 2002, celebrating
4418-647: The end of the show. G3: Live in Concert , a video of the 1996 tour was filmed in Columbus, Ohio and released on June 3, 1997. In 1998, Vai independently released a performance footage DVD of Alien Love Secrets . Also in 1998, Vai started the Make a Noise Foundation with his then-manager Ruta Sepetys . The goal of the foundation was to provide funding for musical education to those otherwise unable to attain it. Today, Vai often auctions items in his possession with proceeds going to
4512-647: The exception of the slide guitar, which was performed by Ry Cooder . In between solo work, Vai replaced Yngwie Malmsteen in June 1984 as the lead guitarist of Alcatrazz , with whom he recorded the album Disturbing the Peace . Vai left shortly after the subsequent tour to join David Lee Roth 's band. In 1985, Vai joined David Lee Roth's post- Van Halen band as lead guitarist , together with former Talas bassist Billy Sheehan on bass; and former Maynard Ferguson drummer Gregg Bissonette on drums. The foursome's debut album Eat 'Em and Smile , released on July 7, 1986,
4606-525: The film and during the closing credits. Taylor also appeared as a special guest for Welsh Rock artist Jayce Lewis providing drums for the track "Wrath" which were recorded at Taylor's personal studio in Surrey , the song was released as a single from the Welshman's album Nemesis . On 15 November 2014, Taylor joined the charity group Band Aid 30 , playing drums alongside current British and Irish pop acts on
4700-414: The first half being primarily instrumental while the second half featured Vai on vocals. After the release of Fire Garden , Vai joined his former teacher Joe Satriani , along with guitarist Eric Johnson , for the second installment of the ongoing G3 concert tours. On each G3 tour, three guitar-centric headlining acts are chosen to perform their own sets, and then collectively jam to fan favorite songs at
4794-458: The foundation. At the close of the decade, Vai provided guitar for Joe Jackson's Symphony No. 1 , released in 1999 and winner of the 2001 Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album . In December 2001, Vai recorded two performances at The Astoria in London, with his band The Breed (composed of former David Lee Roth bandmate Billy Sheehan, guitarist/pianist Tony MacAlpine , guitarist Dave Weiner , and drummer Virgil Donati ). This live show
SECTION 50
#17328847212564888-477: The global COVID-19 pandemic, Taylor released a new single "Isolation" on 21 June 2020. The song debuted on the top of the UK iTunes Rock chart. On 7 May 2021, Taylor announced his new solo album, Outsider , which was released on 1 October 2021, and debuted at number three on the UK Albums Chart . The Cross were a side project of Taylor's that existed from 1987 to 1993 and released three albums. While still
4982-585: The golden jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II . In 2004, Taylor, May, and Mike Dixon received the Helpmann Award in Australia for Best Music Direction for the musical We Will Rock You . At the Live Earth concert held at Wembley Stadium in 2007, Taylor opened the show with Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters and Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers . Taylor and May, performing as Queen, also appeared three times on
5076-459: The greatest rock albums of the 1980s. The group's Eat 'Em and Smile Tour began in August 1986 and continued through February 1987. Roth's subsequent album Skyscraper , released in 1988, was produced by both Roth and Vai. Like its predecessor, the album was a commercial success, reaching number six on the Billboard 200 chart. In 1989, following the successful Skyscraper Tour , Vai departed from
5170-531: The guitar parts for Whitesnake 's Slip of the Tongue album, where he replaced the injured Adrian Vandenberg . Upon its release in November 1989, Slip of the Tongue sold over three million copies worldwide, reaching number 10 on the Billboard 200 while Vai joined the band on their thirteen-month world tour. In May 1990, Vai released Passion and Warfare through Relativity Records, and following its release,
5264-412: The guitar, and the first production Ibanez JEM 777 guitars were released in 1987. From 1985 to 1990, Vai recorded Passion and Warfare at his home studio, his second studio solo album. After leaving Roth's band in 1989, Vai bought out of his Capitol Records contract and signed on with Relativity Records for the release of Passion and Warfare , which was completed shortly after he began recording
5358-545: The jazz and big band drummer Buddy Rich as "the best I've ever seen". Speaking to Modern Drummer in 1984, Taylor described Keith Moon , the drummer of the Who , as "absolutely brilliant...he had a total unique style; he didn't owe anyone anything." In 2013, a newly discovered species of the genus Heteragrion (Odonata: Zygoptera) from Brazil was named Heteragrion rogertaylori after Taylor, in honour of his "powerful sound, wonderful lyrics and raspy voice "; one of four Heteragrion flatwing damselflies named after
5452-452: The keyboards, which were contributed by engineer David Richards . With Queen still touring heavily and recording at the time of release, Taylor was unable to promote the album to its fullest extent, only appearing on some European TV shows to promote the single, "Future Management", including Top of the Pops . A second single from the album was titled "My Country". The only US single released from
5546-621: The latest version of the track " Do They Know It's Christmas? " at Sarm West Studios in Notting Hill , London, to raise money for the 2014 Ebola crisis in Western Africa. On 5 and 6 September 2015, Taylor, along with Led Zeppelin 's John Paul Jones , joined Foo Fighters on stage in Milton Keynes to perform a cover of the Queen and David Bowie song " Under Pressure ". Taylor released
5640-578: The launch of GuitarTV, an online streaming website dedicated to bringing free guitar-related content to the community of guitar players around the world. Vai's eighth studio album, The Story of Light , was released in August 2012 as the second installment in the Real Illusions concept album trilogy. The Story of Light tour, which began on the month of the album's release, spanned 254 engagements in 52 countries, ending in September 2014. This tour yielded
5734-430: The model included a new five-piece maple / bubinga Universe neck and original swirl-paint job by Darren Johansen (the painter of the original Universe 77 MC guitars). In February 2010, Vai announced the introduction of "VaiTunes", a platform used to release digital-only singles via iTunes and other digital media outlets. In April, Vai performed with Mary J. Blige , Orianthi , Randy Jackson , and Travis Barker for
SECTION 60
#17328847212565828-437: The new lineup. This new band, known as the String Theories band, featured previous The Breed members Jeremy Colson (drums) and Dave Weiner (guitar and sitar), along with new members Bryan Beller (bass), Alex DePue (violin), and Ann Marie Calhoun (violin). During a month of twelve- to fifteen-hour a day rehearsals, Vai and the band perfected the performance (which consisted of pieces from Vai's catalog, arranged by Vai to include
5922-677: The orchestra. This project yielded both the Visual Sound Theories DVD and the Sound Theories Vol. I & II album, which were recorded in 2005 during multiple "Aching Hunger" performances and released in June 2007. While "The Aching Hunger" and its following releases started Vai's public career as an orchestral composer, Vai had been composing since he began a music theory class (taught by Bill Westcott) in high school. While reflecting on his time with Westcott, Vai said "He taught me how to write, compose and appreciate music. There
6016-522: The recently deceased Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins , adding that Hawkins had been a mentor to his own son Rufus . He was portrayed by Ben Hardy in the 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody . Taylor, along with bandmate Brian May, were creative consultants on the film. Steve Vai Steven Siro Vai ( / ˈ v aɪ / VYE ; born June 6, 1960) is an American guitarist, songwriter, and producer. A three-time Grammy Award winner and fifteen-time nominee, Vai started his music career in 1978 at
6110-563: The release of Flex-Able , his composition " The Attitude Song " was published in Guitar Player magazine. The song centered itself on a main guitar riff in the time signature 7/16, played over a rhythm section centered in 4/4. Each following section of the song showcased a number of specialized techniques (such as two-handed tapping , whammy bar acrobatics , sweep picking , alternate picking , multi-part harmonies , and odd phrasing ) used in angular and exaggerated ways that were unique to
6204-411: The remaining two members of Smile to continue and he eventually joined the band, which he renamed Queen. In 1971, they recruited bassist John Deacon , before going on to release their self-titled debut album in 1973. Taylor is the third most credited songwriter for the band, usually contributing one or two tracks per album. Taylor has had a productive solo career, releasing six albums. His first single
6298-405: The same term This disambiguation page lists articles about people with the same name. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Roger_Taylor&oldid=997279579 " Category : Human name disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
6392-455: The second volume of the soundtrack, where he performed on the track "Reclaimer". Vai returned to re-record his Halo work for the Halo 2 Anniversary Original Soundtrack , which was released in 2014 and included as part of the anniversary edition of Halo 2 . In an interview shot during the development of Halo 2 Anniversary , Vai reveals that his part in the "MJOLNIR Mix" was a last-minute inclusion in
6486-519: The second, The Story of Light , having been released in 2012. In 2006, Vai joined the Zappa Plays Zappa tour as a special guest, alongside additional Zappa band alumni Terry Bozzio and Napoleon Murphy Brock . In 2008, for his performance of "Peaches en Regalia" from the Zappa Plays Zappa tour, Vai won his third Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance . Having always enjoyed
6580-502: The seven-track EP was recorded in four weeks and released through Relativity/ Epic Records on March 21, 1995. Vai cites this record as one of his favorites, saying "The recording and release of Alien Love Secrets marked another turning point in my personal evolution. I was more concerned with making the record that I wanted to make, and not worry about what some others thought I should be doing." On September 17, 1996, Vai released Fire Garden , 19-track double album, through Epic, with
6674-626: The song at the time. Interest from the public grew even greater when Vai's song "Blue Powder" (a demonstration for the Carvin X100b amplifier ) was published in Guitar Player as well, which showed the virtuoso side of Vai's compositional process. Also in 1986, Vai was cast in the film Crossroads as the Devil's guitar player "Jack Butler". In the famous "duel scene" between Vai and Ralph Macchio 's character, Vai wrote and performed all guitar parts with
6768-567: The song. In 2008, Vai's song " For the Love of God " and "Halo Theme (MJOLNIR Mix)" were featured as downloadable tracks for the game Guitar Hero 3 . A live version of "For the Love of God" was also available on the Rock Band Network service, as well as the song "Get the Hell Out of Here" from his 2002 compilation album The Elusive Light and Sound Vol. 1 on March 4, 2010. "The Attitude Song" and
6862-635: The song. Not just marking time". Taylor has also expressed great admiration for John Bonham of Led Zeppelin . Speaking of Bonham, Taylor said, "The greatest rock and roll drummer of all time was John Bonham, who did things that nobody had ever even thought possible before with the drum kit. And also the greatest sound out of his drums – they sounded enormous, and just one bass drum. So fast on it that he did more with one bass drum than most people could do with three, if they could manage them. And he had technique to burn and fantastic power and tremendous feel for rock and roll". For sheer technique, Taylor described
6956-474: The technique and into the more profound esoteric principles at play (see Notable contributions for more on this). In support of Sound Theories Vol. I & II and Visual Sound Theories , Vai put together a new band for a five-month world tour of the United States, Europe, South America, and Australia. While evaluating unique options for the band (which included ideas for a horn section or percussion section), Vai began auditioning violin players to complement
7050-463: The theme. Each evening, Vai and the special guests jam with the campers. The themes have included 2014's Vai Academy- Song Evolution Camp, and 2015's Vai Academy: All About the Guitar. Vai has announced an upcoming 2016 release commemorating the 25th anniversary of Passion and Warfare . This release contains remastered songs from the album, as well as the inclusion of a new album of material written from
7144-605: The time between the recording of Passion and Warfare and his first solo album Flex-Able . After the release, Vai held a world tour in which he played the entire Passion and Warfare album, along with material from the new release. The tour would continue during the first half of 2017. In 2014, Steve Vai with Roman Miroshnichenko 's rock-band and the 80-piece Russian Philharmonic performed in Russia. Next year, double disc DVD “Stillness in Motion: Vai Live in L.A.Stillness In Motion"
7238-566: The title track of her 2023 album, Seven Daughters of the Sea . In early 2024, Vai, Satriani, and Eric Johnson embarked on a limited-run "Reunion" tour of the original G3 lineup. Subsequently, Vai and Satriani continued touring as a double-bill. After more than 50 years of professional and personal friendship, the pair wrote and recorded their first single "The Sea Of Emotion, Pt.1", released on March 29, 2024. In September 2024, Vai joined Adrian Belew , Tony Levin and Tool drummer Danny Carey on
7332-431: The town who's like a shaman; he builds this giant edifice, like a reflecting pond, and when people come to it they see aspects of their personalities and identities and discover things about themselves. There's some comedy involved, too, but it's pretty esoteric. It's about a lot of lofty principles, so it's not a bad idea to dish this all out slowly." The installments to the series will be released over periods of time, with
7426-552: The track " Go! ," from the album Junk by French electronic band M83 . In April and May of the same year, Vai took part in the Generation Axe tour, alongside Tosin Abasi , Nuno Bettencourt , Yngwie Malmsteen , and Zakk Wylde . Starting in June, Vai embarked on the Passion and Warfare 25th Anniversary World Tour, where he played the album in its entirety for the first time. Vai is
7520-638: The two violins). The tour began in June 2007 and ended in December the same year. Midway through the String Theories tour in 2007, Vai recorded a performance at the State Theatre in Minneapolis , which yielded the acclaimed 2009 live concert DVD and Blu-ray release of Where the Wild Things Are . Certified gold in the United States and Canada, Where the Wild Things Are showcased the diverse musical range of
7614-406: The years that the creation of music is an infinite personal expression. I realized that I could do this, I could make music, and it could be whatever I want." It was a year later, at the age of six, that Vai experienced his first introduction to the guitar, remembering that, "I saw this nine-year-old boy playing the guitar in my grade school auditorium, and that was another epiphany that I had. It
7708-661: Was "I Wanna Testify" in 1977, recorded during Queen's sessions for the News of the World album. The A-side, although a cover of the Parliaments song of the same name, was completely different from the original. The B-side was a self-penned song "Turn on the TV". Taylor's first solo album, released in 1981, was Fun in Space , on which he performed all vocals and played all instruments aside from about half of
7802-646: Was born on 26 July 1949 at West Norfolk and Lynn Hospital in King's Lynn , Norfolk. The new maternity ward was opened by Princess Elizabeth, the future queen, Elizabeth II . During her visit she was introduced to 16 new mothers including Winifred Taylor, his mother. Taylor first lived at 87 High Street in King's Lynn and later moved to Beulah Street in the town. Taylor's first school was Rosebury Avenue school. Taylor moved to Truro , Cornwall, in south west England, with his mother Winifred, father Michael and younger sister Clare. When he
7896-467: Was both a critical and commercial success, reaching number four on the Billboard 200 albums chart and selling over two million copies. Guitar World magazine editor Brad Tolinski commented on Vai's playing at the time, saying that "Steve Vai's guitar wizardry is so profound that in earlier times he would have been burned as a witch." Retrospectively, Eat 'Em and Smile is frequently evaluated as one of
7990-501: Was described as "the richest and best hard rock guitar-virtuoso album of the '80s". He was voted the "10th Greatest Guitarist" by Guitar World magazine’s readers, and has sold over 15 million records. Steve Vai, a descendant of Italian immigrants , was born in Carle Place, New York on June 6, 1960. He is the fourth son of John and Theresa Vai. Vai was raised Roman Catholic . He described his first experiences with music as, "at
8084-505: Was featured on Vice City' s soundtrack, as well as "God Blessed Video" by Alcatrazz, as part of the Lazlow -led, 1980s rock/ metal radio station "V-Rock." In 2004, Vai was featured on the soundtrack to the Xbox video game Halo 2 , performing a heavy rock guitar rendition of the " Halo theme ", known as "Halo Theme (MJOLNIR Mix)". He also performed on the track "Never Surrender". He later featured in
8178-522: Was followed by two other top 40 UK hits, "Happiness" and "Foreign Sand". In 1998, Taylor released his fourth solo album Electric Fire . Taylor also performed one of the first Internet-gigs – for which he got a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records . On 11 November 2013, Taylor released the album Fun on Earth , On the same day, Taylor released his compilation album The Lot , which includes all of his work outside of Queen. In response to
8272-428: Was my first recognition of the instrument. When I saw that guitar and I saw this kid playing it, I knew instinctually that I was going to play the guitar someday, and that it would be my instrument. Don't ask me how I knew, I just knew. It was the coolest thing I had ever seen." As a young child, Vai was influenced by the music his parents had listened to. One album in particular that he cites as his "musical awakening"
8366-437: Was no greater musical influence in my life." In 2005, Vai released Real Illusions: Reflections , the first installment in an ongoing three-part trilogy concept album. Each of the three installments to the series contain material (songs, lyrics, and both spoken and written narration) with particular relationships to the storyline, purposefully left out of order. Upon the release of the third installment, Vai intends to complete
8460-686: Was released independently in DVD format as Steve Vai: Live at the Astoria, London in 2003, and was Vai's first of many successful live concert DVD projects. In 2004, Vai released twelve tracks from the DVD in an online only release. 2001 saw the limited release of The Secret Jewel Box , a conceptual ten-CD box set containing unique material from various eras of Vai's career. Four compilation albums ( The Elusive Light and Sound Vol. 1 ; Mystery Tracks – Archives Vol. 3 ; Various Artists – Archives Vol. 4 ; and Vai: Piano Reductions, Vol. 1 ) included as part of
8554-416: Was released with a bonus disc premiering “The Space Between the Notes", a revelatory video diary consisting of more than three and a half hours of footage, lensed around the world on-stage, off-stage and behind-the-scenes, rehearsal and the show moments of Steve's joint performance with Roman Miroshnichenko and orchestra during Vai’s "Story of Light" World Tour. In 2016, Vai played an uncredited guitar solo on
8648-516: Was seven years old, he and some friends formed his first band, the Bubblingover Boys, in which he played the ukulele . He briefly attended Truro Cathedral School ; at the age of 13, he joined Truro School as a day boy. At the age of 15, Taylor became a member of the Reaction, a semi-professional rock band formed mainly of boys from Truro School. Taylor had originally learned guitar, but became
8742-924: Was the original motion picture soundtrack to the 1961 film West Side Story . At age eleven, Vai was introduced to the contemporary rock and progressive music of the era, and after hearing the guitar solo to Led Zeppelin 's " Heartbreaker " at age twelve, decided to begin playing the guitar. In 1973, Vai began to take guitar lessons from fellow New York native Joe Satriani , and played in local bands (The Ohio Express, Circus, and Rayge) throughout his high school years. He spoke of when his friend John Sergio gave him Joe Satriani's number to Steve for him and his friend Frankie Munn to get guitar lessons. In 1978, to further pursue his interest in music composition and theory, Vai attended Berklee College of Music in Boston , Massachusetts after graduating from Carle Place High School . While at Berklee, Vai began working for Frank Zappa as
8836-510: Was voted the eighth-greatest drummer in classic rock music history in a listener poll conducted by Planet Rock in 2005. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 as a member of Queen. As a songwriter, Taylor composed at least one track on every Queen album, and often sang lead vocals on his own compositions. He wrote or co-wrote three UK number ones (" These Are the Days of Our Lives ", " Innuendo " and " Under Pressure ") and wrote
#255744