Steve Vai is a class act.

[Big Poppa]

The Vai Family is really a great family and Steve is not only an endorsee of our stings but a friend.

When I first met Steve the subject got around to the CLB. I told him the story and three days later there was a five figure check made out to the CLB. As the years have passed he has auctioned off a very rare Vai guitar, auctioned off his protools rig both with the proceeds going to the CLB.

I dont have a house in LA anymore so we dont get to see each other very much but that doesnt stop him from thinking about the CLB.. I went to the mailbox and there was a very kind donation to the CLB.

Im sure he would prefer that I dont publicize this but all you read about is thenegative side of famous people and Steve just couldnt be a better person to all around him. IF you are really lucky you get on the A list Christmas card list and get a jar of the Vai Family Honey. Steve is an accomplished bee keeper.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

So, he endorses your strings, and you endorse his stings!! (sorry bad attempt at a beekeeping joke)

I saw a Celebrity Hobbies show on TV one day, and he was on there. He showed his beehives and how he collected/jarred the honey. Seemed like a real down to earth guy.

 

[Phrat]

Steve Vai always comes across as an utterly selfless and generous guy. Gets my vote!

 

[Sweat]

Clb

BP great post but to sound stupid (easy for me) what does CLB stand for?

Beagle

 

[TonyEVH5150]

It's the Casey Lee Ball Kidney Research Foundation.

 

[Sweat]

Clb

It's the Casey Lee Ball Kidney Research Foundation.

Thanks as a newbie somethings I just dont know.

Beagle

 

[Astrofreq]

Steve does rule. I've talked to him several times and he was always extra courteous to sign stuff, even when we were super obnoxious 17-year olds and found him at his hotel on the Whitesnake tour. He was with his wife and newborn and still talked to us. A total class act.

 

[GWDavis28]

Try reading this.

http://www.ernieball.com/clb/index.html

Glenn |B)

 

[Sweat]

Thanks GW

That was very informative, know makes since, looks like I have another charity to donate too besides the SPCA.

Beagle

 

[jeffrey]

I met Steve years ago when he was touring with David Lee Roth's band (I was working the show). I told him I really liked Flexable and his work with Zappa and he drilled me about what kind of guitar I played, what artists I liked, what am I played, it was nuts! He took an interest in what I was doing!

Great guy though, real good "vibe" from him.

Now if only he played EB...

 

[TwAn]

I saw Steve play live a couple of times here in Belgium, and I must say: he's a really cool guy, always very humble and polite... He has a great sense of humor on stage, and he is a GREAT musician. Some of his compositions are absolutely breathtaking. (in my opinion)

(And I must say he also has some cool guitars... I haven't seen him play an EBMM yet though... But hey, you can't have everything.. )

 

[Norrin Radd]

Not only is Steve a great guy but he is also one heck of a true performer! I went to his show here (about a year and a half ago) and he was awesome. He was doing a "quiet" set (in the middle of the show) while sitting down and playing. He started talking to the crowd and we realized he was sick as a dog - he could hardly speak. He asked the audience if he should try singing or not - we all said no because it was obvious the guy was in pain even speaking.

BUT he went ahead and sang a few songs anyways - and it was awesome - it was clear it was both difficult and satisfying for him to give it a go. He did a miraculous set and it crescendoed eventually into a raucous remainder of the night. The show, from this obviously sick and in pain Vai, lasted just slightly over 3 hours. It was, by far, the best concert I have ever been to (even though my seats sucked! ). I will never forget it and if I ever am able, will try and contribute to not only the CLB but to the Make a Noise Foundation as well.

Steve -

I will always be a huge fan of yours for many many reasons. Thanks for all of the awesome memories and looking forward to years more!

 

[greeny]

I've got to admit that as someone that is not that keen on his music (whilst appreciating his huge talent) and having seen several concert DVD's of his where I think he comes of as having a rather large ego (Ok, he has the chops to back it up I admit), also having read various things in the past where he had try to invent his own scales, I had him down as a bit of a prat.

Reading the above I've got to swallow those words and re-evaluate my opinions. It is great to hear when someone of Steve's stature does things like this, He is indeed a class act.

Ok so I'm still not keen on most of his music but that's not the point.

 

[Music Man]

Hes is one of the best, I have never had the opurtunity to meet him but I got a Story to tell you about him.
About 3 years ago at NAMM we were at the EBMM booth drooling over all the sweet axes, as usual. We start seen people gather around, it was Steve. He took the time to talk to everyone and take pics. After everyone had gone here comes this guy that wanted to talk to him and take his pic. One of the guys that was with Steve held him back as to not bother Steve because he was leaving, Steve saw that and went back to talk to the guy and took a pic with him. After the guy left Steve had a talk with the gent that was with him.

I thought that was very thoughtful and curtiuos on the part of Steve, and that made him on top of being a phenomenal Musician, a great human being.

 

[tristan]

yep, vai is great, and he has always showed great human values. I love this guy.

 

[Spudmurphy]

IF you are really lucky you get on the A list Christmas card list and get a jar of the Vai Family Honey. Steve is an accomplished bee keeper.

If you get on Spud's A list, you get a jar of Xmas Pickles!!

Keeping bees is something I want to do when I retire and move house - how cool!

Nice story too BP, thanks for that.
Spud

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I have always liked him, ever since the Crossroads finale!

 

[Psychicpet]

very cool indeed!

 

[phatduckk]

thats very, very awesome!

 

[dfrady]

It's nice too here the good storys like this about celeberty people. I've always been a Vai fan, it's nice too know that he's a nice and classy guy as well !!