MAILBAG ARCHIVES:

- September 20, 2000

- July 04, 2000

- June 09, 2000

- May 18, 2000

- March 05, 2000

- January 11, 2000

- December 27, 1999

- November 02, 1999

- September 18, 1999

- August 27, 1999

- March 16, 1999

- January 30, 1999

- October 22, 1998

- April 26, 1998

- March 30, 1998

- March 17, 1998

June 09, 2000:

Hi Steve,

The JEM's neck is so large that I had to customize my young sister's arms to make her able to use it as good as you...

Continue to offer our ears such wonderful poetry, and be always the same...

Few notes from France,

Matthieu Saqué

Hey Steve,

My friends and I were in Marseille at "Le Moulin" for your second visit to our beautiful town. Just a few lines to thank you for the great show you gave to us. The place was crowded and the concert was OUTSTANDING!! You gave us 3 hours of pure HAPPINESS and lots of good memories... I would like to thank you for playing "Windows to The Soul", "For The Love Of God" and "Tender Surrender" which made us dream. Thanks again.

Peace.

Hakim

Take a look at these excellent pics of Vai playing at the "London Astoria" on the 9/3/00. I took these photos myself. I'm not feeling big-headed but would'nt you say they came out superb? I'm realy suprised because I'm not a camera expert and I'm only 17.

Please feel welcome to publish these on the "Vai Site" for all to see!

All in all the concert was excellent because I got right to the front. But even better than getting to the front was when Steve handed out the body of his guitar to the audience. I was the only person to touch his whammy bar and make some really cool guitar noises...LIVE!!!

Yours faithfully,

Raymond Reilly
UK

Hi there!

Just had the best day of my life on the 10th of March. I went to see Steve in Manchester. I met Steve and he signed some stuff for me. He then asked me to come in and watch the soundcheck... WOW... What a day I had. I spent just over two hours against the stage, taking over 200 photos of him up close & personal. He also played 2 brand new songs, one of which he said represented the United Kingdom. You really are a true gent, Steve, and a genius on all levels. A big thank you to you and your band for all of your kindness and hospitality when you were so busy.

Forever Happy,
Paul

Well, I just wanted to tell anybody who reads this that Greasy Kid's Stuff is really cool!!! I really love it, keep up the good work,

Alejandro Salas

Dear Steve,

I hope to you get to read this. I've just got back in from the most amazing show I think I've ever been to! You gave us your all tonight, Steve - the atmosphere was so warm, fun and electric, you let me in for the soundcheck, and the new "tea and crumpets" song you recorded is so, well, English. It's lovely. You played "Tender Surrender", I cried again. "Windows to the Soul", oh my God,. Then afterwards I met you. I've waited so long for that, and believe it or not it took a lot of courage for me to come up to you. You were so nice to me. Then I asked you to sign the back of my jacket, and you said to me "such a beautiful jacket too", Well it will be even more beautiful to me now Steve, thank you so much for your music, we all love you so much. I wanted to say that to you at the time, but could just about speak, and I know you will come back and see us. I know you felt the warmth and love we all sent you, we didn't want you to stop playing for us. Well God bless you Stevie, and it was such a privilege to hear the new song being recorded at the soundcheck. Yes, even all 12 times!! :o)

love to you all,

Chris J.

So, here’s my story from the recent Australian Vai tour. I’ll try to keep it brief because I could go on for ages. Basically, being a huge Vai fan, and probably an even bigger Keneally fan, I wanted to make the most of the recent Australian tour. I knew that just one show wasn’t going to be enough for me and so, I decided I’d be a bit crazy and go to all 5 Australian shows (a bit excessive, I know, but it’s not every day that they come to town and I got a package deal which kept the price down a bit). I had 3 months of holidays from university over the summer so I spent this time working my butt off packing shelves at a supermarket to save up the money for the airfares and accomodations. It was definitely worth it! (even though I was totally broke when I returned home).

The first show was in Melbourne. I got to the venue pretty early (as I did for all the gigs) so I could get a spot right up at the front. I was glad I did because while waiting outside for the Melbourne show, Steve came walking down the street (guitar in hand) and invited us earlybirds in to see the soundcheck. I don’t really need to say how fantastic the show was that night (and every other night). Next stop was Sydney (where I’m from) and I got to meet Steve in the morning at a record store signing. I got him to sign two pretty rare items for me -- the original “Flex-Able Leftovers” EP (second cover) and my Loch Ness Green Jem777 guitar. I told him I was going to all of the shows, although I’m not too sure if he believed me (which is understandable). I had a MK “Sluggo!” shirt on and we both agreed what a great album that is (cool!). I got to meet Mike before the show that night and he signed all of his CDs for me and was ultra cool. The show in Sydney that night was pretty wild.

Next stop was Brisbane, and then Adelaide where I went to see Mike’s little acoustic concert at a music shop (thanks Jamie). This was the first time I’d ever heard Keneally material live and in person and it was an amazing thrill. Mike was real cool and appreciate of my “commitment” but I still couldn’t help feeling like some sort of crazy stalker or something (“The Wreckage Was Large” comes to mind). Oh well, Mike didn’t seem to care. After the Vai show the next night I got to meet the rest of the band and they were all really nice too.

The next night in Perth I went to Mike’s second acoustic show (thanks Gary). There was a bigger turnout and it was great. Mike answered a bunch of questions and played some Keneally classics. The final Vai show in Perth rocked. The aftershow shindig was pretty relaxed and we got in. Once again, everybody was really nice. We eventually pushed our way through the throng of people crowding Steve and said I’d been to all of the shows. I’m not sure if Steve recognized me or not (Steve obviously sees a lot of faces), but I did have my “Sluggo!” shirt on again. I guess he must have believed me because the next thing I knew, he was taking off his chain necklace and handing it to me! I was shocked and I couldn’t believe he was serious. I mean, how cool is that?! I thanked him repeatedly, got a photo, and that was it. I said bye to Mike, and thus ended one of the most exciting and incredible weeks of my life!

So, to Mike Keneally, Dave, Philip & Mike -- thanks for the great shows and for being so cool. And to Steve, thank you so much for your unbelievable generosity and wonderful music.

So there you have it. Feel free to include this in the “Your Letters & Photos” section of the website, that is, if you can take the time to type it up. I would have sent it by e-mail instead of in the post, but I don’t have a scanner for the photos.

Thanks, and all the best --

Jimmy Lardner-Brown

Dear Steve Vai & Band,

Thank you for letting me experience one of the greatest nights in my life. This might come a bit late, that gig I'm talking about was in Hannover, Germany on April 6th and...what can I say...it was amazing. I really stood there with my jaw dropped to the floor and I had tears in my eyes, so beautiful it was. And not only the guitar performances, but also the drum ones were really great. It was truly unbelievable. My boyfriend was with me that night and I watched him several times during the show and I can tell, he was just as caught as I was by your music. You know, he wasn't really a Steve Vai fan until he saw that show...

Well, as I said, "thank you for the music" and I (or we) hope you'll come to Germany soon again, or at least tape one of the Ultra Zone gigs and make a video, thanks.

Yours,

Kati

Hey Steve!!!

I just got back around two hours ago from the incredible performance you put on in Manchester Apollo. I have been playing my axe since I got back but I had to stop because of the ungodly hour. Anyway, all I want to say is that the show tonight had me lost for words. It was more an adventure than a concert, and the memory of that will be with me forever (I can now imagine how those who saw Jimi at Woodstock must have felt). And Steve, the way you described 'Voodoo Acid' within the song, well it was amazing. I can't think of words that can express how I feel. I am on an incredible high and I'm never going to put my guitar down again.

Thank you so much.

Chris Booth

Hi Steve,

Firstly I'd like to thank you for the wonderful show you & your band put on in Wolverhampton, England on the 12th March. It's the third time I've seen you through the years and your genius astounds me. Also thank you for spending time with myself and my girlfriend, she is now a confirmed fan. I've been telling her how good you are for years but I guess she needed to experience you with her own eyes and ears. I still can't believe that I finally got to meet you. I've met most of my heroes over the years as I'm an autograph collector/dealer and its very rare that when I meet a celeb that I get a real high now, in fact most are a disappointment. Well, my head has been in the clouds for the last week - you're a true gentleman and an example to us all, may you have health and happiness for many long years. Please come back to the UK SOON!!!

I've attached a couple of photo that I had taken with you.

Regards,
John Hodges

Dear Steve,

I've just returned from the show at Ancienne, Belgique (6/3/2000). For me, this evening has been wonderful - at times an enlightening experience. I have loved your music for the last 10 years and I admire the integrity and intensity you give at all times. Tonight you had a few technical problems - notably in "Angel Food" (that damn lead) and "Fever Dream" (well if it ain't the lead again). Still, we all got through it and thanks for perservering - especially as "Fever Dream" is one of my personal favorites of The Ultra Zone. It's difficult to describe the emotion of finally seeing you strut your stuff after listening to you for all these years, but there were a few defining moments tonight that summed it all up - the crowd towards the end of "Tender Surrender" ('You know how to make an American boy feel proud'), my tears during "For The Love Of God" (I just couldn't believe I was really watching you play it) and your dive into the crowd at the end. I wanted to bring my 'Flo' JEM for you to sign, but I'm walking with a crutch at the moment (you may have seen me waving it about near the front on your left) and that pretty much ruled it out, but nevertheless that doesn't spoil anything - maybe next time. Thanks for a great evening, inspiration and for touching my life in such a delightful way.

David A Baird

Dear Steve,

I have been to many concerts since1968, some impressed me more, some less. Your concert in Vienna last week was one of the best - if not the best of all - I have ever been.

This surprised me even more because I expected to hear music which I like but is sometimes hard to listen.

The impression of you and your band members was much better than on CD - the music went deeper in me than on CD.

Maybe it was the strong personal impact of you and your band members that let me feel your music better. Maybe the sound mixing - especially on FEVER DREAM - suits me better than on CD.

Also all my friends enjoyed your concert very much, all of them felt that your concert was really great! (One of my friends had no idea of your music before) I travelled 700 km to see you and it was worth it!!!

Please Steve is it possible to play not so loud? Only a little bit less would help much. I am 46 years old, my ears are already a little bit damaged (The Who or ELP or Led Zeppelin or maybe motorbike-racing, I don't know). During rock concerts I used to take earplugs, but I cannot do this when I hear your music. I take the risk (as my doctor says) of having ringing sound in my ears after such a concert. It isn't wise I know but you (your sound engineer) are playing too loud.

Sorry for my bad english.

I wish you all the very best from my heart and that all your dreams come true!

Kind regards,

Wilfried

Steve,
It's a bit dated now, but I finally scanned my Polaroid of us from the Winter 1996 NAMM show. I think I was the only person there with a stinking Polaroid camera. The upside was that I didn't have to wait to see if the picture would come out. You might remember, I doubt it, but you might. I was the guy with the Polaroid. One of the people helping you there asked to get a picture of you and her with my camera. You were very nice and signed 4 or 5 photos for me to take back for my friends as well. You were very friendly, and had to lean over the counter quite a ways, and grab me and pull me in to get the shot. I remember thinking "WOW Steve Vai is practically hugging me". Another cool note is that the shirt you have on must be one of your favorites, because it's on the G3 CD too. I got that CD and told my friends HEY I TOUCHED THAT SHIRT!! Your music does nothing but inspire me. There is a part in "Ultra Zone" when you're getting all quiet, and playing the small licks in the middle. Then you just grab it and go, the part almost sounds like your fucking your guitar (edit for content if you must here) and not in a nice way :-). Unlike in "Bad Horsie" when it sounds like your doing it nice and slow. Anyway, that's a rather sick line of thought, but it's what I picture in that part of the song. I'm a member of that camp that thinks you and Joe Satriani should get together for an album. He was the reason I picked the guitar up in the first place because of "Day at the Beach". Eddie Van Halen made me keep playing after I realized how hard that stuff is. You, however, put me in total awe. I had Passion & Warfare before I ever started playing. That was mostly because "The Audience is Listening" was a cool song, that anyone could dig. I was also into Zappa. After I discovered the guitar, that album was my favorite. I used to sit in the dark and listen to "For Love of God" and try to see and feel the music. "Sisters" was the first one off of that album I was able to play and make it recognizable. I've babbled on enough. I hope to see this pic and letter on your site!

Warm Regards,
Stacey Lee

Hello, Steve!!!

Here is my picture that was taken in Orvieto (Italy) on 26-03-00. This day was seriously one of the greatest day of my life. I'd like to thank you for that amazing clinic.

I want also thank you for making such great music that inspires me each and every time I pick up my guitar. You are the Master, the only one!!!!

Thanks a million Steve.

Angelo Gramaccioni

You are my inspiration in my art. Look what you have done to me... hehe... this I made for your next album, okay?

With Regard,

MANTRA

Hello out there!

I was at Steve 's concert in Nijmegen, Holland on the 7th of March. To me, as a big fan of Steve, it was a very emotional event. Crying and laughing at the same time is a weird experience, I can tell you. Steve 's show only proved to me what he is capable of, and that he 's still growing in what he 's doing. Steve is also a kind of a motor to me, giving me a push to keep playing guitar. His concert here in Holland was a smashing experience, something which I 'll never forget. I 'm going to wear my Ultra Zone t-shirt proudly and I 'm telling everyone who wants to know about you!

Peace to you all,

Marcel Boekholt (Holland)

P.S. Damn! Still haven 't got that JEM.......yet!

DEAR STEVE!

hey hey! what up!?
check this, this is me and my uncle... trying to play your music.. ahem... haha, we need 4 hands to play your stuff, what i'm saying: YOU'RE THE BEST, warm regards from holland!

thanks for the inspiration and...
warm regards
MEMROX

Steve Vai's last concert of the world tour, in Istanbul, was one of the best shows I have ever seen. Turkish audience worshipped his kind, funny and attractive behaviour as much as his guitar skills. It was a show that would never be easily forgotten.

I thank him personally for entertaining me non-stop for 2.5 half hours. It was an ultimate show and good music. I absolutely would like to see him again, whenever, wherever...

BeaR

Hi all there at Vai.com

My name is Gareth and I am a 19 year old male living in Northern Ireland. Ireland is not very good if, like me, you are into music no good bands ever come to play here. All of that changed recently when Steve Vai himself stopped off at Vicar Street Dublin to play a date on the 13 March.

I was there and I had the time of my life. It was a very long drive down from where I live to Dublin but it was worth it I can tell you.

Before the gig started I was hanging around the bar and I could hear some playing going on in the main hall, I asked the security guy if I could go in and he let me. I went into the hall and I could not believe it when I saw Steve sitting there warming up with Mike Keneally, I was so amazed as I have to be the biggest Steve Vai fan in Northern Ireland. He was really playing some amazing stuff.

Then I had to go back outside and wait for the doors to open, once they did I was like one of the first people into the hall. The first high point came when I spotted Dave Weiner over at the mixing desk so I went up to him and asked him for an autograph - he is like such a nice guy and down to earth.

After a bit more waiting about Eric Sardinas came on stage and played some furious blues, later that night I also met the big man himself, he is bigger than me and I am like 6 foot 3, and got his autograph. It was so cool when he lit his guitar onstage, I had never seen the like of it before and I don't think that I will ever see anything quite like the energy that he gives off onstage.

Then, the bit that I had been waiting years for, Steve Vai came onstage. He played a blistering set, he even recorded a new song in Dublin that he had never played anywhere else, just wait 'til it comes out on one of his records, he had the whole crowd really fired up!

Steve himself and his band give off lots of energy and Steve is very charismatic, he was even messing about and talking to the audience and telling them the story behind the song "Voodoo Acid" which was very cool. I have never before seen a guitar player with so much feeling in his playing, you can really feel the passion in his notes.

The high point for me was when Steve threw a guitar pick into the audience and I got it! I could not believe it, seriously, I have always wanted my very own Steve Vai guitar pick and now I have one, locked up safely I might add. That was really the best for me, thanks Steve, all I need now is to meet him and get his autograph.

I would also like to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who was involved in this amazing concert in Vicar Street, Dublin. The show was amazing and I just can't express my thanks enough to everyone who organized it, I would especially like to thank Steve and his whole crew for being a great bunch of lads and also you guys at Vai.com for making the best site on the internet. I couldnt be happier as Steve Vai is like my favourite artist ever and I am never going to forget that night that I had in Vicar Street Dublin.

THANK YOU,

Gareth