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

July 04, 2002 :

HELLO VAI.COM
I send you again a new artwork for your great website!
Thank you,
Rodolphe Wery from France

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
To the Man whose music touches the very depth of the soul; The Man who opened the gate to a place full of wisdom, senses, tenderness and a little madness ;)

A place where "you'll never know where i end and you begin".
Ten years ago i was impassioned by "Passion and Warfare", then came "Sex and Religion" and the question "is it right what I do in my dreams with you?"...

In 1995 I heard from you about "Alien Love Secrets" and I found that the secret is THE GUITAR...

Four years ago I almost burned in Your "Fire Garden", but now I'm totally obsessed by the richness of your soul, boundless mind and amazing sounds in the "Ultra Zone".

THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC!
God bless you and give to You and Your family all the best that can exist in this world!

Forever Yours: Stela

p.s. Have a nice beekeeping. I have already harvest the honey from one of my hives.

Dear Mr. Vai,

Thank you for your tender heart. I received your autograph and UZ-pick last month. Not only I but my wife trembled with joy.
Please come to Japan again by all means.
Happy birthday and please take care of yourself!
I wish you every happiness.

* * * * * * * * *
Sincerely yours,

Tadao Kaneko

I had the privilege to meet Mr.Vai at "Harmony House" last year on Sunday, August 14th, in Detroit, the morning before his show at St. Andrews Hall, (AWESOME SHOW). Mr Vai did 3 songs at Harmony House (UNBELIEVABLE)... then signed autographs... I waited 2 hours to meet Steve & had him sign 2 discs & my "Ibanez acoustic"... THANKS STEVE!!

I had my 4 year old daughter, Victoria with me & she saw that Mr. Vai was signing "Daddy's" stuff and asked me... "Daddy....can you ask Steve Vai to write on my hand???"... Sooooooo... I did...And to my surprise... Not only did he sign my daughter's hand... BUT... He asked her..."Do you know how to write your name???"

She said "Yes"... and then he asked her to sign "HIS" hand...Well needless to say she was thrilled & gladly printed her name on Steve's hand....WHAT A GREAT GUY!! I didn't have my camera, and was bummed out, BUT, one of the sweet, sweet ladies that was with Steve took 2 pictures of Steve & my daughter and mailed them to me( BIG THANKS!!)... My daughter begged me to take her to the concert, later that night, but she's only 4 & I just wasn't too sure about taking her to a concert...
But, she never washed her hand... Steve`s name eventually had to wear off... And she looks at the pictures almost daily on my PC... So, I'd like to thank you Mr.Vai for making a little 4-year-old's day (and her Daddy's)... You are truly one of "The Great Ones"...

Peace To You & Yours,
David & Tori

Hey there Vaiguy!!

Me and my girlfriend saw the Ultra Zone tour in London Astoria in March. We hail from good 'ole Wales (that's right, the country NEXT to England!) and usually I wouldn't travel that far to London to see a gig, but hey, it's Steve Vai!

Anyway, being a virtuoso fan since I first picked up the six-string wand and spending endless hours listening to Satch, when I got introduced to your music, I freely admit, it is the best music that I have ever heard in my life. The musical spectrum that you achieve on just 12 notes is immense. Me and my guitar tutor (I'm in music college) spend hours going through your techniques and styles.

I dragged my girlfriend along to the gig, and even she thoroughly enjoyed it!! Which is definitely saying something! Anyway, I don't need to go on about how amazing you are and how inspirational your music is, that's already been said by every sane person that's listened to it! I've played guitar for 5 years now and since listening to your music my style has greatly increased, or so my girlfriend says, maybe she's just saying that to keep me happy! I did take some photos from the tour but for some reason the camera made you guys look eeny-weeny so I've been checking out the site more than regularly waiting to see if any London photos have been put on yet! Please put them on!!

Anyway, Sardinas was great, You guys were better, and I'll see you on stage in a few years when I make it big! (or something!)

Say "Hi!" to Keneally, Mangini, Bynoe and all the roadies. Oh yeah, Weiner rocked! Cool sitar playing on 'For the Love of God!"

See you guys soon!

Simon Taylor
South Wales

PS Neath College rocks! especially Jeff Rees (Who is a huge fan!)

STEVE,

Thanks for an amazing show you guys put on in OKC,OK! I just wanted to tell you that I really appreciate the time you took to talk, sign autographs, and be socialable with me. I was hammered by the show you put on for the Ultra Zone tour! My all time favorite tunes are Little Alligator and Bad Horsie, those two always gets my attention. I picked up the Alien Love Secrets DVD and it is awesome! I love the story how you were an Indian getting chased by the train. Tender Surrender is always a pleasure to hear. I was wondering if you are ever going to release a live record with all of the current material? A live record and a DVD of that show would be the ultimate! Please consider it. I remember you were on the Fire Garden tour. Your bus caught on fire and you had a lot of personal items destroyed, at the show in OKC you pulled a DAT recorder out and recorded us. Will we ever hear a live record with that "trash dat" recording? I do hope so! Well thanks again for your tireless quest to get to the next level!

A devoted fan
always Brandon Barnett

Dear Steve,

I just wanted to email you to tell you how much you have influenced my life. My interest in guitar playing has gone from strength to strength, thanks to your music and your incredible passion for what you do. How you are able to express yourself through your music gives the amazing illusion of how your guitar is simply an extension of yourself. You are one with it, and everyone who is privileged to witness you play your music becomes hypnotised, entranced, and completely drawn into your world. I am constantly in awe of your talent. Just when I feel I know your music, something new emerges and a new boundary is set... until the next album. Seemingly there is no end to the complexities of your vision for making music. This only serves to inspire people around the globe who make contact with your music. I was privileged to have met you when you were in Australia, and was blown away by your down-to-earth nature and accessibility. I was honoured for you to sign my 10th Anniversary Jem. Your concert was all I imagined plus so much more. I will definitely remember and cherish my experience there. In this day and time, it is warming to know that heroes do exist. Thank you.

Kindest regards,
Mario Rabottini

hi rich & steve,

just a quick note and a couple of pics to say thanks for the guitar package auctioned off on mfnrocks.com. It arrived a few weeks ago and now hangs proudly on the wall next to my other guitar Steve signed in Wolverhampton, UK in March. My wife & I wanted Steve to know that we had a fantastic time at the show, and even better that we got to meet him and the band afterwards!! We have some excellant photos as memories and I really hope when Steve tours again 2-3 years time (i'm sure he will!!) he visits Wolves again.

Anyway, the pics are of my 17 mth old daughter (who also met Steve that day, maybe one of his youngest fans?!) when Steve sang The Blood and Tears to her. Hope u can put these up on the site, it would make us very proud!!

thanks

andy, nikki & serenna

I've been to a lot of different concert with a lot of different bands but this concert was... well, different. And the best, by far.

Rich Pike, thank you, thank you, thank you for getting me the two aftershow passes, but I still didn't get laid... :-)). Who cares, what´s sex after this...?

Steve Vai, you amazed me on stage, even though you according to Mike K. were ill. I hope it wasn't the food or the weather... and that you got well soon. Maybe you´re driving yourself too hard..?
And thank you for signing my Jem 90 Certificate.

Mike Keneally, what have you been smoking? ;-) Ok, Steve is far out but you took the meaning of the term one step further. Now, all I need is to get hold of "Nonkertompf"... Norway is a 3rd World country when it comes to music imports. Thank God for the Internet!
And thank you for signing my Jem 90 Certificate.

Mike Mangini, you just blew me away. I have bought a 7 drum Yamaha set and am practicing 2-3 hours a day (a man has to work too, and I am never quitting the Guitar...). Hell, yes!
And thank you for signing my Jem 90 Certificate.

Philip Bynoe, you are the glue of the band. You know what it takes and puts it in there. Cool playing, man!
And thank you for signing my Jem 90 Certificate.

I never got hold of the name of Steve's "apprentice", but you evidently belong in this band, that's for sure. Nice job!!!
Too bad I didn't get your name on that Jem 90 Certificate, you need to stick around with the other guys more. :-)

Now all I need is to learn to read sheet music, play the keyboards, some bagpipe, harmonica and about 3000 other instruments, then I´ll kick some butt!

BTW, when is Steve´s 10-cd set coming out?

Thanks for a hilarious, breathtaking, inspiring and moving concert, Steve. I had to travel 860 miles to see it, and it would have been worth it even if I'd had to walk there and back.

...so, when will you come back to Norway...?

Sincerely yours
Alf Torp
Norway

PS!
I know the best skiing tracks in Norway, Downhill, Slalom, Telemark, you name it, so just send me a mail when winter holidays are coming. Of course, afterski is not optional. :-)

Rich, Steve, and Vai fans;

Just wanted to comment on an article I recently stubbled upon in the Archives section of Guitar Player website from December of 1999.

Here I thought I'd see them ALL but was forwarded the Vai article, and I couldn't take my eyes from it until I had read each and every word! Very nice write up and no, had not seen this one.

I learned a lot from that. Mainly, something that touched me I hadn't known was that his father passed away while recording the Ultra Zone.

Interesting...very sad and yet, very inspiring that he was able to overcome the overwhelming and instant sadness of this to not only finish the Ultra Zone, but also have it turn out so beautifully at the same time.

To be so in touch with your own feelings to be able to utilize the feelings within as (in a sense) motivation toward completion is utterly unequalled!

Where so many would have given up, he continued onward to perform (what I feel) is his best yet! The diversity and guitar techniques are truly the works of a "master" and that could ONLY be Mr. Vai HIMSELF. (I am very sorry for your loss, and I understand what you may have been going through. You have my deepest sympathy but I truly believe the spirit and soul live forever.)

I find him such an inspiration to everyone who would hope to aspire in anything, NOT just the guitar but any kind of vision. It makes me smile that he has given such a wonderful gift as his music.

His eminent talent and his will to succeed in his craft should give anyone the encouragement they need to find their own niche in life.

It also made me realize that by finding your own true talent in life, you could be giving others quite a bit too! There are no losers in this kind of a deal!

Thanks Steve for sharing so much, and giving us your "all"!

Kris McBeath

Hey Steve & Company

I saw you in Manchester, England in March. I'd just like to say thank you for putting on the best concert I have ever seen! I am a huge fan of you and Eric Sardinas (I bought his album about 1 year ago) and I think both of you are fantastic guitarists - I loved the Crossroads dual in "The Attitude Song"! Oh by the way - I wasn't dragged along by a man! I had to drag my dad along so I could come to see you! (He was dead impressed too).
Thank you for inspiring me.

Rachael Wood

Hi Steve!!

This photo is from your clinic in Orvieto (Italy). I was really happy to met the man who wrote so many songs that I love. I mean...they remind to me a lot of things in my life. I went to the "VOX" disco in Nonantola during your soundcheck. I talked with the big guys...you know...the guards in the disco, and they let me enter the "VOX" at 14:00 and I saw all your soundcheck. It was great and I couldn't believe that you were so near from my house (I live10 minutes from "VOX"). Be prepared because in few years I will be a great guitar player!! Maybe better than you! ^_^
It has been nice to meet you,

Nikola (Italy)

Happy birthday Steve! Best wishes and peace and love and good happiness stuff to you and your beloved family from your German fan(atic) Katrin Vollmann (yes, a female fan). Thank you for being in Germany April 3rd 2000 in Nürnberg/Forum. It was the best concert I've ever seen in my whole live! When I'm an old Grandma and I'll forget my own name I'll remember THIS. Please visit Germany again soon. See you,

Katrin

Hi ;

First of all, excuse-me , my english is not very good, and congratulations for being such a good musician. My name is Xavier, I'm 24 and I live in Barcelona. I've never written a letter to anybody in all my life. I write to you cause I love your music and I feel some kind of connection between our minds when I listen to it. This is a feeling that I've got just with a few other musicians (John Petrucci, Nuno Bettencourt, Al Di Meola, Paco de Lucía, John McLaughlin, Eric Johnson...) but the feeling is never as strong as when I listen to you. I know that nobody cares about what I think but it's just something I've always wanted to tell you (I'm sure I'm not the only one).

Actually, I don't know anything about harmony or composition, I play guitar but I learn by myself. (I can't read a partiture for example). That's a very sad point, cause I'd like to know a lot about music to really appreciate-it.

I was in your concert in Barcelona on March 17. In my opinion it was even better than the last time in 1993 (it was great too), when you recorded us with a microphone. (I was very surprised that you remembered that). It was a great concert, you played songs of most of your albums, and everybody played very, very well. I didn't know Eric Sardinas until then, he's really good, and the rest of musicians too: "The Great Mangini", Philip Bynoe, and Mike Keneally, he is a genius.

There is something very curious in you, it's not just the music, I've got the feeling that you're a great person, not only a great musician. I've talked about this point with my "twin" brother, who is a fan of you too, and he's got the same feeling. I remember you in the last concert, taking a camera from someone in the public and trying to make a photo of yourself and that person, (while playing!!). Nobody else in the world would do that, it was very nice of you. The fact that you make the music that you want to do is fantastic too. You don't make commercial music, just what you feel and that means you're a musician, not a business man. And I think that for
all your fans, the fact that you make music for a minority public is very good for our little vanity.

Thank's for all and good luck , see ya.

Xavier

Little Green Men will make you Tender(ly) Surrender to them in The Ultra Zone by the flowing stream of The Blood And Tears. They will then ask you The Riddle for which you'll try many Answers while The Audience [would be] Listening. You'd say, "I Would Love To be a Ballerina (12/24)," and after being subjected to Erotic Nightmares and told the Love Secrets during an Alien Water Kiss, you will be given your Liberty. Sprinkling some Blue Powder on your Bad Horsie, you'll Juice up to hear The Boy From Seattle run around to Kill The Guy With The Ball.

Upon [Dying] To Live, you shall yell "Ya-Yo Gakk," and open up the Windows To The Soul. Putting your Hand on Heart, and saying Oooo under the influence of some serious Voodoo Acid, you'll have another Fever Dream. Frank(ly), you'll be flying in an Asian Sky, yelling Here I Am, while everything around you goes (Jib)boom! (You)'ll Be Around The Silent Within wearing some Lucky Charms. After this Dying Day, you'll notice that There's A Fire In The House, and you'll become a Crying Machine. In an attempt to solve The Mysterious Murder Of Christian Tiera's Lover, you'll wind up in a Bangkok hotel's Fire Garden Suite.

"Whookam," you'll say as you notice the Little Alligators and Blowfish Down Deep Into The Pain. After learning All About Eve, and witnessing Genocide, you'll leave your Aching Hunger from When [You Were] A Little Boy, and look at the Viv Woman across the street and begin Touching Tongues. Finally, too tired and with a fried brain, you'll Call It Sleep!

Warm Regards,
Anuj_Himself

PS: Darn, I figured I'll never end if I tried to cap ALL songs... ah well
:)

Hi, Nicholas from Singapore here. It's a bit late but here are some pics from Steve's concert here on February 4 1997. Superb show and I'm glad I waited for it. I queued up from 6.00pm to 10.00pm before I got in and it was worth every effort.

Thank you Steve for the great music.