Stream the full Steve Vai podcast: kzread.info/dash/bejne/fZWs2tV_cZvOops.html

@baronvontourettes

2 жыл бұрын

Actually Al Kooper had a couple moments like this actually becoming catatonic for awhile, albeit some recreational drugs were involved too.

@oughtssought1198

10 ай бұрын

your greatest spirituality is your own suffering the voice of experience

@mhillaxeman

9 ай бұрын

Wow! I had no idea Steve was such a cool guy!

When I was in college in 1996, I went to a concert with a few friends. One guy said at one time he wrote to Steve that he would like a guitar like his, and he said Steve sent him one of the custom Ibanez guitars with the cool fretboard and the carved out hand grip, and a letter to play it and enjoy it. Steve is a great human being and his guitar playing is beyond great.

@joefox9765

10 ай бұрын

He's that kind of guy

@LeonLandgren-qt9pg

10 ай бұрын

Wow

@TheTargetedScapegoat

10 ай бұрын

I don’t have any good Steve Vai story, but I finished my undergrad in 1997. Took me 7 years because I transferred between 5 different Universities as I traveled California and kept taking classes outside of my major requirements. I wasn’t going to pass up a marine biology course from Dr Sumich at Grossmont in San Diego, nor was I going to pass up any computer classes that were using Macs in creative ways. Steve is not even close to the guy I had first imagined he would be when I saw him - of course I had no idea what his background was with Zappa - if I had, I would have been an immediate fan. (Adrian Belew has always been one of my favorites).

@LeonLandgren-qt9pg

10 ай бұрын

@@TheTargetedScapegoat mind blown.

@garyssimo

10 ай бұрын

Geeeze what a story. Love to jam witn him some day when his hand heals. Those guitars are so cool!

I love Steve as a guitar player and as a human being. It takes courage to share struggles with mental health.

@usaslakt

10 ай бұрын

Spot on!

@morbidmanmusic

10 ай бұрын

It would have been more useful years ago. It's easy when you're at the end of life to be open.

@usaslakt

10 ай бұрын

Sure, but at least he is, some people live their whole life in suffer. Dont mean that everybody needs to be open with it though..@@morbidmanmusic

@immortalobelisk6302

10 ай бұрын

@@usaslaktdude, don’t tell other people how to feel. I think it’s awesome that he’s doing this

@usaslakt

10 ай бұрын

Dude? I wrote SOME people...@@immortalobelisk6302

"Your greatest spiritual teacher is your own suffering." Spot on, Steve. So very true.

@johnev1233

10 ай бұрын

The catch is for those that don't have support or internal structures or practices to put the suffering in to context and be able to intentionally, constructively be with, not in, the suffering, then you have the "chronic" cases that the pharmaceutical companies love to sell pills for, and that people rarely get free from. I'm not knocking the need for meds in real clinical situations. What I'm saying is a lot of what people experience is navigable without meds, but our system has us duped... for profit. I am an affiliate of Dr. Alan Watkins (physician and neurologist) who brilliantly said most of what we call "mental illness' is really emotional turbulence. That turbulence, again, can be worked with, and through, given the right practices, guidance and supportive community. Again, true mental illness is not what I'm speaking of, and can require medical and pharmaceutical treatment to manage. This is generally not the case for common depression and anxiety. We need to learn how to and practice regulating our emotions. It's really that simple. The problem is not the emotions, but an economic system that requires us to constantly go, go, go... perform... produce... more, more, more! and not have time and space to care for the complex and delicate creatures that we are. It's time for shift in values. 🙏❤

@yztrewq

10 ай бұрын

@@johnev1233 Beautifully said, my friend. I couldn't agree more.

@j_freed

3 ай бұрын

There's a line from Laurence Sterne: "God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb…" This can be interpreted to mean that we are only sent what we can deal with in our life. Our difficulties are within our capacity. Ergo, it may be incorrect to help people at moments they can help themselves. There would be no value or learning in it.

A simplistic description of Steve's kind of breakdown might be 'overthinking'. Someone who can transcribe FZ's guitar solos must be inherently capable of incredibly intense thought and over-analysis. Glad you're still around, Steve! You've always seemed to be down-to-earth. I was at that show in Montreal, btw.

@wolfgangdevries127

10 ай бұрын

Or they are simply interested in typewriters.

@josephesposito3499

10 ай бұрын

Good observation.

I'm a touring drummer and struggle with depression. It's comforting to know I'm not the only musician who deals with it. It seems to be extra prevalent with creative people. Being out of work during Covid was terrifying for a lot of us. I think a lot of musicians still have almost a kind of PTSD from it. And with depression on top of it all, it was a terrible time.

@augustusbetucius2931

11 ай бұрын

My difficulties with depression and anxiety all went away as a result of getting rid of all caffeine and meditating every day. I won't swear those will work for someone else, but I'd certainly say it's worth trying. I've talked with others who began meditating and discovered that depression, panic and anxiety went away. Take it for what it might be worth. What Steve says here about spirituality seems to support this idea. I've certainly discovered what he says about the voice in the head being who we are is a lie is absolutely correct.

@dantwomey4215

10 ай бұрын

Some depression is almost a prerequisite for all good players. In fact it's irrefutable!😅

@dantwomey4215

10 ай бұрын

​@@augustusbetucius2931Ya. I noticed caffeine could be a real trigger for negative thoughts and general aggravation..

@ghostwriter1415

10 ай бұрын

@@dantwomey4215 or thinkers! Do I like art, or science, or both? How can I proceed!

@Followerofthekingofkings1969

10 ай бұрын

​​​@@dantwomey4215. God I need that but depression has kicked my ass for a few yrs now. I think I had a break down Dec 2022 Jan 2023.....I still having trouble even thinking about work. Going rehab Monday for mostly my health but also an addict meth ....pretty much anything to feel better than normal. I have abstained from alcohol since 2019 it's my killer beat myself up and do it again drug of choice for 30 something years . I've been self medicating on something since early teens. I write lyrics and try to play guitar helps alleviate the depression. I'm 53 may as well say beginner cause I've had guitars around since I was 15 but never played and practiced because really don't know where I need to begin. I'm hoping getting off dope and getting dopamine levels back up .Medication for anxiety, depression and what ever else they think is wrong.....I wasted most of my life to negative and drunk to get help. I have to get it done or the suicidal tendencies were getting more fathomable and schizophrenia symptoms building up scared me straight that and about to lose my job over it. Ding dong the functioning alcoholic is long gone now its just me a old lifetime drug addict n drunk trying to learn guitar and stay alive.

When I first started seeing Steve's interviews over time, it was really a little bit of a shock to see and realize just how down to Earth and genuine he really is. He's completely open, relatable

When I was 18 the girl I loved dumped me and I went down I to that black hole of depression. It took 5 years to somewhat come out of it. Looking back, it was the best learning experience. I know what Steve Vai is talking about and I appreciate his honesty. Much love.

@archiekaybeetheguitarist7040

9 ай бұрын

Sorry you’ve been through. Things in the world can be temporary. I don’t know if you’re believer or not but By the grace of God, you are comforted.

The most important takeaway here is for people to recognize that depression/suicidal tendencies are very often a SEASON. Yes, a horrific season I know all too well. BUT...like Steve and millions of others, you MUST just keep doing the next thing until you break through to the other side. PLEASE DON'T intentionally leave this world - you are here for a reason...a mission that ONLY YOU can accomplish.

@Fred800

3 күн бұрын

Beautifully put and quite correct I'm sure. Thank you.

I'm impressed not only with Steve's guitar playing which is out of this world, but even more so with his honesty and humanity.

Wow! I was never a fan of his music, but after seeing this video, I really respect him so much. He’s a wise and spiritual human; and very sincere and tuned in.

@saltpeter7429

10 ай бұрын

I am not a fan of his music either... but as a human being, I have been a big fan for a number of years. I first read an interview with him in Guitarworld magazine. An amazing man. I like Dave Grohl as well, but dont care if I ever hear another Foo Fighters song again.

@kenduffy5397

9 ай бұрын

I really appreciate his music knowledge and his amazing skills. I don’t listen to his music. However, he’s a great human being! Dave Grohl is cool. But I think Steve is so down to earth! I have friends with bigger egos than Steve.

@saltpeter7429

9 ай бұрын

@@kenduffy5397 as for friends with bigger ego's than Steve? Lol! That was great! I as well. And as far as I know most of em cant tune a guitar never mind master one...

Steve has been a great source of inspiration for me for over 40 years. I find his creativity, courage and curiosity endlessly inspiring.

Love his honesty, he has true soul.

@sunlightevidence4359

2 жыл бұрын

Everyone has a true soul. HE is just being more ‘human’. Throughout his life the man has expressed himself honestly and openly through his music and personal perspectives.

I’m glad Steve is willing to talk about this.

So wonderful to have him speak about his struggles. Very important for so many young people to hear these days. Good on you Mr. Vai! ❤

Joni Mitchell once said... "Depression is the Sand that Makes the Pearl"

@WyattScott

11 ай бұрын

i like that

Vai is an exceptionally perceptive and intelligent guy. Let me say two things: (1) I and millions of other people are grateful that he pulled out of it, and (2) he's lucky to have had these revelations so early in life. It takes most of us far longer.

I was in a car accident in the early 90's. Flipped the car on ice, ended up in a culvert. Crawled out , freezing cold water and I realized " Flexible" was playing in the tape deck. Went back in to get it. Thanks, Steve for all the great music.

This man is a musical genius.. we all know that. I’ve been playing guitar for over 30 years and I would much rather hear Mr. Vai talk about this stuff and his insights into existing than any guitar stuff hands down. He’s a beautiful deep soul and his honesty is overwhelming and uplifting. Something we all must strive for. I feel better about me every time I hear him when he conveys his outlook on the “search” we all go through and struggle with at times. Just awesome👍👍👍

Bless you for this, Steve.

Love Steve Vai. His style is not really my cup of tea yet I've always found the man to be well-grounded and inspiring. Plus he played for Zappa - enough said...

@usaslakt

10 ай бұрын

True, and you look like Zappa in your profile picture... :)

@ChuckMarteau

10 ай бұрын

🤣😂🤣😂@@usaslakt

@HillcrestGames

10 ай бұрын

I agree 100%. Though there's one recording of Tender Surrender live that I keep going back to. It's my favorite thing he's done.

@60secondsofhope

4 ай бұрын

Yes!

“Depression is like trial by fire.” A great analogy, it can be paralyzing. The music of Steve Vai has been/is great therapy:)

It's nice to hear someone talk about their depression and not use it as an excuse for not changing. He actually learned from it.

It's incredible to me that Steve could feel that way..He's a phenomenal genius and loved world wide.. Rock on brother 💪

@billplaney2585

10 ай бұрын

We are all human beings.

Steve Vai is the greatest. Hearing him speak on this is very humbling.

Wow, great interview - big thanks to Steve on sharing his personal mental health challenges. His ultimate view on spirituality and its importance is really great and very true...

Steve is an extraordinary musician, everybody knows that for a fact. But I think he's an even more outstanding human being. Really. I've learned more with his talks about life than with his music.

@CarlosVBCN

9 ай бұрын

Same!

Wow Steve, thank you very much for this! I love you! 🙏

@markpyne8354

10 ай бұрын

He shares a great perspective.

I've been listening to Skyscraper all week. It's a such a unique album. It's not metal or hard rock. More like a happy party album. Steve's guitar playing is tasty and unique, complimenting the themes of the songs very well.

@OnlyElshafto

10 ай бұрын

Eat em an smile is my fav for that dude🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✌️😎

@cryptosecuritytools

7 ай бұрын

Perfect Timing!

I can't believe that the interviewer didn't ask what books Steve read that helped him so much. There was a golden opportunity lost. 🙁

@alanhaynes418

10 ай бұрын

The books which resonated with Steve may not be the ones which resonate with YOU. Everyone's mind is different and you have to make your own search, not duplicate someone else's experiences.

@SingleMalt77005

10 ай бұрын

@alanhaynes418 True, but I am still wanting to know what books worked for him. They might help me too.

@inkompliet

10 ай бұрын

​@@alanhaynes418some people like to have a specific starting point of reference.

@alanhaynes418

10 ай бұрын

What I'm saying is that there is no 'specific starting point' as it will be different for every individual. What works for one person may mean nothing to another. Steve didn't ask anyone where to look, and it would probably have been a waste of time if he had.@@inkompliet

@nealandrus6666

10 ай бұрын

I had the EXACT thought! How can you not ask??

Fabulous as always, so wise, honest and loving. No wonder his guitars sing.

This is exactly what happened to me back 2017 and 2018 .. The fear of going insane... I'm fine now.. God bless ♥️

@JR-ke9lm

2 жыл бұрын

How did you get Better please be honest

@FFFRoS

2 жыл бұрын

@@JR-ke9lm Keep going bröther, listen to your heart, listen to your body.

@JR-ke9lm

2 жыл бұрын

@@FFFRoS my heart tells me to run away from my toxic household and never return

@Wintermute0168

10 ай бұрын

Yet ye believe in God and Santa with NO Verifiable evidence.😮👹🙃👹🤔👹🧟

Depression doesn't pick the rich, the talented or the poor, it just comes. When I was 25 it simply came to me and I was at one of the best times of my personal life. Don't know how to explain. Just happened. I could never imagined Steve had been throught such an awful experience. One thing I think is for sure. We all have our inner power and it's just a matter of when we discover it and start knowing ourselves in full.

Steve Vai has been a constant source of inspiration in my musical and spiritual journey. Thank you Steve for your openness and integrity.

"Your greatest spiritual teacher is your own suffering." Thank you, Steve.

Steve you are the man always have and always will be deep in our hearts and minds through the creativity you've brought to us and the measures of sound and bliss. God bless you forever and keep making more material make the most outta life has to offer dont ever give up no matter what the outcome is whether it be having anxiety or anything. you know all of this but we care and all you gotta do is talk to us more power to you (keep on keepin on) \m/

I fell into severe, debilitating, depression in my 20's and had no idea what was going on for some time. I thought I'd never escape the cocoon that was forming around me. I was so isolated and hopeless it took a long time to figure out...but as I realised what had happened I wanted to figure out a way back to myself, who I was beforehand. When it became obvious that that was an impossibility the only option was to fully enter into the experience instead of trying to escape it, as a chance to get to the root of the problem. It was a metamorphosis. Then I found the single most profound and life altering message in my life, it said "we must embrace pain and use it as fuel for our journey" Kenji Miyazawa. That changed my life, saved it even. Depression can be a very powerful trasformative and ultimately positive experience if embraced. No medication.

I was playing guitar in several local bands from age 16 to 26, then i was abused in relationship with a narcissist and i had a breakdown ...lost my sense of who i was. And just like Steve here my suffering drove me to find answers, and curiously came to the same understanding as Mr. Vai. - namely that my ego wasn't what i really was and that i was indeed the underlying self. I did stop playing guitar though which is really a shame. Never really took it up again.

@larryflanagan8799

9 ай бұрын

It's not too late. The guitar is always there for you.

I really like Steve. He is intelligent, expressive, open-hearted, wise, honest and grounded. If you call yourself "just an Italian guy from Long Island" (other interview), then I think you know this guy is a good guy. Being a guitar virtuoso doesn't hurt either. Loved him since he was with Dave, bought the Eat 'Em and Smile album when it came out and listen to it on my tape recorder all summer long and thought “Who is this guy?" (I wasn't into Zappa back then so I had missed Steve there) All the best Steve. Great interview..Cheers from Sweden!

Steve is one of the nicest musicians I've ever met . Class act all the way.

Thank you very much for that piece of interview. It helped me a lot to understand myself in some phases of my life !

I just became a great admirer of Steve Vai. Thanks for posting this.

Fantastic Steve that you have discovered this and open up completely and honestly. The role model you have been fullfilling is obviously not limited to being an excellent guitar player, but also make others realise that what we think that we are is nothing but a thought that happens within THAT which we truly are, Namaste!

Fantastic interview and very insightful and helpful for a lot of people with pressing challenges x

Yet again, came for Steve’s insights into music and stayed for his absolutely incredible knowledge of life and spirituality.

@CassiusMorrisOfficial

Жыл бұрын

😎

Wow! Valuable interview. I experienced similar thinghs in my 20's and also lead me on a path of better self knowledge and spirituality. Thanks for sharing openly and honestly!

Thanks for sharing steve..

Thank you Steve Vai for sharing this. It resonates a lot. Not at all in my orbit musically speaking but always respected and admired. Much more with this honest conversation.

WOW! Steve has spoken - 'That is the way' We need more of this great life lesson stuff from a legend!

Great of him to share this.

Been struggling the past 8 years and I really needed to hear this. Means SO MUCH coming from a musician. Never was a big fan of Vai's music but man oh man do I have massive respect for the kindness and wholeheartedness he portrays. Very powerful video!

@martindione386

10 ай бұрын

respect man, all the best for you!

@toernebohmite

10 ай бұрын

Struggling with what? Being yet another stupid internet "guitarist"?

REAL TALK FROM REAL PEOPLE...A MEGA STAR I HAVE SO MUCH RESPECT FOR NOT ONLY AS A MUSICIAN BUT AS A HUMAN TO BE OPEN ENOUGH TO LET PEOPLE KNOW IT'S OK TO TALK OPENLY ABOUT ANXIETY AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE'S...WE ALL NEED TO DO THIS MORE AND MORE NEED TO SEE THIS VIDEO...GREAT VIDEO..THANKS FOR SHARING ....✌

When we overcome our fear of the dark, the magic begins- and it’s 100% accomplished in the inner landscape.’.

Steve Vai....One of the best guitarists ever....he is Awesome.

I feel ya Steve. Amazing interview❤

this interview just helped me a lot

God bless you for sharing this steve.

I needed to hear this.....thanks !

This is probably one of the most important and saliently enlightening interviews of all time. SV nails the truth of "Why are we here and how should I be? down very simply - and eloquently. It really is that simple - 'We are here to co-create and expand consciousness with other human beings' - and with all living things I would add - SV points out the way to do that is to understand what ego is and to control - it - not have it control you -I would also add - being always compassionate - and willing to share - ie 'co-create with others' - is the way.

I had the same thing when younger, now at 66 i suffer from it again, Steve has always been very open, much appreciated!!

Saw Steve with Frank Zappa in 1981 and he was playing a natural colored strat with maple board strat at the time. Great player.

Just love Steve!! 🙏

Thanks so much for these honest statements. Suffering as spiritual teacher - I can relate to that. Suffering and my dog, these are my two spiritual teachers. Very interesting to differentiate between the EGO and the SELF, sounds very Jungian, also very Buddhistic. Suzanne Segal writes about her experience of loosing her ego in: Collision With the Infinite.

I was at that show!!! The best show of all my life!! Never found the recording of that show!! Do you have it Steve???!!! You had 18 years at that time I think! When I saw that show, I was 16 years old and decided to devote my life to music. Thank's man an congratulations!! I would like to listent again to that show to make sure that I wasn't dreaming! !!

I met steve in 1999 in manchester Ct at the guitar center, He was such a nice man

You truly nailed the ending Steve, the younger one can realize this the better 😁🎶🎸🎶Play On

Yeah, one more time I got amazed by how interesting is Steve Vai. It’s good to hear that even a guitar giant like him can suffer from anxiety and panic at some circumstances. It helps to indulge ourselves. Keep pickin’, Steve!

Being afraid of going crazy is one of the best ways to go crazy

I'm a big fan of Steve.. great musician as well as a human being. Thanks for opening your heart at this matter.

Relating to ~ 4:06, The first inscription at the temple of Delphi was “Know thyself” His ending sentence is gold

I had this exact same thing happened to me 20 years ago. No real reason, all of a sudden one night I was scared of being anxious. So it was like a perpetual circle or something. I finally got rid of it after about a year. It was only really intense for a month or two. Then I read up on it. Never took any medication. Once you realize it's nothing to worry about, it goes away.

Very comforting to hear one of my childhood heroes relating aloud, an aspect of his journey identical to mine: Taking time to find the answers to the struggle. In both our cases a big part of this was through the study of different books on the spirit or, simultaneously, the power of the subconscious.

Am I the only one who saw the thumbnail and thought 'that ain't Steve Vai? lol

@2:50 'Your greatest spiritual teacher is your own suffering' - Steve Vai

I really like it that when celebrities take time to share there are experiences other than their work. Through music he has already made a connection to his listeners and then the next thing after that is to share what is beyond music. Like Steve said in one of his interviews "Music is not my life, music is what I do in life and life is bigger than music" I believe that too. The main objective in our life is not to fulfil our desires and then one day pass away, it is to become a better version of your self and constantly work on it. Keep educating yourself and build tolerance for one another.

Always been a Vai fan!

Wow..that was cool..Thanks Steve..Cassius..important for people to share these feelings..

Love it. Great guy. Lovely message.

I like you right off the bat, young man. Nice work!

Holy smoke, how did I happen on this most beautiful honest video of a beautiful soul Steve,……manny and many other soul brother! One doesn’t hear this open honesty about the really difficult stuff, so beautifully described This is stuff that helps other people it’s beautiful And Mr interviewer, thank you! ❤ bill

I saw the G3 tour sometime in the mid to late 90s...this was a concert with Satriani, Eric Johnson and Vai. And the opener was Adrian Legg. What a time. I'll never forget that.

So glad you overcame it. Look at you now!! Legendary status. Love, all of us.

"Dementophobia" - an irrational fear of going insane

I wonder how much caffeine Vai was consuming when he had his fear and anxiety problems. I thought I was going crazy once, and later I realized that it was caused by drinking MASSIVE amounts of coffee when I switched to night shift. I had terrible fear, insomnia, and kept reliving horrible memories. When I cut back to two LIGHT cups of coffee per day, all the terrible symptoms went away. This experience taught me that caffeine anxiety is real, and I now suspect that many people who take psych meds have undiagnosed caffeine psychosis.

@CassiusMorrisOfficial

2 жыл бұрын

👀

Steve Vai - great person, musician. We need more people like him

What I found interesting is how he didn't disclose too much about how he overcame his difficulties. It's as if his awareness knew just how much to reveal. No one needs to be spoon fed what he has been provided. It is available to anyone ready to be relieved of their suffering.

Zappa actually Brought me to the brink of insanity until I realized what it was all About. He pushed me to the limits. Once I broke through it all. So much really made sense that most people don't understand. I am fine with that and been just moving right along with what I do. Very Cool interview.

Very good interview

This is why you know vai is a true artist

So happy to hear Steve talking about spiritually as the quiet observer inside us, we are not our mental. I remember one time in front of my mirror the lyrics before "Animal" ("when you look deep into the mirror...") and said to myself that Steve have probably found that dimension inside him to wrote this kind of thing.

Hey Steve...totally spot on!

I appreciate his insight. Fair winds and following seas to all.

Mind-blowing creativity like Steve’s comes at a price, but it’s wonderful how mental health today is handled more honestly than in decades ago.

This was so great to hear, Steve Vai expanding consciousness... indeed we are, Steve, some more than anothers :D

Steve is right about depression.... My name is Eddie, my depression started when those around me were always undermining me behind my back unknowingly. My family life is one of the worst anyone would ever want to witness or experience. Never met my father officially...But there is more to that story. I also let depression set in further and further than Steve could ever experience thankfully for him. Not so good for me. I have been reaching for the light for long time , then in 2020 my only connection to this world besides my mother passed away. My mother is still here thankfully....Though I never met him 'my father", we all watched him through out the years since 1977. I took on his name yet sheltered from his lifestyle. I couldn't escape the talents hidden within my blood, yet my depression is hiding me from the world. I am also afraid of living under the shadow of a legend simply because he left his seed in a back yard party. My mother hid all of this from me. For good reasons. Most of the world worships my father while i despise the man. familiarity breeds contempt. also do not push my brother into replacing your idol... We are only his children, we are not Eddie Van Halen himself. Like Led Zepplin Van Halen is over. History. Only one super famous man almost figured out who I was at the 2014 NAMM show. I visited Nuno at his booth, as I just wanted to meet a player I liked. I told Nuno he and I had almost everything in common about how we want are guitars to be made and perform. He couldn't get over my resemblance to EVH and didn't hear a word i said.

STEVE VAI ❤

"The study of spirituality is the only study that is worthwhile".... what a great point!!

Most people mistake depression with sadness.

Love this guy.

I saw Zappa in 75 at the Paramount theater ,Seattle,sorry Steve vai ,that u went thru that