One of the most melodic guitarists ever, Joe certainly puts melody before speed when it comes to composition, but also has also proven what a technically established and widely respective player he is throughout his career. Born on July 15th, 1956, in Westbury, NY, Satriani took up guitar at the age of 14, inspired by the legend Jimi Hendrix (although he initially was more interested in learning the drums). He picked up things very quickly and began teaching guitar to others such as
Steve Vai.

By the late 70’s, ”Satch” relocated to Berkley, CA. With sites set on starting up his own musically career, he kept on teaching others such as Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Larry LaLonde (Primus), David Bryson (Counting Crows), and jazz fusion player Charlie Hunter. His Break came in the early 80’s, Satch got a gig playing guitar with power popster Greg Kihn, doing some session work and touring with the group, and financed and released his own E.P. in 1984.

Vai hit the big time with David Lee Roth’s solo band in 1986, but to show his appreciation for what Satriani had taught him he offered praise to him in several major guitar publications. This caused widespread curiosity and interest in Satriani’s playing. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect for Satch as he’d just issued his first full-length solo album, Not of this Earth, which automatically made ripples in the rock guitar community. The best was yet to come, and in 1987 he emerged with the full-length album ”Surfing with the alien” with this record almost overnight Satch was classed as a guitar god.

Satch has gone on to release many more excellent albums, and has gone on to do and achieve many things in his career, topping guitar polls everywhere and even being selected for doing compositions for films. He has gone on to create his own line of guitar for the Ibanez company (the JS Joe Satriani model). In 1996 he teamed up with fellow shredder and close friend Steve Vai to form ”G3” and toured the world, this went on to become an annual event. As well as being nominated for a Grammy, Satriani has put in guest appearances on several other artists’ albums over the years, including Blue Oyster Cult’s Imaginos, Alice Cooper’s Hey Stoopid, Stuart Hamm’s Radio Free Albemuth, Pat Martino’s All Sides Now, and Spinal Tap’s Break Like the Wind. All in all, Satriani has certainly wasted no amount of time in his illustrious career, and we all look forward to his future contributions in the guitar world, a huge inspiration to many.

Joe Satriani – We Salute You