Joe Perry has revealed the names of eight guitarists who have left a lasting impression on his guitar-playing style. Among the luminaries, one name stood out as someone Perry believed didn’t receive the acknowledgment he deserved.
In a recent conversation with Guitar World, Perry shared his thoughts on the evolution of the electric guitar. While many instruments have ancient roots, Perry saw the electric guitar as a relatively new player in the musical scene, likening it to an amplified version of the Spanish guitar.
He then revealed the guitarist who has explored the electric guitar’s boundaries:
“I have to mention Steve Vai because he’s just incredibly inventive. He’s a player that thinks way beyond guitar, you know? He’s got music in his head in a way that just blows my mind.”
After that, Perry recalled a concert where he watched Vai perform:
“I saw Steve Vai play once back when he was with David Coverdale and Whitesnake, and some of the sounds he was making were just f*cking unbelievable. I think he was playing a seven-string guitar and had some outboard gear that was doing shit that literally shook the building. He was f*cking phenomenal. I’m not sure that he gets the credit that he should.”
It’s worth noting that Perry’s list also featured Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Peter Green, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Neil Young, and Robert Johnson as influences on his musical journey.
In a previous interview with Classic Guitar, Perry again described Vai as an ‘underrated genius’ whom he appreciates.
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