Billy Idol guitarist Steve Stevens recently joined Ultimate Classic Rock for an interview in which he remembered the time he worked with Vince Neil. The musician revealed the best aspect of working with Neil and stated that recording with him was a blast.
Although Steve Stevens is mainly known for his work with Billy Idol as his guitarist and songwriting collaborator, he also played for Vince Neil’s band between 1992 and 1994. When he left Mötley Crüe to pursue a solo career in 1992, then-former frontman assembled his band and collaborated with Stevens for his debut solo album entitled ‘Exposed.’
Vince Neil’s 1993 record featured Steve Stevens, and the guitarist played all of the bass and guitar parts in the album. Stevens had split with Billy Idol at that time, which allowed him to work with Neil on the record. The guitarist also toured with Vince Neil to promote the album after the release.
In an interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, Steve Stevens compared his tenure with Billy Idol to working with Vince Neil. According to the guitarist, he had a blast after joining Neil as it was like a party to him. He then stated that a typical Billy Idol record has eight bars for the guitar solo, unlike Vince Neil’s.
Stevens then recalled working with Neil in the studio. He stated that Neil asked him to make it longer when it was eight bars. He then made it sixteen bars, but Vince Neil insisted on making it longer again. Steve then ended up with thirty-two bars for guitars and 64 bars for guitar solo, and Neil told him to make it louder, heavier, and faster.
In the interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, Steve Stevens said about his tenure with Vince Neil the following:
“I had a blast. It was a party. You know, it was everything you’d expect Vince Neil in 1990-91 to be. So on a Billy Idol record, songs typically have eight bars for the guitar solo. We’re in the studio working on Vince’s thing. It’s eight bars. ‘Make it longer.’ Oh, OK. Sixteen bars for guitars. ‘No, make it longer.’ Thirty-two bars for guitars, 64 bars for the guitar solo. Which was great. ‘Make it heavier, louder, faster!’“
You can watch Steve Stevens and Vince Neil perform ‘You’re Invited But Your Friend Can’t Come’ below.
