Steve Vai is an American guitarist, songwriter and producer. He started his career in 1980 playing with Frank Zappa and has since recorded and toured with Alcatrazz, Whitesnake, David Lee Roth, and Public Image Ltd. Since 1983 Vai also released his own studio albums. His discography consists of eleven studio albums, two EPs, two special albums, eight live albums, twelve soundtracks, twenty compilation albums and seven videos. Vai has been awarded three Grammy Awards and forty other awards. Vai has also appeared as a guest musician on forty-four albums, as diverse as Motörhead, M83, and most recently for the second time with Jacob Collier.
Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications US AUSPeaks in Australia: Passion and Warfare: Sex & Religion: All ARIA 1988 to 2025: N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart. FIN FRA GER JPN NLD SWE SWI UK Modern Primitive: Flex-AbleReleased: January, 1984 Label: Urantia Formats: CD, LP, CS, digital download — — — — — — — — — — US: 400,000Passion and WarfareReleased: May 22, 1990 Label: Relativity Formats: CD, LP, CS, digital download 18 25 — — — 28 32 27 35 8 UK: 500,000 RIAA: Gold BPI: Silver CRIA: GoldSex & ReligionReleased: July 27, 1993 Label: Relativity Formats: CD, LP, digital download 48 67 — — 53 — 26 41 26 17 US: 182,069Fire GardenReleased: September 17, 1996 Label: Epic Formats: CD, LP, CS, digital download 106 179 22 30 — 18 85 — — 41 US: 88,432Flex-Able LeftoversReleased: November 10, 1998 Label: Urantia Formats: CD, LP, digital download — — — — — — — — — — US: 14,913The Ultra ZoneReleased: September 7, 1999 Label: Epic Formats: CD, LP, CS, digital download 121 129 — 49 — 14 — — — — US: 41,395Real Illusions: ReflectionsReleased: February 22, 2005 Label: Epic Formats: CD, digital download 147 — — 110 — 34 88 — — 127The Story of LightReleased: August 14, 2012 Label: Favored Nations Formats: CD, CD+DVD, LP, digital download 78 — 43 136 79 36 75 — — 129Modern PrimitiveReleased: June 24, 2016 Label: Epic Formats: CD, LP, digital download — — — 151 — 41 143 — 77 118Inviolate Released: January 28, 2022 Label: Favored Nations Formats: CD, LP, digital download — — — 127 65 32 13 — 25 —Vai/Gash Released: January 20, 2023 Label: Favored Nations Formats: CD, LP, digital download — — — — — — — — 61 — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
EPs Title EP details Peak chart positions Sales US AUS N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart. UK NLD JPNFlex-Able LeftoversReleased: 1984 Label: Urantia Formats: LP — — — —Alien Love SecretsReleased: March 21, 1995 Label: Relativity Formats: CD, digital download 125 169 39 72 17 US: 103,116 "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Live albums Title Album details Peak chart positions FIN FRA JPN NLD UKG3: Live in Concertwith Joe Satriani and Eric Johnson Released: June 3, 1997 Label: Sony Formats: CD, digital download 35 20 37 52 82Alive in an Ultra World Released: June 19, 2001 Label: Epic Formats: CD, digital download — 122 68 — —G3: Rockin' in the Free Worldwith Joe Satriani and Yngwie Malmsteen Released: February 24, 2004 Label: Epic Records Formats: CD, digital download — 156 — — —Live in London Released: June 20, 2004 Label: Favored Nations Formats: CD, digital download — — — — —G3: Live in Tokyowith Joe Satriani and John Petrucci Released: October 25, 2005 Label: Sony Formats: CD, digital download — — — — —Sound Theories Vol. I & II Released: June 26, 2007 Label: Epic Formats: CD, digital download — 138 96 97 —Where the Wild Things Are Released: September 29, 2009 Label: Favored Nations Formats: CD, digital download — — 221 — —Stillness in Motion: Vai Live in L.A. Released: April 7, 2015 Label: Legacy Formats: CD, digital download — — — — — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Video albums Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications US JPN SWEAlien Love SecretsReleased: 1995 Label: Hal Leonard Formats: VHS, DVD — — —G3: Live in Concertwith Joe Satriani and Eric JohnsonReleased: June 3, 1997 Label: Sony Formats: VHS, DVD — — —Live at the Astoria, LondonReleased: December 09, 2003 Label: Favored Nations Formats: DVD — — — US: 2× PlatinumG3 Live: in Denverwith Joe Satriani and Yngwie MalmsteenReleased: February 17, 2004 Label: Epic Formats: DVD 5 — 2 US: PlatinumG3: Live in Tokyowith Joe Satriani and John PetrucciReleased: October 25, 2005 Label: Epic Formats: DVD 17 — —Visual Sound TheoriesReleased: June 26, 2007 Label: Epic Formats: DVD — 104 —Where the Wild Things AreReleased: September 29, 2009 Label: Favored Nations Formats: DVD, Blu-ray — — —Stillness in Motion: Vai Live in L.A.Released: April 7, 2015 Label: Legacy Formats: DVD, Blu-ray, Digital Download — — — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Soundtracks YearTitleTypeNotes1986Crossroads Released: 1986 Label: WarnerMotion PictureAll parts played by Vai also on The Elusive Light and Sound Vol. 11987DudesMotion PictureVai performs "Amazing Grace" This OST is out of print Also on The Elusive Light and Sound Vol. 1Less than Zero Released: November 6, 1987 Label: Def JamMotion PictureVai performs "Bump 'N Grind", which is not on the OST1991Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey Released: June 9, 1991 Label: InterscopeMotion PictureVai performs the tracks "The Reaper" and "The Reaper Rap" and a few tracks which are not in the OST Also on The Elusive Light and Sound Vol. 11992Wayne's World Released: February 18, 1992 Label: RepriseMotion PictureVai performs with Joe Satriani on Alice Cooper's "Feed My Frankenstein"Encino ManMotion PictureVai performs the track "Get the Hell Out Of Here" Also on The Elusive Light and Sound Vol. 1 1994PCUMotion PictureVai scored this film, and contributed the track "Now We Run" to this soundtrack The complete score also on The Elusive Light and Sound Vol. 11997Formula 1Video GameVai performs the track "Juice"2001Ghosts of MarsMotion PictureVai performs on "Ghosts of Mars" and "Ghost Poppin'" 2004Halo 2 Soundtrack Volume 1 Released: November 9, 2004 Label: Sumthing Else Music WorksVideo GameVai performs on "Halo Theme Mjolnir Mix" and "Never Surrender" 2006Halo 2 Soundtrack Volume 2 Released: April 25, 2006 Label: Sumthing Else Music WorksVideo GameVai performs on "Reclaimer"2008Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock "Virtuoso Track Pack"Video GameVai performs the track "For The Love Of God" 2014Halo 2 Anniversary Original Soundtrack Released: November 10, 2014 Label: INgroovesVideo GameVai performs on "Halo Theme Gungnir Mix" and "Genesong"
Compilation albums YearTitleNotes1993Zappa's Universe Released: 1993 Label: VerveTribute to Frank Zappa Vai plays guitar on "Sofa" and "Dirty Love"1995In From The Storm Released: October 24, 1995 Label: RCA RecordsTribute to Jimi Hendrix Vai appears on "Drifting" and "Bold as Love"1996Songs of West Side Story Released: January 30, 1996 Label: RCA RecordsVai appears on "The Rumble" (Steve Vai's Monsters vs. Chick Corea's Elektric Band II)1997Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas Released: October 14, 1997 Label: EpicVai performs on "Christmas Time is Here" (with Joe Satriani, Jeff Beck, Eric Johnson and more)1999Radio Disney Kid Jams Released: March 16, 1999 Label: DisneyVai performs the track "Wipe Out"2000The 7th Song: Enchanting Guitar Melodies – Archives Vol. 1 Released: November 7, 2000 Label: EpicCompilation of the 7th song of Vai's albums, and 3 previously unreleased tracks2001The Secret Jewel Box Released: December 11, 2001 Label: Light Without Heat10 CD collector boxFrank Zappa Original Recordings; Steve Vai (Archives, Vol. 2) Released: December 11, 2001 Label: Light Without HeatVol.3 of The Secret Jewel Box (not sold separately)Roland Guitar MastersVai performs the tracks "Cliffs of Insanity" and "Misfits"2002The Elusive Light and Sound Vol. 1 Released: June 4, 2002 Label: Favored NationsThis disc collects Vai's many contributions to film music Re-released as Vol.1 of The Secret Jewel BoxGuitars For Freedom Released: August 2, 2002 Label: Rock EmpireVai contributed the track "Amazing Grace" to this benefit CDWarmth In The Wilderness Vol. II – A Tribute to Jason Becker Released: December 31, 2002 Label: LionVai performs the track "Feathers"2003Mystery Tracks – Archives Vol. 3 Released: 2003 Label: Favored NationsCompilation of Vai's bonus tracks featured on Japanese releases of his CDs, along with promotional tracks, songs featured on other albums and unreleased/demo tracks Vol.4 of The Secret Jewel BoxVarious Artists – Archives Vol. 4 Released: June 6, 2003 Label: Light Without HeatCollection of songs Vai has contributed to other projects and records Vol.5 of The Secret Jewel BoxThe Infinite Steve Vai: An Anthology Released: November 18, 2003 Label: EpicA career-spanning collection of 32 digitally remastered tracks over 2 CDs (including work with other artists such as Alcatrazz and Whitesnake)2004Piano Reductions Vol. 1: Performed by Mike Keneally Released: November 16, 2004 Label: EpicThis is an album of 11 solo acoustic piano interpretations of Vai songs by Mike Keneally Vol.6 of The Secret Jewel Box2005The Sounds Of NASCAR Released: October 18, 2005 Label: Cherry Lane RecordsVai is featured on the track "Rush"2008Steve Vai Original Album Classics Released: 2008 Label: RCA RecordsBox set re-release with Flex-Able, Passion and Warfare, Sex and Religion, Alien Love Secrets and Fire Garden2010Playlist: The Very Best of Steve Vai Released: January 26, 2010 Label: Epic2011The Essential Steve Vai Released: March 15, 2011 Label: Epic
Other recordings YearTitleNotes1990In My Dreams with YouPromo three-track CD to promote Sex & Religion1998Bad SquadPromo five-track CD from Morley to promote the Bad Horsie wah pedal2005Naked TracksFive-CD package containing a large selection of tracks from the Vai catalog that have been mixed without the main lead and melody guitar tracks
As band member YearArtistAlbumPeak chart positionsCertificationsNotesUSAUTCANCanadian Albums Chart peak positions for Whitesnake studio albums:
Whitesnake: Slip of the Tongue: Good to Be Bad: Forevermore: FINGERNEDNORSWESWIUKUK Albums Chart peak positions for Whitesnake releases:
Live... in the Shadow of the Blues: All other releases: 1981Frank ZappaTinsel Town Rebellion669——23—138—55LiveShut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar——————————LiveYou Are What You Is93—————1222—511982Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch23———65—2026—611983The Man from Utopia153——————23—871984Them or Us——————————Thing-Fish——————————1985Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention153————————— AlcatrazzDisturbing the Peace——————————1986 Frank ZappaJazz from Hell—————————— David Lee RothEat 'Em and Smile4—135—57—121928 RIAA: Platinum BPI: Gold Public Image LtdAlbum115————————141988Frank ZappaGuitar—25——40———82LiveYou Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 1——————————Live David Lee RothSkyscraper6—61—39—131311 RIAA: Platinum BPI: Gold1989 Frank ZappaYou Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 3——————————Live1989 WhitesnakeSlip of the Tongue102918—19439111110 BPI: Gold Note: User must manually search for "Whitesnake" in order to yield results. RIAA: Platinum1991Frank ZappaYou Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 4——————————LiveAs an Am——————————Live1992You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 5——————————LiveYou Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 6——————————Live2011 WhitesnakeLive at Donington 1990————32————81Live
Guest appearances