New Band Featuring Drummer Kenny Aronoff, Bassist Marco Mendoza, and Guitarist Pete Thorn Alongside Guitar Legends Joe Satriani and Steve Vai

Plans to Release Another Musical Collaboration in 2025 in Conjunction with Tour Dates ~ “Surfing with the Hydra Tour” is set to Launch June 13, 2025, Running Across Europe through late July, New Dates Announced in Bucharest, Istanbul and Athens

"Finding the right musicians for the SatchVai Band was at first a daunting task, then, an exciting one; there are so many great musicians to choose from!” says Satriani. “It’s no secret that the chemistry between players will always be the thing that makes them a magical live band, and we’ve found that chemistry with Kenny, Marco and Pete. The upcoming shows will focus on not only our respective solo works, but also the music from our new album. We are so excited to get this show on the road and celebrate it with all of our fans!”

As Vai explains, “When considering forming one band around myself and Joe we talked about the qualities needed for each position, bass, drums, rhythm guitar.  It was a surprising challenge to find the right fits.”

Drummer Kenny Aronoff is no stranger to Satriani fans. He has toured alongside Joe as part of the Chickenfoot band, joined on Satriani solo tours since 2019, played on The Elephant of Mars album, and most recently stepped in for Jason Bonham on the Best of All Worlds tour with Satriani, Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony.


"What can I say about the legendary Kenny Aronoff that I haven’t said before?” asks Satriani. No other drummer has the sound, feel, time, groove and swagger like Kenny. He’s an exceptional human being too. He’s supernatural!"

"Kenny is the quintessential rock drummer,” said Vai. “His time is bullet-proof, his tone is fat and clean, and his ability to respond in an improvisational setting is instant. Besides that, he’s one of the easiest and most fun guys to tour with—an essential quality on the road."

When it came to adding a rhythm guitarist and bass player, the duo was challenged to find the right combo. Vai had been aware of Pete Thorn for quite a while and knew he was perfect for their band. As Vai explains, "Pete’s playing is rock solid with a huge tone in his fingers. His rhythm playing is tight and in tune in a way that’s rare, and his intonation is stunning. He’s the perfect musician for this band, and we couldn’t be happier to have him."

Satriani agrees, “Pete is an all-around monster guitarist. He has that rare ability to shine on rhythm and lead guitar, switching back and forth with finesse. He’s got the technical abilities and the rock ‘n’ roll attitude Steve and I were hoping to find for our band."

Then came the choice for bassist, again Vai says of the addition of Marco Mendoza, "Marco is a bass phenomenon. With his 6-string fretless, his bass sings with perfect intonation and swooning vibrato. His wide, rich tone and masterful control of dynamics will bring a new dimension to our songs."

With Satriani echoing, "Marco’s musicianship is boundless. He’s got a special magic to his bass playing; it’s both foundational and out front at the same time. Together with his exceptional singing voice and stage presence, he will be a driving force in our band."

“I’ve been performing and recording music with Joe Satriani since 2012 (Chickenfoot, Sammy Hagar, G3 and Joe’s band) and have performed live with Steve Vai, but the next level is RIGHT NOW because I am joining the SATCHVAI band for a two-month tour this summer in Europe. I am pumped, excited and ready to kick ass!” – Kenny Aronoff

“It sounds like something out of a mad fantastical dream that the 14-year-old guitar-obsessed me would have had….’Joe Satriani and Steve Vai called, they want you to join their new band!’ And then I’d wake up and go to 9th grade math class! But it’s real! It’s a mind-blowing opportunity, and yet I also feel like I’ve arrived exactly where I’ve always wanted to be. I’m beyond excited to be of musical service to these legends, and to rock out!” - Pete Thorn

“I have to say that getting invited to be part of a great project like this is monumental for me personally!  I know it’s going to be something very special and I can’t wait to get it started.” – Marco Mendoza

Tourdates and more: SATCHVAIBAND.COM

For the first time in their nearly 50-year musical careers, legendary guitar icons Joe Satriani and Steve Vai have united to form The SATCHVAI Band, with plans to ignite Europe with an electrifying summer tour starting in June 2025.

“The SATCHVAI Band Tour is happening! I’m so looking forward to sharing the stage with Steve again. Every time we play together, it takes me back to when we were teenagers, eating and breathing music every second of the day, pushing, challenging, and helping each other to be the best we could be. I guess we’ve never stopped!” - Joe

“Touring with Joe is always a pleasure and an honor. He is my favorite guitarist to jam with, and now we have another opportunity to take it to the stage. I feel as though we are both at the top of our game, and the show will be a powerful celebration of the coolest instrument in the world, the electric guitar!” - Steve

Tourdates and more: SATCHVAIBAND.COM

Mike Manning

The “Zen Master, Captain of the Sea, Otis, What the Hay Do I Pay You For, My Number One …mmm …Guy, Factotum, The Claw, etc…”, Mike had many nicknames, more than anyone I’ve ever known. He was a good-natured, loveable guy with the biggest heart.

I met Mike in ’88. He was a tall, good looking, long blonde-haired roadie with a thick Boston accent and a sunny personality that always made me feel at ease. He was the perfect guitar tech for me, always dependable, attentive, he never tweaked my gear unless I asked him to. And, if I did, his work was always flawless.

We had fun too. For 36 years we toured around the world and recorded in great studios, and we had fun, because Mike made work fun. He was the kind of guy who put a smile on your face whenever you hung out with him. I depended on Mike, depended on how he maintained my guitars and amps show after show, and hour after hour in the studio.

The last few tours Mike had to stay home to rehab his knees and he was missed by me and by all. And, now we will all miss him even more. R.I.P. John Michael Manning.

Joe Satriani

Sammy Hagar’s “Best of All Worlds” tour is returning as a new residency show exclusive to Las Vegas at Park MGM.

The tour will reunite the rock powerhouse band of Sammy, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani and Kenny Aronoff with a new “only in Las Vegas” setlist running April 30 through May 17, 2025. The tour represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this band of brothers deliver one of the most legendary hits-packed live shows of their careers.

This highly anticipated residency will showcase Sammy’s career-spanning hits, from seminal breakouts with Montrose, his iconic solo hits, and a deep dive into his tenure with Van Halen, Chickenfoot, and everything in between.

• Rolling Stone Article
• Dates and tickets in the road section

Now captured…on their first live album in over 25 years: in 2024, G3 the original lineup reunited for a sold-out run of US shows. "Reunion Live" is not your average live album, it features a full album-length set from each of Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Eric Johnson, plus additional jam material of the mighty guitar trinity.

The first release "Crossroads" is now available as a single and brand-new video: g3reunionlive.lnk.to/Crossroads

"Reunion Live" will be available on January 31st as a 2CD set (+ photo booklet), a 4LP Gatefold in black and a deluxe edition, that includes the 2CD, three colored artist vinyls, one further splattered jam vinyl and a 64-page photo book.

Pre-order/pre-save the new album at: g3reunionlive.lnk.to/Album

More info at g3tour.com

View Joe's Satch/Vai Photo Gallery »

"The #SatchVai Tour shows were so much fun, so exhilarating, and so deeply emotional for me. Standing next to Steve Vai every night , improvising just like when we were kids in my backyard, was positively cathartic and transformative. It's hard to put into words the unique connection Steve and I have. When we put on our guitars and start making music together it's like a time-warp and a hyper-present all rolled into one continuous "now". Hugs and thanks to all our stellar band members, crew members, local crews, management, agents, accountants, doctors and all the service providers that took care of us when we would roll into their town. More hugs and thanks to our fans who have given us the greatest gift, their attention and their loyalty. I am forever humbled and grateful."

Joe and Steve are featured on the cover of the June Guitar World.

"Inside, they discuss their gritty youth back in Long Island, New York, the very first time they saw each other and - surprisingly - an obscure piece of music they composed (and recorded) together more than 50 years ago."

Pick up your copy now!

Get Issue || Read 1990 Article || Visit site

Celebrating nearly five decades of musical friendship, JOE SATRIANI and STEVE VAI have collaborated on music for the first time! Released Friday, March 29, "The Sea of Emotion, Pt. 1" marks the FIRST time these two iconic guitarists collaborated on a piece of music.

The duo appeared on various radio stations across the U.S. discussing their friendship and their musical collaboration. On Friday, March 29th, the full 6-minute opus and a music video premiered, directed by Satriani's son, ZZ Satriani.

• Watch music video
• Listen on music platforms

The "Satch-Vai" tour is well under way, performing the new track as part of the encore.

A big "Thank You!" to all our fans for making the G3 Reunion Tour not only a complete success but a crazy, unpredictable, joyful experience.

Every musician who took the stage gave their all every night. There's no G3 without the bands standing with us, side by side, delivering their stellar, unrelenting, unique performances.

A big shout out to our amazing crew who got us to every gig, and made us look and sound great. And, to our brave special guests who added to the celebration that is at the heart of every G3 show.

Take a moment to check out the list of wonderful people who made this tour a reality*

Sharing the stage with Eric and Steve was a unique thrill: three different individuals going in different musical directions coming together to see what kind of guitar sorcery we could whip up fresh every night.

Cheers to ZZ for taking that first step on stage, a G3 stage no less, and nailing his first-ever live performance!

We filmed it. We recorded it. Stand by for more news on that...

Out TODAY! Meet The Time Shredder Aurelian by Joe Satriani. Just 70 of these custom Joe Satriani fine art prints are available starting now.

Head to https://joesatrianiart.com to learn more and bring it home.

2024 is shaping up to be an incredibly active year on the road with a series of very unique tours!

G3 2024 feat. Joe, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai
First up in Jan/Feb, is the long-awaited reunion of the original 1996 G3 lineup for a limited-engagement run of shows featuring Joe with Eric Johnson and Steve Vai.

Satch/Vai 2024 feat. Joe & Steve Vai
Next in March, April and May, Joe and Steve Vai celebrate their 50+ years of friendship with their first tour with just them together!

Best of All Worlds 2024 - Hagar/Anthony/Satriani/Bonham
Last, but certainly not least, July and August has Joe joining Sammy Hagar's band for the Best of All Worlds Tour which will feature a selection of material across Sammy's career, especially dipping into the Van Halen years.

Joe, Eric Johnson & Steve Vai have each selected 5 of the most impactful guitar tracks and you can soak up 15 songs of guitar excellence at the playlists below. For a description of their selections, check out Steve and Eric's recaps, Joe's to come soon!

Listen at: Spotify | YouTube