Steve Vai, at just 20 years old, had a remarkable encounter with his idol, Brian May, at the Rainbow Bar & Grill in Los Angeles. This meeting occurred shortly after Vai had relocated to the city from New York, having earned a position as Frank Zappa’s lead guitarist. His previous role as Zappa’s transcriptionist laid a strong foundation for his blossoming career.
Challenges with Brian May’s Red Special Guitar
When given the chance to play with May’s iconic Red Special guitar, Vai faced an unexpected challenge. Despite his rising stardom, he felt completely out of his depth with the instrument. In a conversation with Q104.3, he reminisced about the surreal moment when he saw May at the bar, recalling how he had previously decorated his teenage bedroom with Queen and Led Zeppelin posters.
Memorable Moments at Zoetrope Studios
Notably, Vai described a moment during a Queen rehearsal at Zoetrope Studios where time seemed to stand still. Even with Freddie Mercury present, Vai’s focus was solely on May’s custom guitar, the Red Special, which was uniquely crafted from reclaimed materials and wood by May and his father.
Unexpected Playing Experience
Ultimately, Vai’s attempt to play the Red Special did not go as he envisioned. He remarked, “I can’t play this thing — the neck is like a baseball bat.” He found the guitar challenging due to its gauge .008 strings and distinct neck thickness. Rather than achieving his goal of sounding like May, he humorously described his performance as “sounding like me.” He likened it to “a baby giraffe on roller skates,” highlighting the adjustment required to adapt to the Red Special’s unique configuration.
Brian May’s Red Special Legacy
Brian May has shared fascinating insights about his guitar’s design. He revealed that he fashioned the neck based on his favorite Egmond acoustic guitar from his youth. This decision came with challenges, such as misjudging fingerboard thickness. May reflected on initially doubting his creation but eventually appreciating how it suited his hand better.
- Steve Vai faced challenges playing Brian May’s Red Special guitar.
- Encountered May at Rainbow Bar & Grill in Los Angeles at age 20.
- Described his performance as “sounding like me” rather than Brian May.
- May designed the Red Special after his childhood guitar.
Guitar legends like Tony Iommi have also experienced unique adaptations of May’s guitar. In one instance, Iommi received a left-handed version of the Red Special crafted specifically for him. This instrument was built by luthier John Diggins to echo Iommi’s iconic SG guitar, which played a vital role in Black Sabbath’s debut album.
Creative Tensions in Queen
Brian May has often discussed the creative friction within Queen, particularly his disagreements with Freddie Mercury about the inclusion of guitar solos in their music. Vai, on his part, continues to reflect on the innovative techniques inspired by Frank Zappa that have influenced his own guitar creations, such as his signature Ibanez JEM.
