A Look Back At My 2016 Interview With Guitar Legend Joe Satriani — “Paltrocast” Exclusive | Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz | NewsBreak Original

The original contents of this article were first published to the website ofIn the years since, has released three full-length solo albums, 2018’s What Happens Next, 2020’s Shapeshifting and 2022’s The Elephants Of Mars. Beyond guest appearances and steady touring, the Long Island native has kept the G4 brand alive. The original 1996 lineup of G4 — Satriani, — will be reuniting for an early 2024 trek that’s sure to blow everyone minds, with dates in , Arizona, Washington, Oregon and Nevada announced earlier this month. Satriani also made headlines over the last year and change when rumors emerged that he would participating in an -related tribute project. on March 24, 2016 with the title “Guitar Legend Joe Satriani Set for New York Area Gigs, Talks New York, Chickenfoot and More.” The interview itself was conducted over email.

When it comes to a discussion about the greatest rock guitarists of the past 30 years, Joe Satriani is one of the players likely to be mentioned. Beyond his 15 Grammy nominations and the distinction of being the best-selling instrumental rock guitarist of all-time, Joe has been featured on recordings by artists as diverse as **Crowded House, [Alice Cooper](https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Apaltrocast.com+%22alice+cooper%22&newwindow=1&sca_esv=567877806&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS985US985&biw=1408&bih=813&tbm=vid&sxsrf=AM9HkKn6QLivpLLU8Y889ibpwp7Ow8_NUA%3A1695497549782&ei=TT0PZb-cL63MptQP0qiakAg&ved=0ahUKEwj_9q_JvMGBAxUtpokEHVKUBoIQ4dUDCA0&uact=5&oq=site%3Apaltrocast.com+%22alice+cooper%22&gs_lp=Eg1nd3Mtd2l6LXZpZGVvIiJzaXRlOnBhbHRyb2Nhc3QuY29tICJhbGljZSBjb29wZXIiSKgtUABYvitwBHgAkAEAmAFWoAGxD6oBAjM4uAEDyAEA-AEBqAIKwgIEECMYJ8ICBxAAGIoFGEPCAggQABiKBRiRAsICCxAAGIAEGLEDGIMBwgILEAAYigUYsQMYgwHCAgcQIxjqAhgnwgIFEAAYgATCAggQABiABBixA8ICChAAGIAEGLEDGArCAg0QABiABBixAxiDARgKwgIHEAAYgAQYCogGAQ&sclient=gws-wiz-video), Spinal Tap, Stanley Clarke, and the Steve Miller Band. The New York native is also known for creating the recurring G3 tour — which launched in 1995 — beyond his work as one-fourth of the all-star band [Chickenfoot](https://paltrocast.com/f/sammy-hagar-on-crazy-times-his-beach-bar-cocktails-more). He also had tenures as a touring guitarist for [Deep Purple](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrOfh7_nRt0)** and Mick Jagger, had a song sampled by Nicki Minaj in 2010.

Perhaps as impressive as Joe’s career accolades is the list of guitarists that he taught. While trying to make ends meet, Joe’s guitar students included future members of Metallica, Primus, **Counting Crows, and [Third Eye Blind](https://www.thehypemagazine.com/2019/05/third-eye-blinds-stephan-jenkins-on-2019s-summer-gods-tour-what-else-is-coming-up-for-3eb/). Steve Vai, a fellow Long Islander and later a sideman for [Frank Zappa](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRJC7ZsWogg), [David Lee Roth](https://www.amazon.com/DLR-Book-David-Changed-World/dp/1493072528/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=darren+paltrowitz&qid=1680463985&sr=8-1) and [Whitesnake](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuxVo2vMxRI)**, was also one of those young guitarists. Things turned around for Satch in the mid-1980s after joining The Greg Kihn Band.

Touring aside, how often do you get back to New York? Do you still have family there?

As part of the Surfing To Shockwave tour, Joe has three New York area appearances coming up: Mar. 30 at Port Chester’s Capitol Theater, Apr. 1 at Long Island’s Tilles Center and Apr. 4 at Red Bank’s Count Basie Theatre. The shows will feature material from Joe’s three decades as a solo artist, rarely-performed songs included. Proceeds from the tour will go towards the music-minded non-profit **Little Kids Rock**.

You’re very involved with with these upcoming shows providing proceeds to that organization. How did you first get involved with those folks?

Joe kindly answered some questions for in advance of his return to New York. Beyond some interesting insights, he also provided an excellent photo of himself as a teenager, as seen below. For more on Joe Satriani, click on over or follow him on .

Joe Satriani: Nigel Tufnel of **Spinal Tap** once said of me, “He’s not a savage twit, at all.” That will do for now…

J: Somehow, I survived quite a few decades of life, and still get invited to play my music for people around the world. That still amazes me. I am forever grateful for, and indebted to my fans.

J: When I was around 16, I was in a funk band called City Funktion — see pic below — and we played in Queens and the city. After that, in another band, I think it was a gig at Brandy’s 2 at 81st and York. Debbie Harry’s band shared the bill with us. They were called **Blondie** & The Bonzai Babies back then!

J: Yes! Once a New Yorker, always a New Yorker. Returning always brings a sense of calm to my body. I still find all parts of New York very inspiring, probably because of all the great memories I have growing up and coming of age all over the state.

J: They reached out to me many years ago and I was instantly impressed with how well run and motivated Little Kids Rock was. I knew I wanted to get involved and stay involved in getting more young people introduced to making music a part of their lives.

J: I was so lucky to have such talented and motivated students. And, yes, I think I could always tell they were destined for greatness. We all continually root for each other’s success, and even gig together around the world!

J: I started on drums then moved to guitar when **Jimi Hendrix** died. By then, I benefitted from having experience in the art of practicing with regularity, and learning how to focus on the different aspects of learning an instrument. Beginners should learn the basic chords and scales, memorize where the notes are, but focus on learning the music they love to listen to. It has to be fun and enjoyable in my book.

J: Nicki and her producer contacted me first and sent me a rough mix of the song. They very nicely asked for my permission in advance, I said yes, and it all went as it should.

J: Many years ago there was a German band called Three Little Krouts that wrote lyrics to my song “Flying In A Blue Dream.” I was truly surprised how well it worked. They were a great band and did the song justice.

J: Chickenfoot has a gig or two coming up in May, and we have a new song ready to be mixed. My fingers are crossed, hoping for more Chickenfoot chaos!

J: I’ve sung on over 20 tracks in my career so far, but singing for Crowded House was the only time I was paid for it, and most likely the last!

J: Feet on the ground, head in the clouds dreaming of new music…

J: Enjoy music any way you want, and don’t forget to share the music you make with the rest of us.

Originally published at https://original.newsbreak.com.