Joe Satriani

Joe Satriani Debates Replacing Rock Luminary Eddie Van Halen With a Smile

Joe Satriani contemplates the audacious proposition of stepping into Eddie Van Halen's shoes for a tribute collaboration with Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth. Reflecting on this enticing offer, Satriani humorously contends he's not the ideal candidate, suggesting Nuno Bettencourt instead.

In his conversation with David J. Maloney, Satriani recounts the intriguing journey of this potential musical alliance, embracing the premise with cautious appreciation. The project floats as a notion, unmoored yet compelling.

Satriani and Vai form SATCHVAI, plan 2026 tour with a few extra strings attached

Joe Satriani and Steve Vai resurface as SATCHVAI, fusing their technically rigorous guitar work with a line-up that reads more like a backstage jam than a touring unit: drummer Kenny Aronoff, bassist Marco Mendoza and guitarist Pete Thorn.

This rotating ensemble gears up for a 2026 North American tour—forty dates across the spring—branded "Surfing With The Hydra," with Animals As Leaders dragging the opening slot into the high-octane instrumental melee.