Vai: ‘I Almost Played With Whitesnake At Download’
Steve Vai has revealed that he nearly joined Whitesnake on stage at the Download Festival this year.
Talking to TotalRock, the guitar great said: “David Coverdale wanted me to get up and play with the band. But I had other commitments at the time. I’d love to have been able to do it.”
The dialogue between the pair started after Vai got a copy of the recently reissued and revamped Slip Of The Tongue album.
“It got me into recalling what a great time I had with Whitesnake. Friendships were forged, and David got on stage every night and sang his ass off. No excuses, he was right on the money all the time. So I sent him an email, and we ended up having a lovely conversation online.”
Vai has just released the live DVD/CD Where The Wild Things Are.
For further info, go to www.vai.com
It’s a shame it didn’t happen because the 2 times I’ve seen Da Snake at previous Donington’s (1983 & 1990) they were treated as “events”…their performance at Download seemed like “just another gig” on the tour. Best wishes to DC on his recovery…
Good stuff. They should collaborate again.
Not much of a news story really is it ? That Steve Vai didn’t do something? What next, Jimmy Page didn’t jam with Them Crooked Vultures, or Sammy Hagar didn’t jam with Van Halen ?
Would’ve been interested in a Whitesnake reunion if it featured Moody, Marsden, Murray, Lord and Paice – but not Vai.
Went to Donnington in ‘83 and Download this year – have to agree with Hazza, no comparison. This year set list disappointing and valuable stage time wasted on drum solo from latest session guy and cacophonous ‘guitar duelling’ , while keys post-Lord are largely anonymous rather than synonymous (Ain’t no love into anyone?). Total change in Whitesnake sound.