G3 Tour Concept

Joe had been kicking this idea around for a few years. He had discussed it with the likes of Steve Vai and Eric Johnson-to get a few of the best guitarists of our time together on a single stage. It is a concept that came to be in early 1996. Getting it all to work was another challenge. Because Eric's and Steve's albums weren't due out until August and September, Joe had to wait for the right time. They all finally agreed to go ahead with the tour in October and early November of 1996. Here are some quotes from the threesome about the idea (taken from Guitar Magazine-Oct '96):

"I really wanted to do it right from the start. In the past, I had toured with Joe, back around 1991, and I had talked to Steve about playing together. It was something Joe had wanted to do for years, and I was hoping we could make it work" ----Eric Johnson.

"I love playing with Joe, and I always have, so this seemed like a great opportunity to do that again. Eric and I have never played together, but I think that there's something in the dynamic of having us all together that will push us into places we haven't been to before"----Steve Vai

"It's not a contest or a guitar war, or any of that nonsense. I just had the idea that if you brought three really exceptional musicians together in one tour, and allowed them each to do their own thing, then you could really offer something musical to an audience that you don't see or hear very often. Each of us is just different enough stylistically that I don't think we'll step on each others toes, and we'll still be able to give the audience a different vibe in each of our sets"----Joe Satriani

After touring right across America with Vai and Johnson, Joe took G3 on a second leg to Europe for a London show (featuring Brian May of Queen) and a Holland show.

In its second incarnation, G3 welcomed Kenny Wayne Shepherd to the bill along with support from Robert Fripp. KWS provided a bluesy component to G3 that gave it a slightly different feel.

Taking the G3 tour onto Europe, Joe invited 'Queen' lead guitarist Brian May to be the third performer to join both he and Steve Vai

In it's third incarnation, and with the ever-present Steve Vai in attendance once again, the call was put out to 'Dream Theatre' lead guitarist John Petrucci. John slotted into the trio nicely and they toured the US through various stages of 2001 and into 2002.

During the Fall of 2003 Joe and Steve welcome Yngwie Malmsteen to the G3 mix for a series of shows across the US.

G3 kicked on into Europe in July of 2004 with Joe, Steve and Robert Fripp.

Where will G3 go from here you ask? That will be left up to Joe, Steve and the gang to decide. It's been a hell of ride for fans to date. Keep it coming guys!