Steve Vai recently reflected on his early collaboration with David Lee Roth, revealing how he came up with the groundbreaking “talking” guitar part for the intro of “Yankee Rose.”
Released in 1986 as the lead single from Eat ‘Em And Smile, “Yankee Rose” marked a bold beginning for David Lee Roth’s solo career, paralleling Van Halen’s shift in direction with their 5150 album featuring Sammy Hagar. Roth’s debut single not only ignited his solo journey but also showcased the brilliance of Steve Vai, whose guitar “conversations” with Roth during the track’s intro have since become legendary in rock history.
In a recent interview with MusicRadar, Vai reminisced about his sister’s early words of encouragement:
“It’s funny. In some ways, it was a reflection on something my sister Pam said to me when I was a little boy. She told me, ‘One of these days, you are going to make your guitar talk!’ It kinda stuck with me.”
Vai continued, explaining how Roth’s artistic vision aligned with his own approach:
“With David Lee Roth, you’re always reaching for the absurd – a blend of what’s cool and what’s crazy. I approached the project as I would any other, where I had to step into the shoes of another guitar voice. I did this with Frank Zappa’s band, and with Dave’s band, it was Edward [Van Halen]. When you hear Dave’s voice, Edward’s guitar playing is right there too.”
Joining a band shaped by the dynamic between Eddie Van Halen and Roth naturally came with high expectations. However, Vai emphasized that he didn’t attempt to replicate Van Halen’s iconic style:
“My goal was never to imitate what had come before. There’s a certain range you work within, but my aim was always to bring something fresh.”
“Of course, I was a huge fan of Edward, but I knew I didn’t sound like him and didn’t want to try. I wanted to find my own voice. I have a certain quirkiness to my playing, and when you’re working with David Lee Roth, that part of you is bound to come out.”
Reflecting on the brainstorming session that led to the creation of the unforgettable “Yankee Rose” intro, Vai shared:
“We were in the studio, and it was a time when Van Halen was one of the biggest bands in the world, and Dave had just left. They were recording another album, and so was Dave.”
“It was a time when everyone was trying to come up with the next big thing. I was like a colorful fly on the wall, soaking it all in and enjoying every moment. We were trying to figure out how to open the record in a way that was interesting, fun, and totally ridiculous to capture everyone’s attention. I said, ‘I’m going to make my guitar talk!’ And with that, I was able to fulfill my sister’s prophecy!”
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