Outtake from forthcoming Allan Holdsworth Documentary: Steve Vai tells his story of meeting Allan for the first time in the 1970's behind the Orpheum Theatre in Manhattan, when Allan was touring with U.K. All rights reserved
I met Steve Vai a few months ago in Spain in a similar situation, he was just outside the venue before soundcheck and we talked, he was really polite and attentive to everything I said and even invited me to the soundcheck, Steve really followed Allan's example as he mentions on the video!
Well said buddy, I cried a little when reading your comment, because it really touched me. I talked to myself, how can I be so arrogant sometimes when those great people are so kind and humble. I feel ashamed of myself.
I had a beer with Holdsworth. He just came and sat down next to me at the bar. He was sooo regular guy! Extremely nice. He sat down said hello cheerfully. I’ve never felt more at ease with a titan! I was thrilled!!! Undercover guitar god.
I guess I was 21 Lol. I erased that part. Silly me. I was drinking a beer! I didn’t try to meet Holdsworth. He walked up and said “Hey, how’s it going, mate?” Or something like that and we drank our beer and made small talk completely unrelated to who he was. He liked that better. He was like a scientist or Engineer regular guy. He was both of those related to guitar for sure.
bardoface. Allan was totally down to Earth…He wasn’t into the ‘I’m a Bitchin star guitarist’ at all…He was someone you could walk up to in a supermarket and have a homely conversation with about Seymour Duncan pickups or Hartley Thompson amplifiers..He was lovely….And his humour was GREAT.
And he loved to ride BICYCLES too 😊 and he had his own beer pumps area in his studio I think ? Called ‘the Laundry Room’ ..Where he and his musician friends would have a beer after recording. Or even SEVERAL beers…..lol
I met Allan when I was about 20. He was super chill and even let me play his guitar AND , many years later, met Steve and, to his credit, he was a super cool dude as well. If you’re watching,Steve, just thought you oughta know!
I really can understand you my friend 👍 I am a trombone player and in 2006 I had the chance to meet one of the best jazz trombonists in the world: Nils Landgren ! He was a brutally down to earth guy. So calm, polite and chill.....literally no words. I talked with him almost 20 minutes and he also let me try his trombone. It was an Incredibile experience
I got to say hello to him after a show in a small jazz club in Hollywood. Definitely humble, polite, a regular guy with no pretenses. Sometimes you meet your heroes and they are everything that you hoped they would be.
Holdsworth is the greatest guitarist to have ever lived…according to great guitarists, if not according to clueless fans and ‘top 10” lists made by magazines.
I feel that way about Zakk Wylde. Years ago when he was doing the first Book of Shadows tour in 1996, he came to town and I found out he was going to be signing autographs at a Media Play store (remember those!). My first guitar was a cheap Epiphone LP-100 that I put an EMG81 in the bridge because of him. They had a table set up and a roped off area for the line, I got there early and was there first in line with my guitar to get signed. We’re all waiting in line and he walks in looking like a rockstar has the bell bottom jeans (this was still Pride & Glory era pre-BLS Viking biker Zakk). He just had the aura of a rockstar. He sat down at the table, but I was nervous and being first in line didn’t know when to approach. He was really cool and just motioned, "come on let me see you’re guitar.” I told him about putting the EMG81 in and told him this was my Zakk Wylde wannabe guitar. He was like, "no it’s cool I like it” and signed my pick guard Zakk Wylde 96’ in that cool cursive signature. I had a bunch of questions I wanted to ask him, but was starstruck and started walking off. My amazing mom stops me, turns me around and says, "ask him what you wanted to know.” I was asking him about how he gets his harmonic squeals and everything and he took the time to tell me about how he does it and that for the recordings everything was double tracked or multiple tracks so there might be a track with the harmonics to thicken it up. He was so awesome and down to earth to take the time to talk to me even though I was holding up a whole line of people lol I took the pick guard off the guitar for safe keeping and played the crap out of it for years. I still have it in storage, but the pick guard I have displayed on a shelf lol
Another Heartwarming story. I met Steve in 1996 he was such a warm kind Patient person with a young budding guitarist. FLASH FORWARD to 2012 and Vai finds out throuh a friend of my severe medical issues with my kidneys. (the music industry is surprisingly small believe it or not). So what does Steve do? Emails me during a very busy tour, wishes me prayers, sends book recommendations, tips on meditation, but again such kind words and humbleness. Vai is a a PRINCE among men. Super kind. Funny, Warm and patient.
I met Allan Holdworth in a little pub in Abertillery, Wales. I was there for his gig, and he just walked in about an hour before showtime. And he was exactly how Steve describes him here. He chatted and introduced me to Chad Wakkerman, who was with him. I was a total stranger to him, and he owed me nothing, but he was an absolute gentleman and chatted before he went to the bar to get a pint, and I’ll never forget that five minutes. And I’ll always love his music. They say never meet your heroes, but sometimes…
Great to hear a 2025 Allan Holdsworth documentary is going to be made for all of his fans worldwide. Had a similar experience. It was during Allan's 1983 second IOU tour in San Francisco. Was approaching The Stone (club) few hours prior to the gig, saw a friend was in a shop nearby in which I entered. By surprise not realizing Allan was in the corner of the shop playing arcade machine, my friend said "Daniel, I would like you to meet Allan Holdsworth." Allan stops playing the machine, turns around with this huge smile, shakes my hand while saying, "hi Dan! It's nice to meet you!" My friend told me that he had mentioned to Allan, was heavily influenced by his music, John Coltrane, Ravi Shankar, prior to our initial meeting. Utter shock & surprise. Was beyond my imagination that magical day. Especially after experiencing his initial mind blowing "1982 IOU tour." Previous year at same club. Allan Holdsworth was exactly as Steve Vai expressed. Extremely humble, kind. Extremely grateful so many of his fans were packing the all the Bay Area clubs to support & witness a true guru guitar genius. Playing unearthly chords, laying down guitar solos on a "Coltrane" level. Of all the greats met before/during music career...hands down, Allan Holdsworth & Eric Johnson were the two most humble musical souls.
I met Allan after a show in 1984. I said 'I'd love to ask you some questions.' He then said 'We're all going down to this pub. Meet us there!.' I happily bought a round for the band. What a night. Really looking forward to the docu!!!
The amazing thing about this story is I've met them both, and Mr. Vai had become that person. He was just very cool and humble when I addressed his stature in the pantheon of guitar players.
Steve is super nice and kind. He really takes the time to help people when he can, too. I can't express how helpful he's been to me and some other people I know. A real class act who has done a LOT of thinking about the philosophy and psychology of artists & creativity. Very much looking forward to sharing some of his insights as I make progress on the doc.
That man was a genius.Holdsworth was one in a million.Imagine being so inventive that NOBODY sounds like you on an instrument tens of millions of people play!
A documentary would be great. I will definitely pay to see that.Allan Musician, composer, visionary Family man Bicycles beer maker RIP maestro we miss you ❤
I met Holdsworth in a guitar shop in San Diego. He was looking around, killing time, waiting for a buddy picking up a repaired guitar. You know, it's like what everyone says about Alan.... he's the nicest guy in the room. We got into a short talk about Mesa Boogie Mark III amps, which we both used. I'll never forget it, how at ease the whole moment was. After he left, I went over to the young guys working the counter and asked them, "do you know who that was?" Nope. No clue. I pointed to their DVD lessons for sale, there was Holdsworth's...... That Guy. Saw him perform with his SynthAxe once, too.
I met Allan Holdsworth in 1996 at the "little" NAMM show in Nashville. I was across the aisle from where he was to perform in a few minutes, in a vintage guitar booth. I was looking at a gorgeous, cherry red '64 335. I reached out pick it up, and simultaneously another hand was on it. The guy says in a polite British accent, "oh, sorry". I turn, and it's Allan Holdsworth. I said "no, man--it's all yours". I don't recall whether or not he played at his mini-clinic or was just checking it out, but it was a really cool moment.
I spoke Allan directly at a Vic Firth promotional event at a local music store. Not sure who's this awesome idea was but his band actually toured around music stores with Chad Wackerman promoting Vic Firth, and I'm pretty sure VF funded it. I was able to talk to Allan after the show and I told him how glad I was to be able to see him. He spoke to me like I was an old friend. I said something like hey I haven't seen you touring in the US lately and he's like..."I'm just so glad to be able to play". I was blown away. This guy would be a friend that I would want to have. As if his playing isn't enough, here's this amazingly kind and humble person. One of a kind. Oh one more little tidbit. The manager of the event asked me if I wanted to play Chad Wackerman's drum kit. I was like seriously? So with all these people out in the crowd I went up there and played Ice Cakes by Dixie Dregs (Rod Morgenstein). And I nailed it. Maybe I should have played something by Chad, if I could. What a fantastic experience. His drums sounded and played really well for not being my own set. Chad looked up at me where he was signing autographs, probably thinking who TF is playing my drums? LOL.
People who met Shawn Lane told exactly the same about him. There is a big difference between musicians who are really great(or whatever word you want to use) and those players who want to hear over and over again how fantastic they are.
And that is the person he became! I met up backstage with Steve Vai after a show in Athens, Greece earlier this year ( I think it was in April). He wasn't arrogant and all, talked to everyone who was eagerly waiting for him outside, signed autographs, gave picks ( I got one) was really sweet taking ! Way to go Steve!
Had the honor of meeting Allan at a brewery in San Marcos, CA. He was working with Carvin on his signature guitar. He was sitting by himself at the bar. What an incredibly nice and warm gentleman.
The guitarist in my band went to see Holdsworth play in a small venue in northern California. He stood in a line with others waiting to get in about an hour before the show. An big, old Cadillac pulls up with a small u-haul trailer and it's AH and his band! All these guitar guys standing in line start applauding at his arrival and Allan just kind of looked down and waved his hands down to the crowd, as if to say, "Oh please, stop. I'm no big deal."
I worked a Steve Vai show on his Fire Garden tour. Vai seemed like nice guy walking around the venue in his winter parka and hat. Gave the local crew all CDs of his current album. Class act.
I met Steve in Salina Kansas behind the venue , we drove 5 hours to get there. I was tired. We went around back, saw the truck and I thought , this is the time when this could actually happen. There was nobody around, I m getting a crazy feeling, my wife and daughter are with me and it's just us. Then here he comes out the back door. I just stood there agape, he comes walking up to us, I was starstruck as he is like a God to me. He was so cool, he let us take pictures with him, he suggested it, I was still duh...such a cool guy . So he leaves and my wife says let's get these developed. We go to Walgreens, get them in 8× 10s. We go to the show and we have good seats. Near the end of the show my wife gets up to the stage and shows him the pictures , while he was playing, he reached down and signed the 3 pictures . While he was playing! I have a picture of him signing the pictures. Is anybody more cool than that?
Reminds me when I met Eric Johnson. I was in high school. I waited behind the theatre before the show for him to show up. He was so nice. He signed a photo of him and BB King from an article in Guitar For The Practicing Musician. (I later met BB King and he signed the same photo). I never got to see Allan Holdsworth. He was one of my favorite guitarists and musicians. He's on that small list of those musicians I really regret not seeing.
Alan was an amazing musician and genuinely down-to-earth good person - - that is a rare combination with today's celebrity musicians. We need more people like him in the world.
My very first rock concert was U.K. open for Al Dimeola in 1978 Central Park NYC. I was so blown away. His playing and the entire showcase of talent changed my way of hearing music forever. I learned how to listen. And differentiate real music from crap.
Allan was very down to earth. He was self-deprecating and very humble in his general attitude and with the fans of his music. It was a terrible shame that Allan could not achieve real widespread fame and fortune just doing what he wanted to do musically without being expected to somehow compromise his effort in a more “commercial” direction. Regardless he holds a special place among guitar players and his fans and was a musical phenomenon that explored the outer reaches of the guitar cosmos and took us along for the ride. RIP Al, you will be remembered.
I had a friend who was an incredible guitar player that passed from cancer right after he completed 21 years, leaving an almost complete album to be released after a very difficult recording process due to chemo, etc. The last track was a piano/guitar duo he never managed to record his part. Vai was his biggest idol and I had the crazy idea of sending emails to Favored Nations in the hope of asking if he could play in that closure song. And one day I got an email back from the man himself, asking me to send the album to Los Angeles. I compiled all material I had from my friend (drawings of Vai, Hendrix, SRV he did himself, pictures of the 2 of them together in hotel lobbies here in Rio de Janeiro, the tracks for the album and the piano recording). It eventually didn't happen, it's not like he had a free/easy agenda back in the early 2000's and the family really wanted to put that into the world asap. In the next concert in Brazil we managed to give him a copy of the released version and he was incredibly sweet with the person who delivered it to him and even spoke beautifully about my friend Max and the album in an interview. Class act that lives by the words he says in this video.
I met allan in the early 2000s, I was surprised by how normal and down to earth he was, and he was interested in me and my music, I was just flabbergasted that this genius was even willing to talk to me, will never forget that til the day I die, he really inspired me a lot.
I never saw him, or his performances, but every story has the same themes of Allan's humanity, his commitment to the music, his uncompromising approach to his craft, and his humility. I feel his influence right now, and I believe it will carry over to new generations.
Waiting stageside in Escoindido to meet Pat Metheny after the We Live Here tour came through. And there is Allan standing right next to me. I couldn't believe it. I was about to say hi when Pat came out and shook his hand and said "Man, I'm glad I didn't know you were in the audience tonight". I'll never forget that night.
I was blessed to see Allan Holdsworth perform with I.O.U. on June 25, 1982 at the Bottom Line in NYC. To this day, I've never seen such a brilliant performance. and I've seen all the greats. He seemed to be such a gentle kind soul. "The Drums Were Yellow" from "The 16 Men of Tain" still has what is likely the most mind-blowing guitar solo I have ever heard. I cannot wait to see the documentary.
Got to meet Alan back stage at a UK gig at the Bottom Line. My buddy and I were working on an album for Columbia at the time (never got released, long story) and talked our way in. He was in his room practicing--I think this was between sets. Standing there chatting with him while he ran through warm up exercises, amazing. And as everybody says he was very natural, easy to talk to, welcoming. Just a really nice guy. As was Eddie Jobson, as it happens. Bruford on the other hand...
Allan should have been fabulously wealthy if there was any justice- he barely scratched a living. So many of the greats don't get the financial rewards
I saw Allan play a Saturday afternoon gig at a small Sydney bar in the 1980s, and dragged a few friends along who'd never heard of him. Likely everyone in Sydney who *had* heard of him was there, so there was about fifty of us. Every mind was blown. At the end of the gig, Allan said he was selling his gear and he was open to reasonable offers, which I found dreadfully sad. He sat with a few of us after the gig and chatted a while. Like Steve said, he was a sweet, attentive and intelligent man, but somehow commercial success had eluded him. Talent isn't always rewarded commensurately, and there's no better example than Allan. If it was, he'd have been a billionaire.
A sad but true story a incredible musician who was humble attentive to anyone that wanted to talk to him.I met him briefly and he was so kind to take the time to listen to a fan boy.He will go down in history as a incredible musician that created his own path..still to this day people will dissect his music to know end..to try and emulate his style. But he had no style an ever changing quest for the uncommon chord and beyond. He passed away practically broke divorced and his family had to open up a GO FUND ME PAGE to help pay for his funeral expenses. How tragic this is..he may be gone but not forgotten, may he rest in peace 🙏.
Got to shake hands with Holdsworth in the early 80's. He was playing in a bar in Philly. About 150 people there....he walked back to his private room through the crowd and everybody was in awe of him....I just stuck out my hand and said I want to shake those fingers. He shook hands!
Absolutely - we waited one night at the Iridium for him - the crowd filed out - Allan, Vinnie Coliuta and Jimmy Haslip hung and spoke so openly & kindly with us for 20 -25 minutes, not hurried. Allan invited us out - around the the corner for a pint 🎸⚡️🎶🌈💕
In late 80's or early 90's in San Francisco Bay Area before the gig, Allan autographed the US gatefold cover of the first Tempest Lp. He was a little taken aback, showed it to a band member, and graciously signed. Then played a great show. My wife and I saw Tempest at The Whisky in L.A. and were completely blown away. Every time I saw him was special.
When I was 16, I got to meet Steve before a show... he was that guy to me. Incredibly kind and welcoming. A wonderful person in addition to being one of the best guitarists ever. Such a shame I never got to see or meet Holdsworth. His note choices and phrasing are just out of this world. RIP.
I met him once. I think it was in 1992. I knew he was a serious connoisseur of beer (I think I read he'd written a book on the subject or something) so I bought a six of beer from our local brewery to present it to him after the concert. That part turned out to be surprisingly easy to do - he just came out into the foyer after the concert to chat to members of the audience. I told him how much I enjoyed the concert and presented him the beer and told him it was a local product and I hoped he enjoyed it. He looked a little surprised and he thanked me and I thanked him for the concert, but I didn't really hang around to chat much - I was in such awe, I felt tongue-tied, especially after the mind-blowingly fantastic music I'd just heard. But he was very gentlemanly, with a very kind demeanor. I can't imagine he was especially impressed by our hometown brew, but I hoped the gift would give him a positive feeling about having come to play for us.
Got to talk to him at a club during the break...asked him about the Yamaha Magic Stomp pedal (of which he had like 5 on a table). He was so kind and answered all my questtions patiently. What a gentleman and monster musician! RIP Maestro!
Beautiful Steve! You’ve consistently had the best take on Holdsworth. Allan WAS the perfect “star” because he was so humble, so accessible, so decent, and hilariously funny. Then there’s his ridiculous guitar playing and arrangements… thanks Steve beautifully stated. I met him several times, he was an amazing person and guitar was never the same after I understood how unique he was as a player. Nobody like him, ever. That’s an unusual thing to be able to say of a guitarist
I met Steve Vai when I was a teenager in an alley after a show in Brisbane in 96 or 97. He too was incredibly gracious and signed a magazine that he featured in for me. I remember being super amped up after meeting him and as I was leaving we drove past him still signing autographs, I wound down my window and shouted "Steve Vai is god", but it came out much louder than I expected, Basically screamed it at him from a few meters away, He quickly spun around and and gave me the "dude calm down look". Still makes me cringe thinking about it now.
Allan Holdsworth - sadly missed. Lovely to hear he was a top bloke too. Had the honour of seeing him tour around the time of Metal Fatigue. He was on another level playing-wise.
I love that so many have a Holdsworth story like this. Mine is after a gig at Rutgers University in '87 after Atavachron came out and he was demoing the Synthaxe. He was breaking down his gear; I shook his hand and told him I loved his compositions, which I think he appreciated. Just the most lovely, gentle, empathetic demeanor. RIP, King.
I wad lucky enough to meet Allan several times the first time a had a bunch of album covers of nearly everything he had recorded and i asked if he would mind signing some of them he told me to come over to the bar with him and said the least he could do was sighn them all and thanked me he was so humble just a beautiful human being i went again the following night and when he saw me he called me over i saw him many times after this and he was always happy to talk to me not only was i blown away by his musicianship but equally by him as a person.
Holdsworth was a genius. I might never appreciate his music aesthetically rather than technically. But you cant deny that he was a brilliant human being in all the ways that matter. Especially the good sense of humour.
I met him twice and both times we had a very nice chat. What a personality he was, so humble and friendly, so down to earth and almost pathologically modest concerning his legendary status. He held my Godin guitar in his hands while having a closer look at it. And he really liked the guitar. I'll probably never sell it... 😄
Very excited for a Holdsworth Documentary!! I met him in one of his last tours at the Iridium in Manhattan after a gig. He signed the back-cover of my guitar (I still have it!) and shook my hand. I will never forget the feeling of every bone in my hand being gleefully crushed in his catcher's mitt of a hand.
Thanks so much for posting this. I didn't realise there was a documentary coming out. Looks like it some time before release. If that is true it is about time. Both Steve and Eddie did more than most to try and help Allan. Allan deserves far more credit and attention. I met Allan three times in the 80s and 90s and 00s. Great guy every time. I suppose one of the advantages for us fans is that we had relatively easy access to meet him before and after gigs. He was, and is, a god to me. No electric guitarist comes close as far as I am concerned. I look forward to the documentary with great anticipation.
Steve, I met you at a Meet and Greet at the Chicago House of Blues back in 2007. You were exceedingly kind and interested after a long, hot show. You signed my 20 yr old Whitesnake concert ticket, and were the most genuine Rock Icon I've met. Still holds true to this day.
Just stumbled upon this video. He really took to that mantra. I ran into him in LA a few months ago. Unbeknownst to me, he was recovering from some injury or surgery. He was gracious and kind. His record, Passion and warfare, was a mind blowing moment for me. I didn't know that someone could make a guitar sound like that. It is nice to see that he lives and plays in the same way-with intention.
Well Steve , I’d say you met that ideal: I met you after a G3 show in 1996 , in Atlanta at The Fox - you were very generous with your time and as nice and personable as could be - much appreciated!
And in 1993 I did indeed meet Steve in an alleyway after having waited 3 hours at the backstage door at (then) Hammersmith Odeon. I was 14. He’d already signed a drawing I’d done of him via one of the roadies after the gig was over - but regardless he took the time and I still have the photo - he had long dreads then too and wore his denim/leather Harley jacket with the pre-Raphaelite painting on the back. I even briefly saw Devin look our way once the stage door was open and he was only maybe 19 at the time. Precious memories. - Thanks Steve for making my formative years magic
Mr vai ..your influence has changed mine and so many lives..got a chance to meet you in 95' Hartford,ct..you were the most gracious unassuming kind and the furthest thing from arrogant musician of your stature I have ever met..it was almost a shock to me..I called my wife after sound check and told her it was like your superman Cape came off...you are definately how you described Alan Holdsworth was to you ...and btw got the chance to meet Fire at the okc show this year...he was working so hard but yet still was as gracious as his dad ..took a minute to take care of us with the swag AND have a pic taken with us...your evil twin..lol..you must be very proud ...I've followed your career since your Zappa days..and in all that time you have always pushed what was possible on guitar..always a pleasure to be at one of your shows..looking forward to meeting you again
Very inspiring words from Steve Vai about how to try to treat others with kindness and compassion.Our words have some much potential to do something good in the world each day..this video is sending out a great vibe, thanks for posting!
I also met Alan and the stories of his humbleness is true We even got to hang with him prior to his show He was such a gentleman and so so down to earth He even bought us a beer LOL True story Still have the picture of us together
I had a smile on my face all the way through this video, to think that someone of the stature and the musical genius of Steve Vai could be so starstruck to a humble Yorkshireman who played jazz fusion guitar (brilliantly!).
Allan is the guitarist’s guitarist. He’s just otherworldly…if Steve is from another dimension Allan is the universe in which that dimension resides. Just a superb player and a total gentleman ❤
I met him under very different circumstances. I was the sound guy for the opening act for one of his gigs in Rochester NY, at a place he thought was a big club. Not exactly. It was a supper club and by the time his group showed up to do a sound check, it somehow fell to me to tell him that they couldn't do it because it wasn't allowed after 5PM. He was properly pissed but didn't kill the messenger. Anyway his band, including Chad Wackerman on drums, was phenomenal.
I think I know the place you are talking about. I saw John McLaughlin there once (amazing show, with Danny Gottleib on drums and Jonas Helleborg on bass) - over by RIT? Kind of cheesy early 80's decor if I remember right? This was about 40 years ago! I would have loved to have seen Holdsworth there..
@@Unibabble Jonas was in Mahavishnu through the 80's, not sure he ever played with our Allan. Maybe you're thinking Skuli Sverrison in the 90's? Happy to learn more if you can remember details.
@@FortyHurts sorry, I just meant I think I knew the venue the op mentioned. I never saw Allan there, unfortunately, just John McLaughlin with Hellborg and Gottlieb. I did see Allan at Berkelee though, opening for Al DiMeola. And if I remember right, Danny Gottleib was DiMeola’s drummer, and sat in with Allan because whoever was playing drums with him was unavailable that night. Gottleib did a great job, considering he probably did one rehearsal at sound check - Allan and Jimmy Johnson were both incredible.
@@Unibabble Ah, my misunderstanding. Nice that you got to see Allan with Jimmy - I never saw them together, and they are my two biggest influences/inspirations.
I had an opportunity to buy Allan a beer on two occasions. Once at the Baked Potato, and another time at Iridium in New York City. Very nice and down-to-earth man.
Got to meet Holdsworth & he was extremely nice. Got to meet Vai, he was cool and allowed me to have my picture taken with him. Both 2 of the #GOATGuitarists ever IMO.
