Joe Satriani

Before he became famous, rock guitarist Joe Satriani earned his living as a guitar instructor, tutoring such future stars as Steve Vai, Kirk Hammett, and Primus’ Larry LaLonde. ∙ Surfing with the Alien, his 1987 breakthrough album, went Platinum in the US and established him as one of the world’s top shredders. ∙ In 1988, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger tapped Satriani to be the guitarist on his first-ever solo tour. ∙ He’s the founder of the popular G3 tour, which over the past two-plus decades has featured such notable guitarists as Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, John Petrucci, and Robert Fripp. ∙ Chickenfoot—Satriani’s supergroup with Sammy Hagar, Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith—scored a Top 5 hit with their self-titled 2009 debut. ∙ “Always with Me, Always with You,” a track from Surfing with the Alien, was sampled for Nicki Minaj’s 2010 hit “Right Thru Me.” ∙ With sales of more than 10 million albums worldwide, Satriani is the best-selling instrumental rock guitarist of all time.