In this never before-heard 2016 interview, Vai talks with author Greg Renoff about the landmark David Lee Roth album Eat ‘Em and Smile. At the time, it was the 30th anniversary of the iconic album.

In the interview, Vai talks about the song he thought he wrote but didn’t, the jock that wasn’t happy with Vai, the rumored Kim Mitchell song, and the infamous Lucky Strike reunion show that didn't happen.

The interview is conducted by Greg Renoff. Renoff is the author of two Amazon best-sellers and a must-read for music fans. Van Halen Rising: How a Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal and Ted Templeman: A Platinum Producer's Life in Music. If you haven't read these books, do yourself a favor and go get them now.

Read Greg Renoff's article based on this interview over on Guitar World. https://bit.ly/3eMS1Xf

00:00 - Intro Steve Vai interview

01:20 - Start of Steve Vai interview

02:00 - The first time David Lee Roth called Vai

02:17 - Pete Angelus and the Fabulous Picasso Brothers

02:42 - Who was involved with the choreography

03:19 - If Aerosmith was involved

04:44 - Was the Kim Mitchell song Kids in Action recorded?

05:16 - Other possible guitar players

05:56 - What Vai has no memory of

06:58 - The song Vai thought he wrote, but didn’t

09:39 - What Roth’s name for Kids in Action was and why

10:18 - Leaking to the press

10:53 - Getting a hold of Roth

12:25 - Early memories with Roth

13:54 - The jock vs Vai story

15:00 - The very first Roth concert he played

16:23 - How Roth was his final mentor

17:49 - If Roth’s movie was originally for Van Halen

18:34 - If he’d do a reunion with the Eat ‘Em Smile band

19:27 - The infamous Lucky Strike concert

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#58 Steve Vai | The Eat 'Em and Smile interview