Joe Satriani Calls Jeff Beck Almost Joins The G3, But Cancels In The Last Moment

Jeff Beck (Instagram @jeffbeckofficial)

JAKARTA - Joe Satriani as the G3 initiator has collaborated with many great guitarists, including Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, John Petrucci, Andy Tujuk, Steve Morse, to Brian May.

However, Satriani said there were still several other great guitarists that he failed to present, even though they were almost realized.

"What almost materializes is that I am with Jeff Beck and Billy Gibbons," said Joe Satriani in a recent interview on the UCR Podcast.

Satriani said Jeff Beck, who initially agreed just a week before the show then canceled it at the end.

"It almost materialized. Then, Jeff canceled it at the last moment," said the guitarist.

"I think he used the excuse (that) he thought it would be better if we toured with Prince. I thought of it as a really good joke, like he didn't want to do it, so he put forward the most ridiculous advice," he continued.

Furthermore, Satriani admitted that he had met Beck twice, but he did not really know him.

"So, it's impossible for me to talk to him, like, 'Why didn't that happen?' But yeah, I always think, 'Let's call Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck.' You know, let's call all your favorite guitar players. It's difficult, because I'm from a different generation," he said.

'Steve (Vai) and I, to be honest, we were in the middle. In particular me, at my age, I wasn't part of a classic rock group. I'm not part of a group that really skyrocketed afterwards, iconic guitar players like Slash and Tom Morello. So I can see that. I can see they just wonder, 'Who is this kid? We don't know who he is. (He) playing instrumental guitar, who cares.' So I never really thought it would happen, but I still asked, 'he continued.

But behind the failure to present big names, Satriani said there were several guitarists who actually offered themselves.

"Sekali, sekali, seseorang akan setuju atau muncul saja dan berkata, 'Saya ingin bermain.' Dan itu adalah (guitarist) seperti Brian May, Neal Schon atau Robert Fripp. Jadi kami sangat keberuntung dalam hal itu. Namun, mereka bersama yang lolos, tentu saja, Jeff Beck dan Edward, pungkasnya.