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Joe Satariani

Joe Satriani is one of the all time greats of the rock world influencing geanerations of guitarists, but he nearly became a footballer instead.

It was the day that Jimi Hendrix died, September 18 1970, that the young Joe hung up his footie boots and took up his guitar.

He was 14 years old at the time.

"Most footie boys have not grown into the figures they are going to be at that age. They are all equal. But as they get to be big kids they get a bit rough and it was at that time I decided to leave,'' laughed Joe. "Being on the slender side.'' But he admitted that it was that day that changed his career path.

"When I heard the news about Jimi I decided to become a musician full time and chose the artistic life path.'' The guitarist is best known for his work with Mick Jagger, Deep Purple (replacing Ritchie Blackmore when he left the band) and the G3 concerts with numerous international stars.

But it was working with Mick Jagger that inspired the musician to go solo.

It was 1987 and his second album Surfing With The Alien was just released. Joe was asked to go on tour to Australia and New Zealand with Mick.

The tour was to promote the Rolling Stones' singer's solo album.

"I got this call to audition for Mick Jagger. It was the coolest thing. I was working with someone I admired, a true rock star of such a high calibre. Mick was pivotal in my career,'' he said.

What impressed Joe most was Mick's musical generosity. He allowed the guitarist a 20-minute slot in the show when they toured in Japan.

"Mick is a musician's musician. Going solo when he was in The Stones turned the people against him but he handled it well and I took note of that to help my solo path.'' Joe started out as a guitar teacher and has had some pretty famous names pass through his hands including Kirk Hammet, from Metallica, David Bryson from Counting Crows and his old buddy from high school Stevie Vai.

"I used to go and play the instruments in a guitar store so they put me to work,'' he said.

The guitarist is still pals with Stevie Vai.

"We come from the same background. It is great to have this incredible thing happen to you, to realise the artistic dream, and even better when your friend is there with you,'' he said.

The guitarist is currently touring in the UK to promote his latest album entitled Professor Sachafunkilus And The Musterian Of Rock.

Joe says he tries to get to the UK every couple of years for a tour.

"I find it fascinating and exotic. It is the home of the English language. I grew up in Long Island where we redesign the language a bit,'' he laughed.

"I like the fact that the UK is an island, boy I mean it is 30 countries all squirrelled into one. When we are on tour it is difficult to understand the locals from city to city. Even our English road crew doesn't understand the people in Glasgow.'' Joe is also heading south to play at both Bristol and Cardiff as part of his current tour so hopefully he will get a handle on our west country burr.

Joe Satriani Colston Hall Colston Street, Bristol Saturday May 17 Tickets: £28.50 and £25.50 0117 922 3686 Factfile: Born: July 15 1956 in Westbury New York Live now: Los Angeles, Berkeley, California Family: father an engineer, uncle a professional accordion player, mum played the piano. Three sisters and a brother Own family: wife and son Instruments: guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals, harmonica and banjo Techniques: Legato, two-handed tapping, sweep-picking, harmonics and whammy bar effects. Trademark: pitch axis theory Awards: 13 Grammy nominations Featured in films: For Your Convenience by Christopher Fry and Say Anything by Cameron Crowe.

5:31pm Friday 9th May 2008

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