Joe Satriani was one of the best, most influential rock guitarists of the late '80s, equally capable of fast flights of blinding technique as well as sweet, lyrical passages. What also separates Satriani from most technically gifted guitar virtuosos is that he treats a song as a song, not as an excuse to shred. For these reasons, he appeals not only to guitarists, but also to many rock fans who have never touched the instrument — his breakthrough 1987 album, Surfing with the Alien, was the first rock instrumental album in years to chart in the Top 30 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums.

Since then, he has added vocals to his records; while his voice can't compare to his guitar, it added another dimension to an artist that was already more versatile than the majority of contemporary musicians.
Before Satriani became a recording star, he taught guitar is San Francisco; several of his students became famous, influential guitarists in their own right, before he even recorded his first album in 1988. Metallica's Kirk Hammett was the first of his students to hit the big time, followed by Steve Vai and Larry LaLonde of Primus. — Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide.

                                         Steve Vai & Joe Satriani