G3 (tour)

G3 is an almost annual live music show and concert tour featuring three select guitarists of the generation; hence its name. It was created by guitarist Joe Satriani in 1996. Since its inception G3 has featured many guitarists including: Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Yngwie Malmsteen, John Petrucci, Robert Fripp, Paul Gilbert, Uli Jon Roth, Michael Schenker, Adrian Legg and many other special guests, including Tony MacAlpine, Johnny Hiland, Steve Lukather, Steve Morse, Chris Duarte, Andy Timmons, Neal Schon, Gary Hoey, Brian May, Billy Gibbons, Johnny A, George Lynch, Patrick Rondat, [http://www.michelcusson.com Michel Cusson] , Alejandro Silva (Only in Chile) and Eric Sardinas.

History

1996

The 1996 North American G3 tour featured Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Eric Johnson. Performances were held from October 11, 1996 to November 8, 1996. Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Adrian Legg were opening acts.

There were special guests on this tour, who included Neal Schon in San Francisco, Gary Hoey in San Diego, Chris Duarte in Austin and San Antonio, and Andy Timmons in Dallas.

2000

Toured Rentak Rhythm of Asia Festival (Bukit Jalil) [ [http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://2.csx.jp/users/musicraja/consertreports/cr6_rentak%2520asia00_1.htm&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dconsertreports%2BRentak%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG Review of Rentak Rhythm of Asia Festival] ] - Kuala Lumpur, MY [ [http://www.geocities.com/rentakasia Rentak Rhythm Of Asia Official Website] ] . Featured a reunion of the first G3 Tour lineup on October 21, 2000 at the Rhythm of Asia Festival - Kuala Lumpur, MY [ [http://www.vivamusic.com/events/u_rentak.htm Rentak Asia - The Rhythm of Asia] ] . Opening act was slide guitarist Eric Sardinas.

2004

G3 toured Europe and South America in 2004 with Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Robert Fripp.

2007

The G3 2007 tour featured Paul Gilbert, John Petrucci and Joe Satriani. Shows were held from March 14 to April 14. At the last show of the tour during the song "Glasgow Kiss" Paul Gilbert's band came out wearing kilts and did a small dance. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mkMmtbh_o4 YouTube - Gilbert Kilts Petrucci G3 '07 ] ]

The G3 Jam featured Johnny A. at the Orpheum Theatre in Boston, MA.

G3 statistics

Dream Theater, Mr. Big, Scorpions and Racer X are the only bands that had two of its members on G3 tour: John Petrucci on guitar and Mike Portnoy on drums (2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 & 2007), Paul Gilbert on guitar (2001, 2002 & 2007) and Billy Sheehan on bass (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 & 2006), Michael Schenker and Uli Jon Roth both on guitars (1998), and Paul Gilbert and Bruce Bouillet both on guitar (2007).

John Petrucci, Paul Gilbert, Eric Johnson and Robert Fripp are the only guitarists (excluding Joe Satriani and Steve Vai) who have played on the G3 tour more than one time:

* John Petrucci - 6 times
* Paul Gilbert - 3 times
* Eric Johnson - 3 times
* Robert Fripp - 2 times

Headline guitarists

* 1996 (North America): Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson
* 1997 (North America): Joe Satriani, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Robert Fripp
* 1997 (Europe): Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Adrian Legg
* 1998 (Europe): Joe Satriani, Michael Schenker, Uli Jon Roth
* 2000 (Rentak Rhythm Of Asia) : Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson
* 2001 (North America): Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, John Petrucci
* 2003 (North America): Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen
* 2004 (Europe/South America): Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Robert Fripp
* 2005 (Japan): Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, John Petrucci
* 2006 (South America): Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Eric Johnson
* 2006 (Australia): Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, John Petrucci
* 2007 (North America): Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Paul Gilbert

ee also

* Bx3 - spin-off that features three bassists rather than three guitarists

External links

* [http://www.g3tour.com Official G3 website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/g3live G3] at MySpace

References