Joe Satriani

Where does your melodic sensibility come from?

I grew up listening to every kind of music: classical, jazz, Motown, rock and roll, funk, blues, rock and heavy metal. I absorbed it all and tried to remember the good bits. I like a strong melody, interesting chords and a good groove. I always thought I was part Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Allan Holdsworth…my list of influences is long. But I wear my influences on my sleeve — it’s my way of telling the truth, musically, and also saying of thank you to those who blazed the trail.

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