The godfather of the modern electric guitar, the US guitarist Steve Vai, has planned to show his super magnetism in the Chinese capital on August 5. 

The godfather of the modern electric guitar Steve Vai has planned to show his super magnetism in the Chinese capital on August 5th.

The 44-year-old US guitarist will team up with the world's most dazzling bass guitarist, Billy Sheehan, to stage a world top-class music concert at the Beijing Exhibition Center.

Vai first stepped into the spotlight in 1980 as a guitarist in Frank Zappa's band. But Vai's indelible contribution to music came during his solo career, which includes combined sales of nearly six million albums.

His debut "Flex-Able" in 1984 set the stage for Vai's most influential and best-selling album "Passion and Warfare" in 1990.

While many musicians fit easily into a single category, Steve Vai's unique musical vision remains unclassifiable. After more than 20 years, Vai continues to use unbridled guitar virtuosity and soulful artistry to explore the spectrum of human emotion.

(CRI July 28, 2004)