I've been a fan since 1988, when I was trying to argue that Eddie VanHalen and Yngwie Malmsteen were the greatest guitar players of our time. My buddy played 'flying in a blue dream' for me, and I shut up.

I was thrilled to see each of these three artist's personalities throughout the show. John is obviously a very talented player, and I enjoyed hearing him for the first time. His freshness was exquisite. Vai, being the showman that he is, did not dissapoint. His screaming artistry on the guitar was nothing short of incendiary. And Joe. I've done my best to convert my wife (who attended the show with me) to Satriani-ism, with mixed results. She never seemed to have the appreciation for it that I did. But after the show, seeing Joe take the stage and just PLAY. No pretenses, no show, just the greatest of all time doing what he loves, she commented on how COOL Joe was, and how she can't wait to get the DVD. Joe appeared to have a genuinely good time. It was as if he had invited us over to his house to sit with him in his front room and listen to him jam. Joe, thanks for an awesome experience and an incredible show. I salute all three of these guitar virtuosos, they are truly the embodiment of that title.

What a great show it was, just got home and have to hit the sack. I will be back tomorrow to give you a blow by blow of the whole show. J.P. rocked the house. What a great selection to go along with Joe and Steve. More later

Back.......Let me see. John Petrucci start off the show sporting a new hair cut. What a shock after all those years of long hair. His new music was outstanding and he and the boys played it as if it was the first time they had been on stage. They looked so excited and full of energy it was amazing. The new tunes rocked too, unbelievable guitar work. And Drums. Oh my god, Mike Portnoy is the King. What a great player. Definately the best drummer of the evening. John finished with a tune from the Liquid Tension Project, the first tune and the first album. Fast and Furious, great stuff. He looked happy to be there. Steve Vai, imagine asking Billy SHeehan to join the tour. It was like the 80's revisited. Two guy, double handed tapping, madness. From the opener "Shy Boy" and the way to the last tune "For the Love of God" great stuff. Steve played a new slow song that was awesome. Probably off his new record, which I dont have. Then Joe took the stage, and was as terrific as always. Stu Hamm on bass as usuall. His set was short it seemed like but the tunes were ripping. Then the other two guitarists joined him for Z.Z. Top's "La Grange" and Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Chile" and "Little Wing." What a great show. Look forward to hearing from others as the tour moves across the country. If you are thinking about not going. THink again. THis is a MUST SEE.

Watching the show tonight, I was struck with the realization that I was not just seeing an incredible line-up of musicians, I was watching my instructors that have taught me so much and inspired my playing. For those of you that grew up with an axe and an issue of "Guitar For The Practicing Musician" or "Guitar World", you know what I'm talking about. The show was amazing. Everyone sounded fantastic. I really feel like someone personally asked me "who are the three guitar players you would most like to see perform together". What I wouldn't give to hear a studio album featuring the three of you (kind of like DiMeola, McLaughlin, and DeLucia's "Friday Night In San Francisco"). This was my first show at "The House of Blues". I liked it, but I think "The Joint" sounds better. I was a bit bummed not getting to hear a solo from Stu, but getting to see Billy Sheehan perform was a real treat.

High points of the evening for me:

John's set: "Paradigm Shift/Erotomania"

Steve's set: "For the love of God"

Joe's set: "Raspberry Jam Delta"

Jam set: Everything

Thanks for a fantastic show. I'll be looking forward to seeing you the next time you come to Vegas.

One last thing. Joe, before I die, would you PLEASE play "Bells of Lal part 2?