Guitar legend Steve Vai recently spoke with Gary Graff at For Guitar Players Only. Following is an excerpt from the career-spanning interview.

FGPO: It’s an auspicious year for you, the 30th anniversary of David Lee Roth’s Eat ‘Em and Smile album, which really put you on the map. What’s your perspective about that album three decades later?

Vai: "I love the way it stands up, y’know? When I think about making it and being invited to be part of that fold and to tour, there was nothing like it. It was an absolutely incredibly rich life experience to be part of that whole thing. And when I listen to that record now I hear that 25-year-old Steve Vai, and I just see the fearless, visceral attitude, and it’s really fun and refreshing. I played my ass off on that record."

FGPO: Were you intimidated by the specter of Van Halen?

Vai: "I was really bold, ’cause I knew that people would hear Dave’s voice and they’d be expecting to hear the guitar of Eddie Van Halen, and there was no way I was going to try to emulate Ed because: a) you can’t and b) I prefer the way I would do it. I just did my best, and when I look back I’m like, 'Boy, you had balls, Vai.' And it stands up. People comment to me about it all the time."

Read the complete interview here.

Bassist Billy Sheehan recently confirmed there are plans for Van Halen singer David Lee Roth and the band for his solo debut album, Eat ‘Em And Smile, to reunite following the cancelation of their November 25th, 2015 reunion attempt at the Lucky Strike Live in Hollywood.

Speaking with Eddie Trunk, Sheehan stated about more possible reunion attempts, “We hope to do it. We don't know if it will be just for one show. Maybe do… who knows? Rock In Rio, or do ten shows somewhere. And hoping to do it is not the same as planning to do it. We really hope it happens. And Dave was into it. And he was great (at Lucky Strike Live). We had a great time. It was just like the old days. It's been 30 years this last summer that we started the band, and next summer will be 30 years since the record came out, so we thought it would be nice to do something. And (Dave) seems into it. So I hope it can happen. It would just be a great way to complete that whole circle."

The David Lee Roth News Desk recently posted the following message online:

David Lee Roth and his first solo band (which debuted on 1986’s Eat ‘Em And Smile), were to celebrate their 30th anniversary on Wednesday, November 25th, 2015 at the Ultimate Jam Night at Lucky Strike Live Hollywood/Highland for a free show beginning at 8:30 PM. Roth himself was set to make an unannounced appearance at the event. This would have been the first time in 30 years that Roth would have performed with guitarist Steve Vai, bassist Billy Sheehan, drummer Greg Bissonette, and keyboardist Brett Tuggle.

However, the show was canceled at the last minute by the Fire Marshal. Video below shows Roth leaving the venue, posting for photos and signing autographs for fans.

“I apologize about this evening”, he says. “Looks like we were too popular. There were too many folks, so we’re going to try and find a place that has… should we go to the Hollywood Palladium maybe?”