Stevie_Salas

Stevie Salas

Stevie Salas

American guitarist (born 1964)


Stevie Salas (born November 17, 1964) is an American guitarist,[1] author,[2] television host,[3] music director,[4] record producer,[5] film composer, and former advisor of contemporary music at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.[6] Salas was born in Oceanside, California, United States.

Quick Facts Background information, Born ...

He identifies as being of Mescalero Apache descent.[7][8][9][10]

Career

In 1989, Salas participated in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure by performing the guitar solo for the character Rufus (played by George Carlin) in the closing scene.

In 1990, Salas released his first solo album Stevie Salas Colorcode, opening for[11] Joe Satriani and his 1989 album Flying in a Blue Dream. His music received attention in both Japan and Europe.

In 1993, he released Stevie Salas Presents: The Electric Pow Wow, a covers album of songs that inspired Salas as a youth featuring guest artists like Zakk Wylde, Glenn Hughes, T.M. Stevens, Richie Kotzen and Slim Jim Phantom. Then in 1994, Salas released Back from the Living in Japan, where his singles "Start Again" and "Tell Your Story Walkin" were released. During this time, he also appeared on the album Rats by then girlfriend Sass Jordan.

Salas was the touring guitarist for Rod Stewart´s Out of Order Tour when he got the inspiration for his book ˝When We Were the Boys˝, a book of memories from touring world stages.

In 2001, Mick Jagger hired him as guitarist and music director for Jagger's "Goddess in the Doorway" Tour. Later that year Salas released Shapeshifter: The Fall and Rise of Stevie No Wonder.

In 2003, he released The Soulblasters of the Universe, and did his first European Colorcode tour since 1999.

From 2006 to 2010, Salas served as music director and consultant for American Idol and 19 Entertainment nurturing Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry, and their respective touring bands for subsequent American tours.[12]

Salas began working as host and executive producer of the Canadian Music TV series Arbor Live for APTN. In mid-2009, Salas co-founded with the internet entrepreneur Laurence Dorazio the company Rockstar Solos, LLC which focuses on iPhone and iPad gaming and entertainment application development. The first application also called Rockstar Solos became available in the iTunes Store in December 2009.[13]

In 2009, Salas worked with T.I and Justin Timberlake on the song "Dead and Gone", the single eventually reaching #2 on the US Billboard Charts.[14] Later that year, Salas received a Native American Lifetime Achievement Award at the Native American Music Awards. From 2010 to 2012, he served as the advisor to contemporary music at National Museum of the American Indian. He co-created both the Up Where We Belong-Natives In Popular Culture exhibit and The Living Earth Festival. In 2012 Salas created and is executive producer of Catch The Dream Bios with Adam Beach for APTN with shows airing 2014.

Salas is Executive Producer of 'RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World', a Native American music documentary for PBS and Super Channel.[15] (2017 Sundance winner for Masterful Storytelling [16]). Executive Producer and Creator of Dreamcatcher Bios[17] (currently in production). Produced by Rezolution Pictures Montreal Canada[18] for APTN television. Co-Wrote and Produced the new project/band INABA/SALAS[19] with Japanese superstar vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Koshi Inaba for the Japanese record label Vermillion Records. Chubby Groove album was released on January 18, 2017 and was the #2 album in the country that week,[20] and remained in the top 10 for several weeks after. The album was supported by sold-out Chubby Groove Tour 2017 that played throughout Japan in January/February 2017.[21] The record was certified Gold in Japan on October 4, 2017.[22]

On February 15, 2020, Inaba/Salas released their second album, titled Maximum Huavo.

Musical influences

Salas' musical influences are derived mainly from the late 60s and 70s rock and roll music, as well as funk. Salas has been influenced by notable musicians such as James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Mick Ronson, David Bowie, and Frank Black.[23][24]

Discography

Solo career

Studio albums

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[33]

EPs

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Live albums

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Compilations

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Group projects

Hardware – Stevie Salas with Bootsy Collins and Buddy Miles

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Nicklebag – Stevie Salas with Bernard Fowler

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Inaba/Salas – Stevie Salas with Koshi Inaba

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Guest appearances

Signature equipment

  • LAA Custom Nishi Drive Stevie Salas Signature Overdrive Pedal[42]
  • Framus Idolmaker Stevie Salas Signature Guitar[43]
  • The Guyatone Stevie Salas Wah Rocker Pedal

References

  1. "NAMA: Hall of Fame 2009". Native American Music Awards. Native American Music Awards & Association. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  2. Salas, Stevie (2014). When We Were The Boys: coming of age on Rod Stewart's Out of Order tour/Stevie Salas with Robert Yehling. Taylor Trade Publishing. ISBN 978-1-58979-988-2.
  3. "Blog Archives: Stevie Salas Matt Sorum Interview". Mattsorum.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  4. Lonsdale, Laurie. "Guitarist STEVIE SALAS On Being American Idol Music Director". BraveWords.com. Retrieved December 7, 2008.
  5. "Heavy Glow". San Diego Reader. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  6. Wheeler, Kim. "Smithsonian exhibit highlights Native Americans' contribution to music". CBC Music. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  7. "Stevie Salas". San Diego Press Reader.
  8. Julia Franz (August 24, 2017). "Native American musicians and the 'Rumble' beginnings of rock". Public Radio International. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  9. Jess Righthand (October 2010). "The Pop Charts' Native Roots". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  10. Valentina Valentini (July 26, 2017). "Guitarist Stevie Salas Talks 'Rumble' Film & Rock's Unsung Heroes: Native Americans". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  11. "Funk Archives". DIFFERENT MUSIC. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  12. Grenda, Tim. "The Idolmaker". Carlsbadmagazine.com. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  13. "T.I Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
  14. "Rezolution Pictures | RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World". Rezolutionpictures.com. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  15. "2017 Sundance Film Festival Awards". Sundance.org. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  16. "Dreamcatcher Bios". Rezolutionpictures.com. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  17. "Rezolution Pictures". Rezolutionpictures.com. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  18. "Inaba&Salas-Chubby Groove". Discogs.com. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  19. "Chubby Groove". Steviesalas.com. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  20. "Stevie Salas Fave 5 Record Reviews". Guitarhoo.com. January 7, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  21. Prato, Greg. "Stevie Salas Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  22. "Official Stevie Salas Website". Steviesalas.com. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
  23. "Stevie Salas Colorcode - Stuff". Discogs. June 25, 1991.
  24. "Nishi Drive". Laa-custom.com. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  25. "Stevie Salas Signature". Warwick.de. Retrieved February 26, 2017.

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