Eric Johnson
Photo by Max Crace
Eric Johnson is a musician who has established a one-of-a-kind sound with his transparent vocals, beautifully soaring guitar tones, and unique playing style that soothes the listener’s soul. In 2024, he joined forces with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai as part of the G3 tour, reuniting the three guitar legends for the first time in over 20 years. A live album from this tour, G3 Reunion Live, is set to be released on January 31, 2025.
We had a chat with Eric Johnson about G3 Reunion Live and more.
Interview / Text Mamoru Moriyama
Translation Hiroshi Takakura
Muse On Muse : The year 2025 has begun. Did you have a good holiday season at the end of last year?
Eric Johnson : Yes, I had a very nice holiday. Thank you. It was nice being with family and friends and sharing good times together.
MM : Last year, you toured again as part of G3 with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. Could you tell us how the decision to tour again as G3 came about?
EJ : Joe decided he wanted to do a couple of shows so that his son ZZ could add to a documentary he was making of G3, starting with the original 1996 tour. Once we got together to decide to do this, there was a lot of interest in adding more shows and so it became several weeks of touring. We were able to film and record at the shows, especially the Los Angeles shows, which is where the G3 Reunion Live record was recorded which is being released January 31, 2025.
MM : How did the G3 tour this time compare to previous G3 tours in terms of differences or changes?
EJ : I think the changes this time were that all three of us have grown in musical ways to a point where we’re trying to broaden our concepts and intentions to the listeners. There is more emphasis on trying to develop the songs and of course hopefully have nice guitar playing within it.
MM : You are very particular about the sound that comes from your guitar. When there are multiple musicians taking the stage in sequence, I imagine there are limitations in terms of preparing the guitar amps and pedals compared to a solo show. How do you handle this?
EJ : When the three of us were playing together, I used only one amplifier and overdrive pedal and an echo unit and that was all. I tried to keep it simple. I was able to get several of my sounds that I usually get and I didn’t need to have any additional sounds in order to enjoy playing the jam set with Joe and Steve.
Photo by Max Crace
MM : Your music and guitar tone have a very gentle and soothing vibration that heals the listener’s heart. How do you feel about this aspect of your music?
EJ : I do try to work on the sound to be smoother in a harmonic sense. It is something that interests me and motivates me and inspires me when I am playing guitar. Also, I grew up listening to a lot of piano and violin and so I suppose that subconsciously, those instruments are sort of a benchmark to me.
MM : For you, 2025 includes the release of a G3 live album in January and the Experience Hendrix Tour starting in March. What other plans do you have? Are you planning to work on a new album?
EJ : I am currently working on a new record in my studio, and it is a bit more stripped down in that it is primarily a blues rock focus, and I’m coming to using few or even no pedals.
MM : By the way, I have a question that has been on my mind for many years. On the CD of your work Venus Isle, there is a design of an Adamski-style UFO on the surface of the CD disc. Could you explain the reason for this?
EJ : I actually didn’t realize that it was any particular type of UFO, we just thought it might be kind of neat to use the saucer illustration for the CD and turn it in to a flying saucer for fun.
MM : Please leave a message to your fans.
EJ : My message to the listeners in Japan is simply that I would like to extend my most sincere thanks for all of you taking the time to listen to the music. I always enjoy coming to Japan and am grateful that I can record and play music for everyone there. Thank you.
G3 REUNION LIVE
CD1
01．Gravitas / Steve Vai
02．Avalancha / Steve Vai
03．Little Pretty Intro / Steve Vai
04．Little Pretty / Steve Vai
05．Tender Surrender / Steve Vai
06．Zeus in Chains / Steve Vai
07．Teeth of the Hydra / Steve Vai
08．For the Love of God / Steve Vai
09．Land of 1000 Dances / Eric Johnson
10．Righteous / Eric Johnson
11．Trail of Tears / Eric Johnson
12．On-ramp Improv / Eric Johnson
13．Freeway Jam / Eric Johnson
14．Desert Rose / Eric Johnson
15．Venus Reprise / Eric Johnson
CD2
01．Raspberry Jam Delta V / Joe Satriani
02．Surfing With the Alien / Joe Satriani
03．Satch Boogie / Joe Satriani
04．Sahara / Joe Satriani
05．Nineteen Eighty / Joe Satriani
06．Big Bad Moon / Joe Satriani
07．Always With Me, Always With You / Joe Satriani
08．Summer Song / Joe Satriani
09．Introductions / G3
10．Crossroads / G3
11．Spanish Castle Magic / G3
12．Born to Be Wild / G3
