Stevie Salas


Stevie Salas is an American guitarist, author, television host, music director, record producer, film composer, and former advisor of contemporary music at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. Salas was born in Oceanside, California, United States.
He is of Mescalero Apache descent.
WWW steviesalas.com

Career

In 1989, Salas participated in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure by performing the guitar solo for the character Rufus in the closing scene.
In 1990, Salas released his first solo album Stevie Salas Colorcode, opening for Joe Satriani and his 1989 album Flying in a Blue Dream. His music received attention in both Japan and Europe.
In 1993, he released , 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, Salas supported Mick Jagger on his two live appearances promoting the Goddess in the Doorway album, a short show at the El Rey club and Jagger's appearance on Saturday Night Live. 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.
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.
In 2009, Salas worked with T.I and Justin Timberlake on the song "Dead and Gone", which eventually reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Chart. 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.. Executive Producer and Creator of Dreamcatcher Bios. Produced by Rezolution Pictures Montreal Canada for APTN television.
Co-Wrote and Produced the new project/band INABA/SALAS 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 No. 2 album in the country that week, 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. The record was certified Gold in Japan on October 4, 2017.
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.

Discography

Group projects

Hardware – Stevie Salas with Bootsy Collins and Buddy Miles
1992Third Eye Open
Black Arc/Rykodisc Records

Nicklebag – Stevie Salas with Bernard Fowler
199512 Hits and a Bump
Indanee/Pony Canyon Japan/East West/Warners Europe
1997Mas Feedback
Iguana U.S.

Inaba/Salas – Stevie Salas with Koshi Inaba
2017Chubby Groove
Vermillion Records
2020Maximum Huavo
Vermillion Records

Guest appearances

Signature equipment

  • Caparison Artist Custom Stevie Salas Model
  • LAA Custom Nishi Drive Stevie Salas Signature Overdrive Pedal
  • Framus Idolmaker Stevie Salas Signature Guitar
  • The Guyatone Stevie Salas Wah Rocker Pedal