Guitar Battle Scene from 'Crossroads' (1986) | Steve Vai

[jonhansen]

i tried to learn how to play the last part, but then i decided to learn something easier like quantum physics

[victortitan]

fun fact: this was the only time Steve Vai was recorded missing notes

[Shane]

Vai's acting is pretty impressive here. He doesn't have to say a word...his eyes, expressions, and body language convey everything.

[jackdonovan]

What's awesome is that Steve did the music for both guitars.

[grantwillier]

This scene alone feels like a short film

[Brm]

I think they should make the remake for this, when Eugene establish his guitar school and also Steve Vai. The movie will be called Cobra Vai. LOL

[ZakEmber]

Huge props to Vai for this. Too many legends wouldn't want to go on screen and lose a scripted duel... that takes some humility. But aside from that, he acted the $%^&* out of the scene! He did an impressive job being edgy, intimidating, condescending, and more, all without a word. I saw that in an article he wasn't the first choice for the scene, (too much "rock" in his look and sound), but I actually think that worked out phenomenally. You can really see and feel the difference between the two characters, and get a sense of how one bargained for his talent, while the other earned it.

[palmerlp]

Up to this point, “Crossroads” was a decent road movie. This scene, which comes out of nowhere right at the end, elevates it to a rewatchable classic.

[hammr]

Steve Vai is a superb actor. He is exactly what the devil's ace would look like, act like, and be like. If they would have only put in another contestant beforehand, who got destroyed and carted off to the furnace.

[roticanai]

Daniel-san!! Hammer on, pull off, hammer on, pull off

[rexmaximilian]

For anyone wondering about the first riff Steve Vai played, it's from his instrumental "Bad Horsie" from the 1995 "Alien Love Secrets" EP. Six minutes of pure crunching and wailing guitar!

[billknudson]

My favorite part of this scene is the quartet of young men singing “Hush (Somebody’s Calling My Name).” It was the most authentic moment of all—no gimmicks. Just four guys delivering a classic spiritual in a beautiful, haunting manner, undergirded by a true bass singer. This was probably Ry Cooder’s idea, as he was a huge fan of this genre. A tip of the hat to Joe Morgan as the cocky MC.

[dahliafiend]

Steve Vai didn’t actually know there was a film being made. He was just doing his typical pre-show warmup.

[Stuff]

I know Steve Vai played both parts. That being said, the reason this scene works is that it's the soulless vs the soul music. I'm sure other people have long been able to pick this out, but the dichotomy of the two styles is spectacular. Evil is flamboyant, bombastic, and surely there to please. Good is there to show Evil that what makes a great artist is what is in the heart.

[gaboh]

This is such a masterful scene. I believe the piece Eugene plays at the end (written by Vai) is derived from Paganini’s Caprices (no. 5 to be exact.) Paganini was also believed to have sold his soul to the devil to play the violin like no other. It seems Eugene plays this piece to show Old Scratch he can play this impossible song without selling his soul.

[jonathanhallberg]

Can we just appreciate the fact that Eugene wins this battle by playing classical music, meaning that CLASSICAL MUSIC ROCKS!!!

[patton]

The most unrealistic part of this is Eugene just plugs in his guitar and plays without fucking around with the tone on his amp for 40 minutes.

[deanjorgenson]

The acting was superb in this film. The movie is an overlooked gem.

[Egonzal]

I love that Ralph doesn't say a single thing, just let's his guitar do the talking

[matouspullo]

Oscar to Vai. No dialogue and scared the hell out of any of us guitar loving kids in the 80s. Bravo. Seneca and Macchio too.