Joe Satriani and Steve Vai Raise Over $100,000 in Benefit for Friend

The House of Blues Hollywood rocked this past Sunday when legendary guitarists Joe Satriani and Steve Vai hosted a second benefit concert in support of music industry veteran and their good friend, Cliff Cultreri. "A Benefit for Cliff II" took place on Sunday, July 10th and featured performances by Satriani and Vai, as well as special opening act featuring Brandon Small and friends. Both Satriana and Vai spoke with Noisecreep recently about the show and what they've been doing to help Cultreri, who is the A&R executive who 'discovered' Satriani and Vai, as well as many other popular recording artists.

The music exec is suffering from a host of Auto-Immune and Connective-Tissue disorders that are simultaneously attacking his immune system.

Other special guests and friends of the duo, including Dweezil Zappa, Orianthi, Brendon Small and Tony MacAlpine, joined in for the ending jam, while Red Hot Chilli Peppers/Chickenfoot drummer Chad Smith and Babyface, watched from the balcony.

Between acts, a number of items from both Satriani and Vai's personal collections were auctioned off, including custom amps, cabinets, pedal's and yes, even guitars. An autographed Satriani red JS1200 raised $6200, while a custom Fibenare guitar raised $4800. Satriani and Vai, along with other artists, also graciously donated various items to be auctioned online.

Watch 'Little Wing' from Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and friends

And until July 15th, fans can continue to bid on items such as a Steve Vai signed 20th Anniversary JEM guitar commemorating the entire line of Ibanez guitars. Steve used this guitar for the duration of the 2007 "String Theories Tour" and on the Grammy Nominated song "Now We Run", featured on the Platinum award-winning DVD "Where the Wild Things Are"; the current bid stands at $15,000. Other auction items include a Joe Satriani JS1000 guitar with personalized art (currently at $5000), a Joe Satriani JS1200 guitar autographed by all the musicians, and a Paul Gilbert autographed Ibanez guitar used on the Racer X "Getting Heavier" album. The online auction can be viewed at this link.