Steve Vai left Frank Zappa’s band after Zappa stopped touring following a violent incident at the final show of their 1982 tour in Palermo, Sicily. The decision ended a productive three-year period in which Vai toured and recorded with Zappa, and reflected their differing priorities after the traumatic event: Zappa withdrew from the road, while Vai wanted to continue performing live.

Vai had first worked for Zappa at 18, transcribing music, before joining the touring band at 20. He recalled that a riot in Palermo led to three young people being shot; Zappa then told the band he was finished with touring and spent the next two years working on Synclavier music in his studio. Vai said he did not want to wait for a possible return to touring, although both musicians continued their creative careers separately.