Half the people tuned into MTV right now might not even have heard of him, but aficionados of the electric guitar would kill to get a glimpse of guitar god Joe Satriani.

On Thursday, ahead of his first concert in India on Friday, May 13, in Mumbai, Joe was all smiles at a press conference while enthused music journalists rushed up to him, getting their guitars autographed.

The fretboard fanatic, tutor to such illustrious proteges as virtuoso guitar player Steve Vai and Kirk Hammett (of Metallica), was articulate and affable.

When asked the standard question to foreigners on their first trip -- what do you think of India so far -- Satch, as he is to followers of the six-string cult, laughed and candidly replied: "So far all I've seen is the airport, traffic... and a lot of journalists!"

His latest album, Is There Love In Space, will be showcased at his concert. But, he lets drop that the concert is going to be "a long one" -- a three-hour performance -- the idea of which has rockers drooling. 

Satriani promises all his classic tracks will be included. He will "play a lot of songs."

The guitar hero will also perform in Kolkata on May 15 and Bangalore on May 17.

Photograph: Jewella C Miranda