Living Colour have released a reworked version of their 1988 hit "Cult Of Personality" featuring special guest Steve Vai. The release comes on the heels of Vai's surprise sit-in with Living Colour during their set at Rock in Rio. You can check the video out below.
Legendary guitarist Vernon Reid said about the track, "In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Living Colour's first appearance in Brazil, which also was [bassist] Doug Wimbish's first live appearance with the band, we are releasing a special edition version of 'Cult Of Personality' featuring our special guest in Rio De Janeiro, our dear friend, the extraordinary Mr. Steve Vai on additional guitar. Engineered and mixed by the original producer of the song Mr. Ed Stasium."
You can check out the live performance from Rock In Rio below, as well as the original version of the track, from Living Colour's debut smash LP, Vivid. The album, which included the additional hits "Glamour Boys" and "Open Letter (To a Landlord), was a ferocious mix of heavy metal and R&B, and featured guest appearances from Public Enemy and Mick Jagger, who produced the band's first two demos after seeing the band live at CBGBs in New York City.
They released the impressive follow up LP, Time's Up, in 1990 featuring the single "Elvis Is Dead," which enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV. Bassist Doug Wimbish replaced original bassist Muzz Skillings for their third LP, Stain, produced by Ron St. Germain (Tool, Bad Brains), and scored a minor hit with the acid house-flavored "Nothingness." But, unable to get on the same page during the writing sessions for their fourth LP, Living Colour disbanded in 1995. They subsequently reunited in 2000, and have released sporadic LPs and singles ever since. They are rumored to be currently working on a new, full-length LP.
