YNGWIE MALMSTEEN:
 Few rock guitarists can truly be considered virtuosos; renowned for trailblazing a previously unheard, signature style. Yngwie Johan Malmsteen is one of the charter members of this select group. Since the early ‘80s, Yngwie has been merging the complexity of classical music with the power of heavy metal, building a massive fan base throughout the world, and racking up accolades with each successive year. 

         Born on June 30, 1963 in Stockholm, Sweden, Yngwie took up the guitar at the age of seven. As legend has it the news of Jimi Hendrix’s passing led him to pick up the instrument. While such rock artists as Hendrix and Deep Purple’s Ritchie Blackmore served as important influences (as evidenced by his choice of guitar make/model throughout the years – a Fen der Stratocaster), Yngwie was equally influenced and inspired by such renowned classical artists as 19th century violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini, whose musical style and technical precision helped to form the budding guitarists playing style.. Yngwie arrived in the U.S. in the early 1980’s and immediately set the guitar playing community upside down. While the majority of rock guitarists at the time were merely copying the two-handed tapping technique of Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie’s classical-metal style was unlike anything rock fans, and fellow guitarists had previously heard. 

         After paying his dues in such Los Angeles-based bands as Steeler and Alcatrazz (the latter of which released the cult classic album ‘No Parole from Rock n’ Roll’ in 1983), Yngwie set out on his own. The move paid immediate dividends, as his mostly-instrumental debut, 1984’s ‘Rising Force,’ officially ushered in the era of ‘neo-classical metal,’ and immediately led Yngwie to grace the covers of just about every guitar publication imaginable, winning a multitude of year-end polls. Yngwie’s stature in hard rock/heavy metal only continued to grow with each successive release, particularly on a string of albums which are considered undisputed Yngwie classics – 1984’s ‘Marching Out’ (which spawned the popular MTV video, “I’ll See the Light, Tonight”), 1986’s ‘Trilogy,’ and 1988’s ‘Odyss ey’ (which spawned another popular MTV clip, “Heaven Tonight”).

        The test of any enduring rock artist is their ability to retain their audience over a long period of time, despite musical trends coming and going over the years. Yngwie has consistently stuck to his stylistic guns, and has been rewarded with continued success throughout the world – especially in Japan and in Russia (the latter of which spawned Yngwie’s first-ever live album, 1989’s ‘Trial by Fire: Live in Leningrad’).

         Yngwie’s skill and determination only increased over the years, as he continued to regularly issue albums that solidified his stature as one of the most technically gifted rock guitarists of all time, as evidenced by such releases as 1990’s ‘Eclipse,’ 1994’s ‘The Seventh Sign,’ and, in particular,  2002’s ‘Concerto Suite Live with Japan Philharmonic,’ among others. Yngwie continues to be a top concert draw, as proven by a highly successful ‘G3’ tour (alongside Joe Satriani and Steve Vai), as well as headlining shows in his own right.

         2008 is turning out to be one of the busiest years of Yngwie’s career. A new Fender/Yngwie Malmsteen custom shop guitar will be unveiled later in the year (with a limited run of 100 instruments) and there will be a slew of CD r eissues of Yngwie classics. Additionally, Yngwie fans are bracing for the upcoming release of a brand new album – featuring ex-Judas Priest/Iced Earth singer Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens. All the while, the accolades continue to pour in: ‘Roadie Crew Magazine’ organized a poll in which 330 respected rock guitarists were asked to vote for their favorite guitarist of all-time. Yngwie checked in at a lofty number 3 – behind fellow legends Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen.