Yngwie J. Malmsteen

Born: June 30, 1963 Stockholm, Sweden

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When he was young, Yngwie didn't want much to do with music. Music was soft, a thing for wimps, and Yngwie was into all things destructive. An unruly child, Yngwie took delight in anything that went against the grain. But, one night while watching television, 7-year-old Yngwie saw a television special about guitar maestro Jimi Hendrix, and it was all over. Jimi's death had spurred the birth of a new guitar hero: Yngwie J. Malmsteen. Yngwie found himself following such bands as Deep Purple, but at the same time was enthralled in the classics such as Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and especially Paganini. At school, Yngwie was branded a bully and troublemaker. But, by the time he was in junior high, he had all but stopped attending school. His mother recognized his musical ability, however, and was content to let him stay home practicing his guitar. Yngwie did hold down regular jobs from time to time. In fact, it was a job at a music store where Yngwie learned about scalloped fretboards. After playing a lute with scalloped fretboards that had come into the store, Yngwie was so impressed that he scalloped the fretboards of one of his old guitars, and then went on to scallop his better guitars' fretboards as well. This has become a standard on Yngwie's guitars. After the age of 18, Yngwie started joining heavy metal bands, and circulating demo tapes. His unique marriage of heavy metal and classical music combined with his excellent technical ability made him irresistable to Shrapnel Records' Mike Varney, who sent for Yngwie immediately. After arriving in L.A., Yngwie joined a band called Steeler. The band produced one album before the lead singer moved on to form his own band, but by then, Yngwie had moved on to Alcatrazz. After a brief but successful stint with this band, he decided it was time to go solo. Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force became a tremendous cult favorite, and steadily gained popularity all over the world. After more than one personal tragedy, Yngwie is still producing good albums.

Instruments Played / Skills: Vocals Guitar Songwriter Genres: Guitar Masters

Bands That Yngwie J. Malmsteen Has Played For: Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force Alcatrazz Steeler

Yngwie J. Malmsteen Has Worked With: Jens Johansson Joe Lynn Turner Anders Johansson Graham Bonnet Gary Shea Jimmy Waldo Jan Uvena Barriemore Barlow Jeff Scott Soto Wally Voss Ron Keel Mark Edwards Rick Fox Tommy Aldridge Ann Boleyn Bob Daisley

Yngwie J. Malmsteen Was Influenced By: Johann Sebastian Bach Ludwig van Beethoven Ritchie Blackmore Jimi Hendrix Niccolo Paganini Michael Schenker

Artists That Were Influenced By Yngwie J. Malmsteen: Paul Gilbert Chris Impellitteri

Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Discography: Inspiration Release Date: 1996 Fire & Ice Release Date: 1992