Yngwie Malmsteen Biography

When Yngwie Malmsteen hit the scene in the early eighties, the guitar world was turned upside down. Never before had a rock guitarist come to prominence possessing such over-the-top playing ability. Eclipsing Eddie Van Halen as the modern rock guitar virtuoso, Yngwie boasted a unique style that was based on both monster chops and a thorough knowledge of harmony, scales, modes, and the classical tradition.

Yngwie picked up the guitar on September 18, 1970—the day Jimi Hendrix died. He soon became obsessed with the instrument, practicing up to nine hours a day and eventually quitting high school to work at a music store repairing guitars. Yngwie became a mainstay on the local music scene in his native Sweden, even attracting the attention of Swedish CBS.

In 1983 Mike Varney, founder of Shrapnel Records, heard Yngwie's playing on a demo. He immediately made arrangements for Yngwie to come to the States, where he recorded with the metal band Steeler on their self-titled album. Yngwie left the band after four months and joined Alcatrazz, with whom he recorded two albums— No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll and Live Sentence .

After leaving Alcatrazz, Yngwie formed Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force and released Rising Force , a Grammy-nominated debut of original compositions, on which he played guitar and bass. This primarily instrumental album would change the face of rock guitar playing, marking the beginning of the neo-classical guitar movement. Soon after the release of Rising Force , rock guitarists around the world immersed themselves in the various elements of Yngwie's style—harmonic minor scales, Phrygian modes, arpeggios, sweep-picking, Paganini licks, etc.

In 1985, the year that Rising Force was the “it” album among rock guitarists, Yngwie released Marching Out , a more song-oriented album, hoping to reach a broader audience. This album featured mostly vocal songs that were more accessible yet still showcased his ferocious guitar playing. Trilogy , released a year later, was similar in approach. By this time, the market was flooded with Yngwie clones and shredders pledging their allegiance to Bach, but Yngwie still reigned supreme.

Tragedy struck in 1987, however, as Yngwie was involved in a serious car accident, smashing his Jaguar into a tree. He was in a coma for a week. After regaining consciousness, he found out his right hand had suffered severe nerve damage. While he was undergoing therapy to rehabilitate his injured hand, his mother died of cancer.

Yngwie still managed to persevere, releasing Odyssey in 1988. This album, which featured former Rainbow frontman Joe Lynn Turner, would bring Yngwie a taste of commercial success. A live album, Live in Leningrad/Trial by Fire , resulted from the Odyssey tour.

For Yngwie's next album, Eclipse , he dropped “Rising Force” from the group name and formed a new band simply known as Yngwie Malmsteen. Vocalist Joe Lynn Turner was replaced with Goran Edman, and Rising Force members Anders (drums) and Jens Johansson (keyboards) were replaced with Swedish musicians Michael Von Knorring (drums) and Mats Olausson (keyboards).

Yngwie signed with Elektra Records for the following album, Fire & Ice . By this time, however, grunge was starting to become popular, and guitar solos went the way of the dinosaur. Guitar heroes were no longer in vogue and were relegated to cult status. Yngwie found success overseas in Europe and Asia, but had an extremely difficult time in the United States. This would not stop Yngwie, however, as he forged ahead recording on various labels—even going so far as to record with an orchestra. To this day he continues to keep the neoclassical flame alive.

Guitars (tuned down one-half step):

Fender Yngwie Malmsteen Stratocaster® : scalloped fretboard, brass nut, late '60s large headstock, original synchronized tremolo, Dunlop 6000 Jumbo Fretwire, and aged plastic parts.
Pickups : 2 Dimarzio® YJM Pickups (Neck & Middle), 1 Dimarzio® HS-3 Stack (Bridge)

Vintage Strats® with scalloped fretboards, high action, jumbo frets, brass nuts, floating tremoloes.

Gibson Flying V (Drop D tuning)
Gibson Les Paul gold top
Fender Jazz Bass® (fretless)
Various acoustic-electric models

Amps:

Marshall 50-watt Super Lead Mark II heads (early '70s) with Tesla EL-34 power tubes
Marshall JMP-50 MKII HeadÝ
Marshall 4x12 cabinets with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers

Amp settings: Volume 10, Bass 5-7, midrange 2-5, treble 6-8, presence 4-6

Effects Pedals:

(2) Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressors
Boss BF-2 Flanger
Boss Oc-2 Octave
(2) DOD 250 Overdrives
Roland DC-10 Analog Echo
Custom Audio Electronics RS-10 Midi Foot Controller
Dunlop Original Cry Baby Wah Pedal
Vox Flanger

Rack Effects:

Korg DL-8000R Short Delay
Korg DL-8000R Long Delay
T.C. Electronic G-Force Multi-Effects
E-mu Vintage Keys
Custom Audio Electronics Amp Selector/Router
Korg SDD-2000 Digital Delay
Rocktron Hush IICX Noise Gate

Picks: Dunlop 1.5 mm

Strings: Fender Super Bullets® .008-.046