Yngwie Malmsteen Interview 2017 | Guitar Interactive Magazine - Issue 52

[@elmorevandodewaard544]

Yngwie is the last true performer . Always that rock n roll attitude. On and offstage ! He takes his work very serious. Respect.

[@Jay-sy5yf]

I saw Yngwie play in Memphis. I also met him backstage. I was the only one who bought the $400 VIP package. Not only was he and his guitar tech super nice and accommodating, Yngwie simply played his ass off. Im talking a jaw dropping performance. Even my gf was impressed. I dont know how elder Yngwie is now but as a performer and guitar virtuoso, the man is ageless.

[@777Yoni]

$400!!!??? Wow, I'm not judging. I'm just glad you had a killer time. The older I get, the more I appreciate Yngwie. Really excellent interview.. Nice job.

[@patrickdezenzio4988]

I don't know about you, but I remember paying premo bucks to see bands like the Eagles who for the same amount of money 30 years ago was for just general admission. At least with Yngwie, you get to meet the guy. I would seriously be tempted to pay $400 to meet Yngwie.

[@Jay-sy5yf]

Well worth the clams just for the experience. I also got some picks directly from the Man himself, merchandise package, was shown around backstage, got to strum his guitars, check out his amps, and was offered to peep my head out and look out at the crowd from on stage, but I chickened out (I'm shy). :)

[@simonedangelosericola5742]

Josh Brown He was born in 1963...

[@CloudsBeyond]

Edit your post to include decimal point you meant $4.00 obviously. Yngwie's career is sadly at its lowest point ever - selling very little and playing to small audiences, doing everything album wise himself (rather than pay out for good musicians, co producer, top studios, etc as he has done in the past), and with a live band that are basically Spinal Tap Mark II with ridiculous stage set up, etc. If he has to sell $400 VIP packages to try pull in money and people are willing to pay that then why not especially as ''Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.'' and his career looks highly unlikely to pick up much.

[@klextacy]

Fantastic interview. Seriously the best one I've seen with Yngwie. Interviewer didn't ask the same old tired questions. Great work!

[@GuitarInteractive]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment klextacy

[@razorray6273]

Totally agree. Great interview

[@Stefan-]

Indeed, great interview with great questions and answers !!

[@Williamstanway]

Good to see he has lost weight he looks healthy . Love the Malmsteen.

[@monsterram6617]

I was just thinking this.

[@z4ckncheese]

He also doesn’t sound inconvenienced

[@commentfreely5443]

his 2019 album really sucks, and i am a big fan.

[@SamPlaysBass49]

On the 2019 tour when he came on stage I actually did a double take. It was like seeing late 80's Yngwie... super slim, young looking... I was like "am I actually seeing Yngwie?"

[@Doug5524]

Now that's what I call an interview Great to see Yngwie here in the UK

[@robertbeasley5595]

Seen him at the dallas guitar show I think it was back in 2010 or 2011...he and his management were walking to sign autographs...he walked right past me I half to say just his presence was overwhelming...a true guitar God!!!!

[@sigurdfyllingkarstad2694]

You hear about how much of an ass he's supposed to be and everything. But I don't think that's the case at all. He seems very down to earth, but uncompromising. That can come off wrong with many people that has a big ego, but to me, his attitude is just perfect. He serves the muse100%. What I mean by that is that he serves the music he hears in his head as honestly as humanly possible without maing any sacrifices or compromises. Now name me someone who's had that much sucsess doing just that. Like it or not, he's had as much an impact on the world of guitar as Hendrix, Van Halen or any other famous guitar player, in some ways even more. Yngwie rocks! (Great interviewer too btw, use him more often!)

[@kungfuman82]

Gusrid The Guitar Player I think he threatens people with his skill. He also doesn't play that false modesty that a lot of players use to get that "I'm like one of you" thing that soothes the ego of weak-minded listeners. He's good. He knows it. We know it. He plays the part.

[@sigurdfyllingkarstad2694]

kungfuman82 You got it! He's not like us. He changed guitar in a way never done by anyone else. His legacy is astounding. And I'm not even a fanboy, I just recognize and appreciate greatness when I see it. Also, false modesty is horrible. It's okay to as you say, know that you're good and play the part. Having an ego isn't negative either. I think it's about having a healthy relationship with ones ego. I'm sure Yngwie is very humble though, just not in a way that's acceptable amongst small people. I've noticed my self that unless I'm SUPER friendly, people will tend to think I'm an egocentric ass. Like I have to behave in a certain way so that other people will be comfortable with me being good at something. It's pathetic and small minded. I guess it's that which separates winners from losers ☺

[@CloudsBeyond]

There is no smoke without fire as they say! Yngwie is more diplomatic now in interviews because his following has diminished so much he probably realizes he has to be now. Many musicians and actors, etc learn with experience or come across as less crazy or arrogant when older than they were when young. In the past he has said silly things, and negative things about other musicians and players, etc and numerous incidents didn't help his reputation - ''I don't like doughnuts'' (video on here), unleash the fury on flight, flatulence incident live on stage, etc. Before they worked together live, even Joe Satriani said ''he's an asshole, and it is widely known in music circles he is just an idiot.'' As for as much impact as Hendrix, EVH, etc? Not true, not even close actually. But sure Yngwie was influential especially in the 1980's to metalheads in to technical playing. In a 1000 years time EVH & Hendrix will be remembered but Yngwie? Sadly no chance! He won't be remembered then as a player or songwriter/composer. Out of the big players today e.g. Eric Clapton, Slash, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, etc = Yngwie sells the least and has the smallest following with e.g. much less social media likes. Players like Satch & Vai left that 80's metal image behind but Yngwie never did. No major record label (that have Clapton, Satch, VH, etc) especially in U.S., U.K. etc would touch Yngwie now.

[@vanguard4065]

This man is a living legend. He is also unquestionably among the all time greats of rock guitar like Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen.

[@swordofgod2835]

Agree

[@andrewmauro1239]

yngwie has definitely humbled himself over the years and seems super cool, laid back, and down to earth.... He seems like a really cool dude these days.... and of course just a phenomenal player... who else can match that vibrato??? Hail YJM!

[@ChrisShredGuitar]

This is probably one of the most personal and best interviews I´ve seen with yngwie, it was just a pleasure to watch this! Thanks for that insight!

[@claushornum5452]

how come people say so many bad things About him he's a nice guy down to earth would love to sit in a room with him listen to his playing and learn from him you're the greatest maestro 😊🎸

[@AutisticVaxtard]

They dislike his Cross

[@viktormedina4631]

Incredibly interesting and different interview. My congrats to the gentleman asking the questions! He truly did an awesome job.

[@Orphenia_]

Awesome interview, Yngwie is still so unfathomably great

[@Theosis78]

Superb interviewer, super nice Malmsteen!

[@mindstorms44]

what a great guy.....a massive inspiration to me.....I love his outlook

[@BiancaOnYoutube]

What a great interview. Thank you for this GI. And the guy who interview.

[@perpetual61]

What a great Interview he didn't ask Yngwie the same questions that are the Norm on his interviews. It's refreshing to hear him talk about something different. I'm sure Yngwie gets tired of having to repeat himself.There's only so many ways to answer the same questions after so many years in the Business.

[@paulsguitarstudio126]

Yngwie is an icon player, I cant do what he does and he makes it look easy as breathing and for him probably is. Dude smokes my brain.

[@Dorian2ification]

Cool laid back interview. Saw Malmsteen and Joe Satriani in Edmonton back the day for the Dream #11 tour when Yngwie was the special guest. Always have loved that guy. Warts and all.

[@walterpostola8838]

"I don't do sweeping..." --- Starts sweeping his ass off. Top Player.

[@Leit2290]

I think he’s saying he doesn’t sweep he’s picking some notes and some hammering on to accent certain notes pretty insane technique

[@masterandkerranginparticul4324]

@@Leit2290 he is doing "the ynwgie" with that right hand.

[@einarabelc5]

You can tell he enjoyed that interview, so did I, great job. The Yngway FTW.

[@canefrogfury]

Hurray for Yngwie ! Great Interview too . Beautiful player he certainly is -and that Strat-Marshall combo yum yum. Also check out Bill Frisell another of my favourite players from other part of the musical spectrum.

[@danielleiva9456]

Amazing interview! And the final question was heart touching...I don't remember someone asking that as far as I know...great vibe this interview

[@CaryChilton]

Great interviewer! YJM is pretty cool. I saw him in 2006-7 and he was truly versatile and a freak. THROWING his guitar 12 feet in the air, catching it in time to finish a solo? NOBODY does that shit!

[@stevehogan8829]

Thanks Yngwie and GI Mag. Really appreciate the great interview.

[@MatoyaLim]

Great interviewer, great interview!

[@guitardudeguy3139]

Got too see Yngwie J. Malmsteen on the US Tour in Kalamazoo, Michigan and it was fantastic! I've been a long time fan since 1984 , Glad to see he is in top form! He sounded great and the band was exceptional! Rock on!

[@diggerd6489]

A great interview and great questions, I think yngwie appreciated your knowledge of him. 👍

[@haggismuncher]

Phenomenal Player...not my preferred style but i bought Rising Force when it came out so i suppose i owe Yngwie a debt of gratitude to introducing me to the neo classical style...very humble guy...if there was no Yngwie there would be no Tony McAlpine ,Vinnie Moore, Chris Impelitri, Dave Chastain or Joe Stump

[@TheSteveSteele]

I would like to see Yngwie form a band. I think a good band would be (a bit on the Purple side), Glenn Hughes, Chad Smith, David Coverdale and perhaps a keyboardist. I think the songwriting would improve with Glenn writing too, and the band sound would be more 3D. I love Yngwie’s tone. It’s sweet.

[@dimkalas5206]

It wouldn't work cause coverdale and yngwie have really big egos...And this is coming from a person that acknowledges his own big ass ego

[@394pjo]

He came through the same time as Eddie and while Eddie looks like death warmed over now, Yngwie looks as vigorous as he did back in the 80's.

[@johnmarshall3903]

And unlike EVH, he still plays real amps, not chainsaws.

[@patrickdezenzio4988]

Has Yngwie mellowed over the years? This interview was very laid back, not like his earlier interviews where he sounded self-centered. This one felt like you were sitting at a pub, knocking back a pint and chatting up a storm. Yeah interviewer was really good, might have something to do with how Yngwie went about it.

[@OrignalElidest]

in his 20's he was this way it was his 30' and 40's where he was liked "IM THE BEST" when he hit 50ish it looks like hes chilled out

[@alexi.e.roivainen]

I love you Yngwie, you know!

[@thenorsewarriorofglory6824]

Yngwie is so great! Yngwie Malmsteen, Van Halen, George Lynch, Akira Takasaki, and Steve Clark needed to get together back in their primetime to make the worlds most heavy instrumental music!

[@stingkirk]

Thank you for the great interview. That was awesome!!

[@EcBaPr]

one of the best Yngwie interviews ive seen..

[@triathlonSDhsp]

Excellent interview - interviewer was very respectful

[@jasonstone8587]

This guy is Awesome. ...he gets way to much hate....doesn't deserve it ....

[@wattage2007]

Good, respectful interview with great questions!

[@Ju287V3]

Well done. That's the best YJM interview ive seen. Great questions.

[@Reis59452]

Insane compression and reverb... I fucking like that.

[@GuitarWithDofka]

Great job on the interview, well done!

[@EddieThespot]

Great interview!! Very interesting!!! Not the same boring questions as "Why do you use scalloped fretboard??" or "What are your influences??". Very nice job!!! I appreciate!!!

[@surasakwongchai1]

He’s truly walking legend for real no doubt

[@david.cutipa]

More... Is MOAR...

[@GuitarInteractive]

:-))))

[@pelipetteri1]

Looks like Elvis Malmsteen. :)

[@vorpalblades]

Rämpyttäjä Yngvis Preslsteen.

[@pelipetteri1]

Haha, indeed! :D

[@patrickdezenzio4988]

Hmmm, you know I wonder what Elvis would sound like Ygnwie style?:-)

[@MrBossei]

And Neil Young :-)

[@kodiakandgrizzlybears3787]

Presley was good as opposed to this would-be guitarist.

[@augustepiccard1985]

just love how malmsteen express himself about the sweep picking; "i don't do sweep picking by the way ,thats not how its done".without explaining anything either xD

[@frankie.d1127]

jonathan robinson he’s gotta be denying it for some reason. His technique has been analyzed countless times. There’s no way he’s alternate picking on those 3-4 string arpeggio sequences

[@charlesmartel988]

It can be done, Steve Morse does it.

[@iganpparamarta8813]

He just doesn’t care about correct names of the picking technique. He also might understand it differently but what matters the most (for him) is it sounds the way he wants it. Watch his video ‘play loud’ he explains it there. Let’s leave the correct naming of technique to us, the spectators. Let the performers perform.

[@iganpparamarta8813]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIDIhZuvj9lkrMk Go to 5:05-5:48

[@ChrisCollinsx]

Gotta love Yngwie 🙌

[@MrBossei]

Great interview!!

[@DarkVelizar]

More of this? Please!

[@GraffitiPhysical]

You want to sound like YJM? Well you will need to have the right genes and practice day and night and yes, do theory. The man also possessed passion and persevered with a relentless attitude. As Richie Blackmore said "he is the best at what he does."

[@tushar8998]

Wow!

[@MrMatteuccio82]

Some more Marshall and it would be perfect.

[@chrisbarclay]

great interview.

[@rg2027x]

heck of a guitar he's got there 👍

[@rossdixonellis]

Yngwie is an alien. Confirmed! 10:00

[@BT-km7nl]

hmm. maybe i am wrong but yngwie sounds really down to earth. maybe after all these years it might be the interviewers that caused him to act like mr. ego..splendid interview btw.

[@dragonflames_official]

creo que falto un poco mas de delay y reverv-.... I think I miss a little more delay and reverv-

[@Johnsmith-nc9sl]

The king!

[@classicartfoundation639]

He reminds me of a Heavy Metal Elvis

[@frankpaws]

great interviewer.!!

[@NicholasNorway]

Its official everyone, Yngwei does not sweep pick! haha

[@押田容子]

ながーい、インタビュー🎤にも、プライベート内容にも、弾きがかりの、音変えて、ちやんと、応える🎤インギー🎸偉い❗

[@dimkalas5206]

Nice watch yngwie. Rolex yachtmaster

[@nc1969]

How many guitarists have created a genre or style? Clapton, Hendrix, Van Halen, ... Malmsteen... the guy literally created a signature style of playing, in a very competitive environment. .. people get hung up on the fact that he was a little arrogant? ?

[@zlatkodurmis8458]

He's a great man with great story...

[@Bigagoo]

He is a great inspiration to anyone.

[@frankie.d1127]

There’s no way he only uses alternate picking and legato!!!! Why does he deny economy/sweep picking?!

[@iganpparamarta8813]

Well he’s a self taught guitarist and probably does not want to be bothered by music terminology. I still have Yngwie’s VCD lesson and he did mention economy picking but not really explain it thoroughly. He’s one of the guys who care only to sound good (good vibrato, accurate bending, and clean fast runs) instead of correctly naming stuff he plays. Troy Grady explains Yngwie’s technique better than the man himself. I’m not attacking you just trying to give you some answers. Cheers.

[@iganpparamarta8813]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIDIhZuvj9lkrMk Go to 5:05-5:48 He doesn’t know what he’s doing but he knows what he wants to hear.

[@RonPro-u1t]

Best alive.

[@RonPro-u1t]

We need more ads on you tube that would be great

[@かおり小寺-g7k]

飛躍したギター🎸リストになってください。

[@drexlspivey5828]

I'll never understand why he claims he doesn't sweep pick, it's very odd, he has tonnes of 3 string arpeggio solos that are ALL sweep picking

[@jake2355]

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge Yngwie fan. But the California scene had heard the whole neo-classical thing way before Yngwie arrived. I mean, Randy Rhoads had exploded onto the scene with Ozzy, left his mark & was dead by the time Malmsteen showed up. I’m not saying that’s where he got it from.. but he was by no means the first

[@MG-ln1yw]

Randy Rhoads had some classical influences, just as Blackmore or Uli. But noone did it even close to the amount as Malmsteen did. Just because Randy Rhoads played some Harmonic Minor scales before Yngwie arrived doesn't mean LA had heard "the neo classical thing". Yngwie was way more extreme and yes, first in the way he did it. He was all in Neo classical. Have you heard Yngwies demo from 78? 15 year old blasting out neo classical all over it.

[@otakurocklee]

Yngwie is the man!

[@Locrian1]

Legend

[@damonstewart70]

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN RULES!!!

[@gpang788]

I don't do sweep picking....

[@frankpaws]

He don't know Pro Tools. Hell, I don'r know Logic! But I know PT

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Sheer Genius

[@douglasnisbet1189]

Yngwie absolutely DOES do sweep picking for the downward motion. On his 3 string arpeggios he 100% is doing a 3 note sweep. On his 5 string arpeggios he is doing 4 down strokes for the ascending notes. Then some alternate picks for the descending notes. Not sure why he is trying to deny it.

[@timetracker8503]

yeah... i guessed so... but mayb that's what trying nowadays, i guess

[@RonPro-u1t]

He says no. You’re wrong

[@douglasnisbet1189]

@@RonPro-u1t you think Yngwie doesn't use sweep picking for his one octave, 3 string arpeggios? 😂

[@RonPro-u1t]

@@douglasnisbet1189 he says no. He would know better than you. Yes or yes ?

[@douglasnisbet1189]

@@RonPro-u1t Yngwie is notorious for talking BS. He's also stated in interviews that every Marshall in his wall on stage is plugged in. Total BS. If you know anything about Yngwie's playing then you'll know that he uses sweep picking for his one octave arpeggios. Watch my "Yngwie Malmsteen sweep picking demonstration" video and you can see closely my right hand. Or watch and close up video of Yngwie. Beyond any doubt, he uses sweep picking. The G, B and E strings are all picked using one downward sweep. This is just a fact.

[@weecolski]

This guy sounds a wee bit like frankie Boyle

[@megadethdudeluke]

ledgend \m/

[@dawngentry5074]

dierk siegel sun nolen

[@dibber43]

ya know...

[@gregormarini]

Elvis is alive!

[@letsallbe-friends1120]

Ahhhh! So that's where Elvis got to! ; )

[@MrUltraworld]

The thing that puzzles me is he only uses 2 heads and 2 4x12's. Yet he carries dozens of real Plexi heads and loaded 4x12's, loads them in and stacks them up at very expensive shipping and handling costs. Very wasteful.

[@johnbuell8035]

Is that how he runs it? Just 2 heads and 2 cabs?

[@riverboatmusic6224]

지렁이

[@hardtop7306]

He drop some weight?..🤔

[@YahwehShalom-ve1nz]

What a fake negative guitar sound !!! Rather you dont see it yourself? Make sound like - surf guitar rock cool positive joyfull - for workout fitness sport drum.n.bass styles etc not for drugs!

[@MisterGuitarItalia]

His accent has gotten worse, is he drunk? Also way more humble than usual, that's a good thing. Dude's a historical figure guitar-wise

[@mca1960]

Sure the most boring guitarist of all time.......

[@einarabelc5]

Michael Achenbach Surely the most burring comment of all time.

[@mca1960]

Sure he is boring. No progress in the last 20 years of playing, always the same boring speed licks, the same boring chords. Is there something more to say ?

[@Undertheinfluence81]

Micheal Achenbach you absolutely right,all I hear when this fatso play is fast loop of guitar doodling going up and down the neck.what's left is a fat dude with ugly ass blouse ,or whatever he have on with only one button buttoned up and his belly spewing out.what a joke this guy is.

[@KowankoMusic]

Just checked your KZbin page to see if there are any vids of you playing. Suspicions confirmed.

[@mca1960]

For what should I do KZbin vids dude? The tone is the meanest thing in playing a guitar, not boring shredding like Yngwie does. Look at Santana, Clapton, May, BB King, just to name a view.

[@kodiakandgrizzlybears3787]

This bloke has never mastered the guitar. The same guitar stuff in every song. He's as bad as Hendrix at that time.

[@johnbuell8035]

At what time? When this was published, Hendrix had been dead getting on for 50 years. And had only had about 3 years in a situation where he could get his music out. If you’re going to make statements like that, at least make sense.

[@sean1121970]

🤣 why did I click on this? He sounds exactly the same as he did 30 years ago! Talk about flatliner!🤣