Why White Lion Broke Up & Vito Bratta Quit the Group

What happened to the band White Lion - best known for the songs Wait and When the Children Cry. Led by Vito Bratta and Michael Tramp, they enjoyed success in the late 80's with their 1987 record Pride.
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[@SouthernSkeptic]

I'd put Vito in my top 3 of guitar players in his genre. Unbelievable tone. So clean.

[@brandongardner7398]

Most definitely!!!! YAH bless!!!

[@stanley1976]

It's annoying they called White Lion a Bon Jovi clone. Not even close. Vito was a much better guitarist than Richie, in my opinion.

[@brandongardner7398]

@@stanley1976 I definitely concur.

[@TheCountofToulouse]

@@stanley1976 That's not an opinion, it's a flat fact. Vito, was a rare talent, outside of EVH and perhaps Steve Vai, Vito was right up there. Some people would put Malmsteen in that group, too but I can't stand his boxy playing and his constant reliance on the same arpeggios over and over.

[@stanley1976]

@@TheCountofToulouse Are you talking about Malmsteen's boxy playing? I'm good with his guitar work as long as he doesn't open his mouth.

[@Kunta_Kinte478]

One of the best Guitarplayers ever.

[@jsotelo5150]

My son asked me the other day what bands I wish I could see. Skid Row with Sebastian Bach and White Lion with Vito Bratta where my top 2 answers.

[@BJ-qp5st]

Vito was an amazingly talented guitar player. His solos so tasteful and his sound was so crisp and warm.

[@alittlebitgone]

He's not dead.

[@BJ-qp5st]

@@alittlebitgone I know, but he quit playing years ago.

[@Blaklege63]

So sad. VITO is awesome. As a guitar player VITO is greatly missed

[@luisvillarreal5262]

I believe the part about the label rep telling Vito, “Do you know what your problem is? You play too good. You need to start playing sloppy, because that’s what kids are into these days.” This was exactly what I felt about the grunge movement. I like Vito’s response with, “You want me to suck?” 😂 They didn’t lie about Vito being too good though. 🎸🤘🏼👍

[@bartsullivan4866]

Yeah I felt like that after the Grunge movement my high school music kind of sucked compared to all these great rock bands of the 80's and early 90's. The music stopped being fun and upbeat all Debby downer BS. You had all these rock gods in the 80's with great guitar players then in the late 90's and 2000's you had pretty much crap and that is being kind. I never had the chance to see Vito play but I bet he was great.

[@JohnRampino]

That's a bunch of bullshit. Not all 90s music was crap. Music is not a competition, snobs.

[@bienvenidovelasco6834]

White Lion's music aint that good even if the guitar player was good..songs arent awesome enough and bratta is an Evh clone no matter how he deny it

[@luisvillarreal5262]

@@bienvenidovelasco6834 I disagree. Vito had his own style, even though he incorporated some double hand tapping parts in his solos. I never thought he sounded like EVH.

[@sahkogile]

@@luisvillarreal5262 he is second father of tapping for me without him tapping would not be melodic

[@llongone2]

I saw them open for someone...maybe Lynch Mob or Don Dokken's solo act. There was a hottie right up against the fence in front of stage. She apparently had a thing for the singer, 'cause when White Lion took the stage, she pull her panties off right out from her mini skirt and threw it at him. He panties actually hit the singer square in the chest, but he acted like he didn't notice and they started their first song. I was 18 years old. I can remember that scene like it was yesterday.

[@FrankDux-rq7go]

James Lomenzo is a road dog. He's out with Megadeth currently but has been a touring member of so many bands. Really underrated.

[@pewsterbaby]

Lomenzo joined Ace Frehley's band in 1992, replacing John Regan.

[@robert.m4676]

@@pewsterbabywas that Frehley’s commit ?

[@pewsterbaby]

@@robert.m4676 Nope. Comet '87 (Fig dr.) Second Sighting '88 (Oldaker dr.) Trouble Walkin' '90 (Howarth leaves, Scarlet joins Slavin dr.) Regan leaves, Lomenzo joins for Just 4 Fun Tour '92,' 93 He had good presence and energy on Ace's stage right

[@robert.m4676]

@@pewsterbaby 👍🏻

[@robert.m4676]

@@pewsterbaby funny, your hair looks exactly like mine.

[@frigidpony]

I am continually impressed with the content on this channel. White Lion were unfairly lumped in with many of the "glam metal" trends of the time; the band had far more depth than many of those groups, as you stated. Vito Bratta in particular is a ridiculously talented musician. There was a recent interview in Guitar World where he claims that he had auditioned for both Ozzy Osbourne and Kiss prior to joining White Lion, which isn't surprising.

[@GrantH]

…but they undeniably were “hair metal” or “glam metal,” whichever label you prefer. They were part of that era and movement. People just need to stop acting like “hair metal” and “glam metal” are evil terms. We all like the music, why be ashamed of it?

[@WinterInTheForest]

Vito Bratta is one of the greatest guitar players of all time. His solos are so memorable and heartfelt, they always tell a story. That by itself makes every White Lion song worth a listen.

[@zmbdog]

@@GrantH Exactly. What the o.p. is saying about White Lion is something I've heard said about nearly every band in the genre at this point! It gets ridiculous.

[@AnthonySforza]

Gene Simmons/Paul Stanley: "We really like you, but 'Vito Bratta'... it sounds too ethnic, you ever think about changing your name?" Vito Bratta: "Yea... you ever think about fucking yourself?" Annnnnd that was the end of that.

[@LuchaLibertaria]

​@@GrantHI like some Glam Metal but White Lion was Melodic Hard Rock; they were not Glam: different musical influences and different kind of lyrics

[@lorigoshert6667]

I loved them so much in high school. Still love much of their music, especially "Wait" and "Lights and Thunder."

[@MrWilly2204]

WL could make a ton of money if they’d reunite. Bratta is a legend among guitarists.

[@prithamdsouza]

I had a poster of Vito on my wall when I was a kid growing up in Mangalore, India where access to good music in the 80's was heavily relied on people returning from abroad and old copies of guitar world magazine that made rounds from house to house . miss those days and seriously miss Vito's flawless guitar work.

[@Whytemonkee]

Vito Bratta lived around the Block from My girlfriend's house on Staten Island it was his childhood home. His little brother would come over all the time

[@JoeR203]

House number 567?

[@Whytemonkee]

@@JoeR203 555

[@keno4755]

Was a neighbor to a friend while I lived there, very friendly parents

[@JojoLeRoiDuDisco]

Fav band ! Edit: the song about the sinking of the green peace boat is "Little fighter" not "warfighter", great video as always !

[@PaboritongAwitinniBoyKarne17]

White Lion became famous in the Phillipines for hit ballads "YOU'RE ALL I NEED" and "TILL DEATH DO US PART" both from Maine Attraction album.. both songs are hits in the Phillipines and still receive airplays...

[@EL_DUDERIN0]

Vito has set himself up perfectly to essentially print himself money if he ever wanted to start playing guitar again in public. This man cannot play a bad sounding note on the guitar if he tried. And the rhythm section probably was the best in the industry in the late 80's-- White lion has a ton or European demos on Spotify of basically all of their old stuff and the band was a lot tighter than people imagine. As a band they were certainly better musicians than most anyone else in that scene in the 80's and that says a lot. Really a rock band in a hair metal scene.

[@lithiumtensors1]

Most of the demos are way better than the studio versions, too!

[@EL_DUDERIN0]

@@lithiumtensors1 Agree. A bit heavier than the studio versions too.

[@WinterInTheForest]

Sadly I don't think he can play anymore.

[@tomjohnson4922]

I caught White Lion on tour with Stryper... I had always wondered what happened to Vito. Thanks for the info.

[@marcoardon777]

Stryper ( still very active by the way) & White Lion were ( are ) my favourite 80s band . How was that concert of them you went ? Have you listen to Stryper’s new albums? Totally different stuff, heavier. Check Mike Tramp’s Songs of White Lion Volume 1. The Guitarrist Marcus got Vito’s blessing to record his solos..

[@tomjohnson4922]

@@marcoardon777 it was quite good actually. I haven't listened to any of their newer stuff. I will admit I don't listen to too many of the newer bands of older bands.

[@cay113]

he's one of those guitarists that are easy to recognize, his tone, technique and melodies are so unique and ear soothing...hope he comes back some day, at least with some solo album😢

[@vitobrattaforever402]

So much you don't know. By the way the song is called Little Fighter. Not War Fighter.

[@HigzyTeflon]

My personal favourite (living) guitarist. I wish he had never left the music scene, but he is right for "hating the music industry" and at the end of the day, family comes first. Vito chose correctly... family over fame. Bless him.

[@gandhiabad9402]

One of the best guitarist, Vito's one of my influences. Little fighter and most of his guitar solos are a masterpieces! I love White lion...

[@pewsterbaby]

Like another poster said - James Lomenzo is a road warrior. After White Lion, Lomenzo took the bass slot in ACE FREHLEY'S band in 1992! Ace Frehley, Lomenzo of White Lion on bass, drums - Sandy Slavin of Riot, and the great Ritchie Scarlet on rhythm guitar/vocals.

[@jamesmoss3424]

White Lion are amazing. 😀👍🦁🎸🤘

[@shawnhuff3920]

Wait and when the children cry are my favorite song from white lion

[@profane_kvetch]

I saw White Lion open for AC/DC back in 1988; I am SO glad I was able to see Vito play live!

[@MKYeahBuddy]

Couple good albums. I liked em. They could play!

[@brandongardner7398]

Vito Bratta said that he doesn't even play the guitar anymore in an interview that I heard. I believe that Eddie Trunk was conducting the interview. I heard it right here on KZbin. It's a shame, because Vito is one of my favorite guitarist of all time. By the way, awesome video brother. YAH bless!!!

[@solomonsanchez1897]

He plays classical guitar these days, because of a hand injury that limits his playing.

[@FlyGuyRy94]

Since that interview in 2018 Vito stated the day finally came where he woke up one day and repressed all the white lion nostalgia. Pulling all the old gear out and messing around with it. He found the strat they recorded pride on with the same strings from back then still on it. Along with all the steinberger gm guitar’s and esps. He even said he doubted his ability to be able to play the wait solo anymore. But it came back to him quickly

[@FlyGuyRy94]

He also mentioned recently buying two new electric guitars for the first time in 20-30 years. If I remember right they were semi hollow, gretsch. He said using the Floyd rose shredder type guitars was a “crutch” that he doesn’t look back on fondly

[@brandongardner7398]

@@FlyGuyRy94 hmmm. Very interesting.

[@vonaffenbach5036]

My favourite band.

[@lee-daniels]

I remember a budding guitar god Vito on all of the guitar mags.

[@starkillerclub3755]

Lady of the Valley is a killer tune

[@MrHilltop77]

I still a WhiteLion 7 inch of When The Children Cry, I won at my small town Australian primary school Fete when I was about 10 years old.

[@Splatterpunk4]

Awesome band and Vito Bratta is a legend!

[@christopherw6309]

Its ashame to not have a band like this together. Even if they just did a few shows here and there.

[@azurebluemidnight]

Great Vlog, it you are missing the inner story of the greatest bassist in to ever play a guitar 🎸. Look up Dave “The Beast” Spitz, he was in White Lion and left to be the bassist in Black Sabbath. Dave’s leaving started the downfall of White Lion. The Beast is an attorney in South Florida now.

[@mjccarpenter]

Vito, the one that got away! Oh the good things we could have heard. I get why he left, I just feel cheated with the missing music that could have come from his talents.

[@Charleshudspeth]

When I was a kid I loved hearing the guitar in White Lion. A neighbor kid was older. In Highschool and he played guitar. I was trying to figure explain to him what I liked about the guitars in White Lions album. He laughed at me and told me what I liked was called "tone". Weird memory but as I now play guitar I guess it stuck in my head. The day I learned what tone is. Im very proud of my tone when I play. Thnks Vito

[@EdwardLawless1]

White Lion was an amazing band. Every album and track is excellent. The way they looked and dressed had nothing to do with their stellar writing and musicianship. Also excellent production value. White Lion withstands the test of time 🎶

[@user-wq5ts8ib1x]

Seen them open up for acdc in Vancouver, in 88,the crowd was vicious that night, booed there whole show,and chanted acdc,felt bad for them

[@sjtanman]

I meet Vito in 1990 on Sunset Blvd at 2 am in LA

[@NeilAloha]

A lot of young guitar players all over internet playing his solos

[@bltvd]

I saw Great White Lion Snake open for Great White Lion Snake in 1989.

[@schmidington]

I love those White Lion albums, and still listen to their music today. Vito is mythical, like an enigma in the guitar world. I found it unusual that James LoMenzo now plays in Megadeth, another band I love but are worlds away from White Lion's sound.

[@tristandunn4628]

...and that Greg D'Angleo was the original drummer in Anthrax

[@WinterInTheForest]

@AceCourageAICoversHe played in Exodus and White Zombie also.

[@Ginalopez7877]

Oh wow i used to love white lion i really was into big haired bands in the 80s ..😅

[@safelyanonymous5717]

vito was the greatest!!!

[@kellywilson8440]

I always thought Vito could play guitar like EVH or close imo !

[@EL_DUDERIN0]

Vito is essentially the same league as EVH imo. They are very VERY different styles though. Vito is both virtuosic, classically trained and has probably beyond perfect pitch if that is possible. EVH is EVH and there will never be another. Both Eddy and Vito had that uncanny ability to play both fast and hit the exact notes that you want to hear without a bad note ever really being played.

[@kellywilson8440]

@@EL_DUDERIN0 I agree !

[@harrisfrankou2368]

White Lion were different lyrically and guitaristically.

[@mikeb.7183]

Manikin was a great band and I always wondered why they didn't get signed. Now I know the reason

[@TheArtofGuitar]

White Lion had to "wait" for fame. Well played. ;)

[@mlw3984]

I saw them on their final tour in RI and it was clear that Mike and Vito did not like each other. It was sad to see

[@alexanderchase6795]

Hey Rock N' Roll True Stories, when will you do a episode of whatever happened to White Snake?

[@TheCountofToulouse]

Being jaded and stubborn really ruined Vito. Seeing how the mid and late 90's etc were SO good to the 80's bands in the summer tour scene, it's a shame how White Lion was not in any of that. I saw group tours with Ratt, Skid Row/Poison and Firehouse all on the same bill. Vito was an amazing talent and there are people STILL trying to cover his work, which is a benchmark for a lot of players.

[@maverick_trail]

According to Vito, he didn't miss out on anything. He didn't sell out to the corporate music machine like many of those other bands did. He wanted control of his work and wasn't going to compromise to make the "suits" happy. Nothing wrong with that.

[@YtuserSumone-rl6sw]

I think I like Vito's "jaded stubbornness". Seems his integrity and principles are dear to him. All the more respect.

[@TheCountofToulouse]

@@YtuserSumone-rl6sw I respect that aspect, too. I just can't stand that he quit everything. I would have loved it if he'd just gone solo and morphed his career into a Satriani model, releasing albums, perhaps some guest singers or something, anything to expand his body of work. He'd have been a perfect fit on the G3 tours with Vai and Satriani. It's the sheer deprivation of his talent to people that loved and respected his playing style that bothers me. Even if he never played with White Lion again, so what? At least work with other guys, Greg Howe and others...anything.

[@YtuserSumone-rl6sw]

@@TheCountofToulouse Good points. Life is different from each subjective eyes and experience, so action will accordingly different. There's unfathomable amounts of potential lost in this world amongst all of us, but maybe wisdom&love is ultimately gained in the end?

[@NoirHammer]

I used to see them back in the 90s at L'Amour East in NYC. Vito would hang out at the bar so it was easy to talk to him but I never did because I felt he needed space. Also saw Yngwie there a couple of time. Great memories.

[@mikal]

Warfighter? It's called "Little Fighter". Also, you should check out Mike Tramp's "Songs of White Lion" album that just came out in 2023.

[@marcoardon777]

Love White Lion - fan since 1989. Check Mike Tramp’s Songs of White Lion Volume 1. The Guitarrist Marcus got Vito’s blessing to record his solos..

[@emilioalcazar-su9vi]

A real superclass..

[@nunz777]

He had that quality that only a few guitarists have - that the solo is as good and as catchy as the melody hook. Neill Schol, Brian May, a few of Slash's solos and a few of Joe Perry's. The list is VERY short.

[@bobthebear1246]

It's interesting that James LoMenzo has actually become the most successful member of White Lion in the end. He's a beast on bass. Mike Tramp is a good guy and a very good Rock singer, but not very smart with money. Vito Bratta was an AMAZING guitarist and VERY smart with money, but he's an asshole. Good video overall.

[@sliceukhan]

Tramp now not cool singer level in down

[@LuigiRBG]

Gracias amigo 🎉

[@allanvanuga9196]

Great video.

[@michaelr.5676]

Thank you!

[@johnhenrycook]

Well , White Lion just split up. You can't change history. Such a shame.

[@chicagoray1972]

Vito was so freaking incredible. I didn't care for White Lion except Vito's playing. The most underrated guitarist in my opinion. The fact he isn't mentioned with all the other guitar elites is a crime.

[@jamescoker2773]

He was a great musician. He should have kept it up .

[@walterjunovich6180]

He was the Band.

[@TVResults]

Vito did a recent interview where he commented that he can again play rock guitar music without pain..and that he has been playing again recently.

[@mariokolar8407]

You have such a nice easy going Voice.

[@alisterfolson]

Well, at least they seemingly did well with their money. We can give them that

[@billyguthrie3176]

I don't get all the comparisons of Vito to Eddie Van halen. The two sound and play nothing alike an both are amazing! Vito very much has his own style

[@stephenblake2196]

VITO WOULD BE A NICE FIT IN VAN HALEN??

[@MrWilly2204]

Hell yes

[@TheOlJWShow]

If Vito left music, why be so axle over the name? Let Tramp carry the torch mang.

[@tonyponchopeters]

Vito Bratta & Steve Perry seem to be 2 peas in a pod. Two Unbelievable Talents that are overly sensative, anti-social and seem to be scared of their own shadows. I believe they just want to leave their legacies the way they were.

[@JohnnyDouchbag-nr5yf]

Vito 10 out of 10 for talent, but 2 out of 10 for drive.

[@odom2142]

I think Vito did it the right way. It’s good to know when the party’s over and move on. Sounds like he moved on to more good things!

[@take2productions234]

Where is vitto.... 😢😢

[@BossGuitars]

What’s with the video footage of Cheep Trick at the end?

[@the-dave-house-project]

I mean... there was a time when 'sloppy' playing was more popular and record labels are gonna try to promote what's popular so they make money. That said, record labels are absolutely not required anymore. There's nothing stopping a group from promoting themselves and becoming hugely successful without even having to deal with all the label's rules etc. KZbin alone has made some artists famous.

[@JoeR203]

Vito doesn't have to get a band, go into a studio, record an album and tour. But if he uploaded a 5 minute video once or twice a month of himself just noodling on guitar in his house, that would be enough to satisfy us fans. It's a shame we'll never see Jason Becker play guitar again because he can't move a muscle in his body. But it's an even bigger shame that we'll never see Vito Bratta play guitar again.......because he doesn't want to.

[@SMELLGOODER]

I actually really liked White Lion. But I kinda kept that low-key...... Except when I was around skin-tight jeans wearing chicks with big hair!!! Gotta remember.... I was 16 in 1988!! Great vid, my guy!!

[@axxellein]

TRES Cool/Heavy!

[@warptek]

That sucks, Vito was one of the best if not the best new kid on the block guitarist. He could hang with EVH, Jake E Lee, Randy Rhoades. Guy was friggin phenomenal. It's a sin he bowed out.

[@robonguitarnz]

I think the dont call me dude band scatterbrain needs a 'what happened to them?' vid

[@Darksmirk1]

Least we forget they did the Killer Transformers the movie opening song.

[@kristopherragas1631]

My #1 Guitaris My #2 Bill Steer🤘😊

[@gloriahancock8358]

VITO BRATTA!!!!!!!

[@mattrock12]

Love these videos, love this channel. Been a fan for years. But please, dude… take a breath! lol. Embrace the period between sentences. Make friends with a comma. 😊🍻

[@MarioLamRedRebel]

I love this band, i them more than Bon Jovi.

[@user-be9go5nw6c]

7:38 Is the man standing on the far left Vito Bratta?

[@stationDXG]

Little Fighter

[@jaxsonsmommy1]

The song is not War Fighter it’s Little Fighter.

[@simoncrawley7430]

Way too good for White Lion.

[@zmbdog]

"Lumped in with the glam metal scene". I think them being a glam metal band probably had a lot to do with that.

[@AdolfStalin]

A Danish guy and a bunch of Italians. Interesting

[@shawnkilmer3079]

White Lion.

[@creamcheesediarrhea1006]

what happened to Nelson twins?

[@poindextertunes]

I gotta say Vito is a great player but his solos just don’t click with me for whatever reason. They’re kinda all over the place but not in a good way like EVH. Again, super talented guy

[@raymondreid4987]

Damn shame he didn't release something solo. I would have got it. Play sloppy, yep, and then they wonder why nobody is making anything that you actually want to hear again.

[@beerubbed7345]

Shame, great band. I miss them. Big game and mane attraction were really good albums. I think their mamanagement messed them up by not booking them to tour with similar bands.

[@NealVio]

L'Amour - Pronounced Lah-more 🙂

[@juggernaut0629]

Vito was far more talented than the rest of the group.

[@liquidsteel8131]

Someone please tell me I'm wrong, but didn't Vito leave to help his aging and sickened father? I know everything isn't true in the internet.