Yngwie Malmsteen Biography
Lars Johann Yngwie Lannerback, 30 June 1963, Stockholm, Sweden. This Swedish guitar virtuoso was the originator of the high-speed, technically precise, neo-classical style that developed during the 80s. Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore and Eddie Van Halen, Malmsteen first picked up a guitar at the age of five and had formed his first band, Powerhouse, by the time he entered his teens. At age 14 he formed Rising, named after Rainbow's second album, and recorded a series of demo tapes. One of these was picked up by producer and guitar specialist Mike Varney. Malmsteen was persuaded by Varney to relocate to Los Angeles and join Ron Keel's Steeler as lead guitarist, and went straight into the studio to record the band's debut album. Following this, he was approached by Kiss, UFO and Ozzy Osbourne, but declined their offers in favour of teaming up with Graham Bonnet in a new group called Alcatrazz. This association lasted for one studio album and a live set, recorded in Japan.
After the dissolution of that band, Malmsteen was immediately offered a solo contract by Polydor Records, just as his reputation and stature were beginning to escalate. He released the self-produced Rising Force, utilizing ex-Jethro Tull drummer Barriemore Barlow, vocalist Jeff Scott Soto and keyboard player Jens Johansson. This comprised a mixture of new songs and reworked demo material that had been available for several years. Deciding to work within a band framework once more, but this time exercising tight control, Malmsteen formed Rising Force with Soto and Johansson, plus bass player Marcel Jacob and drummer Anders Johansson. This basic formation recorded two albums, the second of which, 1986's Trilogy, saw Soto replaced by ex-Ted Nugent vocalist Mark Boals. The album showcased Malmsteen's amazing virtuosity and ability to combine speed with melody. Following an 18-month break after a serious road accident involving Malmsteen, Rising Force was resurrected with ex-Rainbow vocalist Joe Lynn Turner. Produced by Jeff Glixman and mixed by the Thompson/Barbiero team, Odyssey was released in 1988 to widespread acclaim. At last Malmsteen's guitar pyrotechnics were anchored within commercial hard rock structures. The guitar solos, for once, were economical, and did not detract from the songs. The album reached number 40 on the US Billboard album chart and brought many new fans to the guitarist. Eager to capitalize on this success, Malmsteen then issued a disappointing and self-indulgent live album recorded in Leningrad. The momentum was lost and Joe Lynn Turner was dismissed, to be replaced with a Swedish vocalist, Goran Edman. Eclipse emerged in 1990 with weak vocals and an unusually restrained Malmsteen on guitar, and it appeared that he was suppressing his real desires and talents in the search for commercial success. Fire & Ice debuted at number 1 in the Japanese charts. The follow-up The Seventh Sign introduced new vocalist Michael Vescera, and was the first release of a new recording contract with the Japanese label Pony Canyon. Malmsteen switched back to his old flamboyant style on Inspiration, a collection of cover versions featuring vocals by Turner, Boals and Soto. In 1996, Malmsteen joined with Soto as Human Clay to issue their self-titled debut. The following year he recruited new vocalist Mats Leven to record Facing The Animal, and began work on his first concerto. The latter was released in 1998 by Pony Canyon's classical imprint. Boals returned as lead singer on the Rising Force albums Alchemy and War To End All Wars. Malmsteen remains at his best when he is in control; his amazing technique is what the listener wants to hear.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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