Never Die — A Conversation with Yngwie
J. Malmsteen
Preface:
I was just 14 years old when a high
school buddy of mine handed me an LP and said "Here, listen
to the greatest guitar player in the world." The album was
Marching Out by Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force
and it changed my life! From that moment on, my musical
standards were raised to astronomical heights, and even
though many guitar players of that era were pretty good,
none ever topped Yngwie in my book.
During my teenage years, Yngwie became
an idol, an untouchable super hero, his music a constant
friend in both good and bad times, a much needed inspiration
to carry on in tough times for "I was a Viking and going
out to war!" Fast forward 10 years and as I carried on with
the struggles of grown up life, I found myself in tough
times and as I yearned for an answer, inspiration came in
the form of a long lost friend, Yngwie's music.
As an avid Yngwie fan, I've had to
fend off attacks from critics who say he's "too technical,"
or "plays with no emotion," or "he plays too fast," or "he
hasn't changed with the times." Unbelievable — one
of the few 80's Rockers who stuck to his guns, who refused
to sell out and jump on the grunge bandwagon, and people
still have something negative to say about it. I wonder
if they ever listened to his music or saw him play. I for
one can tell you that although it was Yngwie's virtuosity
that attracted me to his music, it was his honesty and emotion
that kept me listening to it.
Now, as I'm getting ready to speak
to the Maestro, I unexpectedly reminisce about past times
and smile. If you're reading this, you're probably an Yngwie
Malmsteen fan and can relate to some of the things I have
experienced or felt the same way I did at some point in
your life. I dedicate this story to you.
-Henry Bocanegra
Continue
to the next page...
|
