Yngwie Malmsteen was born on June 30, 1963, in Sollentuna, Sweden. He got his first guitar at the age of five and formed his first band by the time he entered his teens. Playing in various bands around Sweden, he finally sent demo tapes to record companies overseas. When Mike Varney heard his tape, he persuaded Yngwie to move Los Angeles and join a band named Steeler. Yngwie wasn't satisfied because of the band's style only imitated common trends, and moved on to a new group called Alcatrazz. Still being not fully satisfied he started solo career recording Rising Force with his friend, keyboardist Jenny Johansson. The album was a success in guitar circles, even receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. Then they recorded two albums, Marching Out and Trilogy, continuing expessing Yngwie's remarkable technical abilities. But on June, 1987, Yngwie was in a serious car accident, which damaged nerves leading to his right hand. He was forced to take a break, which lasted up to 18 months. Gaining the ability to use his hand, Yngwie recorded Odyssey, which was to become his most successful album to date. And the following live album expanded Malmsteen's still growing international reputation. |
Yngwie formed a new band for Eclipse, his solo career's sixth album, which was success in Europe and Japan, but was left in Usa almost unnoticed. As a result, Yngwie changed his record label and Fire and Ice went all the way to the number one in Japan. Haunted by disasters, Yngwie faced a situation in which hurricane had destroyed his house in Miami, his manager had died in a heart attack and he had broken his hand preventing him playing. When his hand had finally healed Yngwie continued recording. The Seventh Sign came out in 1994, followed by Magnum Opus in 1995 and a cover album Inspiration in 1996, which was a tribute to his favourite artists. Then a dream come true: his first completely classical album briefly named as Concerto Suite for Electrical guitar and Orchestra in Eb minor, Op 1. The next album, Facing the Animal, was praised amongst critics and his fans. And during Facing the Animal tour was recorded Yngwie Malmsteen Live! - his solo career's first live album. There has been some releases after live album, for example War To End All Wars and Attack!!, but in my opinion they are below the average and not worth spending your time or money. |
Realaudio examples of Yngwie Malmsteen's guitarplaying |
|
Lightningfast solo |
Classy solo in Jimi |
Steeler |
1983 |
No Parole for Rock'n Roll(Alcatrazz) |
1983 |
Live Sentence(Alcatrazz) |
1980 |
Rising Force |
1984 |
Marching Out |
1985 |
Trilogy |
1986 |
Odyssey |
1988 |
Trial By Fire |
1989 |
Eclipse |
1990 |
The Yngwie Malmsteen Collection |
1991 |
Fire And Ice |
1992 |
Magnum Opus |
1995 |
Inspiration |
1996 |
Yngwie Johann Malmsteen Concerto |
1998 |
Facing The Animal |
1998 |
Yngwie Malmsteen LIVE!! |
1998 |
Alchemy |
1999 |
Anthology 1994-1999 |
2000 |
War To End All Wars |
2001 |
Concerto Suite Live |
2002 |
Attack!! |
2003 |
