For more than 40 years, Yngwie Malmsteen has stood as rock’s supreme neoclassical shredder. In that time – since bursting onto the scene with Steeler and Alcatrazz in the early 1980s, before beginning his now-22-album-strong solo career – the Swedish guitarist has crossed paths with virtually every major rock and metal figure of the era.
“I know them all,” says Malmsteen, who recently celebrated his 40th anniversary as a solo artist with the two CD+DVD concert recording Tokyo Live. In fact, he adds, “it would be quicker for me to mention to you the people I haven’t met and hung out with”.
