Born
30 June 1963. This Swedish-born 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, Trilogy, saw Soto replaced by ex- Ted Nugent
vocalist Mark Boals, which 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 And Ice debuted at number
1 in the Japanese charts, and introduced new vocalist Mike Vescera.
Malmsteen switched back to his old flamboyant style on No Mercy, however,
which featured classical material and a string orchestra. In 1996 he
joined with Jeff Scott Soto as Human Clay to issue their self-titled
debut. Malmsteen however is at his best when he is in control. His amazing
technique is really what the listener wants to hear.
