Jimi Hendrix was never a musical influence but rather the impact of seeing him burning the guitar made me want to do the same.”
Wikimetal: First let me thank you for all the great music you’ve been creating for more than 30 years, so in the name of all the Brazilian Headbangers, thanks for everything you’ve been doing for rock and Metal and welcome to Wikimetal.
Yngwie Malmsteen: Thank you.
W: You’ve already been to Brazil a couple of times, so what are your expectations for the upcoming concerts and how is your relationship with the country?
YM: I will never forget the first time I played in Brazil it was the most amazing audience ever! Every time I have been back it has been the same, the fans are truly amazing.
W: When you released the first Rising Force album, did you know that it would be a landmark in rock history, creating and molding a new style, influencing guitar player all over the world for so many years?
YM: Simply….No. I just did what I thought felt right at that time the energy you know, you just let it flow.
W: On your official Website it says “The day Jimi Hendrix died, the guitar-playing Yngwie was born” regarding a TV special you watched about Hendrix when you were 7 years old. Was Hendrix one of your main influences? Who else you’d like to mention as being important on your decision of playing guitar and molding your style?
YM: Jimi Hendrix was never a musical influence but rather the impact of seeing him burning the guitar made me want to do the same. All my musical influences are Baroque classical composers.
W: If you have to pick one, which one it would be: Niccolo Paganini or J.S. Bach? Why?
YM: They are so different Niccolo Paganini was the ultimate virtuoso versus J.S Bach being the ultimate composer I would have to choose both.
I will never forget the first time I played in Brazil it was the most amazing audience ever! Every time I have been back it has been the same, the fans are truly amazing.”
W: We have a classic question on our show that we ask every single guest, which is, imagine you’re listening Heavy Metal songs on shuffle mode or you’re listening to a rock station while driving your car and all of a sudden a song starts that makes you lose your mind and you feel you need to start headbanging immediately, regardless of where you are you can’t stop, you can’t refrain yourself. Wzich song is that one?
YM: Niccolo Paganini Caprici no 5
W: You did so many nice things so far, ranging from having songs on the Rock Band videogame to playing the US National Anthem on baseball games and so on. What comes to your mind as the coolest thing you’ve done or the highlight of your career so far?
YM: There are so many great things it is hard to pick one.
W: How do you listen to music nowadays? Do you still buy CDs? Vinyls? Download? Stream?
YM: I buy downloads.
W: We had the opportunity to interview several artists that worked with you such as Derek Sherinian and Rudy Sarzo and all of them were 100% clear on saying that you are a very nice, easy-going and loving person. Why do you think there’s people that still picture you as being someone with a big ego?
YM: If someone says bad thing about me, it is probably because of jealousy and nothing else.
W: Can you choose a song that you are really proud of having written?
YM: Like an Angel and prelude to April both I composed for my wife. And there are just so many it is really hard to pick.
W: Can you please invite every single rock and roll fan in Brazil to the Yngwie Malmsteen concert in Brazil?
YM: YES! 🙂 They must all come to have a great time and enjoy life!!! BRAZIL ARE YOU READY TO ROCK!!!!
