Yngwie Malmsteen: interviewed by Brian Rademacher at Rockeyez

Brian Rademacher: What do you feel your biggest accomplishment in music is?

Yngwie Malmsteen: The most rewarding thing is I’ve never compromised and I’ve done everything from the heart. I wanted to play honest music and a result of that I’ve influenced a lot of people. Growing up in Sweden as a kid they said I wouldn’t make it because I was playing off the beaten path so do speak, I was playing too crazy and too loud and too fucking fast. My music would never be commercial and I said this is what I do take it or leave it. I did everything blood, sweat and tears from the heart and didn’t do things to get on the radio and yeah back in the eighties I wrote a couple more slick tunes, I guess that was a small compromise. I am also happy with the longevity I’m very happy and blessed with that.

Brian Rademacher: How do you feel when a young kid guitarist comes up to you and asks for your autograph?

Yngwie Malmsteen: It’s great and awesome. It’s happens so much these days I think cause the YouTube thing. I remember people coming up to me and saying hey man what band you in and really didn’t know me but knew I was in a band now they know exactly who I am. I drive down the street and people are holding signs saying hey fucking Yngwie. I was a little skeptical with the whole YouTube thing and guitar hero but it all ended up being a good thing to me.

Brian Rademacher: Every time I talked with you, you always seemed gentleman like do you always keep that attitude?

Yngwie Malmsteen: I try to but if you step on my toe I might knock you in the teeth (laughing) I feel that if someone is content and happy there is no reason to be nasty. more