yngwie must need some cash

[Musiclogic]

yeah, Yngwie was never the friendliest, but I remember Eddie throwing out some barbs towards many players in the 80's metal scene, so it was commonplace for all of the bigs. Competition is competition no matter what the sport...LOL

btw, I like Chris Impelliterri myself for the speed thing, but him and Paul Gilbert are both head cases...LOL

[minime]

Looking back to the '60s, I can recall Rolling Stone accusing Alvin Lee of having "Methadrine Mentality". I guess my gripe with Yngwie is based on the well rehearsed pose I've seen in every "guitar mag" photo I've ever seen of him. Has anybody seen my mirror? Blatant narcisist!

[Chuck H]

I actually saw Yngwie at a local music store in San Jose, Ca... He was a real prick. The employees were glad to see him leave. They told me he comes in there when he's in town and the old timers hide in the back and let the new guy's deal with him. When I saw him he wasn't even casual. Done up with his big hair and leather tassel short crop chick coat. Oh, I forgot to mention eye liner. Very short with fans and worse with the guy helping him. Refused autographs and photos. I didn't get involved, just watched and thought "Who pissed in Yngwie's Cheerios?".

Chuck

P.S. Incredible player though, like it or not.

[copperheadroads]

that's quite a story Chuck cool i always imagined him just that way

[David Schwab]

I guess my gripe with Yngwie is based on the well rehearsed pose I've seen in every "guitar mag" photo I've ever seen of him. Has anybody seen my mirror? Blatant narcisist!

That's called "showmanship" ... or something like that.

[Musiclogic]

I have seen both sides of Yngwie. Met him in a bar at the Sheraton here in the late 80's, bought me a coke, and we talked for about a half hour, cool as all get out, about 10 years later met him in Dallas, and was a complete rockstar, attitude to spare, and demanding. I had heard from one of the brothers that used to play in Rising Force that he was kind of Jekyll and Hydeish, seemed so.

As for the pose thing, guess what, every rockstar does it, even Metallica(OMG). When musicians are prepped for appearences and photo shoots, there are levels they go through with their advance people from the record company or publicists. There is street(everyday attire and hair) greet(fan expectation grooming and attire) and Show( which is full out stage clothes and hair/makeup etc.). It depends on the handlers on how these people look in public and at what time. Some live the show look all the time, like Dennis DeYoung of Styx, or even Yngwie. They just can't let go of being "The Star" for a moment. There are so many like this in the industry, and just as many who are absolute salt of the earth.

[tedmich]

becoming a competent guitarist usually requires many many hours (10k plus by some estimates) spanking a plank alone and this is not, by definition, a highly social activity. Once famous you are deluged with personal attention that you are usually ill prepared to deal with. Thus the common intake of drugs in famous shy musician types, also adopting a detached douche bag persona. Keep an open mind and innocent attitude and you'll get destroyed in that world (RR/JH). Its pretty shitty traveling constantly and playing to stoned zombies nightly, although most here dream of this illusion. If Yngwie is happier buying cars he can sell some of his (+300?) cream strats more power to him; its healthier than his past overeating was.

[David Schwab]

becoming a competent guitarist usually requires many many hours (10k plus by some estimates) spanking a plank alone and this is not, by definition, a highly social activity. Once famous you are deluged with personal attention that you are usually ill prepared to deal with. Thus the common intake of drugs in famous shy musician types, also adopting a detached douche bag persona. Keep an open mind and innocent attitude and you'll get destroyed in that world (RR/JH). Its pretty shitty traveling constantly and playing to stoned zombies nightly, although most here dream of this illusion. If Yngwie is happier buying cars he can sell some of his (+300?) cream strats more power to him; its healthier than his past overeating was.

I agree 100%. It's also hard when you are getting older and might not be as famous as you used to be. Often the excesses of fame end with much worse behavior!

[Chuck H]

I can certainly understand it. Elliot Easton started with the Cars when he was around twenty. Came from NY and never learned to be anything but a rock star. He wasn't impolite, but almost. I understand from the singer in his band at the time that he's a really nice guy. I got a 'Certainly "HE" is not important enough to be addressing "ME".' kind of vibe. Steve Miller was the same way when I met him but I hear from people who met him more recently that he's softened up a lot. I do understand it. How many morons do people like Yngwie, Elliot and Steve meet that they never wanted to know at all, right? (Hey will you sign this napkin? Let me buy you a drink. Is that your girlfriend?..Gaherk) Still...

There are other guys just as famous who are nice and polite right from the start. Joe Walsh is an ordinary average guy (yuk, yuk) and Rick Emmit is so nice I can imagine him being the guy who gets stuck holding the door at a restaurant. Just saying, I do understand "how" the attitude happens, but it doesn't have to be like that.

Chuck

[dai h.]

some funny stories about Yngwie I've read. One about kicking him out of the van while Yngwie was hitchhiking(for being so obnoxious). Another was Yngwie challenging a fan to an armwrestling match (the fan happened to be with his girlfriend at the time). Yngwie lost. Egotastic fer sure.

[Musiclogic]

+10 to Chuck Ted, and David, so many possible contributors to "rockstar" attitude, unless you have been that person, you can never really know. I know many of us have met, played with, worked for, and hung out with these type of people, and the varying personalities are just as vast as society. I'll just say, I admire Yngwie for what he brought as a player, and enjoyed much of the music he played with Alcatrazz and Rising Force.

[Chuck H]

+1

I got to witness him being a turd to others, and I can still see the logic in why and marvel at his contribution. The dedication it took to master a technique that was fairly new territory is huge. To believe in what you do and love it that much?!? How many of us can say that??? You gotta take the good with the bad, right?

Chuck

[David Schwab]

Joe Walsh is an ordinary average guy (yuk, yuk)...

Joe's from the town I now live in, and has set up a lot of scholarship funds which get awarded each year. I was surprised to hear his name on so many of them this year when my son graduated.

I never met Joe, but I met his sister once.

[Chuck H]

My daughter graduated this year. Good stuff eh?

Well, I was just being funny with the song quote. I'd say that puts him well above ordinary or average.

Chuck

[David Schwab]

My daughter graduated this year. Good stuff eh?

Yes, and now my daughter is starting kindergarten, so it starts all over again... <sigh>

Well, I was just being funny with the song quote. I'd say that puts him well above ordinary or average.

Chuck

Oh I know, I was adding that he seems like a good guy, and not a rockstar prick. He plays well too.

Buzz Aldrin also went to Montclair High School, and THAT's exciting to me. He was one of my heros when I was a kid. They should have let him step on the moon first like he was supposed to. He was a lot cooler than that other guy.