Alright, folks, buckle up! Today, we’re diving into a spicy slice of guitar lore that’s sure to ruffle some strings: Yngwie Malmsteen’s take on Eddie Van Halen’s so-called “mistake.” Yeah, you heard that right. But before you start sharpening your pitchforks, let’s unravel this electrifying tale.
In a recent interview with MusicRadar, Yngwie Malmsteen—our favorite Swedish shredder—dropped a truth bomb about the rock guitar scene. He observed that many legendary players, from Angus Young to Eric Clapton, often drew inspiration primarily from other guitarists. According to Yngwie, this creates a bit of an “incestuous” loop, where guitarists are essentially recycling licks and tricks from their predecessors. It’s like a musical echo chamber, and Yngwie wasn’t shy about pointing it out.
Malmsteen said: “The thing is, I love Angus Young and Eric Clapton. I love all the guitar players, all the greats. I think they are all brilliant, everyone from Brian May to Van Halen to Blackmore. They are all amazing.”
He continued: “But they all seem to have one thing in common, which is not so strange in a way, but it’s that their biggest influences and favourite kinds of musicians growing up were other guitar players. Here’s the next part; the guitar players they were listening to were listening to another guitar player, and on and on and on. Very incestuous.”
Malmsteen further explained: “And the only thing I see that’s a problem with this is that it’s a very specific box, a guitar mechanical box way of approaching a key – a ‘B’, a ‘D’, or whatever you want to play a solo in – and that’s the trap that you can fall into.”
So, where does Eddie Van Halen fit into this narrative? Yngwie’s critique isn’t a direct jab at Eddie but rather a commentary on the broader trend of guitarists drawing inspiration solely from their six-string peers. By this logic, the “mistake” isn’t about Eddie’s playing—because, let’s face it, the man was a virtuoso—but about the missed opportunity when musicians limit their influences.
Yngwie suggests that by looking beyond the guitar—say, to classical composers or other instrumentalists—musicians can break free from conventional patterns and discover new realms of creativity.
Malmsteen developed his distinctive style through a unique journey of musical exploration. Historical documentation shows Malmsteen’s innovative spirit through his equipment choices. He customized his signature Fender Stratocaster with a scalloped fretboard. This modification allowed him to create his distinctive classical-infused rock sound.
His revolutionary approach has inspired a new generation of musicians. Notable guitarists like Marty Friedman and Vinnie Moore followed Malmsteen’s example by exploring beyond traditional guitar techniques.
