Legendary Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen has publicly criticized a number of singers from his early solo profession, accusing them of making an attempt to revenue from his identify, catalog, and legacy.
The 62-year-old guitar virtuoso, who has labored with vocalists together with:
- Nick Marino (2013–current)
- Michael Storck (1978–1979)
- Jeff Scott Soto (1984–1985, 1986–1987)
- Mark Boals (1985–1986, 1996, 1999–2000, 2001)
- Joe Lynn Turner (1987–1989)
- Göran Edman (1989–1992)
- Michael Vescera (1993–1996)
- Mats Levén (1997–1998)
- Doogie White (2001–2008)
- Tim “Ripper” Owens (2008–2012)
Malmsteen took to social media on Thursday, December 18, to air his grievances. In his publish, Malmsteen made it clear that he views the singers he labored with as employed contributors, not artistic companions with any declare to his catalog: “So it has come to my consideration that these employed and paid singers that I employed for my solo information are all making an attempt to capitalize from my model!” Malmsteen wrote.
He continued: “Let’s be clear: acting on MY SOLO information doesn’t equal possession, authorship, or legacy. Writing a line right here and there would not make somebody a songwriter, and singing my materials would not make it theirs.”
Malmsteen emphasised that the vocalists have been paid on a work-for-hire foundation, likening their position to that of session musicians: “They have been merely given a wage (work for rent) to place down MY written elements, identical to the keyboard participant, bassist, drummer, and many others.”
Malmsteen went on to query the motivations of former collaborators who proceed to carry out or tour utilizing his identify and catalog.
“If the one method you possibly can tour or get consideration is by leaning on my model and utilizing my identify and album titles and my SOLO catalog, you then’ve already answered the query of who really constructed one thing,” he wrote. “What have they recorded/created the final 30, 40 years?”
Whereas Malmsteen didn’t identify any particular people, his remarks come amid current tour bulletins involving former Yngwie vocalists.
Earlier this month, Mats Levén introduced two exhibits in Japan in Might 2026, reportedly centered round materials from 1997’s Dealing with The Animal — the one Yngwie Malmsteen album Levén appeared on.
Moreover, Mark Boals and Michael Vescera have introduced a September 2026 European tour titled “The Seventh Trilogy Tour.” Promotional supplies for the trek invoice the pair as “The Voices Of Yngwie Malmsteen.”
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