87 Quotes by Yngwie Malmsteen

This was a huge, huge undertaking. I composed this concerto from the ground up. It took about two years total to compose, but there were interruptions when I was touring and making rock albums,

I'm completely stunned that the DVD came out as great as it did. There was some greater power watching over us. It was a huge challenge, ... We only had about a half day's rehearsal and were supposed to film for two nights but only did one night. I also did all my playing by memory without the score in front of me. Maybe the crazy circumstances made it better.

I don't personally know Michael Angelo or his music, but regarding contests and who is faster or whatever. It doesn't interest me. Trying to determine who picks more notes per second is ridiculous. What is important is the quality of the music and how well it speaks to fans who love it.

The classical world is a completely different planet from the rock world. But I was welcomed with open arms by the orchestra musicians. I walked into their world, they didn't walk into mine. Once I worked with them they were very impressed and I gained their acceptance.

The classical realm is dying because nobody cares about new classical composers. My concerto suite was an injection of something new,

I'm working on guitars for free, because I love working on guitars anyway.

My mom really wanted me to be a musician so she gave me a guitar for my fifth birthday, but I didn't start playing till I was seven.

The only thing I ever really wanted was a Strat .. I started playing guitar after seeing Jimi Hendrix on TV the day he died...then I got Deep Purples' Fireball album which was also a big influence .. I have a collection of more than 200 of them that includes Strats from every year since March 1954 - the first month the Strat was made

I wasn't very big on going to school. I tried to get a gig as a luthier.