In a new interview with Total Guitar, Yngwie Malmsteen addressed what he believes are misconceptions about him and his favorite guitar player.
He mentioned Eddie Van Halen as his favorite and wants to jam with him.
Here’s the complete statement:
“There are quite a few misconceptions about me. I think some people misunderstand what I’m doing; they believe I’m an egomaniac. The truth is, I’m a very focused person. My way of creating things is unlike rock ‘n’ roll musicians. I don’t have a band; I’m not in a band.
“I look at it more like a painter who locks the door of the room and just paints. I do the foreground, I do the background, I frame it. Then I take it outside and say, ‘Here’s my painting!’.
“I don’t let anyone else put their paintbrush near it. People might think that’s an egomaniac thing – no, it’s an artist thing; I’m a creator.”
On his favorite guitar player, Yngwie replied:
“If I could pick any guitarist alive to jam with, Eric Clapton would be good. Or Eddie Van Halen;
He adds further:
I love Eddie but he doesn’t say hi to me. I don’t really know what he’s doing these days.
‘So probably Clapton then!