Yngwie Malmsteen to be inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk

Electric guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen, will be inducted into Hollywood’s RockWalk on Monday, October 13, 2008 at noon. Yngwie’s masterful technique, innovation, and flamboyant showmanship has mesmerized listeners since the early 1980s and inspired generations of aspiring guitarists around the world.

Born on June 30, 1963 in Stockholm, Sweden, Yngwie Malmsteen received his first guitar at the age of five from his mother, Rigmor. Originally having no interest in music, a September 18, 1970 TV special on the death of guitarist Jimi Hendrix became the day that the guitar-playing Yngwie was born. Yngwie immersed himself in music and spent long hours practicing the songs of Deep Purple. At the age of 15 Yngwie left school for good and formed the very first incarnation of Rising Force before moving to the United States in 1982 with only his ’71 Strat® and an extra pair of pants. He performed for the first time in the U.S. the very next year and then, after playing on an album by Steeler, he formed Alcatrazz. After it became clear that he would need to go solo to fully develop his talents, Yngwie released his first solo album, Rising Force, in 1981. The album made it to #60 on the Billboard charts and gained Yngwie a GRAMMY nomination for best rock instrumental performance.

With his place in guitar history firmly established, Yngwie has continued to inspire guitarists worldwide for over a decade. He has released many classic albums including Marching Out (1985), Trilogy (1986), Odyssey (1988), Fire & Ice (1992), The Seventh Sign (1994), Inspiration (1996), Facing the Animal (1997), Alchemy (1999), Attack!! (2002) and Unleash the Fury (2005). He has also shown his versatility by producing his first completely classical work, Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar and Orchestra in Eb minor, Op.1, in 1997. October 14, 2008 will see the release of his latest studio album, Perpetual Flame which he produced and engineered himself. The Fender® Custom Shop has also introduced the new Yngwie Malmsteen Tribute Series Stratocaster® guitar, a reproduction of Malmsteen’s beloved instrument that will be produced in limited edition.

Hollywood’s RockWalk is the only sidewalk gallery dedicated to honoring those artists who have made a significant impact and lasting contribution to the growth and evolution of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Blues and R&B. Yngwie Malmsteen’s handprints will reside alongside the handprints, signatures, and faces of other equally accomplished musicians and innovators such as Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Bonnie Raitt, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, John Lee Hooker and Earth Wind & Fire among numerous others.