Jimmy Waldo, keyboardist for Alcatrazz, recently reflected on Yngwie Malmsteen’s time with the band and his amicable departure. He shared his perspective on The Classic Metal Show.
Waldo described the circumstances of Malmsteen joining the band and the immediate connection they formed during their early collaborations. The band’s manager discovered Malmsteen, and the guitarist quickly impressed him with his approach to music, according to Waldo.
“When Yngwie auditioned for us, I didn’t find him. Our manager found him. And I kind of knew who he was. I knew he’d doing some stuff. And anyway, Yngwie came in and we did some Rainbow songs because Yngwie is a big Rainbow fan. So is Graham obviously. So, we did those songs, but Yngwie played like a demon, you know?” Waldo said.
What stood out about Malmsteen was not merely his technical speed, but his intensity and commitment to the music. Waldo highlighted the guitarist’s genuine passion and lack of pretense during performances.
“He just went for it. And I loved that, immediately. I didn’t care how fast he was playing. That did if it was it was a means to an end. It’s like he was burning it up. And not because he was that fast. It wasn’t about that. It was his aggression. And he was just into, man, the minute that song started, Yngwie is in that world. And I love that he wasn’t posing. There was this was no bullshit like I’m going to kill this song,” he continued.
The separation was handled with mutual respect and understanding when Malmsteen eventually exited Alcatrazz. Waldo made this clear in his remarks.
“And when Yngwie left, there was no bad feelings about that at all. Yngwie and I, we always got along and I always liked him. We always had fun. And so when he left it was I totally understood,” Waldo concluded.
Waldo’s recent comments provide clarity on a pivotal moment in rock history. Yngwie Malmsteen served as the original guitarist of Alcatrazz from 1983 to 1984, marking a brief but impactful tenure with the band. Despite some confusion surrounding his exit, the departure was ultimately a mutual and amicable one, as Waldo’s remarks confirm.
Malmsteen himself has set the record straight on his departure in Smashing Interviews, stating that he left Alcatrazz in 1984 to start his solo career. The decision came after the band’s tour in Japan in early 1984, when a Japanese record label offered him a solo recording deal. This opportunity proved too significant to pass up at such a critical juncture in his career.
The guitarist’s departure was swift but strategic. Bath Guitar School notes that Yngwie released his Grammy-nominated debut album Rising Force in late 1984 at just 21 years old. This remarkable achievement demonstrated the potential that had caught the attention of record labels and band members alike. His solo venture would establish him as one of the most influential guitarists of the era.
While some accounts have suggested tension surrounding Malmsteen’s exit, band members have worked to dispel these rumors. Gary Shea and Jimmy Waldo clarified misconceptions about Yngwie Malmsteen’s departure from Alcatrazz in a YouTube interview. They emphasized that the split was driven by opportunity rather than conflict. Waldo’s recent comments align with this narrative, reinforcing that the guitarist’s decision to pursue his solo ambitions was understood and respected by his bandmates.
Following Malmsteen’s departure, Steve Vai subsequently replaced him as guitarist. This allowed Alcatrazz to continue their musical journey while Malmsteen embarked on a legendary solo career that would span decades. The peaceful nature of this transition stands as a testament to the professionalism and mutual respect shared among the musicians involved.
