Yngwie Malmsteen

Yngwie Malmsteen calls former singers "hired hands," slams brand-clinging exes

Yngwie Malmsteen, the Swedish guitarist best known for wielding his fretboard like a flamethrower, pulls no punches as he calls out several of his former vocal collaborators. The 62-year-old accuses them of opportunism, alleging they’re “all trying to capitalize” on his brand long after their contractual ties dissolved.

Despite sharing stages in his early solo years with names like Jeff Scott Soto and Mark Boals, Malmsteen emphasizes their status as mere “hired” voices, not co-architects of his career.