Jake E. Lee Clarifies Yngwie Malmsteen Comments: “I Never Said He Was a Sh*t Guitar Player”

🎸 The world of heavy metal guitar has been buzzing since former Ozzy Osbourne shredder Jake E. Lee publicly vented his feelings about neoclassical legend Yngwie Malmsteen. Now, Lee is back to set the record straight, specifically addressing the headline-making controversy that erupted following his blunt appraisal of the Swedish guitarist. While standing firmly by his critique of Malmsteen’s personality, Lee insists that he has never questioned Malmsteen’s formidable technical skill as a musician.

The Initial Uproar: A Matter of Attitude

The saga began this past October during an appearance by Lee on the “Talk Toomey” podcast. Lee, promoting the second album, Patina, from his Red Dragon Cartel project, made some explosive remarks about Malmsteen. He was quoted as calling the virtuoso an “arrogant f**king a**hole” and claiming Malmsteen was “only really good at one minute aspect of the art of playing guitar.”

These comments quickly went viral within the rock music community, generating debate over the merits of technical proficiency versus musical scope, and of course, fueling the ongoing drama between iconic guitar players.

Clearing the Air on “The Eddie Trunk Podcast”

Seeking to clarify the viral soundbite, Lee recently addressed the topic on “The Eddie Trunk Podcast.” Host Eddie Trunk prompted Lee to elaborate on what Trunk described as the original statement that Yngwie was a “sh*t guitar player.”

Lee was quick to correct the assumption, emphasizing the distinction between a personal critique and a musical one.

> “I never said he was a sh*t guitar player,” Lee stated definitively. “I don’t remember how it came up… And I won’t say I regret it — I stand by everything I said. And I never questioned his ability as a guitar player, really. He’s a phenomenal guitar player. I question his person, his being.”

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The Unwavering Personal Verdict

While walking back the perceived attack on Malmsteen’s musicianship, Lee doubled down on his assessment of his character. Lee admitted that perhaps his critique should have remained private, but stressed that his negative view of the guitar legend is widely shared across the music industry.

“Like I said, I kind of wish I never said it, but he’s an arrogant a**hole,” Lee continued. “He is. Everybody in the industry knows it. Nobody really says anything. And I brought it up and I shouldn’t have. ‘Cause it’s a personal opinion and it probably should have stayed personal.”

Lee’s comments highlight a long-standing tension between the public persona of rock stars and the private dynamics within the music industry.

The Takeaway for Guitar Enthusiasts and Fans

This clarification from the Red Dragon Cartel leader is important for guitar enthusiasts. It solidifies the position that while Jake E. Lee acknowledges Yngwie Malmsteen’s undisputed brilliance as a guitar hero—a phenomenal player in the realm of neoclassical metal—Lee’s primary issue remains Malmsteen’s reputed arrogance and conduct. The controversy has sparked renewed discussion about both guitarists, putting a spotlight on Lee’s new album, Patina, and reminding fans of the intense personalities that often drive the heavy metal genre.