Unruly behavior from guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen: Graham Bonnet recounts tales of disrespect on stage, including embarrassing antics and near-choking incidents during performances.
In the world of heavy metal, few bands have experienced as much drama as Alcatrazz. Formed in 1983, the band was a supergroup of sorts, featuring Yngwie J. Malmsteen, a fast-rising guitar prodigy, and Graham Bonnet, an experienced vocalist from Rainbow and Michael Schenker Group.
At the tender age of 19, Malmsteen joined Alcatrazz, bringing his blistering speed and Ritchie Blackmore-inspired playing style to the band. Their debut album, No Parole From Rock N Roll, was critically acclaimed, with standout tracks like Island In The Sun and Hiroshima Mon Amour co-written by Bonnet and Malmsteen.
However, creative tensions and personality clashes soon emerged, typical of bands with strong personalities. Malmsteen, known for his strong artistic vision and temperament, often clashed with his bandmates, particularly Bonnet.
One incident occurred during a US show, where Malmsteen accused Bonnet of pulling out the cord of his guitar during a solo. Bonnet, on the other hand, insisted it was an accident. Tensions escalated backstage, with Malmsteen reportedly attacking Bonnet while drunk. A crew member intervened, preventing further harm.
Despite these incidents, the band released their second album, Disturbing The Peace, with Steve Vai replacing Malmsteen on guitar. However, Vai too left after one album to work with David Lee Roth.
Bonnet, who had also scored a solo hit in the UK with the song Night Games, found Malmsteen's stage behavior rude during the tour. The creative differences continued, leading Malmsteen to leave the band soon after.
Clive Burr, the drummer in Alcatrazz, had been a member of Iron Maiden. However, he left before they recorded No Parole From Rock N Roll, and was replaced by former Alice Cooper drummer Jan Uvena. The band's line-up also included Gary Shea and Jimmy Waldo, the bassist and keyboard player, who had played in the band New England.
Despite the drama, Alcatrazz continued, releasing one more album, Dangerous Games, featuring guitarist Danny Johnson, before splitting in 1987. Bonnet, who had quit drinking, eventually made peace with Malmsteen, acknowledging his past craziness. Malmsteen, for his part, apologized but was fired later that night.
Today, both Malmsteen and Bonnet are respected figures in the heavy metal world, their time together in Alcatrazz a testament to the creative tensions and personality clashes that can sometimes define bands with strong personalities.
"In the midst of the heavy metal world, Alcatrazz leveraged their unique chemistry, blending Malmsteen's captivating Ritchie Blackmore-inspired guitar work with Bonnet's powerful vocals, creating a magnetic form of entertainment infused with music."
"Despite their turbulent history, their music continued to resonate with fans, reflecting the dynamic interplay between creativity and personality, a hallmark of renowned artists in the heavy metal genre."
