Posted on 10/05/2001 10:29:55 AM PDT by danneskjold
Yngwie Malmsteen Tells Brazilian Audience “God Bless America And F*** You All” After “Star Spangled Banner” Is Booed
A small riot broke out during guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen’s headlining show in Porto Alegre, Brazil on Tuesday, October 2nd after the guitarist performed his rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner.” “Midway through the set, Yngwie finished his guitar solo spot with the ‘Star Spangled Banner,’” says touring keyboardist Derek Sherinian (formerly of prog-rock titans Dream Theater). “The crowd of about 1,500 people started immediately booing very loudly, and throwing shit on stage.” The crowd’s behavior forced the band members to storm off the stage, leaving their equipment susceptible to damage as a result of the objects being thrown by the angry audience.
“After Yngwie's solo we had about 5 more songs to play,” continues Sherinian. “All of my spirit was gone. I finished the set disgusted, and without looking at the crowd for the rest of the show. After the final song, the band went to the dressing room. I told Yngwie I refuse to go out for the encore under any circumstances, ‘F.CK THESE PEOPLE.’ Yngwie went back on stage by himself and played the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ again to a choir of loud boos. He then said on the microphone, ‘God Bless America and F*** YOU ALL’ and walked off stage. The crowd went into a riot and started throwing s*** on stage. We immediately were rushed back to our hotel. I have no idea of the status of our gear.”
“I want to thank Yngwie for taking my back, and for standing up for the USA.”
“I am currently the only American in Yngwie Malmsteen's touring band. What happened at last night's gig in Porte Allegre, Brazil was shocking. To see the Anti-American rallies on CNN is bad enough, but to be in the middle of one is scary beyond words. To the people in Porte Allegre, you should be ashamed of yourselves. I don't give a fuck if I ever play your peasant infested third world city again. God bless America.”
Sounds good to me. Thanks.
Are you kidding me? They're probably getting at least that much already. They're probably bucking for an even $1 billion.
Here was my note:
Subject: THANK YOU - New Customer and Fan
Appreciate the stand Yngwie took for the US in your recent concert in Brazil. I honestly admit that I had not heard of you before, but learned about this on a Conservative discussion forum, Free Republic.
You have a new fan. Without having heard your music even, I am now going to seek out and purchase a few of your CDs!
Thanks Again!
bluefish
P.S. How does one pronounce "Yngwie"?
Here was the reply:
Thanks for your message to Yngwie!
I'll be calling Yngwie after he gets home on Saturday, and will get his complete opinion about the entire incident.
He believes the people attending the concert misunderstood him. For many years now, Yngwie has been emulating Jimi Hendrix's Woodstock performance of the USA National Anthem theme into his extended solo, with no bad response from his audiences. It never occurred to him that anything different would happen at the show in Porto Alegre (no problems in any of the other South American shows before it). But I do fault the South American promoter for not warning him that some states in Brazil are strongly anti-U.S., and that it could be a bad decision to play the anthem onstage.
As for repeating the anthem after the boos, if you know Yngwie at all, you will realize that he could not let that go unanswered, even though he did not fully understand the political climate of Porto Alegre and why the shouts of "Bin Laden" and "Osama" were being yelled at him. After all, he has lived in the U.S. longer than in Sweden, and his son is an American citizen born in the U.S. In hindsight, his words might not have been the most prudent thing to say, but it was a very predictable emotional response to an emotionally charged situation. His only intention is to play music, and the anthem theme has been part of his solo performance since he saw a video of Hendrix playing it at Woodstock - it was not a political issue for him until the audience started to boo at him and shout Bin Laden's name.
Fan Club Director
P.S. His name is pronounced "ING-vay". Here's his website: www.yngwie.org
I used to think these people were backward and ignorant (uneducated) because they were poor. I now see they are poor because they are backward, ignorant, and probably none too bright to begin with.
Usually when I see great players I am inspired to go home and practice & create. Not so with Phil. I wanted to go home and sell everything I have related to music...I mean whats the point!!!?
No I'm not quitting, its just that seeing him perform makes me feel like musically i've been riding along in a 10th century ox cart for the past 20 years while he is cruising the universe at warp 10+.
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