It is true: As the many who know Yngwie, there are the many -- in the mainstream, natch -- who do not. He is a modern day classical composer of the 17th to the mid-18th century variety. Though you'll be scoffed at if you say so (I've surely been).

When Mike Varney of Shrapnel Records brought Yngwie over to form Steeler with Ron Keel -- the rock mags were all over it. That was back in the day when the market was flooded with "guitar virtuosos" such as Tony McAlpine who put out the M.A.R.S/Project: Driver album. Then there was David T. Chastain who had a solo career and a band, CJSS, going at the same time, that the rock press, loved. Paul Gilbert, another Shrapnel wonderkind, had the band, Racer X.

Just a very cool, rockin' time during those indie-metal vinyl album days of yore with Scrapnel, Combat, and Metal Blade. Great musicians and albums, all.

Personal note: Jeff Scott Soto and Mark Boals: favorite vocalist of all time. Should both be up there with Bruce Dickinson as far as (mainstream) name recognition when it comes to hard rock vocalists. Pipes to spare on those two belters.