The Shredding Legacy: Richie Faulkner on His Unique Father-in-Law, George Lynch
Table of Contents
- 1. The Shredding Legacy: Richie Faulkner on His Unique Father-in-Law, George Lynch
- 2. A Legacy of Strings: Richie Faulkner, George Lynch, and the Next Generation of Guitarists
- 3. How has Richie Faulkner’s relationship with Mariah Lynch and George Lynch influenced his musical journey and approach to guitar playing?
- 4. A Legacy of strings: Richie Faulkner talks Family, Inspiration, and the future of metal
- 5. A Shared Passion
- 6. The Influence of a Legend
- 7. A Next Generation Shredder
- 8. Building a Legacy
For JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Richie Faulkner, family gatherings have a distinctly metallic twist. Thanks to his wife Mariah Lynch being the daughter of shredding icon George Lynch, holidays transform into musical deep dives, fueled by guitar-centric conversations and a shared passion for legendary players like Eric Johnson, Michael Schenker, Ritchie Blackmore, and beyond.
“[George and I] start off on our best behavior, really,” Faulkner quipped in a recent interview with Masters of Shred. “We start off with our family and what’s been going on, and it gradually descends into the depths of shred and Eric Johnson, Michael Schenker, Ritchie Blackmore, with us watching clips on YouTube. Everyone else leaves the room and we are left in there talking about what we can’t [do on guitar]…We’ve been trying to emulate this stuff for years — Schenker, Blackmore; that’s why everyone’s doing it — but we just can’t do that, which is the unattainable goal, always, but that’s what keeps you striving.”
This shared love for the instrument has permeated through generations, reaching even young Mariah’s daughter, who has become an honorary member of the “shred club”.
“There’s people [who react] like that for [George]. They watch George. Especially, [JUDAS PRIEST] just went out to Japan. and we had George’s granddaughter with us. and everyone’s,like,’Is that George lynch’s granddaughter?’ they’re taking photos and whatever,buying her gifts and everything,” faulkner shared. ”He’s a legend,” he added, “you go to some stores and they’ve got the ESP section and stuff and they’ve got…Papa’s left his guitars there.[His granddaughter] can’t work out, ‘Well, why’s he left his guitars there?’ Do you know what I meen? So it’s sweet.”
Faulkner’s admiration for his father-in-law extends beyond their shared passion. Recognizing George’s unique place in the guitar world, he told Masters of Shred: “I’ve gotta say, he’s such a unique player. I mean, everyone knows it. it was him, [Steve] Vai. There’s a handful of them; there weren’t many of them. And everyone else was kind of — not copies, but everyone was trying to do that. And he was one of the originators. And he’s always had something unique. Even today,you sit down with him,you look at his hands — his hands are unique. You can tell that’s his hand, and the way he plays and the notes he goes for is just totally unorthodox.Especially at the time as well. So, he’s a really unique player and it’s a really valuable thing… He’s a legend, he’s an icon.”
George Lynch, in a separate interview with Let’s Rock in October 2023, echoed this sentiment, describing Faulkner’s talent as “natural.” “That guy is just good beyond his — he’s not even aware how good he is; he’s just so good.[[[[Laughs]He reminds me of my guitar teacher when I was a kid coming up. I had this guy. And he was so mature in his playing. and this was — whenever it was — late ’60s, early ’70s, I guess. and his hands were just so mature. His vibrato, his phrasing — everything; he had it all. And I’s just feel, like, ‘Oh.’ I wanted to be like [him]. I’d look forward to my lessons every week and I always wanted to impress him, and I could never get there.”
With a bond forged through music that spans generations, the Faulkner and Lynch families stand as a testament to the enduring power of passion and the legacy of musical innovation.
A Legacy of Strings: Richie Faulkner, George Lynch, and the Next Generation of Guitarists
The world of heavy metal is steeped in legacy, and few names resonate as powerfully as george Lynch and Judas Priest. Their influence transcends generations, shaping the sounds of countless musicians, including the current guitarist for judas Priest, Richie Faulkner. Faulkner has not only stepped into the shoes of a legend, filling the void left by K.K. Downing,but also forged a unique bond with Lynch himself,a testament to the enduring power of musical kinship.
Faulkner’s admiration for Lynch is evident. He describes him as having “this mature style that’s just so deep, where I’m just wrestling around trying to come up with something, and he’s just, like, ‘It’s all right there.’ it’s just, ‘Goddamn it.'”
lynch’s own sentiment towards Faulkner runs equally deep, describing him as “a very sweet, luminous, talented man and I feel very blessed that he is taking care of my daughter the way he has. And I really appreciate him so much.” The familial bond extends beyond words, as the two guitarists find common ground in their shared passion, spending evenings jamming both classic Priest tracks and Eric Johnson blues.
The influence of these titans of guitar extends beyond their musical contributions. Lynch sees the spark of their legacy in Faulkner’s daughter, already wielding a bright pink flying V fitted with EMG pickups. “It’s the next in line of that heritage — George Lynch, LYNCH MOB, DOKKEN, there’s JUDAS PRIEST in there, and now we’ve got a little princess,” he notes, with a hint of pride. “So she’s the next in line in the gunslingers.”
Faulkner’s journey is a testament to the enduring power of influence, passion, and dedication. He has not only followed in the footsteps of giants but also carved out his own path, shaping the future of heavy metal while honoring the legacy of those who came before him.
How has Richie Faulkner’s relationship with Mariah Lynch and George Lynch influenced his musical journey and approach to guitar playing?
A Legacy of strings: Richie Faulkner talks Family, Inspiration, and the future of metal
Richie Faulkner, the lead guitarist for heavy metal legends Judas Priest, holds a unique place in the world of music. Not only is he carrying on the torch of a legendary band, but he’s also the husband of Mariah Lynch, daughter of shred guitar icon George Lynch. This blend of family and musical heritage has created a fascinating dynamic, with Faulkner being immersed in a musical world unlike any other.
A Shared Passion
“It’s pretty surreal,” faulkner admitted in a recent interview. “Whenever we get together as a family, it tends to descend into a guitar geek-out session. We watch clips of Eric Johnson, Michael Schenker, Ritchie Blackmore – all those guys who inspire us.There’s a constant back and forth, dissecting their playing and trying to figure out how they do what they do.”
The Influence of a Legend
Faulkner’s admiration for his father-in-law is evident. “George is such a unique player. He’s always had this mature style, a real depth to his playing. It’s like he’s just effortlessly tapping into something special.We spend a lot of time jamming together, especially classic Priest songs.It’s a real privilege to learn from someone like him.”
A Next Generation Shredder
The shared passion extends beyond Faulkner and Lynch.
“Even my stepdaughter is getting into it,” Faulkner chuckled. “She’s got herself a shining pink Flying V fitted with EMG pickups. She’s already talking about starting lessons.It’s like the lineage is continuing in a cool way.It’s definitely something special to see that passion passed down through generations.”
Building a Legacy
Faulkener’s own journey as a guitarist is equally remarkable. Stepping into the shoes of Judas Priest’s legendary guitarist K.K. Downing was no small feat, but Faulkner has not only maintained the band’s soaring standards but also brought his own unique flair to their sound.
“I think the moast vital thing for me is to always keep pushing myself,to keep learning and evolving as a musician. We’re part of a tradition, and it’s up to us to keep that flame burning brightly. That’s what keeps me going.And maybe, in some small way, inspire the next generation of shredders out there.”
As Faulkner and Lynch continue to rock the world together, one thing is clear: the legacy of heavy metal is in good hands.