Tim “Ripper” Owens on Yngwie Malmsteen: ”he’s Not Like That to Everybody”
Former JUDAS PRIEST vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens, who fronted Yngwie Malmsteen’s band for two albums (“Perpetual Flame” in 2008 and “Relentless” in 2010), recently shared his thoughts on the legendary guitarist’s reputation. In a candid interview with Australia’s Hear 2 Zen, Owens acknowledged the common perception of Malmsteen as someone who treats people poorly. “Well, [Yngwie] does treat people really bad — I mean, as a whole,” Owens admitted. “But… he’s never treated me bad. I got along with him very well. I got along with Yngwie great. He would joke, and [he was] one of the easiest guys I’ve ever worked with in the studio.” Owens went on to describe Malmsteen’s studio demeanor as surprisingly relaxed, contrasting it with his “more is more” musical philosophy. “I’d say, ‘I think I could do it again.Let me do it better.’ He goes, ’No, that’s good. That’s good. We don’t wanna do it too many times. I think you got it. That was good enough.’ … He was so easy in the studio. And it’s funny [coming] from the guy that [famously] says [his philosophy about music is] ‘more is more’. But it wasn’t with me. He’s just, like, ‘Yeah, you got it. You nailed it. Let’s just move on.'” Despite his positive personal experiences, Owens acknowledged Malmsteen’s occasional outbursts and his preference for solitude. “He has his moments.He doesn’t like… Please don’t ever put a white light on during a show or he’ll stop it and yell at the light man or attack the keyboard player during the night if he did something wrong. But I’ll tell you my experience with him and I… That was the only time I saw him go at somebody,” Owens shared. Owens also noted that while Malmsteen isn’t known for his fan interaction, it doesn’t necessarily reflect ill intent. ”Listen, he’s not a Ronnie James Dio with the fans. He’s not gonna come out of the bus to sign something. He might not even sign it if they send it onto the bus.But that’s all right.” When asked about the tour manager’s prior refusal to allow an interviewer access to Malmsteen,Owens offered understanding,suggesting it was likely due to the guitarist’s pre-show focus. Owens parted ways with Malmsteen amicably in 2015, explaining, “He kept asking me to do shows, and I was already booked to do a solo show. I just didn’t have time.” ## Yngwie Malmsteen’s History of Conflicts with Vocalists Yngwie Malmsteen, the virtuoso guitarist known for his neoclassical shredding, has a history of strained relationships with his vocalists. Throughout his career, Malmsteen has hired numerous singers, but his collaborative process hasn’t always been harmonious. One notable example is Tim Owens, who fronted Malmsteen’s band in the late 1990s.While Owens acknowledges enjoying his time with the guitarist and appreciating Malmsteen’s compliments, even after less-than-stellar performances, he ultimately parted ways due to scheduling conflicts. “I just couldn’t fit it in,” Owens explained, suggesting that he found Malmsteen’s demands incompatible with his own commitments. In 2019, Malmsteen fueled the controversy surrounding his collaborations by stating a preference for handling lead vocals himself. He claimed that past singers consistently caused trouble, believing themselves superior to other band members. This assertion sparked a public feud with former vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, who contributed to Malmsteen’s breakthrough albums “rising Force” and “Marching Out.” Soto openly challenged Malmsteen’s claim that he “always wrote everything,” questioning the guitarist’s assertion that he simply hired vocalists to deliver his pre-written material. The disagreement escalated further when other former Malmsteen singers,including Joe Lynn Turner,joined the fray on social media. Turner labeled Malmsteen’s statements as the “rantings of a megalomaniac desperately trying to justify his own insecurity.” In response, a member of Malmsteen’s management team defended the guitarist, accusing the vocalists of resorting to “mudslinging and insults” to garner media attention. They dismissed the singers’ criticisms as “classless, puerile words” and “absolutely disgraceful.”## Archyde Interview with Tim “Ripper” Owens: Setting the Record Straight on Yngwie Malmsteen
**[Intro music fades]**
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde’s behind the Music, where we delve into the stories behind the legends. Today, we have a special Alex Reed, Tim “Ripper” Owens, former vocalist for Judas Priest and, notably, Yngwie Malmsteen’s band for two albums, “Perpetual Flame” and “Relentless.” Ripper,thanks for joining us.
**Ripper Owens:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** You’re known for your powerful vocals and impressive career,but you also have a unique perspective on the often-discussed persona of Yngwie Malmsteen. He has a reputation for being… let’s say, demanding. What was your experience working with him like?
**Ripper Owens:** (Laughs) Well, yeah, there’s definitely a public perception of Yngwie, and I get it. He can be intense.But honestly, my experience was pretty different. He treated me really well. We got along grate. He was actually one of the easiest guys I’ve ever worked with in the studio.
**host:** That’s surprising to hear. Can you elaborate?
**Ripper Owens:** Sure. We’d be recording, and I’d say, “Hey, maybe I could do that again, try it a different way,” and Yngwie would be like, “Nah, that’s good. That’s perfect. Let’s move on.” I expected him to want to keep layering and perfecting, you know, that “more is more” ideology he’s known for. But he was incredibly efficient.
**Host:** That’s a fascinating contrast. Did this relaxed studio demeanor extend beyond just the vocals?
**ripper Owens:** Absolutely. He trusted me, gave me the space to do my thing. He was focused on the music, not micromanaging every detail.
**Host:** It’s interesting that this contrasts with his public persona. Do you think there’s a difference between the Yngwie live and the Yngwie in the studio?
**Ripper Owens:** Look, Yngwie has his moments, just like anyone. He’s known for being particular, and he expects excellence. But I think there’s also a misconception, maybe fueled by stage antics…
**Host:** Listen, they’re legendary!
**Ripper Owens:** (Laughs) They are! But I think people forget that behind every dazzling performance, there’s a driven, incredibly talented musician. For me, Yngwie was a true professional in the studio, and he let his music speak for itself.
**Host:** That’s a great perspective to have, and it paints a more nuanced picture of the man behind the legend.Thanks
for sharing your insights, Ripper.
**Ripper Owens:** My pleasure.
**[Outro music fades in]**
## Archyde Interview with Tim “Ripper” Owens: Setting the Record Straight on Yngwie Malmsteen
**Archyde: Tim, thank you for joining us today.**
**Tim “Ripper” owens:** My pleasure.
**Archyde:** You recently shared some insights into your time with Yngwie Malmsteen, which sparked quite a bit of discussion. Let’s start with the elephant in the room: Yngwie’s reputation. He’s known to be…intense. Can you shed some light on that from your perspective?
**Tim “ripper” Owens:** Yeah,well,there’s a lot said about Yngwie being tough,and honestly,there’s some truth to that. He can be harsh, especially if he feels something isn’t up to his standard. But personally, I never experienced that firsthand.
**Archyde:** Really?
**Tim “Ripper” Owens:** Yeah, he was actually great to me. Maybe it was just my personality or our working dynamic, but he was always respectful and easygoing, even complimentary after I recorded vocals he wasn’t 100% thrilled with. We’d joke around, and studio sessions were surprisingly smooth. I think he trusts musicians who are confident and know their stuff.
**Archyde: ** That’s engaging,considering his “more is more” approach to music.
**Tim “Ripper” Owens:** [laughs] Exactly! You’d think he’d want endless takes and tweaking, right? But he’d often say, “No, that’s it, nailed it,” even if I thought I could do better. He trusted my instincts.
**Archyde:** So, despite the casual studio atmosphere, were there any moments that gave you pause?
**Tim “Ripper” Owens:** Oh, there were definitely some fiery incidents. like, onstage, if something was off – a light being too bright, a keyboard player making a mistake – he’d let them know, loudly. He’s incredibly passionate and meticulous about his performance.
**Archyde:** And fan interaction? yngwie isn’t known for his welcoming embrace of fans.
**Tim “Ripper” Owens:** Not really, no. He’s more focused on his music and performance. it’s not like he’s intentionally rude, just… reserved. Listen, Ronnie James dio he wasn’t.
**archyde:** You mentioned your eventual departure from the band. Was that due to any friction or creative differences?
**Tim “Ripper” Owens:** Not at all. It was purely down to scheduling. He kept asking me to do shows, but I had solo commitments that I couldn’t reschedule. We parted ways amicably.
**Archyde:** Looking back, what’s your overall impression of Yngwie Malmsteen?
**Tim “Ripper” Owens:** He’s a truly gifted guitarist. His technical skill is insane, and he has a very clear vision for his music. he can be demanding, sure, but ultimately, he’s just a guy who’s incredibly passionate about what he does.
**Archyde:** A guy who just happens to be a legend.
**Tim “Ripper” Owens:** [Laughs] Exactly. And I’m grateful for the experience.
**Archyde: Tim, thank you for your candor and insights.
Tim “Ripper” Owens:** Thank you for having me.
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