Lol. If it wasn't for yngwie nobody would've given two shits about steeler or even remember who steeler were in 2024 aside the band itself and their moms. Same reason why we all clicked the video, cuz malmsteen is in the thumbnail and the video title.
Steeler was awesome but I'm glad Ron Keel what go out to form a band after his namesake KEEL! Although I don't listen to as much of Yngwie Malmsteen's style of shredding anymore like I used to, there's still a lot of great stuff on his Trilogy and Rising Force albums. You almost wonder what would've happened IF Yngwie Malmsteen had gone on to play in Whitesnake? I mean LOTS of great guitar players passed through that band (Vivian Campbell, Adrian Vandenberg, Doug Aldridge, John Sykes, & Steve Vai). But full PROPS & RESPECT to STEELER! 🤘🏾😎🎸
In all fairness, it was Yngwie the people came to see! I do like the album yes, but without YJM the album would've been just another hard rock album coming from USA, nothing less nothing more. So, no matter what you think of Malmsteen, you should be thankful he raised the album a bit more known \m/
You think so? being younger it's hard to piece out what modern perspectives from what the vibe would have been in LA at the time... I don't know, I'm just raising the question.
The reality was that Yngwie was in his own universe back then. So he was a little arrogant? Most geniuses are and quite frankly at his level of musical genius at only 20 years old trying to downplay him because of some personality traits just comes off like you are a sore loser. Yngwie is one of the greatest musical talents of all time!
I didn’t hear anyone crapping on the big Swede, just mentioning his arrogance, which we all know about. Yeah, back then Yngwie was just untouchable, nobody played like that because the technical level was just so far ahead of everything else. You watch that STARZ video, from hear n aid, it’s Yngwie….and nobody else. Lynch played some cool stuff but Yng made everyone look like a beginner.
Thanks for posting this interview. I'd say that the majority of the (positive) fans appreciate hearing the stories from back in the day, but, I gotta say, it does tend to bring out all the negative losers and trolls who either weren't there, or never did anything significant of their own or brought anything meaningful to the table. It might be easy for bottom feeders to dismiss the initial impact of Steeler on the L.A. scene at the time, however, ultimately, Steeler did create a path for later bands who watched and learned how it was done. Recently in June of 2024, we did the first official Steeler video with a documentary to follow. The first Steeler song in 40 years "Give Me Guitars or Give Me Death" is now released and doing well on RUclips. It's included on the new KEELWORLD album. Not bad for a band that 'never went anywhere', while the old critics who never did anything are still complaining trolls. Our love goes out to the REAL Steeler fans who've supported us since the beginning ❤️🔥👍🏻🤘🫡🇺🇸 American Metal, American Thunder 🤘
Wow, you're a real, mature adult, aren't you? Calling people "bottom feeders" for not liking a band you like isn't at all like a little child crying about how stupid and mean people are, all while proving how stupid and mean YOU are. Insecure little b1tch.
I get transported to the best years of my life with these interviews... did not see Steeler play but I did get to catch Keel opening for Crüe 1987 ... I was 17 🤘🏼🎸
@@mickedanielsson just his signature, but we talked some football. Dolphins fan turns out. loves football, has only 1 t shirt a dolphins shirt..or so he said.
@@robertturner1550 Yeah because most today are beating off to OF girls rather than listening to rock. When they are not doing that, they are listening to Diddy and Swift. You realize, right, that Yngwie was big when rock was at its zenith, right?
@@johnp.johnson1541 I remember when Yngwie entered a guitar contest in Guitar Player Magazine when he was still in his teens. I remember when Marc Varney saw his entry and brought him over from Europe. I saw Yngwie in concert for the Marching Out tour, I was in the front row, when he was at his very best. I lived through it all. Yes I know all about Yngwie!
GREAT interview! I heard so much about STEELER back in the day when I lived in NYC. Heard their tunes on WSOU in New Jersey and bought the album. Yngwie blew me away! You have the best interviews by far. Keep them coming. 8)
The only Steeler song I remember is Hot on your Heels. Spent hours in my bedroom learning that and bought a delay so I could get the effect in the beginning. Good memories
If he'd worded it more politely, and with his own suggestions. It surely would've gone down better. But, this was Yngwie, now in America. He knew he was going to quit to move to something better or his own ship. If Yngwie truly wanted to stay in Steeler, he wouldn't have said it as brazen as he had.
Great album. Excellent playing from all. I still listen to it. I believe the drummer Mark quit playing many years ago due to an accident and is a CEO of some sort of modeling agency. Think he was also the drummer in the band LION with Doug Aldrich back in the day.
I think I would have some attitude too if I was asked to come over from Europe and when I arrive in a place where I know no one or nothing and I have no money, I'm told I'm moving into some roach infested shit hole.
Ron lived in Sioux Falls South Dakota for a while (where I live) he had the Ron Keel Band here and they were kick ass. I also had the first Steeler cassette in my youth, great to hear they have new stuff out. Thanks for some history of Steeler rock on.
He still lives here. Just ran into him at two different concerts, Styx/Foreigner and then Queensryche a few weeks later. Great guy, down to earth, friendly and gives a helluva lot to charity events around here!
that travers tour was insane. the calderone show on long island a few nights after the paladium was broadcast on wlir radio and is here on yt. you will be very impressed.
Keel kicked ass live. Seen them 84 or 85 Heavy metal explosion opening for Helix and Accept. But I kind of hate to say it. I agree with Yngwie. The music was. Well I didn’t really listen to them too much , I tried though 🤷♀️ wasn’t bad. But Accept was like my favorite at that time. ❤🔥just right before I heard of Savatage and Metallica in that time frame. I mean come on 😂
Seems like Full In Bloom has become the channel for rock 'n' roll casualties and burnouts. Ron Keel had the man who would become, along with Eddie Van Halen, one of the two most influential players of the 80s but Keel couldn't get out of the way of his own ego. Of course Yngwie thought Ron's music was boring. Malmsteen had been raised on Bach, Paganini and Rachmaninoff. Keel was singing about a backseat driver. Come on now! Malmsteen went on to become a legend and Ron Keel went on to become known as the guy who sang on Yngwie Malmsteen's American debut.
I was thinking the same thing. Malmsteen was a child prodigy, but most musicians are retards, so you can't really fault them for not understanding what they were looking at. All they probably thought was "we're gonna be huge and fuck a bunch of chicks". The Strip wasn't exactly a "Mensa rich" area in the 80s. They lost him as soon as they got him and Steeler got sucked into the void.
My memories from back then are that Mike Varney was discovering shredders, getting them in bands, and putting out albums. Most of the bands weren’t that cohesive, but you bought the albums for the quality of the guitarists. We got Steeler because it was a Varney album not because it was an Yngwie album. No one had heard of him.
It seems the fans agreed ..it all was pretty boring. Nobody but the deepest of metal fans know who Steeler were. Basically if it weren't for malmsteen nobody would be talking about them.
I only found out about that album because of Shrapnel records, Mike Varney was pushing people like Tony MaCalpine, David Chastain and Vinnie Moore so it wasn’t a hard sell for me to buy the Steeler album or anything else he was showcasing at the time.🍻
Absolutely not true. I was there. You weren't. That's easy to say if you weren't there. Steeler was one of the cornerstone bands along with Crue, Ratt and Quiet Riot in the explosive L.A. Rock scene.
That is wrong, their talent did reach ears in the UK. I found Steeler because of Ron Keel. I am a massive fan of the Keel/Steeler stuff and have been since I was a kid in the 80s. I still spin the Steeler record.
OMG, I remember seeing Yngwie at the Kabuki Theatre in San Fran, first show with Rising Force. I went to go use the bathroom, and all my friends got to go backstage while I was gone. They finally reappeared, and one of my friends said he was having a conversation with Yngwie, and my dumbass friend asked him, "SO Yngwie, is it true... Are you really God?" Rightly so, Yngwie told him to F... off and smashed a Becks beer bottle against the wall. Whenever somebody talks smack on Yngwie, I think of my idiot friend, and know that it's people like him that drive exceptional musicians like Yngwie to lose their patience, and then get criticized just because they don't want to suffer fools.
@@jonnybgood9376 Taylor Swift has lots of fans. What's your point? Yngwie could play their stuff with ease. They couldn't play like Yngwie to safe their lives.
@ Taylor Swift vs Yingwe in a guitar battle ? I don’t get your point at all son. My one point I think I made clear was that Steeler sucked & no one ever cared for them. Best of luck to Rik Fox Ron Keel & your self in the future. Obviously you guys all need it my god STEELER 😂
@ your now gonna compare Steeler to Taylor Swift really ? What is wrong with you people ? Yingwe is a better guitar player then Taylor Swift wow. Thanks for the info & irrelevant point.
I use to hang out at the Steeler Mansion in 83-84. I remember Ron Keel was so pissed that Malmsteen left him a $3,000 sprint phone bill when he left the band. Does anyone recall that? Then Kurt James joined Steeler. James is Kurt's stage name. Not sure I should reveal his real last name.
@@dominysynclair Very true. Everything was cramped the rehearsal room was very small. The so called mansion was not in a residential area. It was more industrial off a street. I wish I could remember the street. Not in an industrial complex. They had little spaces for each other blocked of with makeshift barriers. I remember sheets I believe as doors. I remember a single cover on the wall with the song Take Her Down on it. Lots of memories.
I remember reading from the YJM biography that it was a warehouse located somewhere off Washington Blvd/Venice Blvd. My curiosity was peeked because I lived near that area and it was pretty sketchy even in 2005, let alone early 80's. Coming from Sweden and moving to that version of L.A must have been a trip.
The funny part of this is, (A) after that 1st Country Club gig w/ Steeler, Yngwie immediately started looking for another band, so he could quit. And (B), Yngwie hated Rik SO bad, that when he wrote his biography, he chose to deny Rik what Rik craved most... His name is print. So thru Yngwie 's entire biography he purposely cut Rik out, only mentioning him once, & 3rd hand at that... Saying " the girlfriend of the guy playing bass for Steeler at the time, gave me a ride to 7-11... And that guy got fired before the Steeler record was released. " 🤣
I grow up in the 80’s and I was a rock fanatic. With that said I have heard of Malmasteen but I had never heard of Steeler. Maybe oh just maybe Malmastern said the songs were boring because they were and others thought so also.
Yes he was in a little pond in Sweden, then he arrived in the U.S and took over the bigger pond, nothing wrong with that. Yngve was driven and focused on a goal that he achieved a couple of years later... I was lucky enough to see him live with the best singers he had, Joe Lynn Turner, and a few years later, Edman.
Ha Ha! Sweden, the country that brought you abba!😂 Otherwise, this was a great presentation on a great 80s underground band👍I have this album and also the "Strike Back!" album. Jcm 800s kramer guitars, boss pedals, roland analog synths, sm 57 mics, and tascam 4 track cassette portastudios, was our gear and we did a lot with our gear! and without digital technology! Never became famous with it, but wherever we could play, be it club gig, house party or biker gang picnic, it was the Best Time of My Life! I lived off of the heavy metal bands that were on the metal blade, megaforce and combat record labels! Still have all of my 80s music gear to this day! Wouldn't trade it or sell it, ever.
I’ve heard this story many times and have to wonder….didn’t Yngwie hear Steeler before he came to the US? That had a song on Metal Massacre and a bunch of demos with the original guitarist, admittedly a pretty unspectacular one. What was he expecting ?
Malmsteen was sent a copy of the earlier Steeler demo or at least Varney gave him something to hear. Malmsteen would have already known some of what we sounded like before he ever left Sweden. Mike Varney or Ron could better answer that data point.
Thanks for the reply Rik. I figured as much. The way the album is produced seems very much a showcase for YM. I wouldn’t be surprised if Varney even told him it was just a stepping stone to bigger things. In the hands of a producer who really was into making a great album I think the songs would sound more cohesive and collaborative. I actually like the album and stuff like the solo he does for Born to Rock show he can adapt to a more L.A. sound. The lyrics though are pretty cringey, even for back then! “Little girl, waiting backstage, for your dream to come true…” 😂
@rikfox8812 Yngwie is a narcissist. He's never been able to maintain a position in a band, or keep a band of his own together. Yes hes is or was brilliant, but every other guy on RUclips is now better...
Awesome interview and I guess, my previous question on the commentary section that I asked to Mr. Rik Fox is caused the release of this part about the Malmsteen and his overall attitude to the entire band, when he was in Steeler. 😆 Very cool insight and details.
Randy Rhoads has been my favorite guitarist/ musician since Blizzard of Ozz was released in 1980. Still is. Always will be. Yngwie came to the u.s., and blew everybody away! If Randy had lived, I'm sure that they would have coĺlaborated on a project. Yngwie, love him, or hate him, his playing is still incredible, in my opinion. If you don't like him, don't listen to him!!!
By the way, for anyone who missed the memo, here's the new Steeler video which kicks ass... ruclips.net/video/aKxfj6KOHmA/видео.htmlsi=tP-w3u0FCQG_zQmA
I saw Metallica with Dave Mustaine a couple times in late 82 in a tiny club called The Woodstock in Anaheim, CA. Just next door to that club was another club called Radio City. Steeler played there but I missed it, and I was so pissed cuz I found out about the show a day later from a kook that went to the show but didn't even play guitar..
Awesome! 🤘👌 I talked to Rik many times privately and he's supercool but his hidden Polish stubborn soul strikes back when someone talks to him like a douche nozzle, that's my impression. I never flattened to him but he always respected me even if I tell him that I prefer W.A.S.P. Blackie/Randy/ Chris/Tony/Riley lineup bcs they first blew me away as well as that I luv Malmsteen. He's like older brother. Steeler...why many ppl here complain of Steeler and Backseet Driver sort of thing? Is that worse than Viking whose steel you will taste or that even you dunno who's disciple of hell?! Steeler album is awesome and rocking and much bigger than it looks like and not only bcs of Malmsteen imho. I heard Steeler much later and Gosh! It is rockin. Perhaps not for an American but for me for sure. One of best Yngwie's solos are on Steeler album. I got impression that Rik has huge respect for Ron, Dan Wrexler of Icon (Gosh! Icon was known and popular in Yugoslavia before many later huge acts, every true Metalhead still love their first album, within W.A.S.P. one of those bands that completely framed my heavy metal attitude), Chris Holmes, Nikki...He knows much and his side of story is part of history anyhow. There's huge difference between US and European points of view on heavy metal. What I came to know talking to Rik is how show business is cruel,the thing that I as a Yugoslavian heavy metal fan didn't look like that when I was younger. Rik has such great testimonies that never "killed child in me". I love to hear some untold stories from him but that cannot kill Santa Klaus that I built. Relax guys, don't be so nervous, enjoy r'n'r 🤘🍻
@JettMalone Perhaps but personally I don't have that impression. Believe or not as a historian I know him from research world and was surprised when I realized it was Rik Fpx of Steeler. How world is small 😊
The new guy? You guys were really dope! With out Yngwie, you are a phenomenal bass player...tell us more about people more successful and better than you.
In his memoir, He thought they were literally rich and living in a mansion, kinda miscommunication on terms on an overseas phone.He couldnt believe what he walked into.
first of all. Rick Fox is amazing... one of my top players on the Mt. Rushmore of Bass players. Nonetheless.... I had no idea Malmsteen played with Steeler.... now I have to find and listen to these songs. Malmsteen is.... well he's Malmsteen just a jerk. He has even dissed Satch as a guitar player. LOL! Malmsteen is socially clueless I believe.
Lol. If it wasn't for yngwie nobody would've given two shits about steeler or even remember who steeler were in 2024 aside the band itself and their moms. Same reason why we all clicked the video, cuz malmsteen is in the thumbnail and the video title.
exactly
I clicked the video bcs of Ron and then was surprised that Rik does interview.
@@zoranpavlovic9540There's sometimes that one guy.
Yeah actual facts
I was at that show at the country club. Malmsteen blew me away.
I saw him at the Troubadour. Later with Alcatrazz i saw him in 84 at the Country club!!! Still alive to talk about it! 🙂
That's so cool! No disrespect to Steeler but Yngwie must have been what everyone talked about that might and the day after, right?
Steeler was awesome but I'm glad Ron Keel what go out to form a band after his namesake KEEL! Although I don't listen to as much of Yngwie Malmsteen's style of shredding anymore like I used to, there's still a lot of great stuff on his Trilogy and Rising Force albums. You almost wonder what would've happened IF Yngwie Malmsteen had gone on to play in Whitesnake? I mean LOTS of great guitar players passed through that band (Vivian Campbell, Adrian Vandenberg, Doug Aldridge, John Sykes, & Steve Vai). But full PROPS & RESPECT to STEELER!
🤘🏾😎🎸
@@mickedanielsson Oh Yes, when Yngwie hit the music scene here in LA, it was the biggest guitar explosion in history!
In all fairness, it was Yngwie the people came to see! I do like the album yes, but without YJM the album would've been just another hard rock album coming from USA, nothing less nothing more. So, no matter what you think of Malmsteen, you should be thankful he raised the album a bit more known \m/
He was right about Keel's songs. Even beyond Steeler. But respect to Ron's work of course.
You think so? being younger it's hard to piece out what modern perspectives from what the vibe would have been in LA at the time... I don't know, I'm just raising the question.
@@StruggleoftheOutsiderthey were lined around the corner to see Yngwie.
Back then, when you first heard Malmsteen, it was so incredible. Man, that was cool.
Agreed
Yngwie made steeler and alcatrazz famous
Period !!!!
The reality was that Yngwie was in his own universe back then. So he was a little arrogant? Most geniuses are and quite frankly at his level of musical genius at only 20 years old trying to downplay him because of some personality traits just comes off like you are a sore loser. Yngwie is one of the greatest musical talents of all time!
🎯🎯🎯
I didn’t hear anyone crapping on the big Swede, just mentioning his arrogance, which we all know about. Yeah, back then Yngwie was just untouchable, nobody played like that because the technical level was just so far ahead of everything else. You watch that STARZ video, from hear n aid, it’s Yngwie….and nobody else. Lynch played some cool stuff but Yng made everyone look like a beginner.
Another great interview. I love that you allow your guests to talk uninterrupted only coaxing them to add more to the story. Well done!!
🤘🤘🤘🤘!!!!
Badass interview. Love every one of them. Haven’t missed any yet. Keep them coming please
Thanks for posting this interview. I'd say that the majority of the (positive) fans appreciate hearing the stories from back in the day, but, I gotta say, it does tend to bring out all the negative losers and trolls who either weren't there, or never did anything significant of their own or brought anything meaningful to the table. It might be easy for bottom feeders to dismiss the initial impact of Steeler on the L.A. scene at the time, however, ultimately, Steeler did create a path for later bands who watched and learned how it was done. Recently in June of 2024, we did the first official Steeler video with a documentary to follow. The first Steeler song in 40 years "Give Me Guitars or Give Me Death" is now released and doing well on RUclips. It's included on the new KEELWORLD album. Not bad for a band that 'never went anywhere', while the old critics who never did anything are still complaining trolls. Our love goes out to the REAL Steeler fans who've supported us since the beginning ❤️🔥👍🏻🤘🫡🇺🇸
American Metal, American Thunder 🤘
Man, you're a great narrator. Awesome interview!
@MrClassicmetal
I am my father's son. He too, was a great story teller. Much appreciated 👍🏻 thanks.
Man, I've listened to all of your interviews back in that era. You Need to write a book. It would sell like crazy.
Wow, you're a real, mature adult, aren't you? Calling people "bottom feeders" for not liking a band you like isn't at all like a little child crying about how stupid and mean people are, all while proving how stupid and mean YOU are. Insecure little b1tch.
Hey Rik, appreciate the nostalgic trip. I read that you're from Amityville. Any stories of Ocean Ave?
Another Gem from Full In Bloom! Great job brother! Can't wait for More...
The people were lined up around the block to see Yngwie and nobody else!
The back stories to the soundtrack of my life. Seems like yesterday... Lots of love!
Raz0rfist has an amazing long-form interview with Rik Fox on his channel. The guy should write a book, seriously.
I get transported to the best years of my life with these interviews... did not see Steeler play but I did get to catch Keel opening for Crüe 1987 ... I was 17 🤘🏼🎸
The Right To Rock!
People today have RUclips. Back then you had to buy a ticket and travel to see somebody play like that. Different world.
When Yngwie played our venue i got him to sign my STEELER LP. he was super cool to work with oddly enough
How did he comment it?
@@mickedanielsson just his signature, but we talked some football. Dolphins fan turns out. loves football, has only 1 t shirt a dolphins shirt..or so he said.
I can't imagine the culture shock going from Sweden to L.A. back then. They had 2 state controlled TV stations.
When Yngwie was a little kid and was formed by the state, they actually had 1 state controlled tv station.
I think Yngwie couldn't wait for all being bigger, being more variety, more is more!
I'd say there wouldn't make much difference, he played guitar 12 hours a day anyway 😉
I'm only 4 minutes in and I'm LOVING this!
Good thing Steeler went on to such huge things after Yngwie left...
Yngwie has more Marshall amps at his concerts than there are people in the audience.
@@robertturner1550 Yngwie can sound better tuning a guitar than you can playing it.
@@robertturner1550 Yeah because most today are beating off to OF girls rather than listening to rock. When they are not doing that, they are listening to Diddy and Swift.
You realize, right, that Yngwie was big when rock was at its zenith, right?
@@johnp.johnson1541 I remember when Yngwie entered a guitar contest in Guitar Player Magazine when he was still in his teens. I remember when Marc Varney saw his entry and brought him over from Europe. I saw Yngwie in concert for the Marching Out tour, I was in the front row, when he was at his very best. I lived through it all. Yes I know all about Yngwie!
Do you know if yngwie was with them they would be selling out. Huge venues of at least 200 people maybe a hundred
Another great interview - keep 'em coming!
I love that Steeler album.
First time I heard Malmsteen on the intro song with the acoustic switch to electric
What a great memory that was. RF has a great way of telling war stories. We need more.
I LOVE YOUR INTERVIEWS BRO.
GREAT interview! I heard so much about STEELER back in the day when I lived in NYC. Heard their tunes on WSOU in New Jersey and bought the album. Yngwie blew me away! You have the best interviews by far. Keep them coming. 8)
🤘🤘🤘🤘!!!!
Cool interview. The world doesn't get Rik Fox content out in the cyber ether that often. Great job! 2024 Malmsteen still out there killing it!⛧🤘
great interview!!
Fantastic interview
yes i was at the roxy !! waz awesome
The only Steeler song I remember is Hot on your Heels. Spent hours in my bedroom learning that and bought a delay so I could get the effect in the beginning. Good memories
Omg, top shelf. Take a subject like Rik, plus the perfect clarifications from FIB, and it's- (chef's kiss)
Yea nobody is taking away the fact that Malmsteen is an insane talent and his playing on that album was never done b4 or after that ..
His solo before Hot On Your Heels is still THE epic solo that has it all.
Great interview. Thank you Adam.
I remember back in the 80’s,Yngwie once said that Stephen Pearcy should’ve been a plumber instead of a singer😂😂
It was a good assessment. 😊
@ you are correct Sir
You and the people commenting are douchebags.
@@guywhite5039 hahahaa
Ace Frehley Was A Plumber! 🤭😎😂😉
Love these vids, awesome channel thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If he'd worded it more politely, and with his own suggestions. It surely would've gone down better.
But, this was Yngwie, now in America. He knew he was going to quit to move to something better or his own ship. If Yngwie truly wanted to stay in Steeler, he wouldn't have said it as brazen as he had.
"..insulted the boss' songs?!" That's a good one
Pat Thrall is amazing! Glad he gave him props.
Great album. Excellent playing from all. I still listen to it. I believe the drummer Mark quit playing many years ago due to an accident and is a CEO of some sort of modeling agency. Think he was also the drummer in the band LION with Doug Aldrich back in the day.
I think I would have some attitude too if I was asked to come over from Europe and when I arrive in a place where I know no one or nothing and I have no money, I'm told I'm moving into some roach infested shit hole.
Funny thing - hardly anyone remembers there was a band named Steeler, and Malmsteen is still considered a guitar god.
Ron lived in Sioux Falls South Dakota for a while (where I live) he had the Ron Keel Band here and they were kick ass. I also had the first Steeler cassette in my youth, great to hear they have new stuff out. Thanks for some history of Steeler rock on.
He still lives here. Just ran into him at two different concerts, Styx/Foreigner and then Queensryche a few weeks later. Great guy, down to earth, friendly and gives a helluva lot to charity events around here!
I was there at the Troubadour! Great post!
that travers tour was insane. the calderone show on long island a few nights after the paladium was broadcast on wlir radio and is here on yt. you will be very impressed.
Link to it?
Yngwie Malmsteen was good live. They opened for Dio in 1985 who were phenomenal. Never saw Steeler or Keel live.
Keel kicked ass live. Seen them 84 or 85 Heavy metal explosion opening for Helix and Accept.
But I kind of hate to say it. I agree with Yngwie. The music was. Well I didn’t really listen to them too much , I tried though 🤷♀️ wasn’t bad. But Accept was like my favorite at that time. ❤🔥just right before I heard of Savatage and Metallica in that time frame. I mean come on 😂
Ron Keel started playing country music at one point.
Steeler was like, "nah, we meant for these to be boring because we wanna maintain this lifestyle of living among roaches"
If they had donuts it would be a whole different story
seen steeler with malmsteen and various other versions great band i liked iron horse his southern rock ( keel) lp also
I met Rick back in 1981 at a club called After Dark in Rockland NY. He was a nice guy and the girls liked him. He had a great look.
Rock On!!!
Ric has the best Rock stories from this era. Ric kicks ass, Good Stuff👍🏻.
Seems like Full In Bloom has become the channel for rock 'n' roll casualties and burnouts. Ron Keel had the man who would become, along with Eddie Van Halen, one of the two most influential players of the 80s but Keel couldn't get out of the way of his own ego. Of course Yngwie thought Ron's music was boring. Malmsteen had been raised on Bach, Paganini and Rachmaninoff. Keel was singing about a backseat driver. Come on now! Malmsteen went on to become a legend and Ron Keel went on to become known as the guy who sang on Yngwie Malmsteen's American debut.
I was thinking the same thing. Malmsteen was a child prodigy, but most musicians are retards, so you can't really fault them for not understanding what they were looking at. All they probably thought was "we're gonna be huge and fuck a bunch of chicks". The Strip wasn't exactly a "Mensa rich" area in the 80s. They lost him as soon as they got him and Steeler got sucked into the void.
why would've Ron sung about Vikings and me tasting his steel or about disciples of hell ? 😁
My memories from back then are that Mike Varney was discovering shredders, getting them in bands, and putting out albums. Most of the bands weren’t that cohesive, but you bought the albums for the quality of the guitarists. We got Steeler because it was a Varney album not because it was an Yngwie album. No one had heard of him.
On the Rox!
I remember Ron in high school... I played drums at his house... We hung out at school West high.. hope he is doing alright 🙏
It seems the fans agreed ..it all was pretty boring. Nobody but the deepest of metal fans know who Steeler were. Basically if it weren't for malmsteen nobody would be talking about them.
I only found out about that album because of Shrapnel records, Mike Varney was pushing people like Tony MaCalpine, David Chastain and Vinnie Moore so it wasn’t a hard sell for me to buy the Steeler album or anything else he was showcasing at the time.🍻
Absolutely not true. I was there. You weren't. That's easy to say if you weren't there. Steeler was one of the cornerstone bands along with Crue, Ratt and Quiet Riot in the explosive L.A. Rock scene.
@@rikfox8812 How was Van Halen perceived at that time? Since they had already had made it out of LA.
That is wrong, their talent did reach ears in the UK. I found Steeler because of Ron Keel. I am a massive fan of the Keel/Steeler stuff and have been since I was a kid in the 80s. I still spin the Steeler record.
@azrael666ethereal you and 12 other people.
Good interview 👍
Well said my friend
OMG, I remember seeing Yngwie at the Kabuki Theatre in San Fran, first show with Rising Force. I went to go use the bathroom, and all my friends got to go backstage while I was gone. They finally reappeared, and one of my friends said he was having a conversation with Yngwie, and my dumbass friend asked him, "SO Yngwie, is it true... Are you really God?" Rightly so, Yngwie told him to F... off and smashed a Becks beer bottle against the wall. Whenever somebody talks smack on Yngwie, I think of my idiot friend, and know that it's people like him that drive exceptional musicians like Yngwie to lose their patience, and then get criticized just because they don't want to suffer fools.
Yngwie unleashed the fury on your friend before the famous unleashing the fury on Tokyo flight 1988? Wow, he got double lucky 😆
Cool story man!
Yngwie J. Malmsteen rules!!! His musical career has been illustrious. Hands down, one of the top most well rounded guitars players in the world.
& doesn’t have half the fans of Nick Jonas let alone EVH
@@jonnybgood9376 Taylor Swift has lots of fans. What's your point? Yngwie could play their stuff with ease. They couldn't play like Yngwie to safe their lives.
@ Taylor Swift vs Yingwe in a guitar battle ? I don’t get your point at all son. My one point I think I made clear was that Steeler sucked & no one ever cared for them. Best of luck to Rik Fox Ron Keel & your self in the future. Obviously you guys all need it my god STEELER 😂
@ your now gonna compare Steeler to Taylor Swift really ? What is wrong with you people ? Yingwe is a better guitar player then Taylor Swift wow. Thanks for the info & irrelevant point.
@@jonnybgood9376 Obviously went over your head. Some people confuse popularity with talent.
Cool interview 👍 Great storyteller, he really makes you wish you were a bit older and closer to LA in the early 80's.
I would love to see some kind of movies on these back stories I find it fascinating meet me in a metal head since 86 I'm 51 now
I use to hang out at the Steeler Mansion in 83-84. I remember Ron Keel was so pissed that Malmsteen left him a $3,000 sprint phone bill when he left the band. Does anyone recall that? Then Kurt James joined Steeler. James is Kurt's stage name. Not sure I should reveal his real last name.
What was the Steeler Mansion? Didn't sound like a mansion.
@@dominysynclair Very true. Everything was cramped the rehearsal room was very small. The so called mansion was not in a residential area. It was more industrial off a street. I wish I could remember the street. Not in an industrial complex. They had little spaces for each other blocked of with makeshift barriers. I remember sheets I believe as doors. I remember a single cover on the wall with the song Take Her Down on it. Lots of memories.
@@dominysynclair I still have my Steeler album where Ron signed it as "my name" You are the Metal Generation!!!
I remember reading from the YJM biography that it was a warehouse located somewhere off Washington Blvd/Venice Blvd. My curiosity was peeked because I lived near that area and it was pretty sketchy even in 2005, let alone early 80's. Coming from Sweden and moving to that version of L.A must have been a trip.
@@ajnanyc That area must be fucking sketchballs now.
Keel was the first band I ever saw. Country Club back in 85
Going places yea this RUclips video years later. The band Steeler, you probably remember them from me saying their name just now.
The funny part of this is, (A) after that 1st Country Club gig w/ Steeler, Yngwie immediately started looking for another band, so he could quit. And (B), Yngwie hated Rik SO bad, that when he wrote his biography, he chose to deny Rik what Rik craved most... His name is print. So thru Yngwie 's entire biography he purposely cut Rik out, only mentioning him once, & 3rd hand at that... Saying " the girlfriend of the guy playing bass for Steeler at the time, gave me a ride to 7-11... And that guy got fired before the Steeler record was released. " 🤣
I grow up in the 80’s and I was a rock fanatic. With that said I have heard of Malmasteen but I had never heard of Steeler. Maybe oh just maybe Malmastern said the songs were boring because they were and others thought so also.
Truth hurts. Steeler songs ARE boring. Beyond the Sunset Strip, they did NUTHIN'
They were a cult band they didn't get big but the album is still a metal classic and still in print.
I got kicked out of the country club four times in the same show. They'd throw me out the front, I'd get right back in through the back.
Just a great interview.. 3 way conference call and a waterbed , Lol ..
Great job, those were the days! Such a simpler time in America, everyone got along-guys were guys and girls were girls 😅
Missed them with yngwie 😢 but saw them with Jaymes....awesome!
Yes he was in a little pond in Sweden, then he arrived in the U.S and took over the bigger pond, nothing wrong with that.
Yngve was driven and focused on a goal that he achieved a couple of years later... I was lucky enough to see him live with the best singers he had, Joe Lynn Turner, and a few years later, Edman.
The pat travers band needs to reunite with Robert Trujillo on bass, tommy on drums and thrall on guitar , awesome live band
Ha Ha! Sweden, the country that brought you abba!😂 Otherwise, this was a great presentation on a great 80s underground band👍I have this album and also the "Strike Back!" album. Jcm 800s kramer guitars, boss pedals, roland analog synths, sm 57 mics, and tascam 4 track cassette portastudios, was our gear and we did a lot with our gear! and without digital technology! Never became famous with it, but wherever we could play, be it club gig, house party or biker gang picnic, it was the Best Time of My Life! I lived off of the heavy metal bands that were on the metal blade, megaforce and combat record labels! Still have all of my 80s music gear to this day! Wouldn't trade it or sell it, ever.
I’ve heard this story many times and have to wonder….didn’t Yngwie hear Steeler before he came to the US? That had a song on Metal Massacre and a bunch of demos with the original guitarist, admittedly a pretty unspectacular one. What was he expecting ?
Malmsteen was sent a copy of the earlier Steeler demo or at least Varney gave him something to hear. Malmsteen would have already known some of what we sounded like before he ever left Sweden. Mike Varney or Ron could better answer that data point.
Thanks for the reply Rik. I figured as much. The way the album is produced seems very much a showcase for YM. I wouldn’t be surprised if Varney even told him it was just a stepping stone to bigger things. In the hands of a producer who really was into making a great album I think the songs would sound more cohesive and collaborative. I actually like the album and stuff like the solo he does for Born to Rock show he can adapt to a more L.A. sound. The lyrics though are pretty cringey, even for back then! “Little girl, waiting backstage, for your dream to come true…” 😂
@rikfox8812 Yngwie is a narcissist. He's never been able to maintain a position in a band, or keep a band of his own together. Yes hes is or was brilliant, but every other guy on RUclips is now better...
Awesome interview and I guess, my previous question on the commentary section that I asked to Mr. Rik Fox is caused the release of this part about the Malmsteen and his overall attitude to the entire band, when he was in Steeler. 😆 Very cool insight and details.
Wow!!!
3:53 The Steeler Mansion 😂
Great interview
Later, Vinnie Vincent would take over as Guitar Player From Hell.
Does video footage of Steeler with Malmsteen exist
Randy Rhoads has been my favorite guitarist/ musician since Blizzard of Ozz was released in 1980. Still is. Always will be. Yngwie came to the u.s., and blew everybody away! If Randy had lived, I'm sure that they would have coĺlaborated on a project. Yngwie, love him, or hate him, his playing is still incredible, in my opinion. If you don't like him, don't listen to him!!!
He wasn't wrong. Hell, YJM sold more records than anything Ron Keel has ever done in his entire career. Like it or not, it's a fact.
That's not accurate; Keel the band, sold a few million themselves. Way more than Malmsteen.
"Hold on... I will put you on 3-Way!" 😂😂😂😂
By the way, for anyone who missed the memo, here's the new Steeler video which kicks ass...
ruclips.net/video/aKxfj6KOHmA/видео.htmlsi=tP-w3u0FCQG_zQmA
I like Yngwie's music but it can be boring too. I have to be really in the mood to hear riffs that sound like a million angry bees.
Glenn was pissed at the monitor guy. He threw his bass down on the stage at the end of the night.
Too be honest, Yngwie is on another level than the guys in Steeler
He should have asked him how the band members felt about Yngwie going on to become famous than Steeler could ever had hoped to be.
Abba wasn’t even very appreciated in Sweden,, according to Malmsteen himself said it was Jazz and traditional classical music that was the “thing”
I don't think that's true. Abba only became partly unhip with the late 70's punk movement pissing on all disco including Abba...
So steeler made an album With Malmsteen in it??😮
To be fair, that Steeler album was, is their best.
A full on unfiltered raw young Malmsteen.
I saw Metallica with Dave Mustaine a couple times in late 82 in a tiny club called The Woodstock in Anaheim, CA. Just next door to that club was another club called Radio City. Steeler played there but I missed it, and I was so pissed cuz I found out about the show a day later from a kook that went to the show but didn't even play guitar..
Awesome! 🤘👌 I talked to Rik many times privately and he's supercool but his hidden Polish stubborn soul strikes back when someone talks to him like a douche nozzle, that's my impression. I never flattened to him but he always respected me even if I tell him that I prefer W.A.S.P. Blackie/Randy/ Chris/Tony/Riley lineup bcs they first blew me away as well as that I luv Malmsteen. He's like older brother. Steeler...why many ppl here complain of Steeler and Backseet Driver sort of thing? Is that worse than Viking whose steel you will taste or that even you dunno who's disciple of hell?! Steeler album is awesome and rocking and much bigger than it looks like and not only bcs of Malmsteen imho. I heard Steeler much later and Gosh! It is rockin. Perhaps not for an American but for me for sure. One of best Yngwie's solos are on Steeler album. I got impression that Rik has huge respect for Ron, Dan Wrexler of Icon (Gosh! Icon was known and popular in Yugoslavia before many later huge acts, every true Metalhead still love their first album, within W.A.S.P. one of those bands that completely framed my heavy metal attitude), Chris Holmes, Nikki...He knows much and his side of story is part of history anyhow. There's huge difference between US and European points of view on heavy metal. What I came to know talking to Rik is how show business is cruel,the thing that I as a Yugoslavian heavy metal fan didn't look like that when I was younger. Rik has such great testimonies that never "killed child in me". I love to hear some untold stories from him but that cannot kill Santa Klaus that I built. Relax guys, don't be so nervous, enjoy r'n'r 🤘🍻
Rik is a kooky man child dude.
@JettMalone Perhaps but personally I don't have that impression. Believe or not as a historian I know him from research world and was surprised when I realized it was Rik Fpx of Steeler. How world is small 😊
His alcatrazz work was his peak.
I think Marching out, Trilogy, Odyssey was his peak.
Weren't there some rumors that even EVH had shown up to check out Yngwie at one of these early shows?
The real hero is Mike Varney who showcased all of the early shredders.
The new guy? You guys were really dope! With out Yngwie, you are a phenomenal bass player...tell us more about people more successful and better than you.
Yngwie great song writer
In his memoir, He thought they were literally rich and living in a mansion, kinda miscommunication on terms on an overseas phone.He couldnt believe what he walked into.
first of all. Rick Fox is amazing... one of my top players on the Mt. Rushmore of Bass players. Nonetheless.... I had no idea Malmsteen played with Steeler.... now I have to find and listen to these songs. Malmsteen is.... well he's Malmsteen just a jerk. He has even dissed Satch as a guitar player. LOL! Malmsteen is socially clueless I believe.