Ultimate Rhoads

What's everyone's opinion on him as a guitarist? He's in my top
5 faves & I think he's one of the most under-rated players
in the music world.Just curious if any in the group like him
& his style??
Thanks!
Mel oxoxo

I don't have much from him, but I have the World Wide Live album and his guitarsolos are great on that! Still my favorite Scorpions album. He was very different than Uli Roth but probably fits Scorpions much better!
Seen Matthias one time live with the Scorpions, excellent sound & playing but unfortunately the guitars weren't loud enough in the mix.

Did you ever heard "Moment of Glory"? Like Metallica they did this album with the Berliner Philharmoniker but in a very different way. They left out some rythym guitars and instead the orchestra played those! They really used the orchestra instead of only creating a background carpet like Metallica did. They did a much better job than Metallica with that imo. The sound was also much better.

What about Wolf Hoffman?
Another german player who was brilliant, that early Accept stuff was wonderful. And again great guitarsounds. That's always seems the case with german players.

Hi Mel,I've got a bit of a story to tell you about the Scorpions,they were the first Live band that i saw.I think it was back in 1979 for the Lovedrive tour.I was really into them i would only listen to the Scorpions back then, i played the Lovedrive and Tokyo Tapes LP's all the time.I knew every lyric and i went to every gig at Newcastle from 1979-1986. The Love at First Sting tour was quite memorable,i took my camera and i was infront of Matthias.He would come close to the edge of the stage and everyone was touching him and his guitar.I went to put my hand near his guitar and this guy behind me come crashing down over the top of me.Well my hand went straight across the bridge of the guitar and he must of played the #1 bum note of all time.So what does he do ! he only kicks me in the face! Yeah i was totally stunned.I wasn't injured in anyway i was more surprised of his reaction..But i think it made him realise,as he came over to me and apologised he rubbed my head in a sorry gesture and he was waiting for my reaction.So i gave him the thumbs up and he was straight over in front of me soloing and riffing away.I've got some absolutely great photos from that gig.Matthias is posing on alot of them 'pouts' aswell .But it was a great time back in the early 80's.I've got loads of great memories from that time in my youth, when i was at my happiest playing my music and going to gigs.I'll post some photos up the next time i'm near a scanner OK.

LOL what a memory Shaun~I bet u were so shocked..that
gives being in front row a whole new meaning..heehee.
I have been in the front for shows only 4 times..well 3
of those were at club shows..I LOVE being so close..don't
care how much of my hearing is lost..LOL! At Ratt in 1999,
I was right by Warren & this huge speaker.. my hearing has never been the same You can really
get some great pics that close..if they allow cameras that is.
I'll be looking forward to seeing the pics of him..I have had
the pleasure of seeing Scorps twice..in 1994 & 1999 it
would be a dream come true to meet Matthias! I seen Q'ryche up close
at a theatre type place in 1999..I had won 3rd row seats from
a radio station...ahhh,it was such a blast.
Talk soon.

I always thought Matthias was an excellent player. Scorpions songs are difficult to execute when you try to learn them, because while Rudy' parts are simple, Matthias plays a noodling lead part through out the entire song. I have seen them on 5 tours starting with the Blackout tour (with Iron Maiden opening) and I always thought Matthias was excellent. He rocks with the best of them, I just wish the Scorpions would have stayed away from all those ballads in the '90's.

Yeh! cool guitarist

Matthias and Rudolf are still a lethal combo together. They write great songs together but in America we seem to get sucked into what I call "less than steller" musicianship a lot of the time...

RR-ElectricAngel wrote:...in America we seem to get sucked into what I call "less than steller" musicianship a lot of the time...

Do you mean as far as what is considered "popular" or American Idol type of thing?

America has produced a LOT of stellar musicians over the years. I couldn't tell you about anyone in the last 5 years as I don't pay much attention to the new generation of music, but in my lifetime there have been countless stellar musicians just in the field of rock guitar alone...

Not trying to argue with you, because we also produced Britney Spears and Ashley Simpson, I was just hoping for a frame of reference for your comment.

American Idol was designed to artificially manufacture flavors of the week. There is nothing long lasting about what they do except destroy performers self esteem. If you need that show to decide whether or not to go into a music career then you are hugely mistaken. Music is tough to do on all levels. Never allow someone to define your talent, only you should control that...

The "less than stellar" music I speak of is radio. Variety is replaced my the lowest common denominator: Push what sells rather than what inspires the soul for greatness. The reason Randy was so great was because he never listened to radio. He never absorbed that mediocrity...

RR-ElectricAngel wrote:The "less than stellar" music I speak of is radio. Variety is replaced my the lowest common denominator: Push what sells rather than what inspires the soul for greatness.

Being that "radio" is a business, it makes sense that they push what sells. Not to mention, the record companies dictate what is to be played. But, yes, I agree that there are a LOT of less than inspired "artists" on the radio.

I do want to point out that Ed Van Halen's career started with him playing any and every "hit" song on the radio and he turned out to be a fairly talented guy. The key seems to be a person's willingness to settle for mediocrity or to push on towards greatness. Queensryche's Empire record is full of radio hits, but it is still a great record made by very stellar musicians...

rockermel wrote:LOL what a memory Shaun~I bet u were so shocked..that
gives being in front row a whole new meaning..heehee.
I have been in the front for shows only 4 times..well 3
of those were at club shows..I LOVE being so close..don't
care how much of my hearing is lost..LOL! At Ratt in 1999,
I was right by Warren & this huge speaker.. my hearing has never been the same You can really
get some great pics that close..if they allow cameras that is.
I'll be looking forward to seeing the pics of him..I have had
the pleasure of seeing Scorps twice..in 1994 & 1999 it
would be a dream come true to meet Matthias! I seen Q'ryche up close
at a theatre type place in 1999..I had won 3rd row seats from
a radio station...ahhh,it was such a blast.
Talk soon.

Hi Mel these are the photos i was on about Enjoy..!!!

The Flying Dutchman wrote: What about Wolf Hoffman?
Another german player who was brilliant, that early Accept stuff was wonderful. And again great guitarsounds. That's always seems the case with german players.

Just for you Pat "Get your Balls to the Wall Man !..."

Oh thank you SO much Shaun~awesome pics!!
Many hugs to u! THANX!!

GUITARIDOL5682 wrote:[Just for you Pat "Get your Balls to the Wall Man !..."

Yeah!

I've just noticed this gig WOW! I think this is a must for any Scorpions fan the line up is incredible and if you like Bike Custom shows your are going to have a brilliant weekend.Plus Bernie Torme's band GMT are playing aswell so thats even better again.

http://www.rockandblues.uk.com/