1978 to 1982

Swedish born Yngwie Malmsteen is an incredibly talented guitarist whose reputation was founded upon some blistering demos, including back up from SILVER MOUNTAIN musicians, doing the rounds of ardent tape traders in the early 1980s. Malmsteen plays with lightning speed and awesome accuracy that draws on everything from Baroque to major Rock influences as DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW man RITCHIE BLACKMORE, ULI JON ROTH and beyond.

Born 30th June 1963 as Lars Johann Yngwie Lannerback the budding virtuoso, the youngest child in a household that included his mother Rigmor, sister Ann Louise, and brother Bjorn, would take his mother's maiden name of Malmsteen at the age of ten. Three years earlier he had decided on a career devoted to the electric guitar after having watched a television news documentary, aired on on September 18th 1970, on the death of JIMI HENDRIX. He would fuse these traditional Rock elements with classical, inspired by Russian violinist Gideon Kremer's performance of the 24 Caprices of 19th century virtuoso violinist Niccolo Paganini.

Practicing in earnest, first on an old Mosrite and then a cheap Stratocaster, Malmsteen found employment in a guitar shop at age fifteen. Here he first encountered a scalloped neck when a 17th century lute came into the store. Suitably intrigued, the guitarist experimented by scalloping the neck of an old guitar in similar being impressed enough with the results to repeat the formula on his own guitars. Once the technique of playing on this new design had been mastered, the scalloped fret board gave him greater control over the strings and provided a permanent alteration to his instruments.

Malmsteen's first band was POWERHOUSE, put together when the fledgling guitar guru was merely thirteen years old. Elevating himself through various cover outfits, most notably a DEEP PURPLE inspired band entitled BURN, Yngwie formed RISING FORCE with EUROPE bassist John Levén and drummer Peter Udd in 1978.

Malmsteen was briefly a member of HIGHBROW in 1981 but the band folded shortly after. That same year the guitarist received a call from fabled US Hard Rock outfit KISS, requesting an audition, although this never eventuated. In 1982 CBS Records in Sweden paid for a recording session, but eventually passed on the band and the proposed single, 'You're Going To Break Them All' / 'Horizons', was never released. RISING FORCE split with Levén eventually teaming up with EUROPE and Udd joining the GLORY BELLS BAND, although recordings from this era were released as the bootleg 'Rising Force' album issued in 1986. Allegedly, these tapes were put out by an ex member of Yngwie's band as he felt money was due to him!

It was at this juncture in his career, and following a multitude of varying line-ups, that Malmsteen joined forces with SILVER MOUNTAIN, finding himself alongside the brotherly duo of drummer Anders Johansson and keyboard player Jens Johanssson. Both musicians were heavily steeped in the classical influences that so intrigued Yngwie.

The resulting demos were passed by Yngwie to 'Guitar Player' magazine journalist Mike Varney who immediately set wheels in motion to bring Malmsteen to America and his Shrapnel label. Meanwhile, Malmsteen's tapes had been heavily traded and such was the rabid appreciation of these mainly instrumental demos (much influenced by ULI JON ROTH) that in the Metal hotbed of San Francisco, led by the influential 'Metal Mania' fanzine, Yngwie was proclaimed as a 'God'.

The initial plan was for Malmsteen to record a solo album. In Los Angeles, the band STEELER, fronted by original vocalist Ron Keel together with bassist Rik Fox and drummer Mark Edwards, who had both joined the group after Keel moved the band to Los Angeles, had just signed to Shrapnel Records. Seeing an opportunity they convinced Malmsteen and Varney that their band was a far more commercially accessible vehicle in which to spread the word. Malmsteen relocated from Sweden and joined STEELER in early 1982. YNGWIE MALMSTEEN's debut concert on North American soil would be held with STEELER on 28th August 1982 at the Los Angeles Troubadour supported by SARGE and ASSASSIN. The resulting debut STEELER album, issued on Varney's own Shrapnel label, proved to be an out and out Metal work and was, naturally, highlighted by some blistering guitar work. Yngwie was soon splashed all over the guitar magazines and heralded a revolution of super speed guitarists. However, even at this early stage the media became suspicious and were always eager to knock Yngwie at every opportunity.

Following the demise of STEELER (who evolved into KEEL), Malmsteen's name was linked to numerous heavyweight Hard Rock bands such as UFO, OZZY OSBOURNE and DIO but opted to join another new act. This duly arrived in the shape of ALCATRAZZ with veteran vocalist GRAHAM BONNET (RAINBOW, MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP) and ex NEW ENGLAND men, keyboardist Jimmy Waldo and bassist Gary Shea. Drums were handled by erstwhile PIPEDREAM man Jan Uvena. The group signed to Andy Trueman management and Rocshire Records.

With ALCATRAZZ, Malmsteen cut one studio album, 'No Parole From Rock n' Roll' and the live album 'Live Sentence', the latter recorded in Japan. The first ALCATRAZZ album, albeit heavily marred by a very tepid Dennis McKay production, furthered the Malmsteen cause; whilst the live album received idol like adulation in Japan, where Bonnet was already a household name.

1983 to 1985

Keen to pursue a solo career Malmsteen moved on to form his own vehicle, RISING FORCE, signing to Polydor in 1983, retaining the guiding managerial hand of Andy Trueman. Personnel enlisted for the recording included Jens Johansson, former JETHRO TULL drummer Barriemore Barlow and new found vocalist JEFF SCOTT SOTO.

The debut album, Rising Force' issued in May 1984, is a breathtaking display of guitar wizardry, with Malmsteen proudly displaying his talents to the full on such tracks as the eight minute instrumental 'Icarus Dream Suite Opus 4' and 'Black Star'. Yngwie's growing legion of fans hailed the release as a true revelation of genius and in Japan the album reached number 19 on the national charts. Guitar magazines lapped it up with equal reverence whilst the mainstream Rock press savaged the album as a short sighted exercise in self aggrandisement. This chasm of opinion only served to make YNGWIE MALMSTEEN a household name, even if debates raged about how to correctly phoneticise his Christian name.

Undeterred by his detractors, Malmsteen released 'Marching Out' in April 1985, which seemed to polarise views on his position in the Rock world even further. Recorded at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles and Skyline Studios in Topanga, California, engineering credits went out to BLIND ILLUSION's Lester Claypool. Malmsteen took production, mixing, composition and arrangement credits. For this album, which hit number 18 on the Japanese charts, Yngwie once again used Jens Johansson and Soto, but also enlisted Anders Johansson and bassist Marcel Jacob, previously with HIGHBROW and POWER. This was the line-up that Yngwie took on the road supporting AC/DC in America and headlining with TALAS as support.

1986 to 1989

By his third album, 'Trilogy' released in April 1986, the long drawn out guitar showcases were giving way to cleaner cut songs and a new vocalist Marc Boals, who had formerly plied his trade as bassist with TED NUGENT, was recruited to lend a smoother edge to the proceedings. 'Trilogy' peaked at number 16 in Japan, 18 in Sweden and 44 in the USA. However, Boals was quickly ejected, later forming STEELHOUSE LANE and also fronting BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB, and Soto was back in the saddle for Yngwie's next American tour opening for Canadians TRIUMPH. Jacob meantime would go onto BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB and TALISMAN.

Malmsteen's career has been dogged by media insinuations that he cannot write "a good song" which unfortunately has resulted in the guitarist trying to defend himself much too often. This constant criticism led to the April 1988 Jeff Glixman co-produced 'Odyssey' album wherein, as well as the addition of bassist Bob Daisley, former RAINBOW vocalist JOE LYNN TURNER was recruited for an ill fated and tempestuous relationship. 'Odyssey' was recorded at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles and mixed by Steve Thompson and Mike Barbiero at Bearsville Studios. The album, hitting a Japanese career high at number 14, strangely gave Yngwie probably his greatest success worldwide, with both the album and single 'Heaven Tonight' doing well. 'Odyssey' gained the number 7 position in Sweden, 27 in the UK and 40 in the USA. Needless to say, another line-up change saw former PAT TRAVERS bassist Barry Dunaway coming in to fill Daisley's shoes for the tour.

The world tour also provided a valuable first for Malmsteen as he played 20 sold out shows in the Soviet Union to over 240'000 people after continually being voted best guitarist in Russian polls. These gigs were recorded and eventually surfaced in October 1989 as 'Trial By Fire-Live In Leningrad'. This record gave the guitarist yet another Japanese top twenty album. Turner eventually jumped ship to front probably the least successful line-up yet of DEEP PURPLE but not before igniting a bitter war of words between the two. Meantime, Dunaway would later join SARAYA.

1990 to 1995

It was all change again as Yngwie brought in an entirely new, all Swedish band comprising bassist Svante Henryson, keyboard player Mats Olausson, ex-NORDEN LIGHT drummer Michael Van Knorring and former MADISON and JOHN NORUM vocalist Göran Edman for his next album 'Eclipse'. Just previous to hooking up with Malmsteen the vocalist had been working with the VINNIE VINCENT INVASION on an aborted album. Typically, a line-up change occurred shortly after with Van Knorring making way for former MOGG and STEAMROLLER drummer Bo Sundberg.

'Eclipse', recorded at Criteria Studio in Miami, Florida, was notably dedicated by Malmsteen to the late Monty Python comedian Graham Chapman. 'Eclipse' again continued his Japanese momentum, gaining a number 11 position. It also fared well in Sweden, at number 12, but chart placings in the UK and USA slid behind. Despite a strong performance on record, Göran Edman proved somewhat embarrassingly naive onstage during the first tour, to the point of Malmsteen himself joining in with audience jeers. In the USA, Malmsteen partnered with COLD SWEAT and headliners DIO, but would drop off this tour within a few weeks.

Disgruntled with his view of lack of record company support Malmsteen shrugged off Polydor to sign to Elektra Records for his next album. However, the momentum was maintained as 1992's 'Fire And Ice' debuted in the Japanese charts at the coveted number 1 position.

Edman decamped, going on to front a series of commendable Hard Rock projects including GLORY, STREET TALK, KHARMA and CROSSFADE. Malmsteen's 1994 vocalist, for the 'Seventh Sign' outing in February, was former OBSESSION and LOUDNESS frontman Mike Vescera. Other new additions were ZILLION, BEAU NASTY and ARTENSION drummer Mike Terrana, keyboardist Mats Olausson and bassist Barry Sparks. 'Seventh Sign', recorded at New River Studios with recording credits going out to Jeff Glixman and Jim Thomas, landed at number 2 in Japan. Malmsteen completed a successful American club tour with former DRIVER drummer B.J. Zampa to round up 1994.

Terrana later joined METALIUM and RAGE. Zampa would work with THUNDERHEAD and DAVID WAYNE'S METAL CHURCH.

The guitarist's 1995 album, 'Magnum Opus' co-produced by Chris Tsangarides, once more hit the Japanese charts upon its release, peaking at number 9. The year ended on a high as Malmsteen joined the December 'Blind Guardian Christmas Party' tour, headed up by BLIND GUARDIAN and also boasting LOVE/HATE, SAXON, RAGE and SKYCLAD. The guitarist teamed up with Jeff Scott Soto once more in 1996, making a guest appearance on the debut album by HUMAN CLAY.

1996 to 2003

Clearly keen to do just what the hell he wanted, Malmsteen's 1996 album, aptly titled 'Inspiration', was made up of cover versions of classics by bands such as KANSAS, DEEP PURPLE, SCORPIONS and RUSH. It saw a return for vocalist Marc Boals together with bassist Barry Dunaway and veteran drummer Tommy Aldridge, a man who boasted credits with BLACK OAK ARKANSAS, OZZY OSBOURNE and WHITESNAKE. Other featured artists include vocalists JEFF SCOTT SOTO and JOE LYNN TURNER. 'Inspiration' gave Malmsteen another Japanese top ten album.

Predictably touring soon had the band fracturing with Malmsteen quite incredibly declaring Aldridge to be "useless" and Boals onstage presence like that of "a strange combination of a man and a woman"!! However, Malmsteen, after admitting a long battle against a reliance on alcohol, returned in 1997 in partnership with ex-RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH and WHITESNAKE drummer COZY POWELL. With a 1997 album entitled 'Facing The Animal', produced by Chris Tsangarides, of THIN LIZZY and JUDAS PRIEST notoriety, the guitarist was to issue what many determined to be his finest work to date. This record gained a Japanese top five position on the national charts.

The album featured a new vocalist in former TREAT, SWEDISH EROTICA and ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA man Mats Leven, recommended to Malmsteen by CANDLEMASS and ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA bassist Leif Edling, bassist Barry Dunaway and keyboard player Mats Olausson.

As well as ploughing his Rock furrow, Malmsteen also indulged himself the same year by recording a classical album together with ex-RAINBOW keyboard player David Rosenthal and the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

1999's 'Alchemy' album, recorded at Studio 308 in Miami, Florida and engineered by Chris Tsangarides but produced by Malmsteen himself, saw a return of vocalist Mark Boals, Dunaway and Olausson. Drums were courtesy of ex-POWERMAD, TNT and RIOT man John Macaluso.

Malmsteen lent a guest session to his former vocalist Mike Vescera's MVP project 'Windows' in 1999. The album also included bassist Barry Sparks and drummer B.J. Zampa. Meantime Macaluso and Olausson busied themselves on side project ARK fronted by vocalist JORN LANDE of THE SNAKES.

The ever industrious guitarist was back in 2000 with a fresh album 'War To End All Wars'. The European version of the album included a bonus track, a version of the QUATERMASS cut 'Black Sheep Of The Family' with guest vocalist Anders Kahn. Ironically this was the song that led to the dispute which originally fractured RITCHIE BLACKMORE away from DEEP PURPLE and into RAINBOW. Retained for the album were Boals and Olausson but bass was now in the hands of HOLY MOTHER and C.P.R. four-stringer Randy Coven. Breaking tradition the album cover was a Frank Frazetta original 'Deathdealer 5'.

Malmsteen's other band mates formed a tighter bond the same year when Coven joined ARK Coven was also working on his solo project 'Witchway'. MARK BOALS was not to be left and released his debut solo effort 'Ring Of Fire' the same day as Yngwie's record. Boals utilized the prodigious talents of guitarist TONY MACALPINE, ARTENSION keyboard player Vitalij Kuprij and PLANET X drummer Virgil Donati. His live band included former YNGWIE MALMSTEEN bassist Barry Dunaway.

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN toured North America in November on a package bill with DIO and DORO. Boals quit on the eve of these dates and the band duly went on the road as an instrumental act with Malmsteen lending vocals to a version of JIMI HENDRIX's 'Red House'. The most well known ex-Malmsteen singer JEFF SCOTT SOTO turned up at the Los Angeles gig to guest. The frontman's position was eventually taken by VAGABOND, THE SNAKES, MILLENIUM and ARK. vocalist JORN LANDE.

Typically the band line up did not stay the course. During an American tour rumours leaked out that both Lande and Macaluso were denied access to Canada, the pair being without the necessary visas. Matters appeared to come to a head when Lande was involved in a backstage 'dispute' in Cleveland and walked out. Macaluso, who had been performing with a broken finger, followed his friend.

Meantime Malmsteen, Olausson and Coven, swiftly revising the set to include more instrumental work outs and JIMI HENDRIX covers, performed as a power trio in Canada then cancelled the remaining dates and attempted to lure former members JEFF SCOTT SOTO and Barriemore Barlow back into the fold. Soto was swiftly announced as Lande's replacement although discussions had also taken place with the familiar MARK BOALS (now fronting the all star EMPIRE with another ex-Malmsteen man drummer Anders Johansson) and also ex-RAINBOW man Doogie White. Within days Cleveland Rock band M.S.O.D. had announced that their drummer, the suitably named Ed Rock, had joined Yngwie to complete the tour but this idea was soon scotched.

On a more positive note Malmsteen was invited by the Chinese government to undertake a full blown nationwide tour of the country. Plans were laid for Yngwie to combine shows and concertos with the Chinese National Orchestra in Beijing, Xian, Shanghai and other cities.

Malmsteen would finally announce a revised line up for a string of September Central and South American dates commencing in Mexico. The new look group was fronted by erstwhile RAINBOW and MIDNIGHT BLUE singer Doogie White with BLACKMORE'S NIGHT bassist Mike Cervino, the esteemed DEREK SHERINAN of PLANET X, PLATYPUS, ALICE COOPER and DREAM THEATER on keyboards and, keeping up the Swedish quota, STORMWIND / WITHOUT GRIEF drummer Patrik Johansson.

Quite predictably the tour ran into trouble although not from any by now expected internal ructions. In the wake of the September 11th World Trade Center disaster the band performed a Brazilian gig in Porte Allegre. According to reports Malmsteen closed off his guitar solo section with the customary 'Star Spangled Banner' anthem to which the crowd started to jeer. Band members believed the audience was chanting "Osama! Osama!" and reacted accordingly. At the close of the set Malmsteen alone walked out for an encore blasting through another rendition of 'Star Spangled Banner' and retorting 'God Bless America - Fuck you all'.

Yngwie's next move would be to record a brand new classical Baroque piece recorded with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. Fans would also delight at the release of archive RISING FORCE material issued by the Swedish Powerline label in the form of the 'Birth Of The Sun' album. It would be revealed that Malmsteen's new album, provisionally entitled 'Attack', would be recorded with a line-up of Yngwie Malmsteen on both guitars and bass; Dougie White on vocals, Derek Sherinian on keyboards and Patrik Johansson of PREY on drums. The guitarist also took a left turn out of the Rock field to contribute a guitar solo to Swedish Folk singer AASA JINDER's album 'Faith, Hope And Love'. Following a brace of Florida warm up gigs the band, seeing Joakim Svalberg from Swedish psychedelic Rock band QOPH newly installed on keyboards, undertook a lengthy headline tour of Japan in December.

Other activities found White forging yet another band endeavour, VISUAL SURVEILLANCE OF EXTREMITIES in league with guitarist BILLY LIESEGANG, and guesting on the British spoof Rockers SACK TRICK 2002 opus 'Sheep In KISS make up', an album entirely composed of KISS cover versions. The singer also became a familiar sound in Spain and France when his vocals, on the QUEEN track 'Friends Will Be Friends', were used on an Amstel Beer commercial. Svalberg filled his schedule by touring as part of the HUGHES TURNER PROJECT band.

Meantime DEREK SHERINAN cut another solo album, on which Yngwie duly guested, and found the time to join up with BILLY IDOL's band for his North American summer 'Kiss The Skull' tour. Limbering up to promote his 'Attack' album Yngwie uncharacteristically scheduled a TV showing as guest on the hugely popular Swedish STV children's comedy show 'Alram Est'. Pony Canyon would follow up the success of 'Attack' with a collection of early recordings dubbed 'Genesis' in December. This album compiled recordings dating from 1980, a twelve minute rendition of JIMI HENDRIX's 'Voodoo Chile' plus other rarities.

Malmsteen's 2003 European tour, with Dougie White still maintaining his lead vocal role, was seriously affected when German dates were pulled by the promoter at the last minute. However, fans that were fortunate enough to catch the guitarist in other European countries as well as Scandinavia would be witness to a novel rendition of RAINBOW's 'Stargazer' classic - with Yngwie performing drums.

Malmsteen, presenting an all instrumental band of Mark Cervino, Patrick Johansson and keyboard player Joakim Svalberg, united with JOE SATRIANI and STEVE VAI for a highly successful run of October 'G3 '03' North American tour dates.

2004 to 2007

Malmsteen's highly successful G3 shows flanked by STEVE VAI and JOE SATRIANI of October 2003 spawned the DVD and CD sets 'G3 - Live in Denver' and 'G3 Live: Rockin' In The Free World', released in February 2004. However, with a new album on the horizon the guitarist did not commit to the European G3 leg of dates, his place being taken by KING CRIMSON's Robert Fripp.

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN set out on an extensive US headline tour commencing 3rd March at the House Of Blues in New Orleans and running through until mid April. Support came from the GEORGE LYNCH band. The guitarist's touring band for this trek saw a return for Doogie White and Patrik Johansson, keyboard player Joakim Svalberg with the esteemed figure of OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT and WHITESNAKE man Rudy Sarzo on bass. Meantime, former bassist Mick Cervino launched his new band entitled VIOLENT STORM, the debut album featuring Yngwie himself on the tracks 'Pain Is For Me' and 'Fire In The Unknown'.

Drummer Patrick Johansson, returning to Sweden to cut an album with PREY, also found space in his schedule to work with Swedish melodic Rockers TOKEN whilst Doogie White hooked up with M3, the band of WHITESNAKE exiles guitarists MICKY MOODY and BERNIE MARSDEN, for Summer gigs. The vocalist would also perform in Japan in early September, guesting for a special showcase gig with gifted Japanese guitarist TAKAYOSHI OMURA at Club Citta in Tokyo, as well as putting in a studio appearance on his debut 'Nowhere To Go' album. By October of 2004 Doogie White had laid down vocals for a new album at Malmsteen's own Studio 308 in Miami, Florida. February of 2005 had Patrik Johansson announcing another new venture, WASABI, in union with the ANTHRAX credited guitarist Dan Spitz.

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN's live band remained relatively stable, re-drafting Mick Cervino on bass. He announced Summer touring plans for Europe in an alliance with the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP. However, Schenker then pulled out of these shows, announcing that the original intention of his act being nominated as 'co-headline' status was not being honoured. He further explained that "The tour I agreed to was a co-headline deal with Yngwie closing the show. I was fine with this because he plays so loud and it would tend to deafen the delicate ears of my fans. However, reports have been coming in ... that I was advertised only as a special guest. Yngwie himself was advertising it on his website that way too. MSG was not even mentioned on the London Hammersmith tickets. This is an insult to MSG and myself."

The US / Greek collaboration FIREWIND was then announced as filling the support vacancy but would be forced to with draw when singer Chity Somapala's visa application was rejected. Fellow Swedes DRAGONLAND would finally land the support for shows at London's Hammersmith Apollo and Nottingham Rock City. Autumn touring across the USA saw support from Trinidad based band ORANGE SKY. On the recording front, RADIOACTIVE guitarist TOMMY DENANDER's solo album 'Taken', notably found Yngwie guesting on the track 'Shattered'. Meantime, Patrik Johansson announced a high profile side band dubbed THE SIDEFX, an alliance with vocalist PAUL SHORTINO, of ROUGH CUTT and QUIET RIOT repute, guitarist Ira Black, from VICIOUS RUMORS and HEATHEN and bassist Uriah Duffy of WHITESNAKE.

Drummer Patrick Johansson joined the ranks of W.A.S.P. in February 2006. The industrious skinsman, working with former members of 5SKIN, also founded KINLIN to record an album. Yngwie's US touring band for 2006, for dates commencing in Greenville, South Carolina on May 3rd, comprised singer Doogie White, bass player Mick Cervino, keyboard player DEREK SHERINIAN and drummer Patrik Johansson.

Malmsteen headed up a metalized version of THE BEATLES 'Magical Mystery Tour' for the Restless Records tribute album 'Butchering The Beatles' released in October, this track also involving JEFF SCOTT SOTO, guitarist Bob Kulick from BALANCE and the MEAT LOAF band, DOKKEN, DIO and FOREIGNER bassist Jeff Pilson plus W.A.S.P. and QUIET RIOT drummer Frankie Banali.

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN dates in Asia during in November witnessed shows in Bangkok, Thailand, Hong Kong in China and Taipei in Taiwan prior to a run of Australian shows. December concerts in Finland saw VIXEN as support. Universal Japan released a limited edition, six CD YNGWIE MALMSTEEN box set, 'Complete Box Polydor Years' comprising 'Rising Force', 'Marching Out', 'Trilogy', 'Odyssey', 'Trial By Fire:Live In Leningrad', and 'Eclipse', on December 13th 2006.

In a departure, Malmsteen's 2009 'Angels Of Love' album, released through the guitarist's custom imprint Rising Force Records, comprised an entirely instrumental acoustic set of catalogue tracks. The guitarist performed at the 'Guitarfest' event held at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, England in July.

Sad news arrived from Jeff Scott Soto in July 2009 when the singer issued a news release regarding former YNGWIE MALMSTEEN band bassist Marcel Jacob, stating "It is with deep regret and remorse I, along with fellow members of TALISMAN, am announcing our brother, longtime colleague and overall greatest musician we've ever played with, Marcel Jacob, is no longer with us as of today, Tuesday July 21, 2009. Marcel took his own life after many years of personal and health issues he was battling."