Jake E. Lee looking to get back in the fold...

[tonemonster]

I dont know what happened either. that into the fire link you posted wasnt that bad. and I dont know what his fascination with shitty effects is either, but man his tone sure isnt what it was. I mean how can you fuck that up? with his rep and everyone throwing gear at him, and the gear that is out there these days, it should be EASY for him to have purely amazing tone all the time. but he dont. Hell, MY tone makes his sound just horrible. I just dont know how you can fuck that up.

[jgcable]

I dont know what happened either. that into the fire link you posted wasnt that bad. and I dont know what his fascination with shitty effects is either, but man his tone sure isnt what it was. I mean how can you fuck that up? with his rep and everyone throwing gear at him, and the gear that is out there these days, it should be EASY for him to have purely amazing tone all the time. but he dont. Hell, MY tone makes his sound just horrible. I just dont know how you can fuck that up.

I agree, I don't get it either. Its frustrating when you are guys like us who never became famous or rich. I have been playing since I was 13 which is 38 years and I am still at the top of my game. Actually, I think I am better today than I was in the 80's when I toured with Twisted Sister and Zebra. How come some of these famous super rich former guitar gods couldn't keep it together? Thats frustrating to me.
Many of them can't write anymore, they can barely play and they have terrible tone. The only things they do have are tons of money, tons of endorsement deals and tons of popularity.

[ulijdavid]

I think TREM hit the nail on the head with his "Hunger" statement. All of those guys were hungry for fame and success back in the day. They achieved it at that time. Much to the frustration of many on this forum, music is one of the few professions where you are continuosly rewarded for past accomplishments - royalties, endorsements, etc. Many of us on this forum are still very hungry in our own ways. My hunger is somewhat less than most at this period of time. I think about what I want to accomplish when I am at work and get great satisfaction out of little things like learning a new song or lick. I am able to have little victories fuel my musical aspirations daily.
Many of the guys from the 80's had fair amounts of success and probably realize that their type of music is out of fashion. I couldn't imagine what I would do if I thought I had peaked musically and monetarily at age 21. I think that is why many resort to drugs. Jake E Lee openly stated he hated the whole business side of music. He obviously lost any hunger to fuel him. Maybe now he has a new hunger realizing that you may be able to put out decent music without dealing with corporate record companies thanks to the internet. We shall see.
I still respect all of the 80's greats accomplishments. You guys are correct in that they are not what they used to be. But, I personally learned alot from them during my years and don't have any problem with them going out to make a living - regardless of their current abilities. If their playing is that bad, no one will show up.

[Larz]

Maybe a lot of these guys that rode the 80's metal/rock/hair wave on the worldwide tours and MTv with bags of cash just don't see the point anymore of working their asses off to be the best when most are relegated to playing short sets at state fairs in front of 200 people nowadays. Its like slumming for them now or something.

There's no big payday and platinum records ahead of them anymore. There's no carrot dangling out there for them to push themselves to be their best.

And they are bitter that they didn't put money in a 401(k) instead of blowing it up their nose or wasting it on a half-dozen Harleys and Corvettes.

[jacksonluvr]

Well... maybe i wasn't as good as him then but I am certainly better than him now!!!!

HEY! That's exactly what I say about Eddie Van Halen!