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Wednesday, March 7, 2012

The #65 Guitarist of the Rock Era: Timo Tolkki

This is the list built so far in The Top 100 Guitarists*:

100.   Mick Barr, Orthrelm
99.    Jerry Cantrell, Alice in Chains
98.    Mike Bloomfield, Paul Butterfield Blues Band
97.    Danny Kirwan, Fleetwood Mac
96.    Daron Malakian, System of a Down
95.    Sam Totman, Dragonforce
94.    Kerry King, Slayer
93.    Robbie Krieger, Doors
92.    Ted Nugent
91.    Jason Becker, David Lee Roth
90.    John 5, David Lee Roth, Marilyn Manson
89.    Jake E. Lee, Ratt, Ozzy Osbourne
88.    Michael Wilton, Queensryche
87.    James Munky Shaffer, Korn
86.     Uli Jon Roth, Scorpions
85.     Richie Sambora, Bon Jovi
84.     Rick Derringer, McCoys, Edgar Winter Group, solo
83.     Dave Mason, Traffic, solo
82.     Warren DeMartini, Ratt, Whitesnake
81.     Synyster Gates, Avenged Sevenfold
80.     Jack White, the White Stripes
79.     Alex Lifeson, Rush
78.     Chuck Schuldiner, Death
77.     Neil Young, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, solo
76.     C.C. DeVille, Poison
75.     Gary Rossington, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rossington-Collins Band
74.     Peter Frampton, Humble Pie, solo
73.     Neil Giraldo, Pat Benatar
72.     Keith Richards, Rolling Stones 

71.     Michael Schenker, Scorpions, UFO, Michael Schenker Group 

70.     Tom Morello, Rage Against the Machine 

69.     Neal Schon, Santana, Journey
68.     Vivian Campbell, Whitesnake, Def Leppard, Thin Lizzy

67.    Dave Mustaine, Metallica, Megadeth
66.    Danny Gatton


We've heard from 35 of the elite guitarists of the Rock Era.  #65 not only has great speed but a sense of melody, a dynamic combination:
#65:  Timo Tolkki, Stratovarius
31 years as an active guitarist

Timo Tolkki of Finland was the longest-standing member of Stratovarius before forming Revolution Renaissance in 2008.  Guitar World named Timo 27th of the Fastest Guitar Players in the World. 

But more importantly, Tolkki has a great knowledge of the guitar and he understands melody.  Many people can play fast, but it's another thing to be able to give some thought into the notes one is playing and make it something worth listening to.  Because you see, the more you do that, the more difficult it is to play fast.  If some of the fast shredders had to come up with melodic solos, they couldn't play near as fast as you hear them play random notes.  That really is the key, and the guitarists who can do it are the ones who get recognized and awarded.

Tolkki began playing guitar at age seven and he practiced relentlessly, often eight hours a day.  He played in the bands Antidote, Thunder and Road Block before joining Stratovarius in 1984.  In the early history of the group, Timo played all lead and rhythm guitars, and at times bass guitar, as well as handing the lead vocalist.  He later passed on the bassist role to Jari Kainulainen and the lead vocals to Timo Kotipelto beginning with the group's fourth album in 1995.

Tolkki released in first solo album, Classical Variations and Themes, in 1994, which focused on instrumentals.  A later solo album--Hymn to Life in 2002, dealt with emotional issues such as his relationship with God and his late father.


Tolkki also started his own recording studio, Goldenworks Mixing Suite. In 2005, Timo recorded a final album with Stratovarius before leaving the band in 2008. He decided to waive the legal rights to the group's name, allowing the band to continue. Timi then recorded a rock opera, Saana-Warrior of Light Pt. 1 which included several guest vocalists.

IN 2010, Tolkki formed Symfonia, a power metal group with Andre Matos, keyboardist Mikko Harkin, drummer Uli Kusch and former Stratovarius member Jari Kainulainen. The group played at the 2011 Finnish Metal Expo.  Tolkki has also traveled around the world offering the Masterclass Guitar Workshop:  Guitar & Music Beyond Infinity in which he talks about how music is connected to life and emotions. 


Tolkki began with a progressive, heavy sound but when Kotipelto took over as lead vocalist, Tolkki adopted neo-classical phrasing and shredding, featuring a faster and more melodic power metal tone.

Tolkki has always played ESP Guitars, primarily a customized M Series in solid black. He has also been seen playing an ESP EX series. Tolkki originally used Mesa/Boogie and Laney amplifiers, but witched to Marshall's in 2001 and since 2007, Timo has used an ENGL Powerball.


Tolkki has sold over 2.5 million records and his productions have sold over 5 million despite his music not being "mainstream".  His solos have been great to listen to, especially outside of Stratovarius.  Timo Tolkki ranks as The #65 Guitarist of the Rock Era*.

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