MICHAEL WILTON 2006

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ESP SIGNATURE GUITAR 2006

 

MICHAEL WILTON

QUEENSRYCHE

SOULBENDER

Discography

Queensryche:

EP  Queensryche - 1983

The Warning - 1984

Rage For Order - 1986

Operation Mindcrime - 1988
(First Grammy Nomination)

Empire - 1990
(Second Grammy Nomination, Performed at the Grammies, and Empire went triple platinum.)

Operation: LiveCrime - 1991

Promised Land - 1994

Hear In The Now - 1997

Q2K -  1999

Greatest Hits - 2000

Live Evolution - 2001

Classic Masters - 2003

Tribe -2003

The Art of Live - 2004

Operation MindCrime 11 -2006

SoulBender:

SoulBender - 2006

MICHAEL WILTON VISITS ANGELWING'S DEN FOR A FEW DAYS

   In the Den this week is Mr. Michael Wilton.  We'll talk about Michael Wilton on a personal level, which includes how I met him and the three days I was able to spend with him at the NAMM 2006 event here in Anaheim, California.  In a few series’ to follow this exclusive I am honored to be given, we here at NashvilleRock.net feel that it deserves a few different versions as I have interviews done exclusively with Michael as well as exclusive photographs taken as I go along this journey to share with Michael's fans and loyal servants.  I do this because after twenty plus years of dedicated music, this man should be an idol to us all. Future features will hit upon his dedication to Queensryche, as well as what is in his future; including debut band, SoulBender due to release their first EP, SoulBender.

   With Queensryche due to release Operation Mindcrime II, and SoulBender, due to release SoulBender with former Alice In Chains and My Sister's Machine member, Nick Pollock, Michael Wilton attended the NAMM 2006 event a very busy man. Doing seminars for both Digi-Tech and ESP Guitars, guitar lessons to resident guitar enthusiasts, two bands, and a wife and family, how Michael has time to breath is beyond me. I do know that in the few days this lucky angel got to spend with him, I learned what it was like to be him for just one day.  Michael would take the time to stop and listen as every five seconds someone would stop to say hello to him or shake hands and tell a story of how he had changed their lives or what concert they saw and the experience they had with huge smiles on the their faces.  It was so humbling.  Never upset, agitated or annoyed; he loved meeting each and every fan.  And, of course, I got a few privileges being along for the ride.  I was introduced to Dan Donegan (guitar) of Disturbed while hanging out at the Hilton bar.  I also shook hands with the incredible Eddie Kramer, Doug Aldrich, and Paul Crooke.  This was indeed a nice surprise!  You never know who you might run into at NAMM. With an inside scoop, you can be in the right place at the right time to catch certain candid moments.  I hope you enjoy the story laid out in my photos. You will find everything, everyone, and anything related to the music industry. Four days is still not enough time to see everything there is to offer.  It is spectacular, well organized, and professional each and every year.  You have to be here to witness. or possibly understand, how crazy this place becomes with people. When you have the biggest and the best in the music industry here to represent, it is one of the most  thrilling events a music lover could attend.  

   What I want to share with you in this feature is my experience at NAMM 2006 as I go behind the scenes with Michael Wilton as his personal photographer.  I had no idea what was in store and never expected to hang out and meet some of the biggest artists today.  We are going backstage at the Digi-Tech seminar party on the opening of the NAMM 2006 show. Michael was asked to perform on stage that night, as well as the kids from New Jersey's own School of Rock.  Below are pictures of various performers with Michael Wilton on this night, including a very special photo of Eddie Kramer and Michael.  So, let us start the journey of my three days with the one and only Mr. Michael Wilton - Queensryche Guitar God Extrodinaire.

Michael Wilton with Eddie Kramer and School of Rock guitarist


Michael Wilton and Fan

Michael Wilton and Doug Aldrich
(Whitesnake and Dio)



Michael Wilton and Paul Crooke
(MeatLoaf and Anthrax)

   Friday, I had decided to spend the day at NAMM.  I raced out the door to be there in time for Michael's signing at the ESP Guitar booth. Here I was informed that also signing today beside Michael would be Megadeth's very own Dave Mustaine.  Heading out the door, I had no clue as to what was in store for me.  I got to Anaheim just in time for the signing sessions for Wilton and Mustaine. Rushing through the crowds of people waiting in line, I was quickly escorted into the ESP booth to set up for some shots of Michael’s signing and, after that, a seminar he was to perform at for Digi-Tech.  I was also there in time to catch a guitar player from Germany that was demonstrating a technique called the 8 Finger Tapping by the name of Ralf Jung.  This caught my attention so I had to fire off a couple rounds of film while he was perfecting a technique that few can accomplish.  He even mentioned some time after the shots were taken by email, that I was the only photographer that had caught him doing this advanced guitar finger tapping. I will let my photographs tell you the story of Friday through Sunday.  After the signing and seminar, I was informed that we were going to the Disturbed show at the House of Blues that evening.  I was not able to receive a photo pass on such short notice but that was all right with me.  Are you kidding? Disturbed has been a favorite of mine for some time.  Not working a show is always more enjoyable as I have an opportunity to see and hear things I would have missed working the show.  So, it was an amazing day! Disturbed gave a performance that had the audience's full attention. Driving home that night from Anaheim, I could not of been in a higher place.  

Michael Wilton and Dave Mustaine
(Megadeth)


Ralf Jung



Michael Wilton 2006

   Saturday at NAMM is well known as the party day!  So it was a nice casual day where we just walked around and got to meet many of Michael's fans. We also ran into a few friends later in the evening and spent the time enjoying and taking in the sites of NAMM from the public view to the behind the scenes view.  This NAMM was new to me and one of the biggest events of my career.  I could not have asked for a nicer, more giving artist to work with than Michael Wilton.  Truly, if ever an angel there was, he is my version.  Thank you Whip!

   Special Thanks go out to the crew at NAMM for always taking such good care of the press and media.  My job is made easier by folks like you who are always so kind and generous.  The National Association of Music Merchants is the best there is.  To view more about this event see below:

www.NAMM.com

Michael Wilton and Dan Donegan
(Disturbed)



Michael Wilton and the Angel



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Unauthorized use will be subject to punishment by law.



Angel Picture copyright of Lorenzo Sperlonga
Not to be used without permission.
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Lorenzo Sperlonga