Marty Friedman has sold over 10 million albums with the multi-platinum band Megadeth. He has also a dedicated following for his own solo albums which stylistically range from orchestral soundtrack style music to furious aggressive rock, with the common thread being Marty`s unique and tasty sense of melody. His latest album is called `Music For Speeding` and it marks his solo debut with the heavy hitting major label Universal Japan as well as Steve Vai`s Favored Nations label in the US. Marty has toured the world several times over very successfully withMegadeth. Along with touring, he is in high demand to do music/guitar seminars and clinics all over the U.S., Asia, Europe and South America, which he has done hundreds to date. Marty is also a regular columnist for Guitar World magazine, Young Guitar magazine (Japan) and Burrn Magazine in which he writes a column in Japanese, a reader favorite. Marty has designed his own signature model guitar with Jackson Guitars (the KE-1) that has been selling consistently since it was put on the market. He has just begun an endorsement relationship with Ibanez. His new 'Marty Friedman model' guitar will make its world debut in Oct '05 at the Tokyo Music Show. Along with doing his solo performances around the world, Marty is currently touring and recording with Japanese mega-star Aikawa Nanase.
Before joining Megadeth in Feb.1990, Marty was in a band called Cacophony, which released 2 albums (among their indie label's highest selling) and toured the U.S. and Japan. This band highlighted the potent guitar playing of Marty and fellow guitarist Jason Becker (who was to join David Lee Roth's band and record an album with him in 1990). Marty has received extremely high acclaim and many awards around the world for his unmistakably `Marty-esque` way of playing the guitar.
Marty is from Washington D.C. originally but has lived in many places including Hawaii, Germany and California, giving him an odd and interesting approach to making his music. He currently resides in Tokyo
Marty speaks Japanese well and when in Japan, does all of his TV and radio interviews in fluent Japanese.
In September, 2000 he hosted a documentary about the Kiss farewell tour on NHK, (a major Japanese network similar to America's PBS) .
The first major concert Marty did was with his group,' Hawaii' at the Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu,HI. supporting Deep Purple.
Marty has around 25 guitars in his collection, the majority of them being variations of his signature series (Jackson KE-1 Marty Friedman model) guitar.
Prior to joining Megadeth, Marty produced a handful of albums for indie labels, some of which to lead to major label releases. He has also produced or co-produced all of his solo albums.
In his spare time on the road, Marty likes to give music seminars or sit in and jam with the local bands at clubs around the country.
When at home off the road, he often plays the national anthem at Phoenix hockey games.
A major Elvis fan, Marty has collected Elvis stuff since elementary school.
In 2001 Marty played all the lead guitar on "Explorers Club 2" with Terry Bozzio
Marty played lead guitar as a guest on the major label debut (indie debut sold double platinum) of "Mr. Orange", a wildly popular band in Japan.
Besides the arduous task of creating `Music For Speeding` Marty has laid down tracks for ESPN, a NYC charity album, as well as 2 tribute albums to his pal Jason Becker.
2003-
Marty put together a stellar band for his US tour to promote his solo album, "Music For Speeding".
Arranged 3 songs and played guitar for Sera Masanori's "Twist Songs" album released on Columbia Records on 9/25.
Marty also performed with Sera at the Festival Hall in Osaka as well as the legendary Budokan in Tokyo on 10/8.
Marty appeared on NHK with Sera and Ayumi Hamasaki's guitarist Yoshio Nomura.
Fuji Television will broadcast Marty and Sera on 10/12 on the prime time program "Mina ga utaeru super hit" "Super Hits everyone can sing"
Performed 2 songs from his solo album live for nationwide broadcast on Sky Perfect TV's "Party Dude!" program.
2 page spread and interview in Sony UV magazine. (issue 94 released 9/25)
Constant coverage in Young Guitar, Player and Guitar from Japan as well as Guitar World and Guitar Player from the US.
Marty recorded with Aikawa Nanase on her upcoming single, "Ai no Uta"
A popular Nissan Commercial for the new X-trail was recorded by Marty in Tokyo.
Marty also did guest guitar work on a track for Avex band "03" for an album saluting the legendary Gedo which will be released on Sony.
After over 1000 shows worldwide Marty finally played at Budokan on Oct. 8th!
Marty has inked an endorsement deal with Ibanez guitars who in turn are sending him around the world to play their guitars and promote his album, "Music for Speeding". Ibanez is launching an ad campaign in the US featuring Marty and his new "SZ" guitar.
An attendance record breaking guitar clinic/mini-live promotional tour of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong took place in October. Winter '03/'04 had similar events in Thailand, Peru, Argentina, Chile and Brazil bringing in bigger attendance than during his tenure in Megadeth.
Marty apprears on Fuji TV's "Music Fair" on 11/22.
Aikawa Nanase's New Year's concert at Nagashima brings in 30,000 in attendance.
Marty records Aikawa Nanase's single "Ai No Uta" which charted on Japan's Oricon chart. It was Marty's first recording on a J-pop single.
Intent on making his mark on the Japanese music world, Marty has spent much of 2003 being involved in extensive music work in Japan, from guitar playing to producing, songwriting, arranging and live concerts, all leading towards some very special music from Marty in 2004.
In 2004 Marty did Aikawa Nanase's two major tours, "THE GIG '04" (which featured guest superstar Yumi from "Puffy" and the "LIVE EMOTION '04" tour which spawned a hit live DVD filmed in Kobe, Japan.
Marty also inked an endorsement deal with Ovation Acoustic Guitars. He debuted these guitars at the Aikawa Nanase unplugged concert in November. (to be released on dvd in '05)
Marty also released "99 Secret Lead Guitar Phrases", which critics have called 'possibly the most useful instructional DVD ever made'.
Along with lots of radio, TV and magazine work, Marty did many solo concerts as well as more shows with Japanese household name singer/actor Sera Masanori.
2005 has Marty's new song "Street Demon" to be released on Avex in March, music for Sony Playstation's hit game Formula One 2005, lots of TV appearances, radio, live concerts and a long awaited new solo album and tour.
my favorite guitarist
