Yngwie Malmsteen Visits London Politicians To Support ‘Rock The House’.

Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen visited politicians in London last Thursday to lend his support for a new anti-piracy campaign. The “Rock The House” campaign attempts to promote the import ace of copyright and the live music sector to politicians in the UK, who have the power to make legislation to support the music industry.

Malmsteen said he’s lucky to have built a fan base since starting out in the 1980s, but it’s tough for new artists today (via Classic Rock): “The younger musicians of newer generations, their future doesn’t look too good. Everyone seems to have a CD out or YouTube videos, you know? Back in the 80s if you had a record out, you were hot sh-t!

“Copyright is everything to a musician. Just like inventions, the music you write is like your own child. If it gets sold to people, you should be rewarded. No one should be able to take it from you. “You don’t go around stealing cars! The rules should apply to music, film, books etc. Anything that can be distributed should be accounted for. Something has to be done. The machine is broken.”

It’s a fair question – if most people wouldn’t steal a car, why would they steal music? In some ways it seems obvious, because you’re less likely to be punished for stealing music. But is it really that simple?