Being a true master of an instrument like guitar is difficult. Mastering a new language like Japanese is even more difficult. Contributing to some of the most legendary thrash metal songs and most successful albums in history with Megadeth is rare. Becoming an international ambassador for a country that is not your place of birth is even more rare. Not many people can lay claim to one of those singular achievements, yet Marty Friedman is one of the few people on the planet who can say he has done all of them and more over his years.
Now with 2023 ahead of him, guitar icon Marty Friedman is ready to build upon his already impressive legacy. With the world shut down due to the global pandemic in 2020, Marty took that time to write and record his latest masterpiece Tokyo Jukebox 3. The album – which was released on April 16, 2021 in the United States – received massive acclaim from around the globe. An official music video for the album opener “Makenaide” was released and showcases his otherworldly technical abilities and unique sense of humor, as well as his incredible attention to melody that fans have come to love and expect from Marty. Tokyo Jukebox 3 ends with the track “Japan Heritage Official Theme Song.” Marty was commissioned to write that track by the Japanese government to become a musical testament to everything Japan. The song is currently played at government sponsored events all over Japan and Marty worked with the Tokyo Philharmonic on the track. Just last month, an official music video was filmed for the track by the Japanese government that features Marty performing the song as over 100 cultural landmarks from Japan are gloriously featured. More info and an official release date for the video will be made available in the future. Fans interested in checking out Tokyo Jukebox 3 can find more information at https://smarturl.it/MartyFriedman-MLG.
| Recently, Marty was announced as direct support on the upcoming Queensrÿche tour. Marty is confirmed to perform on 31-dates with Queensrÿche kicking off on March 3rd in Orlando, FL and running through April 16th where is wraps up in St. Petersburg, FL. Along the way, the tour will make stops in Dallas, TX (March 11th); Anaheim, CA (March 19th); Chicago, IL (March 31st), New York, NY (April 10th) and Nashville, TN (April 14th) to name a few. Also, Marty recently announced two headline shows on his own: March 17th in Las Vegas, NV at Counts Vampd and March 18th in Los Angeles, CA at the Whisky A Go Go. The tour marks Marty’s first time performing in the US since 2019. Tickets for all performances by Marty Friedman can be found here: https://martyfriedman.com/#tourdates. Marty Friedman 2023 US Tour Dates |
| Marty Friedman`s presence in the world of music, the world of guitar, and Japanese pop culture is mystifying, bizarre, and nothing short of inspiring. Born in Washington D.C., Friedman first gained attention with the band Cacophony, which he founded with equally enigmatic and now legendary guitarist, Jason Becker. In 1990, he was recruited by Megadeth appearing on some of the most influential metal albums of all time including Rust In Peace, Countdown To Extinction and Youthanasia and helped propel Megadeth to its peak. Since 2003, Friedman has lived in Tokyo where he has become a household name, even beyond the world of music. Since moving to Japan, he’s appeared on over 700 Japanese TV shows of every variety, acted in motion pictures and appeared in major television commercial campaigns. He was also recently appointed an Ambassador of Japan Heritage by the Japanese Government. Tokyo Jukebox 3 was released on April 16, 2021 and is the latest in this distinguished, ongoing line following Tokyo Jukebox and Tokyo Jukebox 2. Photo courtesy of PFA Media |
