@@ROOKTABULA Mike admittedly wrote some rather basic lyrics to certain songs, but Little Fighter isn't too bad, no? It also has some of Vito's best playing in it, as we have just seen.
Let's face it. You can recognise his playing. That's what turns a guitarist into a legend. In less than 10 years in the industry Vito left some of the most memorable guitar playing we'll ever hear (or feel...). We're not talking about people who've been in the business for 30+ years, sometimes with a descending parabola. We all know that, even if he plays melodic stuff, he's capable of extraordinary technique and a fantasy that is so rare in the genre. You can tell how great he was because he didn't need to shred to death, to replace harmonic ideas with thousand of notes per second, although he was perfectly capable of playing superfast and with the utmost precision. Vito is underrated because EVH was an asshole to him. EVH has been the godfather of guitar at the time and to me it makes perfect sense if he went to the label threatening them if they would have produced Vito's material. EVH, apart from being a guitar god, wasn't that great guy we imagine. Search for it but get your own idea. Guitarists like Vito could have stopped him from being the greatest in a certain contest. They were very similar. Vito said "he opened the door", but then Vito took it to another level. That's it. Period. If you don't agree you are deaf. Maybe Vito wasn't a riff machine like Jimmy Page, but his solos won't never be replicated.
Wow, you said it perfectly. I actually met him in 1991 in front of a "Grey's Papaya" on broadway and sixty something. He was tried to be gracious but was super pissed with the dissolve of White Lion. Anyway, i never heard EVH, was trying to curtail Vito's career. However from some of the lesser known interviews it doesn't surprise me. That level of fame has to do something to you. Anyway i remember getting Pride and listening to it endlessly. It was so perfect. Heavy, tasty, discerning with what he is choosing for every part, so layered. Thanks for your insight!
Vito is one of the best guitarists period! He doesn’t get anywhere near the credit that he deserves. Also, he noted Eddie as his influence and spoke of how Eddie revolutionized so much with the guitar, Vito took that and done his own thing, he was great!
Eddie Van Halen's tapping are popular. But Vito Bratta's tapping are melodically badass. For me Vito Bratta should be included in the list of Top 100 Metal Guitarist of All Time, same as Dime and Paul Gilbert. So underrated legend guitarist. I listen to White Lion because of him. He's one of my inspiration in guitar playing.
Yes he was but so to was Eddie. In fact, that's what distinguished his tapping from every single imitator. From Eruption to Source of Infection to Hot for Teacher to Summer Nights to Beat It, Eddie never tapped without the tune in mind.
@@dsvet Howe is technically brilliant (like Macalpine) but melodically he's just okay. That's why he never caught on with anyone. Guys at that level usually got gigs with high level bands to make a living after they got tired of doing clinics at music stores or playing clubs to 30 people. Vinnie Moore went on to play with Alice Cooper and UFO. Howe is easily as talented yet hasn't really done anything to keep himself in the public consciousness in 25 years.
30 years later this still might be the high water mark for technical rock guitar, at least in terms of using sick chops in service of the song. It's a wild solo but every note is essential.
Vito was also a nice guy. My band opened for White Lion at a club on Long Island. He lived my 87 Kramer Baretta that he played it during their sound check (I have pictures!)
Honestly, he may have just been in the wrong band. Even as a hair metal shredder back in the late 80's, I always thought WL was a little too heavy on the cheese
@@nisosolic9290 Bratta solos were incredible, obviously he used tapping but he brought that technique to another level un terms of melody...his solos are memorable and I can not say the same when I think of EVH...
Not wrong band, wrong timing. In a way similar to Jake E Lee's Badlands (obviously White Lion were not as good), they got out late 80s through the early 90s, when all these great bands were classified as "hair metal" and weren't cool anymore, while grunge was rising strongly. Vito Bratta apparently said "fuck it" to the music's business and disappeared. Understandable, still a shame though, he was an awesome player.
No one before or since has Vito Bratta’s sense of melody, ability to shred, and the chord changes he was able to create. I really do wish Vito and or White Lion record a new album. Realizing that’s likely not going to be the case, I’m certainly glad we have the music we do. Vito is my favorite guitarist of that era.
Vito Bratta like John Sykes andWarren DiMartini all so seriously UNDERRATED guitar players its unreal. This guy Vito was futching so awesome its incredible. Absolutely as good as ANYONE. I WAS LOOKING AND HOPEING you had done some video content on Vito so thank you a bunch Uncle Ben. WHITE LION WERE AN AMAZING TALENTED BAND 😎😎👍👍👍💜💙🔥🔥🔥
Fantastic job, Ben. I thank you for showing us how to play this essential melodic lead. I always get chills when the song goes from the clean intro to the main distorted riff. I miss Vito's playing-- he had a way of making such melodic lead solos. Not only is he an astronomical lead soloist, but a phenomenal songwriter. It is such a shame he has been retired. I wish he would reconsider and put out some new music, with or without the White Lion. I still occasionally listen to the Eddie Trunk interview with him and hope Vito is still doing well.
Love all the Vito lessons! Would love living on the edge lesson! Can't find anyone offering it. Thanks again for giving Vito the props he so desperately deserves!
One of my favourite solos. Thank you Uncle Ben for the lesson. I wasn't so clear about the tap harmonics at the end but you made it clear. Thank you once again.
White Lion was one of my favourite bands when I was in high school because of Vito's playing! His style was different than anyone else's in my opinion and that's why I liked them so much. Thanks for bringing back that memory Ben!
you been working hard for that, and you share it as lesson, that is very nice, I been working on that solo for a long time but I didn't nail it. thank dude.
You make it look so GD easy!!! I've been a Vito fan since the beginning of White Lion, and his songs are always a huge challenge for me to learn and play. Kudos to you!
Vito is and was one of the most underrated guitar players of the 80's ...an amazing mixture of Elton John and Eddie Van Halen .. every solo was unique to the song & his rhythm playing complimented Mike Tramp's vocals .. what are unique .. and he dropped out of the public eye to take care of his ailing father ..
Both guitarists did what I would never do COMPROMISE. Sugar coated in the hope of making it. They did but how long. Never liked Lion or extreme same reason the extreme singer didn't get far with VH. Not working. No inspiration. David Roth has earned my total respect over years
@@bobravenscraft5376 I am not so sure about that. Vito has said that his biggest influences were Judas Priest, Van Halen and Elton John. Is there any reason to think that he didn't want to do a pop crossover? Ironically, the only song I have heard them refer to as calculated was their heaviest, If My Mind is Evil, which was an attempt at getting Metallica fans on board.
Wow!! I don't comment very much on youtube but your solo and instructional are spot on! Vitto Bratta is so unique, I have never hear anyone match it; you did! Nice job.
Ñisssssssssce 🎸 When I was in highschool my guitar player's fav guitarist was Vito ! He bought a white Steinberger just like Vito! We'd play wait , little fighter & some song off the first album! Good times late 80s goodness🎸
Thanks Bro - really great job with clear view teaching !! Always was one of my all time favs as well , so melodic and downright beautiful guitar work...I actually used it as my ring tone for quite a while !! Thanks again for this lesson - it gives me something to work on for the next 5 years !!
I encourage every aspiring guitar player, in any style, to take a crack at this and/or the solo for "Wait". They're no joke, but super melodic and fun to play. Tons of great techniques, seamlessly woven together with great melodies. All of Vito's solos are little gems that any player can learn from. Come back out and play, Vito!!!!
Amazing song from beginning to end. Great writing, legendary solo. Vito was a rare genius natural player. He deserves a bigger place in guitar player lore Truly a genius without trying
This is one of my favorites from high school. Vito was soooo unattainable as a beginner guitarist back then. I wish I could experience it all over again with great instruction like this that is so easily available. Just to see the results...
Nice Ben!! Love Vito!!!
Rick Beato thanks, Rick! He was a monster player, he wrote such memorable and melodic solos over some cool chord changes.
@Broyo yo That'll be tough considering you've got Mike Tramp and his lyrics. 😋
I transpose this song to E.... Much simpler too play
@@ROOKTABULA Mike admittedly wrote some rather basic lyrics to certain songs, but Little Fighter isn't too bad, no? It also has some of Vito's best playing in it, as we have just seen.
My favorite solo guitar...tq Ben Eller
Vito was one of the best, so melodic that you can actually wistle his solos, and that's a mark of great musicality to my opinion
I totally agree with you. I sing these solos...
I whistle his solos at work sometimes and people say " that's interesting- What is that?" 🤣😅
Elliot Easton was another
Let's face it. You can recognise his playing. That's what turns a guitarist into a legend. In less than 10 years in the industry Vito left some of the most memorable guitar playing we'll ever hear (or feel...). We're not talking about people who've been in the business for 30+ years, sometimes with a descending parabola. We all know that, even if he plays melodic stuff, he's capable of extraordinary technique and a fantasy that is so rare in the genre. You can tell how great he was because he didn't need to shred to death, to replace harmonic ideas with thousand of notes per second, although he was perfectly capable of playing superfast and with the utmost precision. Vito is underrated because EVH was an asshole to him. EVH has been the godfather of guitar at the time and to me it makes perfect sense if he went to the label threatening them if they would have produced Vito's material. EVH, apart from being a guitar god, wasn't that great guy we imagine. Search for it but get your own idea. Guitarists like Vito could have stopped him from being the greatest in a certain contest. They were very similar. Vito said "he opened the door", but then Vito took it to another level. That's it. Period. If you don't agree you are deaf. Maybe Vito wasn't a riff machine like Jimmy Page, but his solos won't never be replicated.
Wow, you said it perfectly. I actually met him in 1991 in front of a "Grey's Papaya" on broadway and sixty something. He was tried to be gracious but was super pissed with the dissolve of White Lion. Anyway, i never heard EVH, was trying to curtail Vito's career. However from some of the lesser known interviews it doesn't surprise me. That level of fame has to do something to you. Anyway i remember getting Pride and listening to it endlessly. It was so perfect. Heavy, tasty, discerning with what he is choosing for every part, so layered. Thanks for your insight!
Vito is one of the best guitarists period! He doesn’t get anywhere near the credit that he deserves. Also, he noted Eddie as his influence and spoke of how Eddie revolutionized so much with the guitar, Vito took that and done his own thing, he was great!
Eddie Van Halen's tapping are popular. But Vito Bratta's tapping are melodically badass. For me Vito Bratta should be included in the list of Top 100 Metal Guitarist of All Time, same as Dime and Paul Gilbert. So underrated legend guitarist. I listen to White Lion because of him. He's one of my inspiration in guitar playing.
Yes he was but so to was Eddie. In fact, that's what distinguished his tapping from every single imitator. From Eruption to Source of Infection to Hot for Teacher to Summer Nights to Beat It, Eddie never tapped without the tune in mind.
Greg Howe is much better. Check out the album Howe II
Vito had such soulful memorable solos. I loved his stuff
top 100? Yeah obviously. Hes closer to top 30 imo
@@dsvet Howe is technically brilliant (like Macalpine) but melodically he's just okay. That's why he never caught on with anyone. Guys at that level usually got gigs with high level bands to make a living after they got tired of doing clinics at music stores or playing clubs to 30 people. Vinnie Moore went on to play with Alice Cooper and UFO. Howe is easily as talented yet hasn't really done anything to keep himself in the public consciousness in 25 years.
Vito Bratta is the most melodic rock guitarist to ever play. Thank you Ben
Vito was WAY underrated!
By who? We all know he is a badass!! 😁
What?Is this why to try to learn his solos 30+ years later?
Young people never heard of White Lion or Yngwie, but they can name every Queen song 🤮
The most underappreciated guitars of the last 30 years. So much melody,so much groove , so much rock.
30 years later this still might be the high water mark for technical rock guitar, at least in terms of using sick chops in service of the song. It's a wild solo but every note is essential.
Vito was also a nice guy. My band opened for White Lion at a club on Long Island. He lived my 87 Kramer Baretta that he played it during their sound check (I have pictures!)
Upload the pic ..
I once lived in an 87 kramer house.
@@mindcontrol67 No way! I once lived in a Jackson Pro Series King V KVT - 3-tone Sunburst
would love to see!
Pics!!!
Vito was a genius with solos! Totally did not get the recognition he truly deserved!
Honestly, he may have just been in the wrong band. Even as a hair metal shredder back in the late 80's, I always thought WL was a little too heavy on the cheese
Vito was just an EVH copycat and got depressed because he realised that he was never going to be remembered like Eddie. Hi from France :)
@@danrebeiz4598 he was in the right band, the problem was that they started at the 90's
@@nisosolic9290 Bratta solos were incredible, obviously he used tapping but he brought that technique to another level un terms of melody...his solos are memorable and I can not say the same when I think of EVH...
Not wrong band, wrong timing. In a way similar to Jake E Lee's Badlands (obviously White Lion were not as good), they got out late 80s through the early 90s, when all these great bands were classified as "hair metal" and weren't cool anymore, while grunge was rising strongly.
Vito Bratta apparently said "fuck it" to the music's business and disappeared. Understandable, still a shame though, he was an awesome player.
Vito was definitely an inspiration, so melodic and capable of shredding at the same time.
Your attention to detail on the last 2 wankshops is outstanding. Great reproductions of great solos without doubt.
No one before or since has Vito Bratta’s sense of melody, ability to shred, and the chord changes he was able to create. I really do wish Vito and or White Lion record a new album. Realizing that’s likely not going to be the case, I’m certainly glad we have the music we do. Vito is my favorite guitarist of that era.
You're out of your dang mind , Vito's not a guitar great .
@@2216sammy HaHaHaHa! your opinion which is not shared by most, including several other guitarists.
It is one thing to emulate and try master this solo,but it is another massive leap to compose such a masterpiece
Vito Bratta like John Sykes andWarren DiMartini all so seriously UNDERRATED guitar players its unreal. This guy Vito was futching so awesome its incredible. Absolutely as good as ANYONE. I WAS LOOKING AND HOPEING you had done some video content on Vito so thank you a bunch Uncle Ben. WHITE LION WERE AN AMAZING TALENTED BAND 😎😎👍👍👍💜💙🔥🔥🔥
Fantastic job, Ben. I thank you for showing us how to play this essential melodic lead. I always get chills when the song goes from the clean intro to the main distorted riff. I miss Vito's playing-- he had a way of making such melodic lead solos. Not only is he an astronomical lead soloist, but a phenomenal songwriter. It is such a shame he has been retired. I wish he would reconsider and put out some new music, with or without the White Lion. I still occasionally listen to the Eddie Trunk interview with him and hope Vito is still doing well.
Vito was truly one of the all time greats. To this day, nobody like him. An amazing songwriter too.
Dude! You’re the best for doing this! It really means a lot to take the time with breaking this down! Highly appreciate le!! Thanks a million!
Vito is a freaking legend! Wish he would come out of retirement and play!
AWESOME lesson Uncle Ben!! Your insights, tips, and suggestions are second to none!!
How you work this out just amazes me you are a top player and your work is so appreciated Thanks
Great video. Thanks for keeping Vito's music alive. Cheers.🙏
Love all the Vito lessons! Would love living on the edge lesson! Can't find anyone offering it. Thanks again for giving Vito the props he so desperately deserves!
One of my favourite solos. Thank you Uncle Ben for the lesson. I wasn't so clear about the tap harmonics at the end but you made it clear. Thank you once again.
White Lion was one of my favourite bands when I was in high school because of Vito's playing! His style was different than anyone else's in my opinion and that's why I liked them so much. Thanks for bringing back that memory Ben!
Amazing compositions. These are always so tricky to figure out by ear. Thank you!
Thanks for posting this Ben! Always loved Vito's playing, you did it justice.
you been working hard for that, and you share it as lesson, that is very nice, I been working on that solo for a long time but I didn't nail it. thank dude.
Excellent and in depth regarding a REAL SOLO that showcases TOUCH & TECHNIQUE 🤘🤘🤘🤘
Uncle Ben...thanks for keeping Vito relevant....and thanks for the AWESOME lesson...good stuff my brother!!!!
I had never heard of these guys till that vid last week, now I have a new band to listen to. Thanks uncle Ben.
I love that song and especially the solo! thank you for teaching it!
Ben - thank you for this video - incredibly smart solo and your explanation is fantastic
Nicely done Uncle Ben! Always liked this solo and you make it look effortless...
I love the intro and solo for 'Little Fighter'. Thanks for posting!
Fabulous! Thanks. Love this
One of my favorite solos ever! Great f’n job!
Awesome awesome awesome!!! Keep the Vito Bratta lessons coming. One of the best guitarists and songwriters of all time. Thank you for this video.
Yey, been waiting for this! 👍
shouldn't you be feeding animals or something with the shelter????
Loved this lesson Ben. Thank you buddy.
Simply amazing !
Vito is one of my all time favorite players. Thanks for the breakdown!
Been on of my favs since i was a boy. Great tutorial and thanks for the tips on looking first. I've struggled for years and that helped big time.
Best I've ever heard someone do that besides Vito. Nice job!!
Flawless! Love the sound!
You make it look so GD easy!!! I've been a Vito fan since the beginning of White Lion, and his songs are always a huge challenge for me to learn and play. Kudos to you!
Vito is and was one of the most underrated guitar players of the 80's ...an amazing mixture of Elton John and Eddie Van Halen .. every solo was unique to the song & his rhythm playing complimented Mike Tramp's vocals .. what are unique .. and he dropped out of the public eye to take care of his ailing father ..
He was EVH x 10! One of the best and that's a fact. Listen before you give me the EVH garbage.
I love Vito's work...! TNX!!
Clicked so fast, I went back in time... thank you Ben!
Very nicely taught - one of the toughest solos I've heard...you make it look possible! Thanks a ton!!
Nice one gonna try this solo thanks for sharing
“Vito Bratta is the only guitarist I've heard who sounds cool doing tapping.”
-Zakk Wylde. Guitar World. 1989.
He must have not have heard of Reb Beach yet
From the same interview where Zakk stated that chicken picking is probably going to be regarded as his signature technique. How wrong he was 😂
@@guillotinedeath he actually mentioned Reb in the next sentence - I can't decide whether his comment is flattering or not.
Both guitarists did what I would never do COMPROMISE. Sugar coated in the hope of making it. They did but how long. Never liked Lion or extreme same reason the extreme singer didn't get far with VH. Not working. No inspiration. David Roth has earned my total respect over years
@@bobravenscraft5376 I am not so sure about that. Vito has said that his biggest influences were Judas Priest, Van Halen and Elton John. Is there any reason to think that he didn't want to do a pop crossover? Ironically, the only song I have heard them refer to as calculated was their heaviest, If My Mind is Evil, which was an attempt at getting Metallica fans on board.
My first concert was white lion lol. Always liked the love dont come easy solo.
Wow!! I don't comment very much on youtube but your solo and instructional are spot on! Vitto Bratta is so unique, I have never hear anyone match it; you did! Nice job.
Love the Giant lick!!! Dan Huff is a monster!! Thank you for this I am a huge Vito fan.
Way to breakdown Vito's solo!!! He was such an underrated player with an incredible sense of melody in his playing.
Good Job , Ben.
I love that .
Dude! What a great lesson! 🤘🏻🎸
You teach me very clearly. .. thank you Master
One of my all-time favorite solos. Fan freakin tastic!
Congratulations Ben are the new release. The future looks bright!
Loooooove the section right after the pick tapping gives me the chills Everytime
Yeeeeei! I was waiting this!
wow couple weeks ago, i was listening to this song in repeat while driving to work.. nice nice
Ñisssssssssce 🎸
When I was in highschool my guitar player's fav guitarist was Vito ! He bought a white Steinberger just like Vito! We'd play wait , little fighter & some song off the first album! Good times late 80s goodness🎸
Stellar job, Ben.
Killer tune!
Your a good teacher Ben, very easy for me to understand 👍
Vito is truly one of a kind. He is the reason I started playing guitar.
Thank you Ben. This solo is my GOAT
Thanks Bro - really great job with clear view teaching !! Always was one of my all time favs as well , so melodic and downright beautiful guitar work...I actually used it as my ring tone for quite a while !! Thanks again for this lesson - it gives me something to work on for the next 5 years !!
Beautifully played and with a great tone! 🤘🏽
Thanks ben,great lesson!
Holy smokes! Love it!
Thank you Uncle Ben ......😘😘😘
Daaaammmmnnnnn! Awesome Dude!!!!! Gracias!
Fab! Thank you. 👍✨ Wow, I had never heard of a trans-trem before. 😯
Love the way you teach.
Good job ben!! I love that solo. One of my favorite..
Thanks man for your clean tutorials🖐
Awesome Playing Ben!!
Vito Bratta. Absolute genius!
Thanks Uncle Ben!!!
Your video has help me a lot on tracking down this solo.
So great my friend!
Good tutorial, one of the best solos!
Wow! Fricken nailed it! Tone and all!
Great version of a brilliant solo!
Spot on
Dang dude...Spot on!!!!
Holy smoke, that was amazing!! 👍 🤘 Sounded identical, so cool
Thank you!
Love Vito! Wish he would comeback!
I encourage every aspiring guitar player, in any style, to take a crack at this and/or the solo for "Wait". They're no joke, but super melodic and fun to play. Tons of great techniques, seamlessly woven together with great melodies. All of Vito's solos are little gems that any player can learn from. Come back out and play, Vito!!!!
Ben!!! You nailed it brother!!
Amazing song from beginning to end. Great writing, legendary solo. Vito was a rare genius natural player. He deserves a bigger place in guitar player lore Truly a genius without trying
thanks UB!!! Working on this tune!!!
Great lesson!!!
ahhh very nostalgic tone and riff, miss that high school memories
This is one of my favorites from high school. Vito was soooo unattainable as a beginner guitarist back then. I wish I could experience it all over again with great instruction like this that is so easily available. Just to see the results...
tks a lot ben. you re the best