Michael Sweet shared a list of guitarists who left a lasting impression on him through their playing in an Instagram post.
“It’s all a matter of opinion (to some degree) but my favorite guitar players (in no particular order) who made/make me go ‘whoa’ are, EVH, RR, Vito Bratta, George Lynch, Joel Hoekstra, John Sykes,” wrote the Stryper frontman in the caption.
He also mentioned more names, adding, “Michael Schenker, Andy James, Matteo Mancuso, Chuck Berry, Brian May, Scotty Moore, Jake E. Lee, Neal Schon, Ronnie Montrose, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa, Ronni Le Tekro, CJ Grimmark, Jeff Loomis, Doug Aldrich, Roy Clark, Peter Frampton, Prince, Steve Lukather.”
Sweet has often expressed his admiration for Eddie Van Halen. On The Logan Sekulow ReProgram in 2020, he said, “I had many influences throughout my history, starting with Elvis [Presley] and Creedence Clearwater Revival, and moving into a number of other bands — Boston, of course — but no band, and no musician, influenced me as much as Van Halen and Eddie Van Halen.”
He continued, “Something magical happened to me when I heard that Van Halen album. And I’m sure many people would say the same thing, but as a musician and a songwriter and [being] in a band, something really happened to inspire me like I’d never been inspired before. And that was due to Eddie Van Halen.”
Sweet has also spoken highly of Vito Bratta, saying, “One of my favorite players to come out of the ’80s (and overall) was and is Vito Bratta. I’ve always wanted to work with Vito and I’m still hoping and praying that it works out.”
He further revealed, “We had a conversation a few years back and he was gracious and very complimentary. If he ever makes his way back to music again it would be an honor to work to do something together and I know we would create something absolutely amazing. Love & Respect to you Vito.”
Stryper does not have any shows planned until the summer of 2025, with their next scheduled performance in New Berlin, Illinois, on June 19.
