Editing Instrumental rock (section)

== 1980s ==
During the 1980s, the instrumental rock genre was dominated by several guitar soloists. Swedish virtuoso [[Yngwie Malmsteen]] made a name for himself in 1984 by playing in the popular band [[Alcatrazz]], and then by releasing his debut solo album ''Rising Force'' later that year, reaching #60 on the Billboard Charts. [[Joe Satriani]]'s 1987 album ''[[Surfing With The Alien]]'' was a surprise hit, containing the popular instrumental ballad "Always With Me, Always With You", and the blues boogie inflected "Satch Boogie" — both staples for guitarists learning their craft. Satriani released a follow-up album, ''[[Flying in a Blue Dream]]'', two years later.

After Malmsteen left [[Alcatrazz]], he was replaced by the extravagant [[Steve Vai]], who had previously been playing with the [[Frank Zappa]] band. Continuing the tradition (and following a brief stint in [[David Lee Roth]]'s band from 1986 to 1988), Vai went on to release a number of solo albums; one of the best-known of these was his 1990 release, ''[[Passion and Warfare]]''.

[[Jason Becker]] released two albums with [[Cacophony (band)|Cacophony]]. Cacophony were a primarily instrumental group featuring Becker and Marty Friedman (the latter of whom went on to play with the thrash metal band [[Megadeth]]). After the release of Cacophony's second album ''Go Off!'' in 1988, Becker released two solo albums before being diagnosed with [[amyotrophic lateral sclerosis|ALS]]. He now uses a wheelchair and is completely unable to play.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

[[Pepeu Gomes]], a Brazilian electric guitar player, was considered in 1988 by American magazine ''[[Guitar World]]'' one of the ten best guitar players in the world. Although he has pure instrumental rock songs with no Brazilian flavour, he mixes the Brazilian rhythms and tunes from well known popular songs, or simply composes by himself using [[Samba]], [[Choro]], [[Maracatu]] etc.