Dreaming Japanese

Summary

Marty Friedman's upbringing was as atypical as his career. Growing up in a Jewish household in Maryland, the son of an NSA executive, he lacked motivation until he discovered the guitar. Enjoying a hazy adolescence overflowing with partying, music, and teen antics, he achieved local stardom in Deuce, then burst onto the national scene by pioneering a radically new style of playing, bringing attention to the guitar aficionado label, Shrapnel Records. Friedman moved to California and scored a gig in Megadeth.

His exotic, innovating style helped define the sound of their biggest albums, and while it elevated him to guitar hero status with all the accompanying perks, it came at a cost. As the only clean and sober member, Friedman recalls the triumphs and trials of each album cycle. His complicated relationship with frontman Dave Mustaine was symbolic of the band's dynamic, and Marty poignantly shares his experiences within the band's inner sanctum.

But Dreaming Japanese is more than a memoir about Friedman's multi-Platinum years in Megadeth. The riveting narrative captures his perseverance as he struggles to start again. In fascinating detail, Marty shares how he made inroads into the Japanese entertainment industry, becoming a household name and fixture on mainstream television and earning respect as a highly influential artist.