In a new conversation with Ken Vantour of Let’s Rock, Doug Aldrich revealed that Nuno Bettencourt’s guitar solo in Extreme’s ‘Rise’ doesn’t push him to try harder.
“No, it doesn’t make me work harder, but it makes me proud of being a guitar player,” the guitarist replied when asked if the guitar solo in ‘Rise’ inspires him to try harder. “Thanks to Nuno [Bettencourt, Extreme guitarist] for doing that.”
Aldrich continued, “The Dead Daisies is a different kind of band. Everybody knows my playing. I have certain things that I do well. I have certain things that I lean on a lot, and I can play technically.”
“But The Dead Daisies, especially with this album [the upcoming ‘Light ‘Em Up’], it was more about the melodies and the vibe,” the rocker added. “There really wasn’t a need for trying to go in that sort of direction. But I’m proud of Nuno for doing that.”
‘Rise’ was the first single from Extreme’s album ‘Six,’ released in June 2023. Nuno played it live for the first time on May 1, 2023, during a Monsters of Rock cruise. The song, which debuted on March 1, 2023, has gained huge success with nearly five million views and praise from major media and musicians like Brian May. It reached No. 3 on the classic rock charts.
“I’m not in the first million guitarists in the world. I know that. Not a chance,” May told Howard Stern in a chat. “There’s people I listen to every day do things that I could never do. Nuno, I listen to Nuno Bettencourt and I just smile because it’s so beautiful and it’s so way out of what I could ever do. It doesn’t bother me because I don’t feel in competition. I just love the guy and I love what he does.”
The rocker added, “Same with Jeff Beck, same with Ed Van Halen. We worked together and it was the most wonderful experience. My jaw dropped every time he touched the strings. It was just beautiful. So there are so many wonderful guitarists. Steve Vai is just colossal. Beautiful.”
Nuno also previously said that he learned from May that solos should match the mood and tone of a song. He often praises May for teaching him the value of melody and simplicity in guitar playing.