Michael Schenker
Michael Schenker (born 10 January 1955)[2] is a German guitarist. He played in the rock band UFO and leads the Michael Schenker Group. He was an early member of the hard rock band Scorpions, a band co-founded by his elder brother Rudolf Schenker. In the mid-1970s, Schenker joined UFO, playing lead and rhythm guitar. He left the band in 1978 to found the Michael Schenker Group. He has rejoined UFO three times, producing an album each time. Schenker continues to perform and record.[3] He has been called "a legendary figure in the history of metal guitar."[4]
Michael Schenker | |
|---|---|
Schenker in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 10 January 1955 Sarstedt, West Germany[1] |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Labels | Nuclear Blast |
| Member of |
|
| Formerly of | |
| Website | michaelschenkerhimself |
Career
Early career and rise to fame: Scorpions and UFO
Schenker started playing guitar at an early age, after his brother Rudolf got a Gibson Flying V guitar for his birthday, which captured his imagination. His main influences were Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Leslie West, Johnny Winter and Rory Gallagher.[5] He played his first gig when he was 11, with Rudolf and the Scorpions in a nightclub. Schenker debuted with Scorpions on their debut album Lonesome Crow at age 16.[6][7]
The Scorpions went on tour after recording their first album as the opening act for up-and-coming UK band UFO in Germany. Schenker was offered the position of lead guitar player for UFO (taking over for Bernie Marsden, himself a temporary replacement for Mick Bolton)[8] and, with the blessing of his brother, accepted (Scorpions replaced him with Uli Roth), even though he didn't speak English.
Schenker co-wrote most of the songs on UFO's major label (Chrysalis Records) debut album Phenomenon. His career with UFO was turbulent, sometimes walking off mid-song causing shows to be cancelled. Despite having a series of successful albums and tours, Schenker unequivocally quit UFO after their show in Palo Alto, California, on 29 October 1978. During this tour the band had recorded six concerts whose selected tracks would make up their live album Strangers in the Night, which was released after he left the band.
Schenker briefly re-joined Scorpions in late 1978, when they were recording the album Lovedrive. He composed and played lead guitar on three songs, "Another Piece of Meat", "Coast To Coast" and "Lovedrive".[6] Although it had been widely believed for decades that the three songs were Schenker's only contribution to the record, during an interview with satellite radio host Eddie Trunk, Schenker vehemently maintained that he contributed to the whole album.[9] In 1979, Schenker briefly toured with the band in support of the album. He blamed his very short stay on finding out he did not enjoy playing other people's songs. He was permanently replaced by Matthias Jabs, who had originally joined Scorpions before Schenker's return.
Schenker auditioned for Aerosmith in 1979 after Joe Perry left.[10] According to Martin Huxley, Schenker stormed out of the room after producer Gary Lyons made several jokes about Nazis.[11] After the death of Randy Rhoads, Ozzy Osbourne's first call was to Schenker to replace Rhoads, as the German guitarist and his iconic Flying V were a huge influence on Rhoads.[12] But, Osbourne claims, Schenker made too many outlandish demands (including a private jet).[13] Schenker himself, in an interview with KNAC radio, claims he was the one to say "no" to Osbourne: "If I would have joined Ozzy Osbourne, I would have screwed up my life. I was almost about to do it, and something told me: DON'T!!"[14] Schenker has also claimed that at some point he was offered, but turned down joining the likes of Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, Ian Hunter and Motörhead in order to focus on his solo career.[15]
Michael Schenker Group, McAuley Schenker Group and UFO Reunion
In 1979, Schenker started a solo career by founding the Michael Schenker Group (MSG). The history of MSG is strewn with personality conflicts and incidents. In 1982, original singer Gary Barden, who sang on the first two studio albums and a live album, was fired in favour of Graham Bonnet. Bonnet lasted one album (Assault Attack) and a single gig, at Sheffield University, where he drunkenly exposed himself and was subsequently fired from the band.[16] Barden rejoined MSG for the rest of the tour. He also appeared on the 1983 studio album (Built to Destroy) and the band's second live album (Rock Will Never Die).
After Barden's second departure, Schenker reorganized the band around himself and new singer Robin McAuley and renamed it the McAuley Schenker Group. The new incarnation of MSG was steered toward a more commercial hard rock sound. After three albums, Schenker and McAuley parted company. In the meantime, he briefly replaced Robbin Crosby in Ratt, appearing on their 1990 MTV Unplugged performance.
In 1993, Schenker rejoined UFO. He co-wrote (with Phil Mogg) nearly the whole of their reunion album, Walk on Water (1995), and toured with them briefly.
He then resurrected the Michael Schenker Group with all new members and recorded three more albums, Written in the Sand, The Unforgiven, and Be Aware of Scorpions before rejoining UFO for two further releases, Covenant and Sharks.
2000–present
Schenker fell on hard times in the early 2000s, despite his rejoining UFO that year.[3] He later recorded the album Arachnophobiac and supported it with two years of touring. In 2004, recognition came from Dean Guitars, which began producing a Schenker signature Dean V (with subtle differences from the Gibson, but with the split black and white trademark Schenker finish).
2005 was the 25th anniversary of the Michael Schenker Group. Schenker put together a new album of songs called Tales of Rock'n'Roll to celebrate the anniversary and enlisted singers from each iteration of the band to sing on the album. However, in that same year the collection Heavy Hitters, a set of covers featuring Schenker and a revolving group of heavy metal all-stars, was marketed as a Michael Schenker Group album, with the result that Schenker only received a flat fee.[3]
After nearly-disastrous North American and European tours in 2007, which included cancelled shows and less-than-stellar performances caused by heavy drinking, Schenker regained his composure and toured in the UK as Michael Schenker & Friends in 2008. Early 2008, Schenker worked with Gary Barden, Don Airey, Simon Phillips, and Neil Murray on a new MSG album In the Midst of Beauty, which was released in May 2008, followed by touring.
In 2009 Schenker toured extensively including Russia, UK and the US with MSG including original members Gary Barden and Chris Glenn.
In November 2010, Schenker was given the Marshall "11" award in London along with other rock legends including Ron Wood and Slash. The award was presented to Schenker by Alice Cooper, with Jimmy Page, Tony Iommi and John Paul Jones also in attendance. The award is given to "those artists and musicians who represent rock 'n' roll excess and livin' on the edge."[17]
In 2011 Schenker released a new album, Temple of Rock. It was supported with a tour of Europe, Japan and the USA. In Europe the line up included Herman Rarebell on drums and Francis Buchholz on bass, both former members of Scorpions (Rarebell also joined the band for the Japanese dates) and Doogie White, formerly singer for Rainbow and Yngwie Malmsteen. With this line-up he recorded the album Bridge the Gap which was released in 2013.
In August 2012 Schenker received a Lifetime Achievement in Rock and Roll Award from Vegas Rocks! Magazine. The award was presented by David Coverdale of Whitesnake. During the award ceremony Schenker performed with Sammy Hagar of Chickenfoot, Montrose and Van Halen.
Instruments and sound
Schenker's main guitar for most of his career was a Gibson Flying V, which he typically played through a "cocked" wah-wah pedal (switched on but left in a single position, around halfway through the travel of the foot pedal, and used as an equaliser to strengthen the midrange "sweet spot"[3]) and Marshall amplifiers. Schenker's "unmistakable midrange tone"[3] was emphasised by the partially engaged wah pedal,[18] as exemplified on the song "Rock Bottom" from the live UFO album Strangers in the Night, was listed among the 50 greatest tones of all time by Guitar Player magazine.[19] Since 2004, Schenker has switched to using a signature model Dean V.[20]
In 2007 Dean Guitars, after producing Schenker's signature Dean V, also made two acoustic models with the familiar black and white "V" design.[21]
Awards and recognition
- Placed on Guitar World magazine's 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists.[22]
- In 2010 Schenker was given the Marshall "11" award.[23]
- Schenker accepted his "Rock Guitar Legend" award at the Vegas Rocks! Magazine Music Awards 2012.[citation needed]
- On 16 June 2014, Schenker was honored the Golden God Icon Award at the Metal Hammer Golden God Awards at the IndiO2 in London.[citation needed]
Influence
Schenker has been on the covers of many guitar magazines and has influenced many notable guitar players, including Kirk Hammett[24] and James Hetfield[25] (Metallica),[26] Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman (Megadeth),[26][27][28] Dimebag Darrell (Pantera),[26][29] Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson (Testament),[26][30] Mike McCready (Pearl Jam),[26] Gary Holt (Exodus),[26][31][32] Rob Cavestany (Death Angel),[33] Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden),[26] Slash,[26] John Norum (Europe), Paul Gilbert,[26] Randy Rhoads,[26] George Lynch (Dokken), Warren DeMartini (Ratt),[26] John Petrucci (Dream Theater),[26][34] Michael Amott (Arch Enemy),[26] Dan Spitz (Anthrax), Criss Oliva (Savatage), Jeff Waters (Annihilator),[26] Phil Campbell (Motörhead), Kerry King (Slayer),[26] and Syu (Galneryus).[35]
Michael Schenker Group band members
Current members
- Michael Schenker – lead and rhythm guitars, occasional backing vocals (1979–1984, 1986–1993, 1996–present)
- Bodo Schopf – drums (1986–1987, 1988–1991, 2007–2008, 2019–present)
- Steve Mann – rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1986–1987, 1988–1991, 2016–present)
- Ronnie Romero – lead vocals (2020–present)
- Barend Courbois – bass, backing vocals (2021–present)
Discography
| Year | Band | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Scorpions | Lonesome Crow | |
| 1974 | Scorpions | Fly to the Rainbow | co-writer |
| 1974 | UFO | Phenomenon | |
| 1975 | UFO | Force It | |
| 1976 | UFO | No Heavy Petting | |
| 1977 | UFO | Lights Out | |
| 1978 | UFO | Obsession | |
| 1979 | UFO | Strangers in the Night | Live |
| 1979 | Scorpions | Lovedrive | Lead guitar, backing vocals on 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10 |
| 1980 | Michael Schenker Group | The Michael Schenker Group | |
| 1981 | Michael Schenker Group | MSG | |
| 1982 | Michael Schenker Group | One Night at Budokan | Live |
| 1982 | Michael Schenker Group | Assault Attack | |
| 1983 | Michael Schenker Group | Built to Destroy | |
| 1984 | Michael Schenker Group | Rock Will Never Die | Live, CD/VHS |
| 1984 | Michael Schenker Group | Super Rock '84 in Japan | Live, VHS |
| 1987 | McAuley Schenker Group | Perfect Timing | |
| 1989 | McAuley Schenker Group | Save Yourself | |
| 1991 | Contraband | Contraband | |
| 1992 | UFO | BBC Radio 1 Live In Concert | Live, Tracks 9,10,11,12, Recorded in 1974 and 1976 |
| 1992 | McAuley Schenker Group | MSG | |
| 1992 | McAuley Schenker Group | Nightmare: The Acoustic M.S.G. | EP |
| 1992 | McAuley Schenker Group | "Unplugged" Live | Live |
| 1993 | Michael Schenker (Solo) | Thank You | |
| 1995 | UFO | Walk on Water | |
| 1996 | UFO | On With The Action | Live, Recorded at the London Roundhouse Sunday 25 April 1976 |
| 1996 | Michael Schenker Group | Written in the Sand | |
| 1997 | Michael Schenker Group | The Michael Schenker Story Live | Live, CD/VHS |
| 1998 | Michael Schenker (Solo) | Thank You with Orchestra | |
| 1998 | UFO | Werewolves Of London | Live, Recorded at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on 10 February 1998 |
| 1999 | Michael Schenker Group | The Unforgiven | |
| 1999 | Michael Schenker Group | The Unforgiven World Tour | Live |
| 2000 | Michael Schenker Group | Michael Schenker Live in Japan The Unforgiven World Tour 2000 | Live, VHS |
| 2000 | Michael Schenker (Solo) | Adventures of the Imagination | |
| 2000 | Michael Schenker (Solo) | The Odd Trio | |
| 2000 | Michael Schenker (Solo) | MS 2000: Dreams and Expressions | |
| 2000 | UFO | Covenant | |
| 2001 | Michael Schenker Group | Be Aware of Scorpions | |
| 2002 | UFO | Sharks | |
| 2002 | Michael Schenker (Solo) | Thank You 2 | |
| 2002 | Michael Schenker (Solo) | Thank You 3 | |
| 2003 | Michael Schenker (Solo) | Thank You 4 | |
| 2003 | Michael Schenker Group | Arachnophobiac | |
| 2003 | UFO | Live on Earth | Live, Recorded at Rockpalast, Vienna, Austria on 28 January 1998 |
| 2003 | The Plot | The Plot | |
| 2003 | Under Construction | Under Construction | |
| 2004 | Michael Schenker Group | World Wide Live 2004 | Live, DVD |
| 2004 | Schenker Pattison Summit | The Endless Jam | |
| 2005 | Schenker Pattison Summit | The Endless Jam Continues | |
| 2005 | Michael Schenker Group | Live in Tokyo 1997 | Live, DVD |
| 2005 | Michael Schenker Group | Heavy Hitters | Cover |
| 2006 | Michael Schenker Group | Tales of Rock'n'Roll | |
| 2008 | Michael Schenker Group | In the Midst of Beauty | |
| 2009 | Schenker/Barden Acoustic Project | Gipsy Lady | |
| 2010 | Michael Schenker Group | The 30th Anniversary Concert – Live in Tokyo | Live, CD/DVD |
| 2011 | Michael Schenker Group | By Invitation Only | Cover |
| 2011 | Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock | Temple of Rock | |
| 2012 | Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock | Temple of Rock – Live in Europe | Live, CD/DVD |
| 2013 | Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock | Bridge the Gap | |
| 2015 | Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock | Spirit on a Mission | |
| 2016 | Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock | On a Mission: Live in Madrid | Live, CD/DVD |
| 2017 | Michael Schenker Fest | Live: Tokyo International Forum Hall A | Live, CD/DVD |
| 2018 | Michael Schenker Fest | Resurrection | |
| 2019 | Michael Schenker Fest | Revelation | |
| 2021 | Michael Schenker Group | Immortal | |
| 2022 | Michael Schenker Group | Universal |
Other Schenker projects
- Look at Me Now (Bernie Marsden Album) (1981) as guest
- Legends of Rock at Castle Donington (2001, Live)
- Siggi Schwarz & The Electric Guitar Legends (2004)
- Siggi Schwarz & The Rock Legends (2005)
- Heavy Metal Thunder (2005)
- Numbers from the Beast (2005)
- Agony & The Xtasy (Gary Barden Solo Album) (2006)
- Siggi Schwarz and Michael Schenker – Live Together (2006, Live)
- Metal X-Mas (two-CD Special Edition) (2010)
- Strangers in the Night (2010)
- Seeking Major Tom (2011)
Compilations
- The Essential Michael Schenker Group (Best Of-style compilation, 1992)
- The Story of Michael Schenker (1994, Compilation)
- Armed & ready – the best of the Michael Schenker Group (1994, Music Collection International)
- The Michael Schenker Story Live (1994): see also The Michael Schenker Story Live, the audio recording.
- Forever And More: The Best of Michael Schenker (2003)
- Greatest Riffs (2009, US-only compilation)
- Instrumental Intensity (2010, Shrapnel Records compilation)
References
- ^ Clifford, Mike (1988). The Harmony Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock. New York: Salamander Books, Harmony Books. p. 153.
- ^ Rose, Mike (10 January 2023). "Today's famous birthdays list for January 10, 2023 includes celebrities Rod Stewart, Sarah Shahi". Cleveland.com. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Gill, Chris (September 2008). "Brick by Brick". Guitar World. p. 44-. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
- ^ Prown, Pete; HP Newquist; Jon F. Eiche (1997). Legends of rock guitar: the essential reference of rock's greatest guitarists. Hal Leonard. p. 183. ISBN 978-0-7935-4042-6.
- ^ Simon Rushworth (8 December 2014). "EXCLUSIVE – MICHAEL SCHENKER INTERVIEW". rushonrock.com. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
- ^ a b Strong, Martin Charles; John Peel (2002). The Great Rock Discography. The National Academies. p. 926. ISBN 978-1-84195-312-0.
- ^ Saulnier, Jason (23 January 2009). "Michael Schenker Interview". Music Legends. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
- ^ Dodd, Philip (2005). The Book of Rock: From the 1950s to Today. Thunder's Mouth. p. 470. ISBN 978-1-56025-729-5.
- ^ . Youtube.com. Archived from the original on 2 September 2019.
- ^ Power, Martin (1997). The complete guide to the music of Aerosmith. Omnibus. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-7119-5598-1.
- ^ Huxley, Martin (1995). Aerosmith: the fall and the rise of rock's greatest band. Macmillan. pp. 88–89. ISBN 978-0-312-11737-5.
- ^ "Off-Rails-Aboard-Crazy-Blizzard" by Rudy Sarzo
- ^ Osbourne, Ozzy; Ayres, Chris (2010). I Am Ozzy. Hachette. p. 164. ISBN 978-0-446-56989-7. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
- ^ Harris, Shelly (28 July 2009). "Behind Blue Eyes: Up Close and Personal with Iconic Guitar God Michael Schenker". KNAC. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
- ^ "Michael Schenker on creativity, immortality, and why he'll never make peace with Rudolf". Louder Sound. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ . Rock Music Star. 21 April 2011. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
- ^ . Classic Rock Magazine. 10 November 2010. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
- ^ The Boss Book: The Ultimate Guide to the World's Most Popular Compact Effects for Guitar. Hal Leonard. 2002. p. 89. ISBN 978-0-634-04480-9.
- ^ Blackett, Matt (October 2004). "The 50 Greatest Tones of All Time". Guitar Player: 44–66.
- ^ "11 legends of the Flying V and explorer". Music Radar. 28 July 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
- ^ Gill, Chris (September 2007). "Built to Destroy: Dean Michael Schenker Performer MSP and Exotica MSE Acoustic-Electric Guitars". Guitar World. p. 187. Retrieved 17 August 2009.[dead link]
- ^ Blabbermouth GUITAR WORLD's 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists Of All Time 2 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 18 July 2008.
- ^ "The Official Site". Michael Schenker Himself. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
- ^ . 1 January 2004. Archived from the original on 1 January 2004. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ ..James Hetfield recalls.'It was the second guitar I ever owned...I wanted a white one because Michael Schenker of U.F.O. had one, so I needed one, too.... Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Michael Schenker – Metal Master Kingdom Interview". metalmasterkingdom.com. 17 January 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ Dave Mustaine Quotes.. When I was a kid, I had guitar heroes: Jimmy Page, Michael Schenker, Angus Young... Archived from the original on 17 November 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2016..
- ^ ..Mustaine attributed his choice of the Flying V guitar to being a fan of UFO's Michael Schenker when he was growing up...Dave Mustaine
- ^ . Guitar World. 20 August 2013. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
- ^ "Interview: Testament's Eric Peterson Discusses Gear, Influences and Writing Guitar Solos". Guitar World. 6 April 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
- ^ "Interview With Gary Holt Of Exodus". Metal Underground. 25 September 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
- ^ "Exodus Holt owes a debt to Schenker". Team Rock. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
- ^ . deanmarkley.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
- ^ "John Petrucci | Similar Artists". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- ^ "Exclusive interview with Syu". Jame-world.com. 15 December 2006. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
External links
- Official website
- Michael Schenker at AllMusic
- 2015 Michael Schenker Interview on Guitar.com