Michael Schenker facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael Schenker
Schenker in 2015
Background information
Born	(1955-01-10) 10 January 1955 (age 70) Sarstedt, West Germany
Genres	Hard rock heavy metal
Occupation(s)	Guitarist
Years active	1966–present
Labels	Nuclear Blast

Michael Schenker (born January 10, 1955) is a famous German guitarist. He is known for playing in the rock band UFO and for leading his own band, the Michael Schenker Group (MSG). He was also an early member of the well-known hard rock band Scorpions, which was started by his older brother, Rudolf Schenker.

In the mid-1970s, Michael joined UFO as their lead guitarist. He left UFO in 1978 to briefly rejoin Scorpions for their album Lovedrive. After that, he formed MSG. He has returned to play with UFO three times, recording an album each time. Michael Schenker continues to perform and record music today. Many people call him a "legendary figure in the history of metal guitar."

Michael Schenker's Musical Journey

Starting Out with Scorpions and UFO

Michael Schenker began playing guitar at a young age. His brother Rudolf got a Gibson Flying V guitar for his birthday, and Michael was fascinated by it. Some of his biggest influences were guitarists like Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton. He played his first concert when he was just 11 years old, performing with Rudolf and the Scorpions in a nightclub. Michael played with the Scorpions on their first album, Lonesome Crow, when he was only 16.

After recording their first album, the Scorpions opened for a rising UK band called UFO. UFO then invited Michael to become their lead guitarist. With his brother Rudolf's approval, Michael accepted the offer.

Michael helped write most of the songs on UFO's first major album, Phenomenon. His time with UFO was sometimes difficult, and he occasionally left the stage during concerts. Despite releasing successful albums and going on tours, Michael decided to leave UFO for good after a show in California in 1978. During that tour, the band recorded several concerts, and some of these recordings were used for their live album Strangers in the Night, which came out after he left.

Michael briefly rejoined Scorpions in late 1978 while they were recording the album Lovedrive. He wrote and played lead guitar on several songs, including "Another Piece of Meat" and "Lovedrive." He also toured with the band for a short time in 1979. He explained that he didn't enjoy playing other people's songs, which led to his short stay. He was then replaced by Matthias Jabs.

Michael Schenker Group and UFO Reunions

In 1979, Michael Schenker started his own band, the Michael Schenker Group (MSG). The band's history has seen some changes in members. In 1982, their first singer, Gary Barden, was replaced by Graham Bonnet. Graham sang on one album, Assault Attack, but then left the band. Gary Barden rejoined MSG for the rest of the tour and also appeared on the 1983 album Built to Destroy and a live album called Rock Will Never Die.

After Gary Barden left again, Michael changed the band's name to the McAuley Schenker Group, with a new singer named Robin McAuley. This new version of MSG had a more commercial hard rock sound. After three albums, Michael and Robin went their separate ways. Michael also briefly played with the band Ratt for their 1990 MTV Unplugged performance.

In 1993, Michael rejoined UFO. He helped write almost all the songs on their reunion album, Walk on Water (1995), and toured with them for a short time.

He then brought back the Michael Schenker Group with new members and released three more albums: Written in the Sand, The Unforgiven, and Be Aware of Scorpions. After these, he rejoined UFO again for two more albums, Covenant and Sharks.

Michael Schenker's Music Today

Michael Schenker continued to make music in the 2000s. He recorded the album Arachnophobiac and toured for two years to support it. In 2004, the guitar company Dean Guitars started making a special Michael Schenker signature guitar, which looked like his famous black and white "V" guitar.

In 2005, the Michael Schenker Group celebrated its 25th anniversary. Michael created a new album called Tales of Rock'n'Roll for the occasion, inviting singers from different periods of the band to perform on it.

After some challenging tours, Michael regained his focus and toured the UK in 2008 as Michael Schenker & Friends. In early 2008, he worked with Gary Barden and other musicians on a new MSG album, In the Midst of Beauty, which was released in May 2008. He toured widely in 2009 with MSG, including original members Gary Barden and Chris Glen.

In November 2010, Michael Schenker received the Marshall "11" award in London, alongside other rock legends like Ron Wood and Slash. This award celebrates artists who truly represent rock 'n' roll.

In 2011, Michael released a new album called Temple of Rock. He toured Europe, Japan, and the USA to support it. For these tours, his band included former Scorpions members Herman Rarebell (drums) and Francis Buchholz (bass), and singer Doogie White. With this lineup, he recorded the album Bridge the Gap, released in 2013.

In August 2012, Michael Schenker received a Lifetime Achievement in Rock and Roll Award from Vegas Rocks! Magazine. The award was given to him by David Coverdale from Whitesnake. Michael also performed with Sammy Hagar at the ceremony.

In 2016, Michael toured Japan with "The Michael Schenker Fest," which featured current and former singers like Doogie White, Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, and Robin McAuley. They released a live album and two more studio albums, Resurrection (2018) and Revelation (2019).

In 2021, Michael announced the return of the MSG band name, releasing the album Immortal. It featured many former MSG and Fest members, along with special guest singers and drummers. The following year, MSG released the album Universal with a steady lineup and more special guests.

Michael Schenker plans to release an album of UFO cover songs from his early time with that band, called My Years with UFO, in September 2024. This album will include contributions from famous musicians like Axl Rose and Slash from Guns N' Roses. He also plans to release new albums in 2025 and 2026.

Instruments and Sound

Schenker in 2022

For most of his career, Michael Schenker's main guitar has been a Gibson Flying V. He often played it through a "cocked" wah-wah pedal. This means the pedal was turned on but left in one position, which helped to make his guitar sound stronger in the middle frequencies. This unique sound, especially heard on the UFO song "Rock Bottom," was even listed among the 50 greatest guitar tones of all time by Guitar Player magazine. Since 2004, Michael has been using a special signature model Dean V guitar.

In 2007, Dean Guitars also created two acoustic guitar models with his well-known black and white "V" design.

Awards and Recognition

• Michael Schenker was listed on Guitar World magazine's 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists.
• In 2010, he received the Marshall "11" award.
• He accepted his "Rock Guitar Legend" award at the Vegas Rocks! Magazine Music Awards in 2012.
• On June 16, 2014, Michael Schenker was honored with the Golden God Icon Award at the Metal Hammer Golden God Awards in London.

Influence on Other Musicians

Michael Schenker has appeared on the covers of many guitar magazines. He has inspired many famous guitar players, including:

• Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield (Metallica)
• Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman (Megadeth)
• Dimebag Darrell (Pantera)
• Alex Skolnick (Testament)
• Mike McCready (Pearl Jam)
• Gary Holt (Exodus)
• Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden)
• Slash
• Randy Rhoads
• John Petrucci (Dream Theater)
• Kerry King (Slayer)

Michael Schenker Group Band Members

Current members

• Michael Schenker – lead guitar, backing vocals (1979–1984, 1986–1993, 1996–present)
• Robin McAuley – lead vocals (1986–1993, 2011, 2012, 2016–2020, 2022, 2023–present)
• Bodo Schopf – drums (1986–1987, 1988–1991, 2007–2008, 2019–present)
• Steve Mann – keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1986–1987, 1988–1991, 2016–present)
• Barend Courbois – bass, backing vocals (2021–present)

Discography

Other Michael 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 (2004, Live)
• Siggi Schwarz and Michael Schenker – Live Together - The Bonus Edition (2004, Live)[2]
• 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)
• Guitar Master - The Kulick Sessions (2008)2
• Guitar Master (2009)[3]
• Greatest Riffs (2009, US-only compilation)
• Instrumental Intensity (2010, Shrapnel Records compilation)
• Blood Of The Sun (2014)[4]

Images for kids

• 

  Schenker in 1981

See also

In Spanish: Michael Schenker para niños