Michael Schenker Group

The Michael Schenker Group (often abbreviated as MSG) are a guitar-oriented hard rock band, formed in London in 1979 by former Scorpions and UFO guitarist Michael Schenker.[1] In 1986, Schenker and vocalist Robin McAuley formed the McAuley Schenker Group, which lasted until 1993.[1] Afterwards, in 1996, the Michael Schenker Group was reformed.[2] After the release of their second live album, 1984's Rock Will Never Die, its members began to have serious discussions that caused a two-year hiatus, and Michael ended the band in 1986.

Michael Schenker Group
MSG performing in 2022
MSG performing in 2022
Background information
Also known asMSG
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Years active1979 (1979)–present
Labels
SpinoffsMcAuley Schenker Group
Spinoff ofUFO
MembersMichael Schenker
Ronnie Romero
Barend Courbois
Steve Mann
Bodo Shopf
Past membersSee list

The group has repeatedly expressed an excellent interpretation, generated by the technique of its leader, representing one of the cornerstones of the history of hard rock. Their symbol is a Flying V, half black and half white, an instrument that has always captured Schenker's imagination. In the history of the band, dozens of musicians have passed through including keyboardists, rhythmic guitarists, drummers, bassists and vocalists.

History

The band was formed in 1979, following the breakup of Michael Schenker from UFO, in an attempt to have a band that better suited his needs. He therefore decided to move to London; a few weeks after his arrival in the British capital, he joined Gary Barden, vocalist of Fraser Nash, who, with bassist Billy Sheehan and drummer Denny Carmassi founded a new band, simply called Michael Schenker Group.[3] The following year they recorded their second album, MSG, which placed at No. 14 on the UK charts. During their promotional tour, they played at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan in Japan, where their first live album was recorded titled One Night at Budokan. It was released in 1982 with great success in the UK where it was certified silver after exceeding 60,000 copies sold.

In October 1983, the band released Built to Destroy, the first with keyboardist Andy Nye and which also featured Derek St. Holmes, known at the time as Ted Nugent's vocalist. To promote it, they gave several concerts in the UK and later went on tour to other European countries as the opening band of Iron Maiden. Their farewell concert was held on December 18, 1983 at the Dortmund festival, after which the band disbanded, and the guitarist founded the McAuley Schenker Group.

After deciding to wrap up the McAuley Schenker Group project, Schenker decided to re-found the band in 1996 with Leif Sundin on vocals, Barry Sparks on bass and Shane Gaalaas on drums with whom he recorded Written in the Sand. Two years later, they released The Unforgiven, with Kelly Keeling replacing Sundin and with John Onder replacing Sparks.

Discography
MSG at Kavarna Rock Fest 2012. From left: Wayne Findlay, Francis Buchholz, Herman Rarebell, Doogie White, Michael Schenker.
Main articles: Michael Schenker Group discography and McAuley Schenker Group § Discography

Michael Schenker Group

McAuley Schenker Group

Schenker Barden Acoustic Project

  • Gipsy Lady (2009)

Schenker's Temple of Rock
  • Temple of Rock (2011)
  • Bridge the Gap (2013)
  • Spirit on a Mission (2015)

Michael Schenker Fest
  • Resurrection (2018)
  • Revelation (2019)[5]

Michael Schenker Group

Live albums

Michael Schenker Group

McAuley Schenker Group

Schenker's Temple of Rock
  • On a Mission - Live in Europe (2012)
  • On a Mission - Live in Madrid (2016)

Michael Schenker Fest
  • Live Tokyo International Forum Hall A (2017)

Band members
Main article: List of Michael Schenker band members

Current members

  • Michael Schenker – lead and rhythm guitar, live and occasional studio backing vocals (1979–present)
  • Steve Mann – keyboards, rhythm and occasional lead guitar, backing vocals (1986–1987, 1988–1991, 2016–present)
  • Bodo Schopf – drums (1987–1990, 2019–present)
  • Ronnie Romero – lead vocals (2021–present)
  • Barend Courbois – bass guitar, backing vocals (2021–present)

References
  1. Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 241/2. ISBN 0-85112-656-1.
  2. Saulnier, Jason (23 January 2009). "Michael Schenker Interview". Music Legends. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  3. "Loudersoud Reviews". 30 July 2019.
  4. "MICHAEL SCHENKER's New MSG Album 'Immortal' To Feature JOE LYNN TURNER, RALF SCHEEPERS And RONNIE ROMERO". Blabbermouth.net. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  5. "Revelation by Michael Schenker Fest". Apple Music. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
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