View source for Michael Schenker

{{Short description|German guitarist (born 1955)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{BLP sources|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background        = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| name              = Michael Schenker
| image             = Michael schenker-1448660150.jpg
| landscape         = yes
| caption           = Schenker in 2015
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1955|1|10}}
| birth_place       = [[Sarstedt]], [[West Germany]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Clifford|first=Mike|title=The Harmony Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock|publisher=[[Salamander Books]], [[Harmony Books]]|year=1988|location=[[New York City|New York]]|pages=153}}</ref>
| occupation        = Guitarist
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Hard rock]]|[[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]}}
| current_member_of = {{hlist|[[Michael Schenker Group]]|Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock|Michael Schenker Fest}}
| past_member_of    = {{hlist|[[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]]|[[UFO (band)|UFO]]|[[McAuley Schenker Group]]|[[Contraband (band)|Contraband]]}}
| label             = [[Nuclear Blast Records|Nuclear Blast]]
| years_active      = 1966–present
| website           = {{URL|michaelschenkerhimself.com}}
}}

'''Michael Schenker''' (born 10 January 1955)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Mike |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Today's famous birthdays list for January 10, 2025 includes celebrities Rod Stewart, Sarah Shahi |url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2023/01/todays-famous-birthdays-list-for-january-10-2023-includes-celebrities-rod-stewart-sarah-shahi.html |access-date=January 10, 2023 |website=[[Cleveland.com]] |archive-date=10 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110143346/https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2023/01/todays-famous-birthdays-list-for-january-10-2023-includes-celebrities-rod-stewart-sarah-shahi.html |url-status=live }}</ref> is a German guitarist. He played in the rock band [[UFO (band)|UFO]] and leads the [[Michael Schenker Group]] (MSG). He was an early member of the hard rock band [[Scorpions (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 briefly rejoin Scorpions for the recording of ''[[Lovedrive]]'', and then to form MSG. He has rejoined UFO three times, producing an album each time. Schenker continues to perform and record.<ref name="brick" /> He is regarded as one of the most influential guitarists of the 1970s, and has been called "a legendary figure in the history of [[Heavy metal guitar|metal guitar]]."<ref>{{cite book|last=Prown|first=Pete|author2=HP Newquist|author3=Jon F. Eiche|title=Legends of rock guitar: the essential reference of rock's greatest guitarists|publisher=Hal Leonard| year=1997|page=183|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=60Jde3l7WNwC&pg=PA183|isbn=978-0-7935-4042-6}}</ref>

== Career ==

=== Early career and rise to fame: Scorpions and UFO ===
Schenker started playing guitar at nine years old. His brother Rudolf got a [[Gibson Flying V]] guitar for his birthday, which captured his imagination. His main influences were [[Jimmy Page]], [[George Harrison]], [[Jeff Beck]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[Leslie West]], [[Johnny Winter]], [[Steve Marriott]] and [[Rory Gallagher]].<ref>{{cite web|title=EXCLUSIVE – MICHAEL SCHENKER INTERVIEW|author=Simon Rushworth|publisher=rushonrock.com|url=http://rushonrock.com/2014/12/08/exclusive-michael-schenker-interview-2//|date=8 December 2014|access-date=9 February 2019|archive-date=9 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209232333/http://rushonrock.com/2014/12/08/exclusive-michael-schenker-interview-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> He played his first gig when he was 11, with Rudolf and the Scorpions in a nightclub. Schenker played with the [[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]] on their debut ''[[Lonesome Crow]]'' at the age of 16.<ref name="strong">{{cite book  | last = Strong  | first = Martin Charles  |author2=John Peel  | title = The Great Rock Discography  | publisher = The National Academies  | year = 2002  | page = 926  | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=DE9qW3YfHG4C&pg=PT926  | isbn = 978-1-84195-312-0}}</ref><ref name="Music Legends">{{cite web|publisher=Music Legends|url=http://musiclegends.ca/interviews/michael-schenker-interview/|title=Michael Schenker Interview|access-date=6 May 2013|date=23 January 2009|last=Saulnier|first=Jason|archive-date=30 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230233752/http://musiclegends.ca/interviews/michael-schenker-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After recording their first album, the Scorpions opened for then-up-and-coming UK band [[UFO (band)|UFO]] in Germany. Schenker was invited to be lead guitarist for UFO (taking over from [[Bernie Marsden]], himself a temporary replacement for [[Larry Wallis]] who had in turn taken over for the departed Mick Bolton).<ref>{{cite book  | last = Dodd  | first = Philip  | title = The Book of Rock: From the 1950s to Today | publisher = Thunder's Mouth | year = 2005  | page = 470  | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Xc3Pci6x1H0C&pg=PT470  | isbn = 978-1-56025-729-5}}</ref> With Rudolf's blessing, Schenker accepted.

Schenker cowrote most of the songs on UFO's major label ([[Chrysalis Records]]) debut ''[[Phenomenon (UFO album)|Phenomenon]]''. His career with UFO was turbulent, sometimes walking off mid-song and causing shows to be cancelled. Despite 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, from which selected tracks would make up their live album ''[[Strangers in the Night (UFO album)|Strangers in the Night]]'', released after he left the band. "[[Phil Mogg]] later claimed that I left UFO over a disagreement about which version of 'Rock Bottom' appeared on ''Strangers''," Schenker recalled, "but don't believe everything you read."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Dave|last=Ling|title=100 Greatest Guitar Solos|magazine=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]|date=November 2016|issue=229|page=39}}</ref>

Schenker briefly rejoined Scorpions in late 1978, when they were recording ''[[Lovedrive]]''. He composed and played lead guitar on "Another Piece of Meat", "Coast to Coast" and "Lovedrive".<ref name="strong" /> Although it was believed for decades that those three were Schenker's only contributions to the record, during an interview with satellite radio host [[Eddie Trunk]], Schenker vehemently maintained that he contributed to the whole album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHreGTAqLZo&t=18m17s| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902021001/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHreGTAqLZo&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=2 September 2019 | url-status=dead|title=YouTube|website=Youtube.com}}</ref> 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 (musician)|Joe Perry]] left.<ref>{{cite book | last = Power | first = Martin | title = The complete guide to the music of Aerosmith | publisher = Omnibus | year = 1997 | page = 61 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=mbppiCOJ_KoC&pg=PA61 | isbn = 978-0-7119-5598-1}}</ref> According to Martin Huxley, Schenker stormed out of the room after producer Gary Lyons made jokes about Nazis.<ref>{{cite book | last = Huxley | first = Martin | title = Aerosmith: the fall and the rise of rock's greatest band | publisher = Macmillan | year = 1995 | pages = 88–89 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=HXTQj9jnA3UC&pg=PT2 | isbn = 978-0-312-11737-5}}</ref> 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 the latter.<ref>"Off-Rails-Aboard-Crazy-Blizzard" by Rudy Sarzo</ref> But, Osbourne claims, Schenker made too many outlandish demands (including a private jet).<ref name="OsbourneAyres2010">{{cite book|last1=Osbourne|first1=Ozzy|last2=Ayres|first2=Chris|title=I Am Ozzy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yNzCgAEkW8cC&pg=PT164|access-date=17 January 2012|year=2010|publisher=Hachette|isbn=978-0-446-56989-7|page=164}}</ref> 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!!"<ref>{{cite web | last = Harris | first = Shelly | title = Behind Blue Eyes: Up Close and Personal with Iconic Guitar God Michael Schenker | publisher = [[KNAC]] | date = 28 July 2009 | url = http://knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=7126 | access-date = 18 August 2009 | archive-date = 3 October 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091003005700/http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=7126 | url-status = live }}</ref> Schenker has also claimed that at some point he was offered, but turned down joining the likes of [[Deep Purple]], [[Thin Lizzy]], [[Ian Hunter (singer)|Ian Hunter]] and [[Motörhead]] in order to focus on his solo career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/michael-schenker-on-creativity-immortality-and-why-hell-never-make-peace-with-rudolf|title=Michael Schenker on creativity, immortality, and why he'll never make peace with Rudolf|date=6 May 2021|publisher=Louder Sound|access-date=6 May 2021}}</ref>

=== Michael Schenker Group, McAuley Schenker Group and reunion with UFO ===
[[File:Michael schenker.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9|Schenker in 1981]]
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.<ref>{{cite news | title = Rock Music Star – Graham Bonnet | work = Rock Music Star | date = 21 April 2011 | url = http://www.rockmusicstar.com/grahambonnet/ | access-date = 15 October 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151017075212/http://www.rockmusicstar.com/grahambonnet/ | archive-date = 17 October 2015 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Barden rejoined MSG for the rest of the tour. He also appeared on the 1983 studio album (''[[Built to Destroy (Michael Schenker Group 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, ''[[Perfect Timing (McAuley Schenker Group album)|Perfect Timing]]'' (1987), ''[[Save Yourself (McAuley Schenker Group album)|Save Yourself]]'' (1989) and ''[[M.S.G. (McAuley Schenker Group album)|M.S.G.]]'' (1991), 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 (UFO 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 (album)|Written in the Sand]]'' (1996), ''[[The Unforgiven (album)|The Unforgiven]]'' (1999), and ''[[Be Aware of Scorpions]]'' (2001), before rejoining UFO for two further releases, ''[[Covenant (UFO album)|Covenant]]'' (2000) and ''[[Sharks (album)|Sharks]]'' (2002).
{{clear}}

=== 2000–present ===
Schenker fell on hard times in the early 2000s, despite having rejoined UFO by then.<ref name="brick">{{cite news  | last = Gill  | first = Chris  | title = Brick by Brick  | work = [[Guitar World]]  | page = 44-  | date = September 2008  | url = http://www.guitarworld.com/features/michael-schenker-brick-brick  | access-date = 5 September 2013  | archive-date = 26 November 2020  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201126154505/https://www.guitarworld.com/features/michael-schenker-brick-brick  | url-status = live  }}</ref> He officially left the band for good in 2003,<ref name="brick" /> and later released the album ''[[Arachnophobiac]]'', which was supported by 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.<ref name="brick" />

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 (drummer)|Simon Phillips]], and [[Neil Murray (British musician)|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 Glen.

In November 2010, Schenker was given the Marshall "11" award in London along with other rock legends including [[Ron Wood]] and [[Slash (musician)|Slash]]. The award was presented to Schenker by [[Alice Cooper]], with [[Jimmy Page]], [[Tony Iommi]] and [[John Paul Jones (musician)|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."<ref>{{cite web |title=Classic Rock Roll of Honour Winners Revealed! |publisher=[[Classic Rock Magazine]] |date=10 November 2010 |url=http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/classic-rock-roll-of-honour-winners-revealed/ |access-date=21 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328153212/http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/classic-rock-roll-of-honour-winners-revealed/ |archive-date=28 March 2014}}</ref>

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 (English band)|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]].

In 2016, Schenker toured Japan under the name of "The Michael Schenker Fest" featuring current and former singers: Doogie White, Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet and Robin McAuley, bassist Chris Glen, drummer Ted MacKenna and keyboardist/guitarist Steve Mann, releasing one live album "Fest: Live Tokyo International Forum Hall" (2Cd/Dvd) following two more albums, Revelation (2018) and Resurrection (2019). This lineup disbanded after the loss of the drummer Ted Mackenna in January that year.

In 2021, Schenker announced the return to the MSG brand, releasing "Immortal" with some of former MSG/ Fest members: singers Michael Voss, Doogie White, Robin MacAuley and Gary Barden, bassist Barry Sparks, guitarist Steve Mann and drummer Bodo Schopp along with special guests: former Rainbow singers Joe Lynn Turner and Ronnie Romero, longtime collaborators Simon Phillips and Brian Tichy on drums. The following year MSG released the album "Universal" featuring a new steady lineup with Mann, Schopp, Romero and bassist Barry Sparks. And as usual some special guest such as vocalists Ralph Scheepers (Primal Fear) and Michael Kiske (Helloween), former Rainbow members, keyboardist Tony Carey, drummer Bobby Rondinelli and bassist Bob Daisley. In July 2022 Dutch bassist Barend Corbois (ex-Blind Guardian) was announced as the new touring bass player.

Schenker released an album of UFO cover songs from his initial tenure with that band, titled ''My Years with UFO'', on September 20, 2024. The album includes contributions by [[Guns N' Roses]] members [[Axl Rose]] and [[Slash (guitarist)|Slash]], [[Biff Byford]] of [[Saxon (band)|Saxon]], former [[Rainbow (rock band)|Rainbow]] and [[Deep Purple]] frontman [[Joe Lynn Turner]], [[Stephen Pearcy]] of [[Ratt]], [[Carmine Appice]], among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/michael-schenkers-my-years-with-ufo-album-to-feature-guest-appearances-by-axl-rose-stephen-pearcy-dee-snider-others|title=MICHAEL SCHENKER's 'My Years With UFO' Album To Feature Guest Appearances By AXL ROSE, STEPHEN PEARCY, DEE SNIDER, Others|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=June 17, 2024|date=June 17, 2024|archive-date=18 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618002104/https://blabbermouth.net/news/michael-schenkers-my-years-with-ufo-album-to-feature-guest-appearances-by-axl-rose-stephen-pearcy-dee-snider-others|url-status=live}}</ref> Schenker also plans to release a pair of new albums in 2025 and 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/michael-schenker-shares-mother-mary-single-featuring-slash-and-erik-gronwall|title=MICHAEL SCHENKER Shares 'Mother Mary' Single Featuring SLASH And ERIK GRÖNWALL|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=June 19, 2024|date=June 19, 2024|archive-date=20 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620011210/https://blabbermouth.net/news/michael-schenker-shares-mother-mary-single-featuring-slash-and-erik-gronwall|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Instruments and sound ==
[[File:Michael Schenker, Michael Schenker Group - 2022126210630 2022-05-06 Michael Schenker's Universal World Tour - Sven - 1D X MK II - 0422 - AK8I6442.jpg|thumb|Schenker in 2022]]
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 [[Equalization (audio)|equaliser]] to strengthen the midrange "sweet spot"<ref name="brick" />) and [[Marshall Amplification|Marshall amplifiers]]. Schenker's "unmistakable midrange tone"<ref name="brick" /> was emphasised by the partially engaged wah pedal,<ref>{{cite book  | title = The Boss Book: The Ultimate Guide to the World's Most Popular Compact Effects for Guitar  | publisher = Hal Leonard  | year = 2002  | page = 89  | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Q7uumqHg4zAC&pg=RA1-PT89  | isbn = 978-0-634-04480-9}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite journal  | last = Blackett  | first = Matt  | title = The 50 Greatest Tones of All Time  | journal = [[Guitar Player]]  | pages = 44–66  | date = October 2004}}</ref> Since 2004, Schenker has switched to using a signature model [[Dean V]].<ref>{{cite web  | title = 11 legends of the Flying V and explorer  | date = 28 July 2009  | publisher = Music Radar  | url = http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/11-legends-of-the-flying-v-and-explorer-214595/4  | access-date = 17 August 2009  | volume = 38  | number = 10  | archive-date = 17 July 2011  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110717011851/http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/11-legends-of-the-flying-v-and-explorer-214595/4  | url-status = live  }}</ref>

In 2007 Dean Guitars, after producing Schenker's signature Dean V, also made two acoustic models with the familiar black and white "V" design.<ref>{{cite news  | last = Gill  | first = Chris  | title = Built to Destroy: Dean Michael Schenker Performer MSP and Exotica MSE Acoustic-Electric Guitars  | work = [[Guitar World]]  | page = 187  | date = September 2007  | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=JPwDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA187  | access-date = 17 August 2009}} {{dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

== Awards and recognition ==
* Placed on ''[[Guitar World]]'' magazine's 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists.<ref>Blabbermouth [http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=18446 GUITAR WORLD's 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists Of All Time] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902145402/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=18446 |date=2 September 2011 }} Retrieved on 18 July 2008.</ref>
*In 2010 Schenker was given the Marshall "11" award.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.michaelschenkerhimself.com/news.php |title=The Official Site |publisher=Michael Schenker Himself |access-date=24 April 2012 |archive-date=23 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123220912/http://www.michaelschenkerhimself.com/news.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Schenker accepted his "Rock Guitar Legend" award at the [[Vegas Rocks! Magazine]] Music Awards 2012.{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}
*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|date=September 2020}}

== Influence ==
Schenker has been on the covers of many guitar magazines and has influenced many notable guitar players, including [[Kirk Hammett]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metallicaworld.co.uk/Interviews/2001_kirk_qanda.htm|title=Kirk Hammett Questions and Answers 2001|date=1 January 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040101180759/http://www.metallicaworld.co.uk/Interviews/2001_kirk_qanda.htm|access-date=21 July 2021|archive-date=1 January 2004}}</ref> and [[James Hetfield]]<ref>..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...{{cite web |url=http://www.musicencyclopedia2004.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2%3Ajames-hetfield-metallica-1-parte-chitarre&catid=1%3Asetup-musicisti&Itemid=3&lang=it |title=Archived copy |access-date=28 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017075213/http://www.musicencyclopedia2004.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2%3Ajames-hetfield-metallica-1-parte-chitarre&catid=1%3Asetup-musicisti&Itemid=3&lang=it |archive-date=17 October 2015  }}</ref> ([[Metallica]]),<ref name="metalmasterkingdom">{{cite web|url=https://www.metalmasterkingdom.com/interviews-20182017--2016/michael-schenker-metal-master-kingdom-interview|title=Michael Schenker – Metal Master Kingdom Interview|publisher=metalmasterkingdom.com|date=17 January 2018|access-date=19 August 2018|archive-date=17 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217152812/https://www.metalmasterkingdom.com/interviews-2019--2018-2017--2016/michael-schenker-metal-master-kingdom-interview|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Dave Mustaine]] and [[Marty Friedman]] ([[Megadeth]]),<ref name="metalmasterkingdom" /><ref>Dave Mustaine Quotes.. When I was a kid, I had guitar heroes: Jimmy Page, Michael Schenker, Angus Young..{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=41167 |title=BLABBERMOUTH.NET - MEGADETH's DAVE MUSTAINE: 'I Experimented with Black Magic and Witchcraft' |access-date=7 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117152358/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=41167 |archive-date=17 November 2011  }}.</ref><ref>..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]]</ref> [[Dimebag Darrell]] ([[Pantera]]),<ref name="metalmasterkingdom" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guitarworld.com/60-minutes-dimebag-darrell-compiles-his-ultimate-compilation-cd#slide-5 |title=60 Minutes: Dimebag Darrell Compiles His Ultimate Compilation CD |publisher=[[Guitar World]] |date=20 August 2013 |access-date=15 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017075212/http://www.guitarworld.com/60-minutes-dimebag-darrell-compiles-his-ultimate-compilation-cd#slide-5 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> [[Alex Skolnick]] and [[Eric Peterson (musician)|Eric Peterson]] ([[Testament (band)|Testament]]),<ref name="metalmasterkingdom" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guitarworld.com/interview-testaments-eric-peterson-discusses-gear-influences-and-writing-guitar-solos |title=Interview: Testament's Eric Peterson Discusses Gear, Influences and Writing Guitar Solos |publisher=[[Guitar World]] |date=6 April 2012 |access-date=15 October 2015 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017075212/http://www.guitarworld.com/interview-testaments-eric-peterson-discusses-gear-influences-and-writing-guitar-solos |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Mike McCready]] ([[Pearl Jam]]),<ref name="metalmasterkingdom" /> [[Gary Holt (musician)|Gary Holt]] ([[Exodus (band)|Exodus]]),<ref name="metalmasterkingdom" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=39251 |title=Interview With Gary Holt Of Exodus |publisher=Metal Underground |date=25 September 2015 |access-date=15 October 2015 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017075212/http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=39251 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.teamrock.com/news/2014-09-12/exodus-holt-owes-a-debt-to-schenker |title=Exodus Holt owes a debt to Schenker |publisher=Team Rock |date=12 September 2014 |access-date=15 October 2015 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017075212/https://www.teamrock.com/news/2014-09-12/exodus-holt-owes-a-debt-to-schenker |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Rob Cavestany]] ([[Death Angel]]),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://deanmarkley.com/EndArtists/RobCavestany.shtml |title=DMS – Rob Cavestany |publisher=deanmarkley.com |access-date=15 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017075212/http://deanmarkley.com/EndArtists/RobCavestany.shtml |archive-date=17 October 2015  }}</ref> [[Adrian Smith (musician)|Adrian Smith]] ([[Iron Maiden]]),<ref name="metalmasterkingdom" /> [[Slash (musician)|Slash]],<ref name="metalmasterkingdom" /> [[John Norum]] ([[Europe (band)|Europe]]), [[Paul Gilbert]],<ref name="metalmasterkingdom" /> [[Randy Rhoads]],<ref name="metalmasterkingdom" /> [[George Lynch (musician)|George Lynch]] ([[Dokken]]), [[Warren DeMartini]] ([[Ratt (band)|Ratt]]),<ref name="metalmasterkingdom" /> [[John Petrucci]] ([[Dream Theater]]),<ref name="metalmasterkingdom" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/john-petrucci-mn0000812741/related|title=John Petrucci &#124; Similar Artists|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> [[Michael Amott]] ([[Arch Enemy]]),<ref name="metalmasterkingdom" /> [[Dan Spitz]] ([[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]]), [[Criss Oliva]] ([[Savatage]]), [[Jeff Waters]] ([[Annihilator (band)|Annihilator]]),<ref name="metalmasterkingdom" /> [[Phil Campbell (musician)|Phil Campbell]] ([[Motörhead]]), [[Kerry King]] ([[Slayer]]),<ref name="metalmasterkingdom" /> and [[Syu]] ([[Galneryus]]).<ref>{{cite web | title=Exclusive interview with Syu | url=https://www.jame-world.com/en/article/19322-exclusive-interview-with-syu.html | website=Jame-world.com | date=15 December 2006 | access-date=3 July 2021 | archive-date=9 August 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809032735/https://www.jame-world.com/en/article/19322-exclusive-interview-with-syu.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

== Michael Schenker Group band members ==
{{Main|List of Michael Schenker band members}}
'''Current members'''
*Michael Schenker – lead guitar, backing vocals {{small|(1979–1984, 1986–1993, 1996–present)}}
*[[Steve Mann (English musician)|Steve Mann]] – keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals {{small|(1986–1987, 1988–1991, 2016–present)}}
*Bodo Schopf – drums {{small|(1986–1987, 1988–1991, 2007–2008, 2019–present)}}
*Barend Courbois – bass, backing vocals {{small|(2021–present)}}
*[[Erik Grönwall]] – lead vocals {{small|(2025–present)}}

== Discography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Band
!Title
!Notes
|-
|1966
|Michael Schenker
|''"LIVE" At Age 11 With The Enervates''
|Live with the Enervates. 13 September 1966, Beat Club [https://www.discogs.com/de/release/16257219-Michael-Schenker-LIVE-At-Age-11-With-The-Enervates 1]
|-
|1972
|[[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]]
|''[[Lonesome Crow]]''
|
|-
|1974
|[[UFO (band)|UFO]]
|''[[Phenomenon (UFO album)|Phenomenon]]''
|
|-
|1975
|UFO
|''[[Force It]]''
|
|-
|1976
|UFO
|''[[No Heavy Petting]]''
|
|-
|1977
|UFO
|''[[Lights Out (UFO album)|Lights Out]]''
|
|-
|1978
|UFO
|''[[Obsession (UFO album)|Obsession]]''
|
|-
|1979
|UFO
|''[[Strangers in the Night (UFO album)|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 (album)|The Michael Schenker Group]]''
|
|-
|1981
|Michael Schenker Group
|''[[MSG (Michael Schenker Group album)|MSG]]''
|
|-
|1982
|Michael Schenker Group
|''[[One Night at Budokan]]''
|Live
|-
|1982
|Michael Schenker Group
|''[[Assault Attack]]''
|
|-
|1983
|Michael Schenker Group
|''[[Built to Destroy (Michael Schenker Group album)|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 (McAuley Schenker Group album)|Perfect Timing]]''
|
|-
|1989
|McAuley Schenker Group
|''[[Save Yourself (McAuley Schenker Group album)|Save Yourself]]''
|
|-
|1991
|McAuley Schenker Group
|''[[M.S.G. (McAuley Schenker Group album)|M.S.G.]]''
|
|-
|1991
|[[Contraband (band)|Contraband]]
|''[[Contraband (band)|Contraband]]''
|
|-
|1992
|UFO
|''BBC Radio 1 Live In Concert''
|Live, Tracks 9,10,11,12, Recorded in 1974 and 1976
|-
|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 (UFO album)|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 (album)|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 (album)|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 (UFO album)|Covenant]]''
|
|-
|2001
|Michael Schenker Group
|''[[Be Aware of Scorpions]]''
|
|-
|2002
|UFO
|''[[Sharks (album)|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 (UFO album)|Live on Earth]]''
|Live, Recorded at Rockpalast, Vienna, Austria on 28 January 1998
|-
|2003
|[[The Plot (band)|The Plot]]
|''The Plot''
|
|-
|2003
|[[Amy Schugar]], Michael Schenker
|''[[Under Construction (Schugar/Schenker album)|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, Michael Schenker, [[Gary Barden]][https://www.discogs.com/de/master/353136-MSG-Schenker-Barden-In-The-Midst-Of-Beauty|3]
|''[[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''
|
|-
|2022
|Michael Schenker (Solo)
|''Rock Shock''
|Compilation
|-
|2023
|UFO
|''Lights Out in Babenhausen 93''
|Live, recorded at the Stadhalle in Babenhausen, Germany on 12 December 1993, CD/LP
|-
|2024
|Michael Schenker (Solo)
|''My Years with UFO''
|Covers of songs from Schenker's initial tenure with UFO
|-
|2025
|Michael Schenker Group
|''Don't Sell Your Soul''
|
|}

=== Other Schenker projects ===
*''[[Look at Me Now (Bernie Marsden album)|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 (video game)|Heavy Metal Thunder]]'' (2005)
*''[[Music in tribute of Iron Maiden|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)[https://www.discogs.com/de/release/13349042-Siggi-Schwarz-Michael-Schenker-Live-Together-2004-The-Bonus-Edition|5]
*''[[We Wish You a Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year|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)[https://www.discogs.com/de/master/632489-Michael-Schenker-Guitar-Master-The-Kulick-Sessions 2]
* ''Guitar Master'' (2009)[https://www.discogs.com/de/master/1126271-Michael-Schenker-Guitar-Master|4]
* ''Greatest Riffs'' (2009, US-only compilation)
* ''Instrumental Intensity'' (2010, [[Shrapnel Records]] compilation)
* ''Blood Of The Sun'' (2014)[https://www.discogs.com/de/release/9046238-Michael-Schenker-Friends-Blood-Of-The-Sun|6]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{allMusic}}
* {{IMDb name|nm2424286}}
* [http://guitar.com/articles/michael-schenker-interview-good-times-german-guitar-god 2015 Michael Schenker Interview on Guitar.com]

{{Michael Schenker}}{{Michael Schenker Group|state=autocollapse}}
{{UFO}}
{{McAuley Schenker Group|state=autocollapse}}
{{Scorpions}}
{{Ratt}}
{{G3 (tour band)}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Schenker, Michael}}
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Sarstedt]]
[[Category:German rock guitarists]]
[[Category:German male guitarists]]
[[Category:German heavy metal guitarists]]
[[Category:German lead guitarists]]
[[Category:Slide guitarists]]
[[Category:Scorpions (band) members]]
[[Category:UFO (band) members]]
[[Category:Michael Schenker Group members]]
[[Category:McAuley Schenker Group members]]
[[Category:Ratt members]]
[[Category:G3 (tour)]]
[[Category:Contraband (band) members]]