The Michael Schenker Group (often abbreviated as MSG) are a guitar-oriented

hard rock Hard rock or heavy rock is a loosely defined subgenre of rock music typified by aggressive vocals and distorted electric guitars. Hard rock began in the mid-1960s with the garage, psychedelic and blues rock movements. Some of the earliest hard ...

band, formed in London in 1979 by former

Scorpions Scorpions are predatory arachnids of the order Scorpiones. They have eight legs, and are easily recognized by a pair of grasping pincers and a narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a characteristic forward curve over the back and always end ...

and

UFO An unidentified flying object (UFO), more recently renamed by US officials as a UAP (unidentified aerial phenomenon), is any perceived aerial phenomenon that cannot be immediately identified or explained. On investigation, most UFOs are id ...

guitarist

Michael Schenker Michael Schenker (born 10 January 1955) 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 1986, Schenker and vocalist

Robin McAuley Robin McAuley (born 20 January 1953) is an Irish singer. He is best known as the vocalist for the rock band McAuley Schenker Group from 1986 to 1993, which saw the band release three studio albums: '' Perfect Timing'', '' Save Yourself'', '' M.S ...

formed the

McAuley Schenker Group McAuley Schenker Group were an American rock band based in Los Angeles featuring core members Robin McAuley (vocals) and Michael Schenker (guitar), a successor (and eventual predecessor) to Schenker's earlier band Michael Schenker Group. McAu ...

, which lasted until 1993. Afterwards, in 1996, the Michael Schenker Group was reformed. After the release of their second live album, 1984's ''

Rock Will Never Die ''Rock Will Never Die'' is a Michael Schenker Group live album released in 1984 and recorded at Hammersmith Odeon in London, over two nights in October 1983. The concert was also released in VHS with the same title. This is the last album rec ...

'', its members began to have serious discussions that caused a two-year hiatus, and Michael ended the band in 1986. The group has repeatedly expressed an excellent interpretation, generated by the technique of its leader, representing one of the cornerstones of the history of

. Their symbol is a

Flying V The Gibson Flying V is an electric guitar model introduced by Gibson in 1958. The Flying V offered a radical, "futuristic" body design, much like its siblings: the Explorer, which was released the same year, and the Moderne, which was designed ...

, 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

from

, in an attempt to have a band that better suited his needs. He therefore decided to move to

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

; a few weeks after his arrival in the British capital, he joined

Gary Barden Gary John Barden (born 27 August 1955, Royal Tunbridge Wells, England) is an English singer-songwriter, best known for his work with Michael Schenker Group. Barden was discovered by Schenker upon the guitarist's hearing a demo of Barden's pre ...

, vocalist of Fraser Nash, who, with bassist

Billy Sheehan William Sheehan (born March 19, 1953) is an American musician. He is best known for playing the bass guitar with acts such as Talas, Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Niacin, and The Winery Dogs. He is also known for his "lead bass" playing ...

and drummer

Denny Carmassi Denny Carmassi (born April 30, 1947) is an American drummer most notable for playing with many rock bands. Biography Carmassi was born into a family of drummers; his father, his uncle, and his brother each played the drums. Some of Denny's e ...

founded a new band, simply called Michael Schenker Group. The following year they recorded their second album, ''

MSG Monosodium glutamate (MSG), also known as sodium glutamate, is the sodium Salt (chemistry), salt of glutamic acid. MSG is found naturally in some foods including tomatoes and cheese in this glutamic acid form. MSG is used in cooking as a fl ...

'', 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 ''One Night at Budokan'' is a live album by Michael Schenker Group released in 1982. This album was recorded at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan as part of their 1981 tour. Track listing 1982 original LP All songs written by Michael Schenker ...

''. It was released in 1982 with great success in the UK where it was certified

silver Silver is a chemical element with the Symbol (chemistry), symbol Ag (from the Latin ', derived from the Proto-Indo-European wikt:Reconstruction:Proto-Indo-European/h₂erǵ-, ''h₂erǵ'': "shiny" or "white") and atomic number 47. A soft, whi ...

after exceeding 60,000 copies sold. In October 1983, the band released '' Built to Destroy'', the first with keyboardist

Andy Nye Andy Dane Nye (born 8 April 1959 in London, England) is an English musician, songwriter and author, as well as being a producer and agent. He was a member of the rock band The Michael Schenker Group at their peak in the 1980s and has also played k ...

and which also featured

Derek St. Holmes Derek St. Holmes (born February 24, 1953) is an American rock musician, best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitar player for Ted Nugent's early solo career. After splitting from Nugent in 1978, St. Holmes worked with various artists, mo ...

, known at the time as

Ted Nugent Theodore Anthony Nugent (; born December 13, 1948) is an American rock musician and activist. He initially gained fame as the lead guitarist and occasional lead vocalist of The Amboy Dukes, a band formed in 1963 that played psychedelic rock an ...

'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 Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. While fluid in the early years of the band, the lineup for most of the band's history has consisted of Harri ...

. Their farewell concert was held on December 18, 1983 at the Dortmund festival, after which the band disbanded, and the guitarist founded the

. After deciding to wrap up the McAuley Schenker Group project, Schenker decided to re-found the band in 1996 with

Leif Sundin Leif Arne Sundin (born 22 March 1971) is a Swedish rock vocalist and songwriter who has performed and recorded with Michael Schenker, John Norum and Brian Robertson among others. Career Starting his career as vocalist with Swedish rock band ...

on vocals,

Barry Sparks Barry Sparks (born June 20, 1968 in Lucasville, Ohio) is an American Rock bassist/Guitarist from legendary bands such as Yngwie Malmsteen, the Michael Schenker Group, UFO, Dokken, and Ted Nugent, amongst others. Currently Sparks is part of the to ...

on bass and

Shane Gaalaas Shane Gaalaas (born August 8, 1967) is a Canadian-born drummer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter best known for his long running affiliation with Japanese rock superstars B'z, whom he joined in 2002, and his extensive work with guitar virtuo ...

on drums with whom he recorded ''Written in the Sand''. Two years later, they released '' The Unforgiven'', with

Kelly Keeling Kelly Keeling was born on June 25, 1966, and is an American musician and songwriter. Keeling started playing at the age of 14 and began his career as the lead singer of the American heavy metal band Baton Rouge. Throughout his career Keeling w ...

replacing Sundin and with John Onder replacing Sparks.

Discography

Studio albums

Michael Schenker Group

* ''

The 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. In 1986, Schenker and vocalist Robin McAuley formed the McAuley Schenk ...

'' (1980) #8 UK * ''

'' (1981) * '' Assault Attack'' (1982) * '' Built to Destroy'' (1983) * '' Written in the Sand'' (1996) #22 Japan * '' The Unforgiven'' (1999) * ''

Be Aware of Scorpions ''Be Aware of Scorpions'' is the tenth full-length studio album recorded by the various M.S.G. lineups and the seventh album by the German hard rock band Michael Schenker Group released in 2001. Track listing All tracks by Schenker & Logan, ex ...

'' (2001) * ''

Arachnophobiac ''Arachnophobiac'' is the eleventh full-length studio album recorded by the various M.S.G. lineups and the eighth studio album by the German hard rock band Michael Schenker Group released in 2003. After leaving UFO, rumors spread about Sche ...

'' (2003) * ''

Tales of Rock'n'Roll ''Tales of Rock'n'Roll'' is the twelfth full-length studio album recorded by the various M.S.G. lineups and the ninth studio album by the Michael Schenker Group. It was released in 2006 after two years of work in celebration of the band's 25th ...

'' (2006) * ''

In the Midst of Beauty ''In the Midst of Beauty'' is the thirteenth full-length studio album recorded by the various M.S.G. lineups and the tenth studio album by the Michael Schenker Group (MSG). The album was released on 13 May 2008 and marked the comeback of the or ...

'' (2008) *''Immortal ''(2021) *''Universal'' (2022)

McAuley Schenker Group

* '' Perfect Timing'' (1987) * '' Save Yourself'' (1989) * '' M.S.G.'' (1991) * '' Nightmare: The Acoustic M.S.G. (1992)'' Schenker Barden Acoustic Project * Gipsy Lady ''(2009)''

Schenker's Temple of Rock

* ''

Temple of Rock ''Temple of Rock'' is the debut album by the German hard rock band Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock. Curiously, Schenker's tour for the record featured a setlist with very few tracks from the album, the setlists being primarily composed of ol ...

'' (2011) * ''Bridge the Gap'' (2013) * ''Spirit on a Mission'' (2015)

Michael Schenker Fest

* ''Resurrection'' (2018) * ''Revelation'' (2019)

Cover albums

Michael Schenker Group

* ''

Heavy Hitters ''Heavy Hitters'' is a 2005 album of cover songs by the Michael Schenker Group. Originally planned by Schenker as a collection of covers featuring himself and a "revolving all-star cast of guest musicians," the album was labeled and marketed ...

'' (2005) ** '' Doctor Doctor: The Kulick Sessions'' (2007 re-release) ** '' By Invitation Only'' (2011 re-release)

Live albums

Michael Schenker Group * ''

'' (1982) (UK Silver) * ''

'' (1984) * ''BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert'' (1993) * ''

The Michael Schenker Story Live ''The Michael Schenker Story Live'' is a live album by the hard rock band Michael Schenker Group, released in May 1997 through Michael Schenker's own record company. This is a double-CD live album recorded during the March 1997 Japan tour. The ...

'' (1997) * ''

The Unforgiven World Tour ''The Unforgiven World Tour'' is a live album by the Michael Schenker Group, released in 1999. This is a double-CD live album recorded during three performances in May, 1999 at The Edge, Palo Alto, California. The material dates from throughout ...

'' (1999) * ''The Mad Axeman Live'' (2007) * ''Walk the Stage: The Official Bootleg Box Set'' (2009) * '' The 30th Anniversary Concert: Live in Tokyo'' (2010)

McAuley Schenker Group

* '' "Unplugged" Live'' (1992)

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

Current members

– lead and rhythm guitar, occasional backing vocals * Steve Mann – keyboards, rhythm and occasional lead guitar, backing vocals * Bodo Schopf – drums * Ronnie Romero – lead vocals * Barend Courbois – bass guitar

Former members

Lead vocals: *

Ray Kennedy Raymond Kennedy (28 July 1951 – 30 November 2021) was an English footballer who won every domestic honour in the game with Arsenal and Liverpool in the 1970s and early 1980s. Kennedy played as a forward for Arsenal, and then played as a le ...

– also rhythm guitar * David VanLanding *

* Keith Slack * Chris Logan * Jari Tiura * Michael Voss – also rhythm guitar * Doogie White *

Graham Bonnet Graham Bonnet (born 23 December 1947) is an English rock singer. He has recorded and performed as a solo artist and as a member of several hard rock and heavy metal bands including Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group, Alcatrazz, and Impellitteri. ...

Keyboards: * Don Airey * Paul Raymond – also rhythm guitar & backing vocals *

Tommy Eyre Tommy Eyre (5 June 1949 – 23 May 2001) was an English session keyboardist from Sheffield, England, who appeared on records by Joe Cocker, John Martyn, Gary Moore, Michael Schenker, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Greg Lake, B.B. King, ...

– also backing vocals *

Jesse Harms Jesse Harms (born July 6, 1952 in Massachusetts) is an American musician and songwriter. He has worked with Sammy Hagar, David Lee Roth, Eddie Money, REO Speedwagon, Bad English, Guitar Shorty, Patty Smyth, and McAuley Schenker Group. Early l ...

* Claude Gaudette * Seth Bernstein – also rhythm guitar & backing vocals * Wayne Findlay – also rhythm guitar & backing vocals Rhythm guitar: *

– also vocals * Mitch Perry * Spencer Secombe Bass: *

Mo Foster Mo Foster (born Michael Ralph Foster, 22 December 1944) is an English multi-instrumentalist, record producer, composer, solo artist, author, and public speaker. Through a career spanning over half a century, Foster has toured, recorded, and perf ...

Chris Glen Christopher John Glen (born 6 November 1950), known simply as Chris Glen, is a Scottish rock musician. He is best known for playing with The Sensational Alex Harvey Band from 1972 to 1978, and Michael Schenker Group from 1980 to 1984, 2008 to 2 ...

– bass * Dennis Feldman * Rocky Newton * Jeff Pilson – also backing vocals * Jeff Kollman * John Onder * Rev Jones *

Stuart Hamm Stuart Hamm (born February 8, 1960) is an American bass guitar player, known for his session and live work with numerous artists as well as for his unconventional playing style and solo recordings. Career Born in New Orleans, Hamm spent his chil ...

Pete Way Peter Frederick Way (7 August 1950 – 14 August 2020) was an English hard rock and heavy metal bassist. He was bassist for the rock band UFO from 1968 to 1982; Way rejoined the band briefly in 1988–1989, and full-time from 1991 to 2008. H ...

* Neil Murray * Elliott "Dean" Rubinson *

Francis Buchholz Francis Buchholz (born 19 February 1954) is a German musician best known as the bass guitarist of German rock band Scorpions from 1973 until 1992. Since leaving Scorpions he has been a member of Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock. Biography Bo ...

– also backing vocals Drums: *

* Simon Phillips *

Cozy Powell Cozy Powell (born Colin Trevor Flooks; 29 December 1947 – 5 April 1998) was an English rock drummer who made his name with major rock bands and artists such as The Jeff Beck Group, Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group, Gary Moore, Robert Plant, ...

Ted McKenna Edward McKenna (10 March 1950 – 19 January 2019) was a Scottish drummer who played with The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Rory Gallagher, The Greg Lake Band, and The Michael Schenker Group. He also toured with Ian Gillan for a short period o ...

James Kottak James Kottak (born December 26, 1962) is an American drummer. Kottak is best known for his work with the German hard rock band Scorpions, which he joined in 1996. At the time of his firing from the band in 2016, he was their all-time longest-s ...

– also acoustic guitar * Aynsley Dunbar * Jeff Martin – also backing vocals *

Jeremy Colson Steven Siro Vai (; born June 6, 1960) is an American guitarist, composer, songwriter, and producer. A three-time Grammy Award winner and fifteen-time nominee, Vai started his music career in 1978 at the age of eighteen as a transcriptionist for ...

* Pete Holmes *

Chris Slade Chris Slade (born Christopher Slade Rees; 30 October 1946) is a Welsh musician, best known for playing for the Australian rock band AC/DC. He drummed for the band from 1989 to 1994, performing on their 1990 album '' The Razors Edge'' along with ...

Carmine Appice Carmine Appice ( , born December 15, 1946) is an American rock drummer. He is best known for his associations with Vanilla Fudge; Cactus; the power trio Beck, Bogert & Appice; Rod Stewart; King Kobra; and Blue Murder. He is also Vinny Appice's ...

Brian Tichy Brian Tichy (born August 18, 1968) is an American musician, best known as having been the drummer for Whitesnake, Billy Idol, Foreigner, Sass Jordan, and Ozzy Osbourne. He was the drummer of Whitesnake from 2010 to 2013. His surname means ''si ...

Herman Rarebell Herman Rarebell (born 18 November 1949 as Hermann Josef Erbel) is a German musician, best known as the drummer for the hard rock band Scorpions from 1977 to 1995, during which time he played on eight studio albums. Aside from playing drums, Rare ...

Timeline

Recording timeline

References

External links

Michael Schenker official site
*
MSG in the BNR metal pages
{{Authority control Musical groups from London Musical groups established in 1979 British heavy metal musical groups British hard rock musical groups Metal Mind Productions artists Chrysalis Records artists New Wave of British Heavy Metal musical groups