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The Michael Schenker Group (often abbreviated as MSG) is an English hard rock band, formed in London in 1979 by former Scorpions and UFO guitarist Michael Schenker.[1] 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. 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]
Michael Schenker Group | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Also known as | MSG |
Origin | London, England |
Genres | |
Years active | 1979 | –present
Labels | |
Spinoffs | McAuley Schenker Group |
Spinoff of | UFO |
Members | Michael Schenker Robin McAuley Steve Mann Bodo Schopf Barend Courbois |
Past members | See list |
The group has had many different members over the years with Schenker the only constant presence.
History
editThe band was formed in 1979, following the departure 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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] 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
editStudio albums
editMichael Schenker Group
edit- The Michael Schenker Group (1980) #8 UK
- MSG (1981)
- Assault Attack (1982)
- Built to Destroy (1983)
- Written in the Sand (1996) #22 Japan
- The Unforgiven (1999)
- Be Aware of Scorpions (2001)
- Arachnophobiac (2003)
- Tales of Rock'n'Roll (2006)
- In the Midst of Beauty (2008)
- Immortal (2021)[4]
- Universal (2022)
- My Years With UFO (2024)
McAuley Schenker Group
edit- Perfect Timing (1987)
- Save Yourself (1989)
- M.S.G. (1991)
- Nightmare: The Acoustic M.S.G. (1992)
Schenker Barden Acoustic Project
- Gipsy Lady (2009)
Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock
edit- Temple of Rock (2011)
- Bridge the Gap (2013)
- Spirit on a Mission (2015)
Michael Schenker Fest
edit- Resurrection (2018)
- Revelation (2019)[5]
Cover albums
editMichael Schenker Group
edit- Heavy Hitters (2005)
- Doctor Doctor: The Kulick Sessions (2007 re-release)
- By Invitation Only (2011 re-release)
Live albums
editMichael Schenker Group
- One Night at Budokan (1982) (UK Silver)
- Rock Will Never Die (1984)
- BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert (1993)
- The Michael Schenker Story Live (1997)
- The Unforgiven World Tour (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
edit- "Unplugged" Live (1992)
Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock
edit- On a Mission - Live in Europe (2012)
- On a Mission - Live in Madrid (2016)
Michael Schenker Fest
edit- Live Tokyo International Forum Hall A (2017)
Members
editCurrent members
- Michael Schenker – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1979–present)[6][7][8][9][10]
- Robin McAuley – lead vocals (1986–1993, 2011, 2012, 2016–2020, 2022, 2023–present)[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]
- Steve Mann – keyboards, rhythm and occasional lead guitar, backing vocals (1986–1987, 1988–1991, 2016–present)[19][20][21]
- Bodo Schopf – drums (1986–1987, 1988–1991, 2007–2008, 2019–present)[22][23][24][25]
- Barend Courbois – bass guitar, backing vocals (2021–present)[26]
References
edit- ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 241/2. ISBN 0-85112-656-1.
- ^ Saulnier, Jason (23 January 2009). "Michael Schenker Interview". Music Legends. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
- ^ "Loudersoud Reviews". 30 July 2019.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Revelation by Michael Schenker Fest". Apple Music. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
- ^ Thomas, Bryan (22 June 2017). ""Take Off to European Rock": German rockers Scorpions will "Rock You Like a Hurricane"". Nightflight. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ Ling, Dave (27 July 2006). "Michael Schenker: Appetite For Self-Destruction". Classic Rock. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ Crampton, Mark (1994). Armed & Ready: The Best of the Michael Schenker Group (Media notes). Music Club. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Axxis–MSG" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 16. London, England: EMR Publishing. 17 April 1993. p. 19. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Michael Schenker Group "Written In The Sand"". Guitar Nine. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ Gett, Steve (3 May 1986). "On the Beat" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 18. New York City, New York: Billboard Publications, Inc. p. 22. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "McAuley Schenker Reunite At NAMM; Photos, Video Available". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 25 January 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Michael Schenker Group - Monterrey Show Announced". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 8 January 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Michael Schenker To Reunite With Robin McAuley For 'Temple Of Rock' Tour". Blabbermouth.net. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Michael Schenker Fest Singer Robin McAuley Diagnosed With Sepsis". Blabbermouth.net. 8 January 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Robin McAuley joins MSG for April and May tour dates – Michael Schenker Himself". michaelschenkerhimself.com. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
- ^ Colothan, Scott (5 June 2023). "Michael Schenker Group announce November and December 2023 UK & Ireland tour". planetradio. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- ^ Stickler, Jon (5 June 2023). "Michael Schenker Group Plot UK And Ireland Tour For November And December - Stereoboard". Stereoboard.com. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- ^ "Music Now!" (PDF). The Hard Report. No. 38. Medford Lakes, New Jersey: The Hard Report, Inc. 24 July 1987. p. 31. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Michael Schenker To Perform With Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, Robin McAuley At Sweden Rock Festival". Blabbermouth.net. 23 March 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Michael Schenker's New MSG Album 'Immortal' To Feature Joe Lynn Turner, Ralf Scheepers And Ronnie Romero". Blabbermouth.net. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ Carlson, Taylor T. (2013). HAIRcyclopedia Vol. 2: The Vault. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-1300687559. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Michael Schenker - MSG Touring Lineup Announced For Kiev, Japan". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 29 January 2007. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Michael Schenker Fest Announces New Drummer". Blabbermouth.net. 14 February 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Michael Schenker's New MSG Album 'Immortal' To Feature Joe Lynn Turner, Ralf Scheepers And Ronnie Romero". Blabbermouth.net. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Barend Courbois (Blind Guardian) On Bass". Michael Schenker. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2022.