Schenker

Michael Schenker is a legendary figure in rock, one of the most gifted and influential guitarists of all time. His work with Scorpions, UFO and the Michael Schenker Group made him a hero to millions of fans and inspired a generation of musicians, including Steve Harris of Iron Maiden, Kirk Hammett of Metallica, and Slash of Guns N’ Roses. And with Michael Schenker Fest, an ambitious and unorthodox project featuring four singers with whom he has worked since 1979 – Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, Robin McAuley and Doogie White – the drive to create new music is based on the same ethos that has shaped Schenker’s whole career, ever since he recorded his first album “Lonesome Crow” with the Scorpions in 1970 at age 15.

It was one of those nights that was always going to be special. The city of Madrid with its three million inhabitants was bathed in warm, autumnal, red-gold evening sunshine as rock fans streamed over the Calle del Arenal Boulevard close to the Royal Palace and into the Joy Eslava…

Apart from his classic work with UFO, from a pure heavy metal and hard rock standpoint, most metalheads consider Michael Schenker's 1980-1984 solo period to be his high-water mark. And after checking out the 2008 compilation Best of the Michael Schenker Group 1980-1984, you'll understand why…

UK five CD set from the guitar hero and former UFO and Scorpions member. After leaving UFO in 1978, legendary guitarist Michael Schenker decided to form his own group - settling on a name that left no confusion about the creative force in the group! Chrysalis Years 1980-1984 collects together all six of Schenker's albums recorded for Chrysalis Records including bonus live tracks and more. Features his eponymous 1980 debut featuring vocalist Gary Barden, 1981's MSG featuring Cozy Powell on drums and UFO's Paul Raymond on keyboards and guitar, and the legendary Japanese double live One Night at Budokan, recorded in Tokyo on MSG's 1981 tour. Released the same year, 1982's Assault Attack was the sole recording to feature former Rainbow vocalist Graham Bonnet, before Barden's return for 1983's Built to Destroy. This set is rounded off by MSG's second live album, Rock Will Never Die which effectively became the swan song for this era of the band.

Michael Schenker is a changed man. With a career stretching back to 1969, the German guitar virtuoso is an artist for whom the term ‘volatile’ has sometimes seemed invented. Recorded with singers and musicians associated with Michael in previous decades, the aptly-titled »Resurrection« sees Schenker embracing his past to build something fresh and exciting. In 2016, Schenker put together MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST, a tour featuring former MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP vocalists Gary Barden and Graham Bonnet, plus Robin McAuley of the McAULEY SCHENKER GROUP. Instrumental back-up was provided by former M.S.G. bass player Chris Glen and drummer Ted McKenna, plus guitarist/keyboard player Steve Mann, also of the McAULEY SCHENKER GROUP. These shows were so rapturously received by audiences across Japan and Europe that it seemed only logical for the protagonists to make new music together. The decision to bring in Doogie White, singer of Schenker’s TEMPLE OF ROCK, adds even more substance to Michael’s assembly.

This newly remastered 6CD, 66 track collection brings together a collection of Michael Schenker material, recorded from 1979 - 1983. A turbulent time for Michael, following his exit from UFO via Scorpions. Featuring the studio albums Michael Schenker Group, MSG, Assault Attack, Built to Destroy (both UK and US versions) as well as a disc of Demos & Alternative Versions featuring the entire 1979 demo tape, rare monitor mixes and single versions and a disc of completely unreleased material, with early studio takes and rough monitor mixes.