Michael Schenker Group
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Short description|Multinational hard rock band}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Michael Schenker Group
| image = Michael Schenker, Michael Schenker Group - 2022126211202 2022-05-06 Michael Schenker's Universal World Tour - Sven - 1D X MK II - 1037 - B70I5540.jpg
| image_upright = 1.25
| caption = MSG performing in 2022
| alias = MSG
| origin = London, England
| genre = {{flatlist|
| years_active = {{Start date|1979}}–present
| label = {{flatlist|
| spinoffs = McAuley Schenker Group
| spinoff_of = UFO
| current_members = Michael Schenker
Robin McAuley
Steve Mann
Bodo Schopf
Barend Courbois
| past_members = See list
}}
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.{{cite book|title=The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=Guinness Publishing|date=1995|edition=Second|isbn=0-85112-656-1|page=241/2}} After the release of their second live album, 1984's Rock Will Never Die, The band went on a two-year hiatus and Schenker disbanded the band in 1986. In 1986, Schenker and vocalist Robin McAuley formed the McAuley Schenker Group, which lasted until 1993. Afterwards, in 1996, the Michael Schenker Group was reformed.{{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}}
The group has had many different members over the years, with Schenker the only constant presence.
History
The band was formed in 1979, following Michael Schenker's departure from UFO the previous year, in an attempt to have a band that better suited his style. He therefore decided to move to London; a few weeks after his arrival in the city, he met Gary Barden, vocalist of Fraser Nash, who along with bassist Billy Sheehan and drummer Denny Carmassi formed a new band, simply called Michael Schenker Group.{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/the-michael-schenker-group-the-michael-schenker-group-album-of-the-week-club-review|title=Loudersoud Reviews|date=30 July 2019 }} The following year, the band 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.{{cn|date=November 2022}}
In October 1983, the band released Built to Destroy, the first with keyboardist Andy Nye and which also featured Derek St. Holmes, best known at the time as Ted Nugent's vocalist and rhythm guitarist.{{cn|date=November 2022}} 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.{{cn|date=November 2022}} Their farewell concert was held on 18 December 1983 at the Dortmund festival, after which the band disbanded, and the guitarist founded the McAuley Schenker Group.
After deciding to disband the McAuley Schenker Group, Schenker decided to reform 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
File:Michael Schenker Group - Kavarna.jpg
{{Main|Michael Schenker Group discography|McAuley Schenker Group#Discography}}
=Studio albums=
== Michael Schenker Group ==
- 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){{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/michael-schenkers-new-msg-album-immortal-to-feature-joe-lynn-turner-ralf-scheepers-and-ronnie-romero/|title=MICHAEL SCHENKER's New MSG Album 'Immortal' To Feature JOE LYNN TURNER, RALF SCHEEPERS And RONNIE ROMERO|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=10 August 2020|date=10 August 2020}}
- 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)
== Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock ==
- Temple of Rock (2011)
- Bridge the Gap (2013)
- Spirit on a Mission (2015)
== Michael Schenker Fest ==
=Cover albums=
== Michael Schenker Group ==
- Heavy Hitters (2005)
- Doctor Doctor: The Kulick Sessions (2007 re-release)
- By Invitation Only (2011 re-release)
=Live albums=
Michael 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 ==
- "Unplugged" Live (1992)
== Michael 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)
Members
{{Main articles|List of Michael Schenker band members}}
Current members
- Michael Schenker – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals {{Small|(1979–present)}}{{cite web |last=Thomas |first=Bryan |date=22 June 2017 |title="Take Off to European Rock": German rockers Scorpions will "Rock You Like a Hurricane" |url=http://nightflight.com/take-off-to-european-rock-german-rockers-scorpions-will-rock-you-like-a-hurricane/ |accessdate=16 January 2022 |publisher=Nightflight}}{{cite web |last=Ling |first=Dave |date=27 July 2006 |title=Michael Schenker: Appetite For Self-Destruction |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/michael-schenker-appetite-for-self-destruction |accessdate=16 January 2022 |work=Classic Rock}}{{cite AV media notes |url=http://www.beronius.eu/msghistory.htm |title=Armed & Ready: The Best of the Michael Schenker Group |last=Crampton |first=Mark |publisher=Music Club |year=1994 |access-date=16 January 2022}}{{cite magazine |title=Axxis–MSG |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/90s/93/MM-1993-04-17-OCR-Page-0019.pdf |magazine=Music & Media |location=London, England |publisher=EMR Publishing |publication-date=17 April 1993 |volume=10 |issue=16 |page=19 |access-date=16 January 2022}}{{cite web |title=Michael Schenker Group "Written In The Sand" |url=https://www.guitar9.com/column/michael-schenker-group-written-sand |accessdate=16 January 2022 |publisher=Guitar Nine}}
- Robin McAuley – lead vocals {{Small|(1986–1993, 2011, 2012, 2016–2020, 2022, 2023–present)}}{{cite magazine |last=Gett |first=Steve |title=On the Beat |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/80s/1986/BB-1986-05-03-OCR-Page-0022.pdf |magazine=Billboard |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Billboard Publications, Inc. |publication-date=3 May 1986 |volume=98 |issue=18 |page=22 |access-date=16 January 2022}}{{cite news |date=25 January 2011 |title=McAuley Schenker Reunite At NAMM; Photos, Video Available |work=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |url=http://bravewords.com/news/mcauley-schenker-reunite-at-namm-photos-video-available |accessdate=16 January 2022}}{{cite news |date=8 January 2011 |title=Michael Schenker Group - Monterrey Show Announced |work=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |url=http://bravewords.com/news/michael-schenker-group-monterrey-show-announced |accessdate=16 January 2022}}{{cite news |date=19 December 2011 |title=Michael Schenker To Reunite With Robin McAuley For 'Temple Of Rock' Tour |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/michael-schenker-to-reunite-with-robin-mcauley-for-temple-of-rock-tour/ |accessdate=16 January 2022}}{{cite news |date=8 January 2020 |title=Michael Schenker Fest Singer Robin McAuley Diagnosed With Sepsis |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/michael-schenker-fest-singer-robin-mcauley-diagnosed-with-sepsis/ |accessdate=16 January 2022}}{{Cite web |title=Robin McAuley joins MSG for April and May tour dates – Michael Schenker Himself |url=https://michaelschenkerhimself.com/news/robin-mcauley-joins-msg-for-april-and-may-tour-dates/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=michaelschenkerhimself.com}}{{Cite news |last=Colothan |first=Scott |date=5 June 2023 |title=Michael Schenker Group announce November and December 2023 UK & Ireland tour |work=planetradio |url=https://planetradio.co.uk/planet-rock/news/rock-news/michael-schenker-uk-tour-2023/ |access-date=6 June 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Stickler |first=Jon |date=5 June 2023 |title=Michael Schenker Group Plot UK And Ireland Tour For November And December - Stereoboard |url=https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/239763/9 |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=Stereoboard.com |language=en}}
- Steve Mann – keyboards, rhythm and occasional lead guitar, backing vocals {{Small|(1986–1987, 1988–1991, 2016–present)}}{{cite magazine |title=Music Now! |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Hard-IDX/IDX/Hard-1987-07-24-OCR-Page-0031.pdf |magazine=The Hard Report |location=Medford Lakes, New Jersey |publisher=The Hard Report, Inc. |publication-date=24 July 1987 |issue=38 |page=31 |access-date=16 January 2022}}{{cite news |date=23 March 2016 |title=Michael Schenker To Perform With Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, Robin McAuley At Sweden Rock Festival |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/michael-schenker-to-perform-with-gary-barden-graham-bonnet-robin-mcauley-at-sweden-rock-festival/ |accessdate=16 January 2022}}{{cite news |date=10 August 2020 |title=Michael Schenker's New MSG Album 'Immortal' To Feature Joe Lynn Turner, Ralf Scheepers And Ronnie Romero |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/michael-schenkers-new-msg-album-immortal-to-feature-joe-lynn-turner-ralf-scheepers-and-ronnie-romero/ |accessdate=16 January 2022}}
- Bodo Schopf – drums {{Small|(1986–1987, 1988–1991, 2007–2008, 2019–present)}}{{cite book |last=Carlson |first=Taylor T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rqSyBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA129 |title=HAIRcyclopedia Vol. 2: The Vault |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-1300687559 |publication-date=2013 |access-date=16 January 2022}}{{cite news |date=29 January 2007 |title=Michael Schenker - MSG Touring Lineup Announced For Kiev, Japan |work=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |url=http://bravewords.com/news/michael-schenker-msg-touring-lineup-announced-for-kiev-japan |accessdate=16 January 2022}}{{cite news |date=14 February 2019 |title=Michael Schenker Fest Announces New Drummer |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/michael-schenker-fest-announces-new-drummer/ |accessdate=16 January 2022}}{{cite news |date=10 August 2020 |title=Michael Schenker's New MSG Album 'Immortal' To Feature Joe Lynn Turner, Ralf Scheepers And Ronnie Romero |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/michael-schenkers-new-msg-album-immortal-to-feature-joe-lynn-turner-ralf-scheepers-and-ronnie-romero/ |accessdate=16 January 2022}}
- Barend Courbois – bass guitar, backing vocals {{Small|(2021–present)}}{{cite news |date=1 July 2021 |title=Barend Courbois (Blind Guardian) On Bass |publisher=Michael Schenker |url=https://michaelschenkerhimself.com/news/barend-courbois-blind-guardian-on-bass/ |accessdate=16 January 2022}}
References
{{Reflist}}{{Notelist}}
External links
{{commonscat}}
- [http://www.michaelschenkerhimself.com Michael Schenker official site]
- {{allmusic}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080416121821/http://www.bnrmetal.com/v2/bandpage.php?ID=MSG MSG in the BNR metal pages]
{{Michael Schenker Group|state=autocollapse}}
{{Michael Schenker}}
{{UFO}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Rock music groups from London
Category:Musical groups established in 1979
Category:British heavy metal musical groups
Category:British hard rock musical groups
Category:Metal Mind Productions artists