MICHAEL SCHENKER Was 'Never Aware' Of His Influence On Other Guitarists

April 24, 2019

Legendary German guitarist Michael Schenker says that he "was never actually aware" that he had such a considerable influence on younger musicians. "When I was doing my thing with UFO, all the way to 'Strangers In The Night', and then helped the SCORPIONS, opened the doors [to] America for them with 'Lovedrive', I just decided it was time for me to start my second chapter," he explained in a recent interview with "In The Basement With Jesse Bruce" on 93.1 WMPA (hear audio below). "I had no clue what I was doing in the first part of my life — I was just having fun playing guitar. And later people told me what an influence I had on people. And that was not my goal — my goal was just having fun. So I wasn't chasing anything, I wasn't competing with anything, I was not doing anything other than developing or experimenting with the combination of different notes that have a pleasant effect, and playing around with a single string. Being a lead guitarist with pure self-expression, that's my passion. And that's what I did. And in later years, I started to learn who I was, and now I kind of understand what happened with the incredible life design and structure. The main thing is I stayed true to myself all my life. And there's a saying: if you stay true to yourself, everything else will be added on to you and more. And that's exactly what's happening to me."

MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST's 2018 debut album, "Resurrection", reunited Schenker with former MSG (MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP) vocalists Gary Barden and Graham Bonnet, plus Robin McAuley of the MCAULEY-SCHENKER GROUP, as well as Doogie White of Schenker's TEMPLE OF ROCK. A follow-up album titled "Revelation" is due on August 23 through Nuclear Blast.

MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST kicked off a new North American tour leg earlier in the month at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood. The run continues through May 18 in Austin, Texas. Joining Michael for this leg of dates are Barden, Bonnet, McAuley and White, Chris Glen (bass) and Steve Mann (guitar/keyboards) and former MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP drummer Bodo Schopf.

Schenker first joined UFO in 1973 and last played with the band in 2003.

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