Michael was born in Sarstedt, Germany. He started playing in his early teens when his brother Rudolph brought home a Flying V guitar, which captured Michael's imagination. His playing style is unusual in that he seems not to use conventionally practiced guitar scales but seems instead to improvise.
Schenker joined UFO under unusual circumstances. The band left the UK to play some dates in Germany. Their guitarist at the time; Bernie Marsden, forgot his passport and was unable to make the first gig. At the venue UFO spotted Michael playing a soundcheck with the Scorpions and managed to persuade him into playing that evening's show. Despite the language barrier; he spoke no English and they spoke no German, something clearly "clicked" and Schenker brought the ellusive X factor to the band and took them to another level musically.
Schenker has had a turbulent career with UFO, often walking out mid song and causing shows to be cancelled. He is evidently as temperamental as he is gifted. Schenker says his playing with UFO is like chocolate: fantastic for a while but once you've had enough....
Clearly a musical prodigy, Schenker was one of the 1970's most inspirational guitarists, influencing later musicians such as Kirk Hammett from the band Metallica.
Michael was offered gigs with Aerosmith and Ozzy Osbourne but decided he wanted to play his own music and not be a hired hand in another group. In 1979, he founded the Michael Schenker Group (M.S.G). The history of the Michael Schenker Group has been strewn with personality conflicts and "incidents" between band members. In 1982, original vocalist Gary Barden was sacked in favor of Graham Bonnet (Rainbow, Alcatrazz) who lasted one album (Assault Attack) and was fired from the band after dropping his pants in a warm-up gig before the Reading festival. Gary Barden was enticed back to the band for Reading and stayed with M.S.G. for the recording of a new studio album (Built to Destroy) and a live album (Rock Will Never Die). After the second departure of vocalist Gary Barden after the Built to Destroy album, Michael reorganized the band around himself and vocalist Robin McAuley as the McAuley Schenker Group. After three albums in that configuration, Michael and Robin parted company.
Michael next rejoined UFO for the album Walk on Water. A short tour punctuated by a fight between Michael and vocalist Phil Mogg ended the reunion.
Michael resurrected the Michael Schenker Group with all new players and recorded three decent albums and toured yearly to appreciative Schenker-heads around the United States and Europe.
Michael fell on hard times in the early 2000's after his divorce in which he lost rights to his own music, his Mercedes and his prized Flying V guitars.
Michael picked himself up and got back to the business of making and performing music. The recording of the album Arachnophobiac and the resulting two years of touring got Michael back in rocking form.
2005 brings the 25th anniversary of the Michael Schenker Group. Michael is putting together a new album of songs called Tales of Rock and Roll honoring that anniversary. Singers from each iteration of the group have been enlisted to sing on a track or two.
A new Michael Schenker Group album is as much about finding out who is left in the band as it is about the music. Devoted fans love him regardless of his personal and personnel problems.
BLOOD OF THE SUN
Michael Schenker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Talkin' to the moon
Wadin' in the ocean
I'm sendin' for you soon
Reachin' for the handle
Achin' in my head
Woven in the bedsheets
Yeah!
Sun comes over the city
Time goes in its hand
Politicians are screamin'
There's a time and a little to spare
Leanin' out of the window
Runnin' from the gun
Caught in webs of invention
It's the blood, it's the blood of the sun
Hidin' in the ocean
With the sunshine at my side
To leave the hard road behind me
There's a light on the road that I ride
Thunder down in the valley
Rainbow 'round the moon
To leave the city behind me
I'm sendin' for you soon
Yeah, I'm sendin' for you soon
The lyrics of Michael Schenker's song Blood Of The Sun can be interpreted as a journey of self-discovery and a search for a better life. The opening lines, "Standin' on my pillow, Talkin' to the moon, Wadin' in the ocean, I'm sendin' for you soon" suggest that the singer is seeking someone or something to help him in his quest for a better life. He is standing on his pillow, which could symbolize his need for support, while he talks to the moon, which often symbolizes emotions and inner reflection. He is also wading in the ocean, which could symbolize the vastness of life and the unknown that he is navigating.
The lyrics then take a turn towards the chaos of the city and the struggles of politics. "Sun comes over the city, Time goes in its hand, Politicians are screamin', There's a time and a little to spare" suggests that the singer is aware of the chaos and disorder in the world, but is focused on his own path. He is "leanin' out of the window" and "runnin' from the gun", which could symbolize his desire to escape from the troubles of the world around him. In the end, the lyrics suggest that he has found peace and is leaving the city behind. "Thunder down in the valley, Rainbow 'round the moon, To leave the city behind me, I'm sendin' for you soon, Yeah, I'm sendin' for you soon" suggest that he has found a new path, symbolized by the rainbow, and is leaving the city behind, symbolized by the thunder in the valley.
Line by Line Meaning
Standin' on my pillow
I am lying down on my bed and envisioning things.
Talkin' to the moon
I am talking to myself or to something that is far away or unreachable.
Wadin' in the ocean
I am experiencing something vast, powerful, and seemingly endless.
I'm sendin' for you soon
I am calling out for someone to come and join me on this journey or experience.
Reachin' for the handle
I am trying to control or manipulate something.
Achin' in my head
I am experiencing mental or emotional pain or distress.
Woven in the bedsheets
I am wrapped up in my own thoughts or feelings.
And then I will understand
I will eventually gain clarity or insight into something.
Sun comes over the city
A new day is dawning or a new perspective is arising.
Time goes in its hand
Time moves forward according to its own pace or agenda.
Politicians are screamin'
People in positions of power are making a lot of noise or causing a disturbance.
There's a time and a little to spare
There is limited time to act, but there is still some room for maneuvering.
Leanin' out of the window
I am trying to escape or gain a wider view of things.
Runnin' from the gun
I am in danger and trying to flee or protect myself.
Caught in webs of invention
I am trapped in a complex web of my own creation or the creation of others.
It's the blood, it's the blood of the sun
There is something intense, powerful, and vital at the heart of this situation or experience.
Hidin' in the ocean
I am trying to avoid being seen or tracked down.
With the sunshine at my side
I am feeling optimistic or supported in some way.
To leave the hard road behind me
I am trying to break away from a difficult or challenging situation or path.
There's a light on the road that I ride
There is hope or promise ahead on this new path.
Thunder down in the valley
There is a sense of danger or turmoil in the surrounding environment.
Rainbow 'round the moon
There is an element of magic or wonder in the atmosphere.
I'm sendin' for you soon
I am still calling out for someone to come and accompany me on this journey.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FELIX PAPPALARDI, GAIL COLLINS, LESLIE A. WEINSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind