Michael Schenker (born January 10, 1955) is a hard rock and heavy metal gui… Read Full Bio ↴Michael Schenker (born January 10, 1955) is a hard rock and heavy metal guitarist of UFO and a founding member of the Scorpions. He signed with Chrysalis Records in autumn 1979 after leaving UFO. He is the younger brother of Rudolf Schenker of Scorpions fame.

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.

Belladonna
Michael Schenker Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh Belladonna never knew the pain
Maybe I'm crazy, maybe it'll drive you insane
The open letter just carelessly placed
And you move in silence, the tea so delicately laced

Out of reach, out of touch
How you've learned to hate so much

Came from passion, and you gave it a name
The fingers are poisoned like needles in the drivin' rain

So smile discreetly as you watch with such grace
Now I must slip away, but can you forget my face

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Michael Schenker's song, Belladonna, describe the difficulties and hardships of being involved with someone who is unpredictable and dangerous, represented by the titular character of Belladonna. The first line of the song, "Oh Belladonna never knew the pain," suggests that Belladonna is unaware of the pain she causes to those around her, including the singer of the song. The singer acknowledges that he may be deemed crazy for associating with Belladonna, and that her actions may cause him to go insane.

The second verse describes Belladonna's actions, including an "open letter" that was "carelessly placed," and her ability to move in silence while serving tea that is "so delicately laced." Belladonna is portrayed as being out of reach and out of touch, while having learned to "hate so much." The use of the word "passion" suggests that Belladonna's actions stem from a powerful emotion, although the singer recognizes that Belladonna has given her poison-tipped fingers a name, indicating that she may be self-aware of the harm she causes.

The final verse implies that the singer is attempting to leave Belladonna behind, stating that he must "slip away," but also acknowledging that Belladonna may not forget his face. Overall, the lyrics of Belladonna portray a complex and dangerous woman, whose destructive behavior has both an alluring and unsettling effect on those around her.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh Belladonna never knew the pain
The plant Belladonna was oblivious to the pain it could cause. Comparing with a person, it means that someone is unaware of the harm they are capable of causing.

Maybe I'm crazy, maybe it'll drive you insane
The singer acknowledges they may not be in their right mind, and their behavior might have a negative impact on those around them.

The open letter just carelessly placed
A letter was left out in the open, not hidden or guarded. It suggests a lack of concern for its contents or its recipient.

And you move in silence, the tea so delicately laced
Someone is moving around quietly and gracefully, with the tea being prepared with care and attention to detail.

Out of reach, out of touch
Something or someone is inaccessible or hard to communicate with, either physically or emotionally.

How you've learned to hate so much
The singer is commenting on the tremendous amount of hatred someone has acquired, suggesting that they have gained it through experience or practice.

Came from passion, and you gave it a name
Hatred stems from passion, fueled by intense emotions or desires. Giving it a name or purpose signifies a conscious effort to channel those feelings into something actionable.

The fingers are poisoned like needles in the drivin' rain
Someone's fingers are compared to poison-laced needles in the falling rain, implying that their touch can bring harm.

So smile discreetly as you watch with such grace
Someone is watching calmly with grace and poise, but their smile suggests they might be hiding something or not showing their true emotions.

Now I must slip away, but can you forget my face
The artist is leaving the situation, but they wonder if their presence will still be remembered or if it will be easy to forget them.

Lyrics © DELLA BLUE MUSIC LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL SCHENKER, PHIL MOGG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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