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.
Cry for the Nations
Michael Schenker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lived a man in Salon,
In his dark and magic room,
He gazed on times to come,
All is then revealed, and visions on water speak true!
Cry for the nations, cry for the nations.
A flash of light, fills the night,
And chills the blood in his veins,
All is then revealed, and tears that he shed were for you
Cry for the nations, cry for the nations.
Battles of kings, and of fools,
And changes in ways he once knew,
As pages of days fade away
He's lost in time...
Cry for the nations.
The lyrics to Michael Schenker's song Cry for the Nations tell the story of a man who lived in the city of Salon a long time ago. This man had a unique ability to see into the future and gain insights into what was to come. He would spend his time in a dark and magic room, where he would gaze upon visions of the future in the waters. The lyrics suggest that his visions were accurate and true.
However, as the song continues, we see that the man's gift is both a blessing and a curse. The visions he sees fill him with fear and dread, and he is haunted by the possibility of being possessed by the power that he sees. He sheds tears for the nations as he laments the battles and changes that are to come. Ultimately, he becomes lost in time, and the song ends with a final cry for the nations.
The lyrics of Cry for the Nations are poetic and haunting, and they speak to the idea that even those who have gifts and abilities may be powerless to change the course of history. The song is a powerful reminder of the impact that our actions can have on the world, and it serves as a tribute to those who have fought for their nations throughout history.
Line by Line Meaning
A time of fear, so long ago,
Once upon a time long ago, there was a period of fear.
Lived a man in Salon,
A man once lived in Salon.
In his dark and magic room,
He used to spend time alone in his mystic and poorly lit room.
He gazed on times to come,
He used to take a look at the future that waits ahead.
All is then revealed, and visions on water speak true!
Everything would be disclosed then, and the future would be crystal clear via his water visions.
Cry for the nations, cry for the nations.
He pleads for everyone to cry for the countries.
A flash of light, fills the night,
A sudden bright light fills up the night sky.
And chills the blood in his veins,
This occurrence sends shivers through his veins.
Will the power possess his mind, soul in chains
He wonders if he'll be overpowered, leaving him in captivity.
All is then revealed, and tears that he shed were for you
At this point, everything will come to light, and he will impart tears that are for you.
Cry for the nations, cry for the nations.
He continues to plead for everyone to cry for the countries.
Battles of kings, and of fools,
Conflicts between leaders and the witless.
And changes in ways he once knew,
The ways he once learned and knew changed over time.
As pages of days fade away
As time progresses and each day passes by.
He's lost in time...
He is lost in time and cannot manage to keep up with the changes.
Cry for the nations.
He reiterates his plea to cry for the countries.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHRIS GLEN, COZY POWELL, GARY BARDEN, MICHAEL SCHENKER, PAUL RAYMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Robert-pn2ob
Ive seen Van Halen, Neal Schon, Randy Rhodes, and I finally got to see MIcheal Schenker in 2022 after 46 years of being a fan. He wins for being most melodic and his songmanship with his poise and clarity. Hes a genoius and dosent get enough credit from the mainstream.
@johnedgar9817
Cozy is too cool 😎
@jamesbone105
I saw Michael with UFO 🛸 in 1978 he only played one or two more shows with them and I remember when this album came out I was a Sophomore in High School. One of the best guitar players ever.
@staceytindle1225
Same here ...with BÖC
@jamesbone105
@@staceytindle1225 I saw them with Foreigner, Nick Gilder and the Jeff Watson Band, Jeff joined Night Ranger 2 years later.
@NHorst
Cozy!
@usaslakt
Lovely song, and with Cozy Powell with drumstick think as a mammut tree....
@eddiemuniz761
In actuality, Simon Phillips played on the album and Cozy Powell played in the video, he played on M.S.G.s second album and the videos in 1981.
@48sunshine78
シンバルの叩き方のカッコよさは世界一!
@braveonethanks3535
Nothing but awesome