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.
Destiny
Michael Schenker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Run away
No time, to be a hero
You want to live to fight, another day
Don't look back, look straight ahead
One wrong move you'll be better off dead
They're out to get you boy,
Run away
They'll soon be breathing down your neck
Gonna kick you in the crutch
Hold on to life, better stay in touch
You hold the power in your hands
Control your destiny, make them understand
You are a part of future plans
Together you and me, we gotta make a stand
Politics Get in the way
Children starve and all they say
You want to live your gonna have to pay
No way, we should stand for this
A false word and a broken promise
Don't let them fool you now,
Retaliate
It's not too late they'll try to complicate
Don't crawl not at all
I'm waiting for your call
You hold the power in your hands
Control your destiny, make them understand
You are a part of future plans
Together you and me, we gotta make a stand
Can't seem to get enough
Can't seem to show no mercy
They'll run you down if you let 'em
Pick it up, kick it up
Never let 'em get your back up
Take it in your stride, and let it go
I will follow; to the end of time
One word, one reason, soon it could be mine
It's love I'm speaking of
Turns you inside, outside, upside down
You're confused-I feel like I've been used
You hold the power in your hands
Control your destiny, make them understand
You are a part of future plans
Together you and me, we gotta make a stand
The lyrics of Michael Schenker's song "Destiny" deal with themes of survival, empowerment, and standing up against injustice. The opening lines urge the listener to run away and save their own life, rather than trying to be a hero and getting themselves killed in the process. The song then turns to the theme of control, with the idea that the listener has power in their own hands to shape their destiny and make their mark on the world. The chorus repeats the message of running away, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the danger that lurks behind. The second verse shifts to a more political focus, critiquing a world in which children starve and false promises are made. The song ends with a call to action, urging the listener to stand up and fight for their future despite the complexities and challenges that lie ahead.
Overall, "Destiny" presents a message of hope, urging the listener to take control of their circumstances and make their own destiny. It encourages the listener to resist the forces that would hold them back, whether those are external political or social forces or internal feelings of confusion and struggle. The song's themes resonate with anyone who has faced adversity and struggled to overcome it, and its messages of empowerment and self-determination have made it a favorite of fans of hard rock and heavy metal around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Better run
You're in danger and need to escape
Run away
Flee from the danger to save your life
No time, to be a hero
You shouldn't try to be a hero in this situation
You want to live to fight, another day
Your goal should be to survive for future opportunities
Don't look back, look straight ahead
Focus on what is ahead, not behind you
One wrong move you'll be better off dead
Be careful, any mistake could cost you your life
They're out to get you boy,
Someone or something is trying to harm you
You'd better run
Get out of there as fast as you can
They'll soon be breathing down your neck
You're being chased and they're getting closer
Gonna kick you in the crutch
They're going to attack you where it hurts
Hold on to life, better stay in touch
Stay connected to life and don't let go
You hold the power in your hands
You have the ability to change things
Control your destiny, make them understand
Take control of your future and make it clear to others
You are a part of future plans
You play an important role in shaping the future
Together you and me, we gotta make a stand
We need to take action together
Politics Get in the way
Politics interfere with important issues
Children starve and all they say
People in charge don't care about children starving
You want to live your gonna have to pay
Survival comes at a cost
No way, we should stand for this
We shouldn't tolerate this situation
A false word and a broken promise
People in power can't be trusted
Don't let them fool you now,
Don't believe their lies
Retaliate
Fight back
It's not too late they'll try to complicate
There is still time to act, but they will try to make it difficult
Don't crawl not at all
Don't back down or give up
I'm waiting for your call
I'm here to support you
Can't seem to get enough
You're determined to keep going despite obstacles
Can't seem to show no mercy
You won't let anything stop you, no matter what
They'll run you down if you let 'em
They will try to defeat you if you're not strong enough
Pick it up, kick it up
Get energized and motivated
Never let 'em get your back up
Don't let them provoke you and raise your anger
Take it in your stride, and let it go
Accept it and move on
I will follow; to the end of time
I will support you forever
One word, one reason, soon it could be mine
A single idea or motivation can make a big difference
It's love I'm speaking of
Love is the ultimate motivation
Turns you inside, outside, upside down
Love can have a powerful impact on you
You're confused-I feel like I've been used
You're feeling lost and betrayed
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBIN MCAULEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind