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.
Hello Angel
Michael Schenker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is getting mean
Gothenburg was a heavy scene
I packed a small one
To keep it clean
Man I gotta leave this routine
Twenty four hours
Never sleeps
I've got to do what I've got to do
To keep together what is left of the truth
I want
I need to wake from this dream
Don't go away
I'll be there soon
I need you to heal my soul
Hello Angel
Come and hold me
And keep me to yourself
Nobody else
Please believe me how I want to go
Take me home
This situation
Is outta hand
A storm has taken this foreign land
I've got to prove what I've got to prove
Or did you notice the broken dam
I want
I need to wake from this dream
Don't go away
I'm leaving soon
I need you to heal my soul
Hello Angel
Come and hold me
And keep me to yourself
There's no one else
Please believe me how I want to go
This picture of your face has got me in a spell
I must be leaving again
For the stage is set and the band starts playing soon
My love
How many hours did I sleep
Dogs are howling in the night for peace
I've got to find out before the sun
What is chasing and what's begun
Hello Angel
Come and hold me
And keep me to yourself
Nobody else
Please believe me how I want to go
Take me home
This situation
Is outta hand
Hello Angel
The lyrics of Michael Schenker's "Hello Angel" depict the singer's experience during a tumultuous time on the road. The first verse describes how he's had enough of the heavy metal scene in Gothenburg and the constant chaos that comes with it. He's packed light to keep things simple and is looking to break away from his repetitive routine. The second verse describes the storm and chaos that has taken over the foreign land he's in, but he's determined to prove himself and repair a broken dam. Throughout the song, the singer calls out to his "angel" for help, a metaphor for his desire for peace and inner healing.
The theme of the song revolves around the idea of seeking refuge from the chaos that comes along with living the rockstar lifestyle. The character of the "angel" is meant to be a representation of strength, love, and hope. The theme of wanting to break free from the same old routine is also prevalent in the lyrics. The song's final moments highlight the toll that this lifestyle has on the singer, showcasing his struggle to find rest amidst the constant noise and chaos of the road.
Line by Line Meaning
This situation
Is getting mean
The current circumstance is becoming difficult and intense
Gothenburg was a heavy scene
The place visited before was a challenging and burdensome environment
I packed a small one
To keep it clean
A small bag was packed to ensure a tidy environment
Man I gotta leave this routine
The artist needs to break free from the monotonous pattern
Twenty four hours
Never sleeps
The day and night have no distinction, everything is constantly active
Cats are scratching and there ain't no peace
Everyone around is agitated and causing a noisy disruption
I've got to do what I've got to do
To keep together what is left of the truth
The artist must do whatever is necessary to uphold what remains of his integrity
I want
I need to wake from this dream
The performer desires a new reality, wishes to leave behind the current one
Don't go away
I'll be there soon
The artist pleads for the listener to remain, promises to return shortly
I need you to heal my soul
The singer requires the listener's help in mending internal wounds
Hello Angel
Come and hold me
And keep me to yourself
Nobody else
Please believe me how I want to go
Take me home
The artist calls out to someone for comfort, expressing his desire for a safe haven
This situation
Is outta hand
The situation has escalated beyond control
A storm has taken this foreign land
A metaphorical storm has impacted the unfamiliar location the artist is in
I've got to prove what I've got to prove
Or did you notice the broken dam
The artist feels the need to justify himself, questioning if the listener noticed the damage caused
This picture of your face has got me in a spell
The memory of the listener's face has captivated the artist's mind
I must be leaving again
For the stage is set and the band starts playing soon
My love
The artist must depart to perform soon, bid farewell to the listener
How many hours did I sleep
Dogs are howling in the night for peace
I've got to find out before the sun
What is chasing and what's begun
The performer is unsure of how much rest he got, the barking of canines indicate unrest. The artist is aware something new and potentially dangerous is starting and feels the need to investigate before daybreak.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@privatejimmy5861
Intrinsic Schenker riffing.. I love this.. and always surprises collobratively..(however you spell it..) what an astounding musician Schenker is!!!! Another excellent line up here! Strong Schenker throughout musically.. newer type of singer.. very striking
@realmusicrealmusicians
This is a great song
@bahtiaraffendynd5929
LONG LIVE MSG!!!\m/.....living LEGEND!!
@ratter531
Smokin tune!
@AXEFLYERFV
RIGHT ON MAN! REGARDS!
@AXEFLYERFV
You're welcome man!
@ildiscorpions
Realy great, thank you, Axe! :)
@gremlinjr2
Yo AXE !! . Great Uploads . I don't always Say anything . BUt they're Great !! . I think YOU MAY be the OTHER GUY with as Much UFO / Scorps / MSG / etc .. AS I HAVE !!! .. WOW !!! .. Rockin it Hard ! ... When ever I listen to UFO .. I ALWAYS thing --- WHAT an AWESOME Band !!! ......... .. Keep it ROCKIN AXE man !
@AXEFLYERFV
1 Dislike from Poland!