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.
I'm not talking
Michael Schenker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well that's what I got to say.
I used to think I knew it,
Man I sure outgrew it.
Things like idle chatter,
Ain't the things that matter,
That's one thing I can do without.
Well that's what I got to say.
Things I say at midnight,
I ain't gonna say in daylight.
I reached the final conclusion,
And all this persecution,
Don't call me, baby, I'll call you.
I'm not talking,
Well that's what I got to say.
Things I say at midnight,
I ain't gonna say in daylight.
I reached the final conclusion,
And all this persecution,
That's one thing I can do without.
I'm not talking,
Well that's what I got to say.
If I said things were awful,
It might just be unlawful.
If I said things were splendid,
You might just be offended.
That's one thing I can do without
The lyrics to the Michael Schenker Group's song "I'm Not Talking" seem to be a declaration of independence from any sort of negativity or gossip. The opening line "I'm not talking, well that's what I got to say" sets the tone for the rest of the song, where the singer insists on keeping quiet rather than saying anything that could be construed as idle chatter or negativity. The lyric "things like idle chatter, ain't the things that matter" reinforces this idea that the singer has grown tired of meaningless conversation.
The second verse seems to touch on the idea of self-censorship, with the line "things I say at midnight, I ain't gonna say in daylight." This suggests that there are certain things the singer may be inclined to say when feeling particularly emotional or upset, but has learned that it's better to keep those thoughts to themselves. The final verse brings the idea of censorship to a conclusion, with the lines "if I said things were awful, it might just be unlawful. If I said things were splendid, you might just be offended." This leaves the impression that the singer has learned that sometimes it's best to keep their opinions to themselves, as speaking out could have negative consequences for themselves or others.
Overall, "I'm Not Talking" seems to be a song about taking control of one's own voice and thoughts, and choosing to only speak when it truly matters. It's a declaration of independence from negativity and gossip, and a reminder that sometimes saying nothing is the best thing to do.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not talking,
I have nothing to say and have no desire to speak at this time.
Well that's what I got to say.
This is my position and I am not going to change it.
I used to think I knew it,
I thought I had a firm grasp on things in the past.
Man I sure outgrew it.
But I have grown and evolved since then and no longer hold those beliefs.
Things like idle chatter,
Superficial conversations hold no value or interest to me.
Ain't the things that matter,
These types of conversations do not contribute to my personal growth or fulfillment.
That's one thing I can do without.
I do not need or want these types of interactions in my life.
Things I say at midnight,
I may speak more candidly or emotionally in private moments.
I ain't gonna say in daylight.
I have no desire to share those private thoughts or feelings in a public setting.
I reached the final conclusion,
I have come to a decision on this matter that I believe to be final and resolved.
And all this persecution,
I have faced criticism or backlash for my opinions or actions.
Don't call me, baby, I'll call you.
I do not want or need any further communication on this matter.
If I said things were awful,
If I expressed negative opinions, it could be considered inappropriate or unacceptable.
It might just be unlawful.
There may be legal consequences for my words or actions.
If I said things were splendid,
If I expressed positive opinions, it could offend or upset others who do not share my views.
You might just be offended.
Others may take offense to what I say, so it is better not to speak at all.
Contributed by Sebastian E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
kwagmyrefrontman
I like Mike.
AceOfHeart2012
Who's in this line-up?
kwagmyrefrontman
Yup!