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.
In search of the peace of mind
Michael Schenker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dreaming a dream of a world that's lovely and true
Faintly the dream of a true and wonderful world
And no one will care as long as the world will turn
Faintly the dream of a true and wonderful world
And no one will care as long as the world will turn
And I know a place to find my peace of mind
And I know a place to find my peace of mind
And I try
And I try
And I try
And I try
The lyrics of Michael Schenker's "In Search of the Peace of Mind" hint at a deep longing for something that the world cannot offer. The use of the word "blue" often signifies a feeling of melancholy or sadness, and the first line conveys this emotion perfectly. The next line, "Dreaming a dream of a world that's lovely and true" suggests that the singer is searching for something that is beyond the physical world, something that is otherworldly and perfect.
The repetition of the lines "Faintly the dream of a true and wonderful world, And no one will care as long as the world will turn," gives the song a hypnotic effect. The dream of a better world, a utopia, is a common theme in music and literature, and these lyrics add to the genre. The last two lines of the verse, "And I know a place to find my peace of mind, And I try," suggest that the singer knows where to find this perfect world and is striving to get there.
The simplicity of the chorus, consisting of only four lines repeated four times, amplifies the need for inner peace. The repetition of the phrase "And I try" adds another layer of emotion to the song. The lyrics convey the idea that the journey to inner peace is a constant effort, one that requires perseverance and determination.
Overall, Michael Schenker's "In Search of the Peace of Mind" is a powerful song that addresses a common human longing for something that cannot be found in the physical world. The repetition of certain phrases throughout the song adds to the hypnotic effect and urgency of the message.
Line by Line Meaning
When I'm alone I'm feeling blue
When I'm left alone, I feel sad and distressed
Dreaming a dream of a world that's lovely and true
I am imagining a world that is beautiful, honest and genuine
Faintly the dream of a true and wonderful world
Even though it may be only a vague notion, I have a vision for a world that is real and magnificent
And no one will care as long as the world will turn
As long as the world keeps rotating, it appears that no one will acknowledge or pay attention to my dream
And I know a place to find my peace of mind
I am aware of a location where I can go to relieve my anxiety and find tranquility
And I try
Despite the obstacles I face, I make an effort to persist and find my peace of mind
And I try
I don't give up easily and continue to strive towards finding peace of mind
And I try
I make continuous attempts to explore and discover solutions to achieve mental serenity
And I try
I keep attempting to alleviate my distress and maintain my sanity
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KLAUS MEINE, LOTHAR HEIMBERG, MICHAEL SCHENKER, RUDOLF SCHENKER, WOLFGANG DZIONY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Luciano Rocha
This is not only about guitar mastering. Beyond. The soul and the heart of a pure man. He doesn’t care if he is the guitar god (yes he is). This song particularly touches me very much since I knew the might Scorpions. In Search of the Peace of Mind that was recorded in Lonesome Crow has a magic touch. And more. The innocence. The innocence of a god-child. In this new version, Michael Schenker express both spirits. In fact in this version he tells us all about his life. Joy, sadness, success, life itself. The third part of the song tell us that the little Michael grew up and became who he is today. A complete story of this life (just life) in one fantastic song. In fact it is more than a song. A blessing.
Martin Mueller
Couldn’t say it any better
Ирина Глухова
Присоединяюсь! Чистая правда! Лучше не скажешь. 💕👍🏻🤗
richard windrose
One year now. Certainly, should be well over a million views. Just goes to show that popularity and majority don't mean much when it comes to taste, reason and quality. With all that Michael has been through this is not only a great recording but a testament to overcoming. Amen and awesome. Carry on maestro. Rock on brother.
𝕭𝖑𝖆𝖈𝖐 𝕽𝖔𝖘𝖊 𝕴𝖒𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖆𝖑
His first written song with scorpions, a 50 yo gem that defies time still being so fresh and beautiful.
Thank you Michael for the great contribution you gave to music thru all these years.
TowManDave00
The voice on this guy is amazing!!!!!
Sixten Sjödin
Different singers my man :)
Виталий Кошелев
Безупречный шедевр!!!
9496Tull
The visuals in this video are out of this world and fit the song perfectly
Ed Explores Scotland
What a guitar master that man is. No one - no one - plays guitar like Michael Schenker.