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.
Layla
Michael Schenker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And nobody's waiting by your side?
You've been running and hiding much too long.
You know it's just your foolish pride.
Layla, you've got me on my knees.
Layla, I'm begging, darling please.
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind.
I tried to give you consolation
When your old man had let you down.
Like a fool, I fell in love with you,
Turned my whole world upside down.
Layla, you've got me on my knees.
Layla, I'm begging, darling please.
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind.
Let's make the best of the situation
Before I finally go insane.
Please don't say I'll never find a way
And tell me all my love's in vain.
Layla, you've got me on my knees.
Layla, I'm begging, darling please.
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind.
Layla, you've got me on my knees.
Layla, I'm begging, darling please.
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind.
The lyrics to Michael Schenker's "Layla" depict a man pouring his heart out to the titular character, imploring her to ease his worried mind. The opening lines address the prospect of loneliness, asking Layla what she will do when nobody is by her side. This quickly transitions to the singer's own plight, as he reveals that he has been running and hiding for too long, and his foolish pride has likely been the root cause of his problems.
The second verse delves into the singer's attempts to offer Layla consolation when her old man let her down. It is clear that he fell deeply in love with her, to the point where it turned his entire world upside down. The chorus repeats, with the singer begging and pleading for Layla to ease his worried mind. The bridge offers a glimmer of hope, as the singer suggests that they make the best of their situation before he goes insane. He pleads with Layla not to say that he will never find a way, and not to tell him that all of his love has been in vain.
Overall, "Layla" is a classic rock ballad that explores themes of love, heartbreak, and desperation. The lyrics are straightforward and heartfelt, universal in their appeal. Schenker's guitar work and Derek St. Holmes' vocals bring the emotional weight of the lyrics to life, making for an unforgettable listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
What'll you do when you get lonely
When you're by yourself, without anyone to keep you company, what will you do?
And nobody's waiting by your side?
When there's nobody there to keep you company, and you're all alone, what will happen?
You've been running and hiding much too long.
You've been avoiding something for far too long, and it's time to face it.
You know it's just your foolish pride.
You're fully cognizant that your misguided sense of self-importance is causing you to behave in a foolish manner.
Layla, you've got me on my knees.
Layla, I am in a very vulnerable state, and begging you for help.
Layla, I'm begging, darling please.
Layla, I'm pleading with you for assistance, my dear.
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind.
Layla, my love, can't you do something to alleviate my troubles?
I tried to give you consolation
I offered you comfort and support in your time of need.
When your old man had let you down.
When your father failed you, I tried to make up for his shortcomings.
Like a fool, I fell in love with you,
I was foolish to allow myself to be smitten by you.
Turned my whole world upside down.
Loving you has completely upset the balance of my life.
Let's make the best of the situation
We should do our best to find a positive outcome in this circumstance.
Before I finally go insane.
Before my sanity completely deteriorates.
Please don't say I'll never find a way
Please don't tell me that I'll be forever stuck in this situation.
And tell me all my love's in vain.
Don't tell me that my love for you is pointless or worthless.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIC PATRICK CLAPTON, JIM GORDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind