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.
Lights Out
Michael Schenker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wind blows back and the batons charging
It winds all the way
Right to the butt of my gun
Maybe now your time has come
From the back streets there's a rumbling
No more nice time, black boy shoe shines
Pie in the sky dreams
Lights out, lights out in London, hold on tight till the end
Better now, you know you'll never wait till tomorrow
Lights out, lights out in London, hold on tight till the end
God knows when I'm coming
Heaven help me, please don't let me
That's the way it goes
The frightening thoughts of what you've been taught
And now it even shows
Lights out, lights out in London, hold on tight till the end
Better now you know you'll never wait till tomorrow
Lights out, hold on tight till the end
God knows we all get old
Lights out, lights out in London
Better now you know you'll never, flashes are scaling up
Lights out, lights out in London
I'll be a military soul
Listen to you means I don't need you
I tried a thousand times
Under your feet grass is growing
Time we said goodbye
Lights out, lights out in London, hold on tight till the end
Better now you know we'll never wait till tomorrow
Lights out, lights out in London, hold on tight till the end
God knows when I'm coming
Lights out, out, out, out
Lights out in London (out)
The song "Lights Out" by Michael Schenker is a classic heavy metal song with a theme of rebellion and anarchy. The opening lines of the song describe the preparation for confrontation, with the wind blowing and the singer preparing his gun. The next lines speak of a rumbling in the back streets and the smell of anarchy, suggesting a brewing rebellion. The song then goes on to describe the frustrations of the oppressed, with the lyrics "No more nice time, black boy shoe shines, Pie in the sky dreams". The phrase "Lights out" could be seen as a call to action, a call for the oppressed to rise up and fight against their oppressors.
The chorus of the song echoes the sentiment of urgency and the need for action. The phrase "Hold on tight till the end" suggests that there is no turning back, and that the end is near. The line "God knows when I'm coming" adds a sense of mystery and danger to the song, as if the singer is a force of nature that cannot be predicted or controlled. The song ends on a defiant note, with the repeated chant of "Lights out" and the suggestion that it's time to say goodbye to the oppressive forces.
Line by Line Meaning
Wind blows back and the batons charging
The wind is blowing back and the authorities are preparing for conflict.
It winds all the way
The wind blows throughout the city.
Right to the butt of my gun
The conflict will be intense and my gun will be involved.
Maybe now your time has come
This could be the end for those who have been waiting for change.
From the back streets there's a rumbling
There is unrest in the poorer parts of the city.
Smell of anarchy
The scent of chaos is in the air.
No more nice time, black boy shoe shines
We won't tolerate the exploitation of minorities anymore.
Pie in the sky dreams
The hopeful dreams of the past are unrealistic.
Lights out, lights out in London, hold on tight till the end
The conflict has arrived and it will be intense.
Better now, you know you'll never wait till tomorrow
The time for change is now, waiting is not an option.
God knows when I'm coming
I will arrive when the time is right, nobody knows when that will be.
Heaven help me, please don't let me
I need divine intervention to survive this conflict.
That's the way it goes
This is the reality of the situation.
The frightening thoughts of what you've been taught
The ideology we have learned may not be helpful in this situation.
And now it even shows
Our beliefs are being put to the test and may not hold up.
God knows we all get old
We will all eventually die and be replaced by a new generation.
Lights out, hold on tight till the end
The situation is becoming more dangerous, prepare for the worst.
Listen to you means I don't need you
I will no longer take orders or follow those who do not have my best interests in mind.
I tried a thousand times
I have attempted to follow your orders many times, but no more.
Under your feet grass is growing
You have become complacent and oblivious to the world around you.
Time we said goodbye
Our relationship has ended and I will no longer follow you.
Better now you know we'll never wait till tomorrow
Our time is limited, we must act now.
Lights out in London
The electricity may be cut off as the situation becomes more unstable.
I'll be a military soul
I will become a warrior and fight for my beliefs.
Lights out, out, out, out
The lights are turning off, which may lead to further chaos.
Lights out in London (out)
The power has gone out, which only adds to the danger.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Andy Parker, Michael Schenker, Pete Way, Phil Mogg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Gazzpunk
Schenker is an absolute beast, his techique and solos are brilliant, never tire of listening to him.
@JimGeigerMusic
That was fucking killer.
Kudos to Europe for giving Michael Schenker a respecful and powerful backing.
@petebrown3715
Michael Schenker has been and always will be one of the best lead guitar players of all time. Up there with Satriani,Vai and Van Halen. Underrated deserves more accolades.
@athanasiusditsias2821
In fact, he is the reason, why the rest of the great gang you mentioned exist.
@timpenfield5
I really consider him above satch because of songwriting just my op.
@davegto67
His playing always has great melodies. You can tell he was a big influence on Randy Rhoads
@Mr1Tanker
ATHANASIUS DITSIAS - Not Satch... he exists because of Hendrix.
@manibiegert1478
vai is a fkn poser
@seangoodwin5590
I'm no Europe fan but I must confess everybody on stage here sounds great
@Simon-dm5jv
Go and see them live they are Excellent!! you won't be disappointed