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.
Live For Today
Michael Schenker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The kind that makes the world upside down
Following the clouds
Is it another old illusion that it's all O.K.?
Won't it go away for good?
At times it makes us pass the time so slowly
Maybe I should say I would one more time
Living for today
So much to give
Something's on the way
So here it is again
It's waiting like a long lost friend
Stealing from your hand
Where's your higher faith?
Why can't you hear it?
So would you?
Won't it go away for good?
At times it makes us pass the time so slowly
Maybe I should say I should let it go
Time to live
Living for today
So much to give
Something's on the way
Storm's closing in
The kind that makes the world turn
Upside down
Here it is again like a long lost friend
The lyrics of Michael Schenker's song Live For Today evoke a sense of despair and confusion, as the singer is faced with a metaphorical storm that turns their world upside down. The storm is not just a physical one, but also something that exists within them. They wonder if it's just their imagination, if it will ever go away, if there's something they're missing. However, amidst the chaos, the singer reminds themselves that they have to live for today, because there is something on the way. They call out to the listener and ask them to do the same. They urge them to not let go of hope, to keep their faith, to take whatever life has to offer them.
The song, therefore, is a call to live in the present moment and to not give up hope. It acknowledges the difficulties and challenges that we face in life, but also reminds us that there is always something to look forward to. The storm may be raging, but it will pass, and the sun will come out again. The lyrics ask us to embrace the uncertainty of life and to have the courage to face it head-on. The song, therefore, is not just a reflection on the human experience, but also a reminder to cherish it.
Line by Line Meaning
Storm's closing in
A difficult situation is approaching
The kind that makes the world upside down
The situation may cause chaos and confusion
Following the clouds
Hoping for signs of a better outcome
Is it another old illusion that it's all O.K.?
Questioning whether things will actually turn out alright
Won't it go away for good?
Wishing the situation would disappear permanently
At times it makes us pass the time so slowly
The difficult situation can make time feel like it's moving slowly
Maybe I should say I would one more time
Considering whether to try to change something even if it seems pointless
Time to live
Now is the moment to start living life
Living for today
Focusing on the present moment and not worrying about the future
So much to give
There are still many opportunities to make a difference
Something's on the way
Believing that good things are coming in the future
Here it is again
The difficult situation has returned
It's waiting like a long lost friend
The situation is familiar and has been experienced before
Stealing from your hand
The situation is taking away something valuable
Where's your higher faith?
Questioning whether there is trust and belief in a greater power
Why can't you hear it?
Asking why it's difficult to perceive a solution or a way out
So would you?
Asking whether one would let go of the difficult situation
Maybe I should say I should let it go
Considering whether to accept the situation and move on
The kind that makes the world turn
A difficult situation that causes great change
Upside down
The chaotic and confusing state caused by the situation
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alex Fletcher
Rock Bottom has to be one of the greatest rock riffs. It's just relentless.
Darth Slater
ONE OF THE FIRST SOLOS I LEARNED..STILL LOVE IT TODAY.
eglide73
It’s been WOW for years, it’s still WOW!!
enrkaton82
Perfect way of describing it. Schenker performances are good-steady
Claude Vi'Eaul
Excellent video & always great to see Michael smiling!! That hasn't always been the case, and I'm glad he's doing great again 😎🙏
And also happy to see Barend Courbois in this band!!! Alles goe, makker? 🙂👍🤣
manolocintron
This show sounds amazing. Michael Schenker showing why he’s one of the greatest guitar players of all time. Ronnie Romero delivering the goods on vocals (simply impressive). MSG sounds solid 🤘😎
manolocintron
The rhythm section very tight. Excellent musicians: Barend Courbois, Steve Mann and Bodo Schopf 🤘😎
Endtyme
Since the start of , Michael sets the record straight of how incredible he is and this show its a non stop marathon since the beggining until the end. So happy to see this incredible musicians rocking & playing like this at their age. Sdly,I don´t see anything in metal capable to replace this kind of generation of musicians at future.
Gerard Shelbourne
As Always, A FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE 🎸☝🏼
Александр Тищенко
Михаил волшебник конечно!