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.
Love To Love
Michael Schenker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been looking for a clue
How to help me keep the promise
I once made to you
[Chorus]
When I feel the cold wind blowing
On your endless desert miles
Love never dies, never dies
I've been stayin' on the wild side
Ever since you went away
I've been going on a night ride
Looking for a better day
When you feel the four winds blowing
On your endless desert miles
No matter where you're going
Love never dies, never dies
You can try to find a miracle
You can wish upon a star
When you dive into the wishing well
Just open your heart
[Chorus]
When you hear the four winds calling
On your endless desert miles
Remember when you're falling
Love never dies
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Michael Schenker's Love to Love is a reflection of a person's longing to fulfill the promise he made to someone he loved. He has been searching for a clue or a reason to help him fulfill the pledge he made to his beloved. The start of the song conveys that the person is conflicted and lost after the departure of his loved one.
However, the chorus provides hope that 'love never dies.' The lyrics assure that no matter what the person is going through, or where they are, love will always be present. The lyrics depict how in times of uncertainty and confusion, the person will always have love to guide them, and it will never abandon them. Love is unwavering, and it provides a sense of reassurance and hope to find a better day.
The bottom line of the song is that love is eternal- it never dies. It’s an endless and perpetual force that can keep one going through the hardships of life. The songwriter wants to convey the message that love is not finite, but it is infinite and cosmic. The song creates a beautiful picture of love that keeps burning and enlightening the person who embraces it.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been looking for a reason
I have been searching for a motive, a justification for my actions.
I've been looking for a clue
I have been searching for a sign, an indication to guide me towards the right direction.
How to help me keep the promise
I am trying to figure out a way to uphold the commitment I made to you.
I once made to you
Referring to an agreement I previously made with someone that is still relevant at present times.
When I feel the cold wind blowing
Indicates a time of hardship, struggle, or discomfort that I am experiencing.
On your endless desert miles
Relates to a vast and seemingly never-ending emotional journey that I am going through.
No matter where you're going
Regardless of the direction that life takes you, the sentiment of love remains the same.
Love never dies, never dies
Love is indestructible, and it can endure even the most challenging circumstances that life presents.
I've been stayin' on the wild side
I have been engaging in reckless or daring behavior since the person I care about is no longer a part of my life.
Ever since you went away
Since the moment you left, my actions and thoughts have been erratic or unpredictable.
I've been going on a night ride
Venturing into the unknown or taking risks without knowing what the outcome may be.
Looking for a better day
Hopeful that things will improve in the future or searching for a brighter tomorrow.
When you feel the four winds blowing
Refers to a moment in life when someone is experiencing a time of hardship or struggle, similar to what I am going through.
You can try to find a miracle
In moments of difficulty or despair, people often seek help or guidance from a higher power or something unexplainable.
You can wish upon a star
Making a wish or requesting guidance in hopes of receiving divine help, and having faith in the unknown.
When you dive into the wishing well
Taking a leap of faith or a risk, hoping it will pay off in some favorable way.
Just open your heart
In order to receive help or guidance, you must be sincere and truly open to receiving it.
When you hear the four winds calling
When someone is experiencing a difficult time, you can feel the forces that come along with it, such as emotions, thoughts, and other external factors.
Remember when you're falling
During tough experiences, it is important to look back at positive memories or prior learnings to help get through the current challenge.
Love never dies
Love exists outside of physical boundaries, persists through time and space, and can always be relied on.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CLARENCE MCDONALD, MICHAEL JAMES THOMAS, PATTI LABELLE, SAMI R. MCKINNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ирина Величкова
Уже в возрасте, но приятно слушать Майкла Шенкера. Неподражаемый гитарист. ❤❤❤
Broadfieldpoint
Untouchable....his solos influenced an entire generation....
Frank Kranick
Absolutely, no doubt!!!!😎🔥
Dale Nelson
I am never bored listening to his playing.
Martin Myhill
Totally agree he's brilliant
Pistol Pete
Such a beautiful song! Michael's tone and skills are unmatched, only Tony Iommi can be compared. Both are true creators, with their own style. No copycats here!
Vino_Zx1zero
Pistol Pete exactly!!!!!!! Iommi and schenker best guitarists of all time period!!!! #FACTSSSSSSSSSSS
lastdaysguitar
Tony's great but he could never match Michael's velocity.
Robert Lee Pearce
Toni is definitely on my top 5 guitarist, but I followed Ozzy and Randy Rhoads after Black Sabbath split. When UFO split. I was in a UFO/MSG tribute band and lost track of UFO after a couple of good tracks on No Place to Run. Got to give Phil Moog and Ozzy credit for making these songs legendary.
Maynard Rothchild
@Vino_Zx1zero Period. That's a bit of a strong statement but they are both great in totally different ways.