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.
On With The Action
Michael Schenker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Its the kids down there
They were starting to rock
High black fever running everyplace
When the Greek kid pulled a knife
And pushed it in his face
Some girl makes it with a lover in the door,
As the ambulance pulls away,
[Chorus]
And it's all night long, all night long
On with the action
You need the fastest legs alive
On with the action
If you can't run you ain't survive
On with the action
Mamas boy and teachers pet,
On with the action
Its down our street, is it in yours yet
All the kids stand laughing
They never had such fun
Then someone cuts a blind man who just can't make a run
And the queen who's been standing behind the toilet door
His parents don't like boyfriends, call him a whore
But the ministers staring
With his Bible in his hand
Was this gods children, he didn't understand
[Chorus: x2]
The lyrics to Michael Schenker's song "On With The Action" depict a scene of chaos and violence in a neighborhood. The song opens with a description of a gathering of kids, who start to rock and create a wild atmosphere. However, things take a dark turn when one of the kids, identified as the Greek kid, stabs someone in the face with a knife. Amidst the chaos, a girl engages in a passionate encounter with her lover at the doorstep, while an ambulance arrives to take the injured person away.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the need for quick action and survival. It suggests that in this dangerous environment, having the fastest legs is crucial for survival. The lyrics also highlight the contrast between "mama's boy and teacher's pet" types of individuals and the harsh realities of the neighborhood. The song implies that the chaos and violence described in the lyrics are not limited to one street but can be found in various neighborhoods.
The second verse continues to paint a picture of the chaotic environment. The kids, seemingly enjoying the situation, laugh and have fun. However, the lyrics then describe someone cutting a blind man who is unable to flee from the danger. Additionally, there is mention of a queen, likely a LGBTQ+ individual, who faces discrimination from their own parents. The presence of a minister, bewildered and questioning the situation as he holds his Bible, adds to the complexity of the scene. The lyrics imply that even those one would expect to offer guidance and understanding, such as religious figures, are unable to comprehend the violence and chaos surrounding them.
Overall, "On With The Action" presents a bleak portrayal of an environment filled with violence and danger, where survival depends on quick thinking and fast movement.
Line by Line Meaning
Something going on at the corner of the block
There is activity happening at the intersection of the street
Its the kids down there
It is the young people who are involved
They were starting to rock
They were beginning to have a good time and enjoy themselves
High black fever running everyplace
An intense excitement and energy spreading everywhere
When the Greek kid pulled a knife and pushed it in his face
When a young person of Greek descent aggressively attacked another person with a knife
Some girl makes it with a lover in the door
A girl engages in a sexual encounter with her partner near a doorway
As the ambulance pulls away, she cries out more
As the emergency vehicle drives off, she expresses her desire for further attention or stimulation
And it's all night long, all night long
The events and excitement continue throughout the entire night
On with the action
Continue with the energetic and lively activities
You need the fastest legs alive
In order to survive, one must possess exceptional speed and agility
If you can't run you ain't survive
Those who are unable to run are unlikely to survive
Mamas boy and teachers pet
A young man who is overly attached to his mother and favored by his teachers
Its down our street, is it in yours yet
The thrilling and chaotic events are currently happening in our neighborhood, but have they reached yours?
All the kids stand laughing
All the young people stand and laugh in amusement
They never had such fun
They have never experienced such enjoyment before
Then someone cuts a blind man who just can't make a run
Suddenly, someone injures a visually impaired man who is unable to flee from the danger
And the queen who's been standing behind the toilet door
A gay individual who has been hiding or waiting near the restroom entrance
His parents don't like boyfriends, call him a whore
His parents disapprove of his romantic partners and insult him by calling him a derogatory term
But the ministers staring with his Bible in his hand
However, a religious leader is observing the situation while holding his holy book
Was this gods children, he didn't understand
The minister is unable to comprehend whether these young people are truly God's beloved children
If you can't run you ain't survive
If you are unable to run, you are unlikely to survive
On with the action
Continue with the energetic and lively activities
Mamas boy and teachers pet
A young man who is overly attached to his mother and favored by his teachers
Its down our street, is it in yours yet
The thrilling and chaotic events are currently happening in our neighborhood, but have they reached yours?
Lyrics © DELLA BLUE MUSIC LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PHILLIP JOHN MOGG, DANIEL AUGUSTO PEYRONEL, MICHAEL SCHENKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind