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.
Pilot of Your Soul
Michael Schenker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't you see you're moving too fast?
I believe you're headed down
Too high
You're gonna crash
So late and it's been such a long time
Through extremes and sinking too low
To satisfy your senses only
Let the Pilot Of Your Soul guide you
When You're broken and there's no where to turn
There's always one more try
Bear the fight
Hold On
Even though you've only a thread
I believe there's hope for you listen
You're better off alive
Oh yeah yeah yeah
So read between the lines
Is it clearer ?
Do you climb the walls and hope for the truth?
The closing in is just an illusion
Does the mirror claim that it's you ?
Let the Pilot Of Your Soul guide you
When you're broken and there's no where to turn
There's always one more try
Bear the fight
You can bear it
Always one more try
The lyrics to Michael Schenker's song Pilot of Your Soul convey a message of hope and encouragement to someone who is going through a tough time. The singer urges the listener to slow down and take stock of their life before they crash and burn. The lyrics suggest that the listener may have been living recklessly, indulging in their senses and going against the flow, but there is always a chance to turn things around. The Pilot of Your Soul is the guiding force that can help the listener find their way through difficult times, and there is hope for them yet.
The lyrics also acknowledge that the path to redemption is not an easy one. The listener may feel like they have hit rock bottom, but there is always one more try. The singer encourages the listener to hold on even though they may feel like they are hanging by a thread. The lyrics suggest that life is precious and that the listener is better off alive than dead. The closing lines of the song hint at the possibility that the listener may have been grappling with issues of identity and self-perception. The singer suggests that the listener should not believe everything they see in the mirror, and that the Pilot of Your Soul can help guide them towards the truth.
Line by Line Meaning
Slow down
Take a moment to pause and reflect on your actions, because you might be moving too fast.
Can't you see you're moving too fast?
Your speed is blinding you to the consequences of your actions.
I believe you're headed down
I think you're on a path that will lead to your downfall.
Too high, you're gonna crash
You've climbed too high and now you're at risk of falling.
So late and it's been such a long time
You're realizing the error of your ways too late, after a prolonged period of mistakes.
Through extremes and sinking too low
You've experienced the highs and lows of life, but seem to be stuck in a low point.
To satisfy your senses only
You're pursuing only your own pleasure and ignoring the needs of others.
Going surely against the flow
You're swimming against the current and making things difficult for yourself.
Let the Pilot Of Your Soul guide you
Allow your inner voice to lead you in the right direction.
When You're broken and there's no where to turn
When you feel shattered and helpless, with no clear solution in sight,
There's always one more try
There's still hope and potential for change, even if you've failed before.
Bear the fight
Be strong and face your challenges head-on.
Hold On
Don't give up or lose hope.
Even though you've only a thread
Even if your situation seems precarious and uncertain,
I believe there's hope for you listen
I have faith that you can overcome your struggles and find a better path.
You're better off alive
Your life has value and meaning, so don't give up on it.
So read between the lines
Look deeper and beyond the surface to find the truth and meaning in your life.
Is it clearer?
Do you understand better now?
Do you climb the walls and hope for the truth?
Are you frantically searching for answers and clarity, hoping they will magically appear?
The closing in is just an illusion
The feeling of being trapped or cornered is not real, but rather a product of your own mind.
Does the mirror claim that it's you?
Are you being honest with yourself and taking responsibility for your own actions?
You can bear it
You have the strength and resilience to endure whatever comes your way.
Always one more try
There's never a reason to quit or give up, because there's always another chance to succeed.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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