Recommended Michael Schenker Albums to Hear, and One to Avoid for Your Listening Pleasure
Michael Schenker: A Legendary Career in Hard Rock
Michael Schenker, a German guitar virtuoso, has left an indelible mark on the world of hard rock music. His career, spanning over five decades, is marked by significant albums and collaborations across various projects, most notably with UFO, The Michael Schenker Group (MSG), and other notable musicians.
With UFO
Schenker joined UFO in 1973, ushering in a new era for the band as they transitioned from space rock to melodic hard rock. Key albums during his initial tenure include Phenomenon (1974), featuring classics like "Doctor Doctor" and "Rock Bottom," Force It (1975), No Heavy Petting (1976), and Lights Out (1977), which is considered the best of the five studio albums they made together. The live album Strangers in the Night (1979) is considered legendary, capturing the band at its peak with Schenker’s influence. He left UFO in 1978 but returned twice for new albums: Walk on Water (1995), Covenant (2000), and Sharks (2002). In 2025, he released My Years With UFO, a retrospective album that revisits his time in the band and features guest vocalists including Guns N’ Roses’ Axl Rose and Slash, among others.
Michael Schenker Group (MSG)
Formed after his first departure from UFO in 1978, the Michael Schenker Group marked Schenker’s new direction post-UFO. Their first album came out in 1980. The latest MSG album, Don’t Sell Your Soul (2025), features new singer Erik Grönwall and was performed at the Wacken festival. The album was co-produced by Schenker and Michael Voss and includes longtime collaborators Bodo Schopf (drums), Barend Courbois (bass), and Steve Mann (guitar, keyboards), alongside guest vocalists like Robin McAuley of Michael Schenker Fest.
Other Notable Collaborations/Projects
Schenker participated in My Years With UFO, which serves as both a tribute and revisiting of his classic UFO era, with contributions from prominent rock figures like Dee Snider, Joe Lynn Turner, Jeff Scott Soto, Stephen Pearcy, and others. Collaborations at shows such as the Wacken festival included live performances with Slash and integration with singers from various related projects.
In summary, Michael Schenker’s key career highlights revolve around his transformative work with UFO during the 1970s, the foundation and continued output of the Michael Schenker Group, and various recent collaborative projects celebrating his legacy alongside notable rock artists. His solo career includes more than a dozen albums, with his first MSG album being a triumph despite the turmoil he experienced while making it. His soloing in the song "Looking For Love" is considered his greatest, and his recording debut with the Scorpions in 1972 marked the beginning of a legendary career.
[1] My Years With UFO (2025) [2] The Michael Schenker Group (1980) [3] Wacken Festival performance (2025) [4] My Years With UFO (tribute album) [5] Don’t Sell Your Soul (2025)
- Michael Schenker's 2025 album, "My Years With UFO," serves as a tribute to his time in the band, featuring collaborations with renowned artists like Axl Rose and Slash.
- The Michael Schenker Group, formed after his first departure from UFO in 1978, marked Schenker’s new direction, culminating in the latest album "Don’t Sell Your Soul" (2025).
- At the Wacken Festival in 2025, the Michael Schenker Group performed songs from their latest album, "Don’t Sell Your Soul."
- The 2025 album "My Years With UFO" is a collection of revisited classics from Schenker's time with UFO, featuring contributions from rock figures like Dee Snider, Joe Lynn Turner, Jeff Scott Soto, and Stephen Pearcy.
- Schenker's contributions to the metal and hard rock genres have had a profound impact, with his first solo album serving as a triumph despite the struggles he faced during its recording.
- In addition to his work with UFO and the Michael Schenker Group, Schenker has collaborated with various artists and bands, including participating in live performances at festivals such as Wacken with Slash.
- The classic hard rock album "Lights Out" (1977), made during Schenker's tenure with UFO, is considered one of the band's best studio albums.
- Schenker's soloing in the song "Looking For Love" is often regarded as his greatest, and his recording debut with the Scorpions in 1972 marked the beginning of his legendary career.
- Key albums during Michael Schenker's initial tenure with UFO include "Phenomenon" (1974), featuring classics like "Doctor Doctor" and "Rock Bottom."
- The 1979 live album "Strangers in the Night," made during Schenker's time with UFO, is considered legendary, capturing the band at its peak with Schenker’s influence.
