Michael Schenker Group

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources:  –  ·  ·  · scholar · JSTOR (April 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Michael Schenker Group
MSG performing in 2012
Background information
Also known as	MSG
Origin	London, England, UK
Genres	Hard rock heavy metal
Years active	1979 (1979)–present
Labels	Chrysalis Capitol Impact Shrapnel In-akustik
Associated acts	UFO McAuley Schenker Group Scorpions
Members	Michael Schenker Doogie White Francis Buchholz Wayne Findlay Herman Rarebell

The Michael Schenker Group (often abbreviated as MSG) are a guitar-oriented hard rock band, formed in London in 1979 by former Scorpions and UFO guitarist Michael Schenker.^[1] In 1986, Schenker and vocalist Robin McAuley formed the McAuley Schenker Group, which lasted until 1993.^[1] After that, in 1996 the Michael Schenker Group was reformed.^[2]

The music is best described as mostly melodic hard rock with progressive undertones. Schenker is famous for his half-black, half-white Gibson Flying V electric guitar and for his unorthodox approach to lead guitar. He is sponsored by Dean Guitars and is well known in the neo-classical genre.

Discography[]

MSG at Kavarna Rock Fest 2012. From left: Wayne Findlay, Francis Buchholz, Herman Rarebell, Doogie White, Michael Schenker.

Studio albums[]

Michael Schenker Group[]

• The Michael Schenker Group (1980) #8 UK
• MSG (1981)
• Assault Attack (1982)
• Built to Destroy (1983)
• Written in the Sand (1996) #22 Japan
• The Unforgiven (1999)
• Be Aware of Scorpions (2001)
• Arachnophobiac (2003)
• Tales of Rock'n'Roll (2006)
• In the Midst of Beauty (2008)
• Immortal (2021)^[3]

McAuley Schenker Group[]

• Perfect Timing (1987)
• Save Yourself (1989)
• M.S.G. (1991)
• Nightmare: The Acoustic M.S.G. (1992)

Schenker Barden Acoustic Project

• Gipsy Lady (2009)

Schenker's Temple of Rock[]

• Temple of Rock (2011)
• Bridge the Gap (2013)
• Spirit on a Mission (2015)

Michael Schenker Fest[]

• Resurrection (2018)
• Revelation (2019)^[4]

Cover albums[]

Michael Schenker Group[]

• Heavy Hitters (2005)
  • Doctor Doctor: The Kulick Sessions (2007 re-release)
  • By Invitation Only (2011 re-release)

Live albums[]

Michael Schenker Group

• One Night at Budokan (1982) (UK Silver)
• Rock Will Never Die (1984)
• BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert (1993)
• The Michael Schenker Story Live (1997)
• The Unforgiven World Tour (1999)
• The Mad Axeman Live (2007)
• Walk the Stage: The Official Bootleg Box Set (2009)
• The 30th Anniversary Concert: Live in Tokyo (2010)

McAuley Schenker Group[]

• "Unplugged" Live (1992)

Schenker's Temple of Rock[]

• On a Mission - Live in Europe (2012)
• On a Mission - Live in Madrid (2016)

Michael Schenker Fest[]

• Live Tokyo International Forum Hall A (2017)

Band members[]

Current members[]

• Michael Schenker – lead guitar (1979–present)
• Gary Barden – lead vocals (1979–1981, 1982–1984, 2008–2010, 2016–present)
• Robin McAuley – lead vocals (1987–1992, 2012, 2016–present)
• Doogie White – lead vocals (2012–present)
• Steve Mann – keyboards, rhythm guitar (1986–1987, 1988–1991, 2016–present)
• Bodo Schopf – drums (1987–1990, 2019–present)
• Barry Sparks – bass guitar (1996–1998, 1999–2000, 2020–present)

Former members[]

Lead vocals:

• Ray Kennedy (1984 touring member)
• Leif Sundin (1995–1997, 2007–2008)
• David VanLanding (1997–1999, 2011, 2012 touring member only)
• Kelly Keeling (1999–2000)
• Keith Slack (1999 touring member)
• Chris Logan (2001–2004, 2006)
• Jari Tiura (2006–2007)
• Michael Voss – also rhythm guitar (2011–2012)
• Graham Bonnet – lead vocals (February–August 1982, 2016–2020)

Keyboards:

• Don Airey (session 1980, 2008, 2011)
• Paul Raymond – also rhythm guitar (1980–1981, 2011)
• Tommy Eyre (session 1982)
• Andy Nye (1982–1984)
• Jesse Harms (session 1991)
• Claude Gaudette (session 1996)
• Seth Bernstein – also rhythm guitar & backing vocals (1997–1999)
• Wayne Findlay – also rhythm guitar & backing vocals (1999–2016)

Rhythm guitar:

• Derek St. Holmes – also vocals (1983)
• Mitch Perry (1987)
• Spencer Secombe (touring member 1991–1992)

Bass:

• Billy Sheehan (session 1979)
• Mo Foster (session 1980)
• Chris Glen – bass (1980–1983, 2008–2009, 2016–2020)
• Dennis Feldman (1984 touring member)
• Rocky Newton (1987–1990)
• Jeff Pilson (1991)
• Jeff Kollman (1998 touring member)
• John Onder (session 1999)
• Rev Jones (2001–2002, 2004–2006, 2009)
• Stuart Hamm (2003)
• Pete Way (2006, 2011)
• Neil Murray (2008, 2010)
• Elliott "Dean" Rubinson (2010–2011, 2012 touring member)
• Francis Buchholz (2012–2016)

Drums:

• Denny Carmassi (session 1979)
• Simon Phillips (1980, 2008, 2010, 2011)
• Cozy Powell (1981–1982)
• Ted McKenna (1982–1984, 2008, 2016–2019)
• James Kottak (1991)
• Shane Gaalaas (1996–1997,1999-2000)
• Aynsley Dunbar (session 1999)
• Jeff Martin (2001, 2006)
• Jeremy Colson (2003)
• Pete Holmes (2004–2006)
• Chris Slade (touring member 2008–2009, 2010–2011)
• Carmine Appice (touring member 2010, session 2011)
• Brian Tichy (session 2011)
• Herman Rarebell (2010, 2011–2016)

Timeline[]

Recording Timeline[]

References[]

External links[]

• Michael Schenker official site
• Interview of Michael Schenker on Rockpages.gr
• MSG in the BNR metal pages
• www.cduniverse.com Production Information