Article and Photos by: Michael W. Bright
Cincinnati, OH—How can a 67 year-old heavy metal guitarist be fronting a 50th Year Anniversary tour? Michael Schenker began working with his brother’s band, the Scorpions, when he was only 11 years old, and joined officially when he was 17. That’s how! As part of the tour the Michael Schenker Group performed before a crowd of 1000 last Saturday night at Bogarts in Cincinnati.
It is worth mentioning that Schenker was given the “Marshall “11” award, in 2010, an award that is given to “those artists and musicians who represent rock ‘n’ roll excess and livin’ on the edge.” So ticket holders to the concert pretty much knew what to expect.
Much to the delight of the enthusiastic house, half of the set list was UFO covers, the in English heavy metal band which Schenker left and rejoined at least a half a dozen times over three decades. That being said, all of the songs belonged to him in one way or another, because, as his lengthy career choices and live performances indicate, he does not like doing other people’s songs.
It was the third song of the night that clicked with the crowd and from there on there was no looking back. “Doctor Doctor,” is one of UFO’s biggest singles, written by Schenker, from 1974’s Phenomenon. It featured his trademark soaring lead lines over the top of a rhythm boogy and it highlighted the first half of this evening’s immersion. Only one of the night’s songs was from Michael Schenker Group’s August album release, Universal. “Emergency,” is a rapid fire heavy-metal anthem. But given Schenker’s long history and measured success working with dozens and dozens of great heavy metal stars, this singular choice didn’t seem unusual at all. He may hold the record for the number of musicians who have played in a band with his name attached to it. The one thing that has stayed constant however is his signature black and white “flying V” guitar that he fell in love with and has been playing for some 40-plus years.
More information on the tour may be found at https://michaelschenkerhimself.com/