Michael Schenker Biography
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 10 January 1955, Savstedt, Germany. Schenker began his musical career in 1971 at the age of 16, when, along with brother Rudolf, he formed the Scorpions. After contributing impressive guitar work on the band’s Lonesome Crow debut, he was offered the chance to replace Bernie Marsden in UFO. Schenker joined the group in June 1973 and their resultant musical direction swung to hard rock. Phenomenon, released in 1974, featured the metal classics ‘Doctor, Doctor’ and ‘Rock Bottom’, with Schenker’s performance on his Gibson ‘Flying V’ hammering home the band’s new identity. A series of strong albums followed before Schenker eventually quit in 1978 after the recording of Obsession. The split had been predicted for some time following personal conflicts between Schenker and vocalist Phil Mogg. The guitarist moved back to Germany and temporarily rejoined the Scorpions, contributing to Lovedrive, released in 1979. Soon afterwards he formed his own band, the Michael Schenker Group, which was later abbreviated to MSG. MSG’s personnel remained in a constant state of flux, with Schenker hiring and firing musicians seemingly at will.
In 1991, Schenker also took time out between MSG albums to contribute to the Contraband project, a one-off collaboration between members of Shark Island, Vixen, Ratt and L.A. Guns. Schenker has continued to play with both the Scorpions and UFO, while recording with further line-ups of his own group.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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10 January 1955, Savstedt, Germany. Schenker began his musical career in 1971 at the age of 16, when, along with brother Rudolf, he formed the Scorpions. After contributing impressive guitar work on the band’s Lonesome Crow debut, he was offered the chance to replace Bernie Marsden in UFO. Schenker joined the group in June 1973 and their resultant musical direction swung to hard rock. Phenomenon, released in 1974, featured the metal classics ‘Doctor, Doctor’ and ‘Rock Bottom’, with Schenker’s performance on his Gibson ‘Flying V’ hammering home the band’s new identity. A series of strong albums followed before Schenker eventually quit in 1978 after the recording of Obsession. The split had been predicted for some time following personal conflicts between Schenker and vocalist Phil Mogg. The guitarist moved back to Germany and temporarily rejoined the Scorpions, contributing to Lovedrive, released in 1979. Soon afterwards he formed his own band, the Michael Schenker Group, which was later abbreviated to MSG. MSG’s personnel remained in a constant state of flux, with Schenker hiring and firing musicians seemingly at will.