Michael Schenker

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Gainzilla

Gainzilla

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I understand that everyone has their tastes and preferences and that in the end, music is subjective BUT, any fan or player of Hard Rock that hasnt at one point worshipped at the throne of Michael Schenker should drop what theyre doing and find out what theyve been missing. Ive been on a Schenker kick since I saw him back in June and it beought back all of the amazement that I had when I discovered UFO in the 70's and when I learned some of his stuff when I started to play in the late middle 80's. Hands down, he's one of the most lyrical and melodic masters of phrasing out there IMO and mandatory listening for anyone looking to improve their craft.

Sure, there are loads of great new players out there but the guys that started it all still have alot to say. The same can be said about Richie Blackmore,Uli Jon Roth,Jeff Beck,Gary Moore,EVH,Jimi etc..

Ive been learning some UFO tunes; Doctor Doctor, Lights Out, Only You Can Rock Me, Rock Bottom and Natural Thing and having an absolute BLAST!!! I have a feeling Ill be on the Schenker kick for awhile but Ive been dying to dig into a bunch of Rainbow/Deep Purple as well because I was a fiend for RB as kid before I played..

cool stuff!!!! :thumbsup:
 
Hey Kage, haven't talked to you in a year or so... You got my PM ??

True, Schenker is a guitar genius. But I think he had too much natural talent. Everything came to him easily and it provoked his downfall. I heard he's in better shape now than a few years ago... Hope he'll finally make peace with himself... What a great artist !! :rock:
 
Couldn't agree more Kage. I was lucky enough to have an Uncle who was heavily into rock music in the 70's. I was ten when he bought me the Light's Out album. I must have listened to it 10,000 times. I've read that even in the "heyday" of UFO (if there ever really was one), he wasn't very interested in contributing to the band and some of his solos and other recorded stuff was almost forced by contractual obligation. I can't imagine what it would be like if his heart was completely into it. Also, for every time he hits rock bottom (no pun intended), he seems to recover "skill wise" on the guitar very quickly, whereas EVH has definitely lost a lot of his original skills and technique.

I love Michael and listen to him at least once per week. You're right, his stuff is fun to play. Sounds easy, but the timing and feel is a challenge.
 
Jack Luminous":1vj5aqfc said:
Hey Kage, haven't talked to you in a year or so... You got my PM ??

True, Schenker is a guitar genius. But I think he had too much natural talent. Everything came to him easily and it provoked his downfall. I heard he's in better shape now than a few years ago... Hope he'll finally make peace with himself... What a great artist !! :rock:
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Hey FX!!! got the PM and will get in touch this week...

The guy has truckloads of natural talent, couldnt agree more. hes also a troubled soul and its almost like its part of the price for having such a gift...
 
MisterBulbous":to2nmeyd said:
Couldn't agree more Kage. I was lucky enough to have an Uncle who was heavily into rock music in the 70's. I was ten when he bought me the Light's Out album. I must have listened to it 10,000 times. I've read that even in the "heyday" of UFO (if there ever really was one), he wasn't very interested in contributing to the band and some of his solos and other recorded stuff was almost forced by contractual obligation. I can't imagine what it would be like if his heart was completely into it. Also, for every time he hits rock bottom (no pun intended), he seems to recover "skill wise" on the guitar very quickly, whereas EVH has definitely lost a lot of his original skills and technique.

I love Michael and listen to him at least once per week. You're right, his stuff is fun to play. Sounds easy, but the timing and feel is a challenge.
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I dodnt know about alot of went on behind the scenes in the UFO days, I just remember being turned on to UFO by a friend who liked a lot of cool stuff but didnt like UFO and gave me a couple of their albums and I was hooked...

BTW, I agree alot of Schenkers solos sound easy but theyre not, theres alot of great stuff that comes across that way...
 
I discovered Schenker about 6 months ago. What a monster! But, Good lord, those songs are horrible! ;)
 
Hell ya Kage !! I remember my first cover band doing Doctor Doctor and Rock Bottom :rock:
Just Balls out Rock !
 
tweed":3417paqx said:
Noted. Will check out some of the songs you listed.
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Just Download UFO's Live album, Strangers in the night, its a masterpiece and ne of my desert island discs for sure. Its got everything you need to get a damn good start on MS's playing...
 
Mr. Willy":2t9nk70t said:
I discovered Schenker about 6 months ago. What a monster! But, Good lord, those songs are horrible! ;)
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To each his own man, I think that they kick ass!!
 
Gainzilla":23n3y47a said:
Mr. Willy":23n3y47a said:
I discovered Schenker about 6 months ago. What a monster! But, Good lord, those songs are horrible! ;)
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To each his own man, I think that they kick ass!!
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I'm with you Kage. My wife heard "Doctor Doctor" on the radio the other day and asked if I'd download it for her Ipod :thumbsup: Then again, she likes the new Lynch Mob.
 
Schenker has been one of my biggest guitar influences since i was a kid. one of the best in the business for sure. UFO Stangers in the Night, Scorpions Tokyo Tapes and Rainbow on Stage were my bibles!
 
Definite Schenker fan here! I really like UFO Walk On Water - his tone and playing on that cd are awesome!
 
I'm with you Kage. One of my all time faves.
My band does Lights Out and Shoot Shoot- usually the highlights of my night on those solos. And the jekeko helps me nail that cocked wah tone (thanks brother)!

I'd like to add This Kids or Armed & Ready and, as much as it'd be cool to play Love to Love, we don't have keys and attempts to pull it off on guitar have been pretty dismal. Maybe I can just throw in the outro solo somewhere! :rock:
 
billm408":swjeyyrg said:
I'm with you Kage. One of my all time faves.
My band does Lights Out and Shoot Shoot- usually the highlights of my night on those solos. And the jekeko helps me nail that cocked wah tone (thanks brother)!

I'd like to add This Kids or Armed & Ready and, as much as it'd be cool to play Love to Love, we don't have keys and attempts to pull it off on guitar have been pretty dismal. Maybe I can just throw in the outro solo somewhere! :rock:
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Love to Love would be a challenge! It does make me think of how good Paul Chapman was. If I recall, didn't he play keyboards and guitar on the Strangers in the Night record? Come to think of it, I may have actually seen him live once with WAYSTED. God that was a long time ago, maybe opening up for Iron maiden in the early 80's. Unfortunately, I havent seen Schenker live.
 
What are you up to these days Kage? Haven't seen you in a while. Me, I'm counseling people who are on probation trying to help them get clean and sober. I remember when Shenker's first solo LP came out. Victims of Illusion, Armed and Ready. The next one also had Gary Barden. Then, Graham Bonnet did Assault Attack. Who could forget when Shenker got back with UFO for Walk ON Water. What a CD. I'd have to say Obsession and the live CD are the best two though. UFO is one of those bands that just seem to always find a good guitar player. I loved Paul Chapman, Atomik Tommy and now Vinnie Moore. By the way they are touring with Vinnie Moore now. Check them out. I may go to Jaxx in VA to see them. Take care Kage. By the way, Robin Trower is coming here to NC in early October. I can't wait. I heard him playing Somebody Calling as the second song-----using Marshall Vintage Modern amps. He can make anything sound good.
 
Timely post. Just started learning Captain Nemo yesterday. That damn intro is screwing me up big time.
 
LOVE Michael Schenker.....ever since getting Strangers In The Night in '81.

Having Ace Frehley be my 1st 'guitar hero'.......I always thought Schenker had a similar musicality and melodic-style to his solos. I used to joke that Schenker reminded me of 'Advanced Ace Solos'....and I still think that sounds rather true. (& I love them both)
 
Schenker rules. UFO's "Obsession", and "Strangers in the Night" and the first two MSG albums are must haves!
 
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