# Michael Schenker Group

The Michael Schenker Group (often abbreviated as MSG) is an English hard rock band, formed in London in 1979 by former Scorpions and UFO guitarist Michael Schenker. After the release of their second live album, 1984's Rock Will Never Die, The band went on a two-year hiatus and Schenker disbanded the band in 1986. In 1986, Schenker and vocalist Robin McAuley formed the McAuley Schenker Group, which lasted until 1993. Afterwards, in 1996, the Michael Schenker Group was reformed.
The group has had many different members over the years, with Schenker the only constant presence.

## History

The band was formed in 1979, following Michael Schenker's departure from UFO the previous year, in an attempt to have a band that better suited his style. He therefore decided to move to London; a few weeks after his arrival in the city, he met Gary Barden, vocalist of Fraser Nash, who along with bassist Billy Sheehan and drummer Denny Carmassi formed a new band, simply called Michael Schenker Group. The following year, the band recorded their second album, MSG, which placed at No. 14 on the UK charts. During their promotional tour, they played at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan in Japan, where their first live album was recorded titled One Night at Budokan. It was released in 1982 with great success in the UK where it was certified silver after exceeding 60,000 copies sold.
In October 1983, the band released Built to Destroy, the first with keyboardist Andy Nye and which also featured Derek St. Holmes, best known at the time as Ted Nugent's vocalist and rhythm guitarist. To promote it, they gave several concerts in the UK and later went on tour to other European countries as the opening band of Iron Maiden. Their farewell concert was held on 18 December 1983 at the Dortmund festival, after which the band disbanded, and the guitarist founded the McAuley Schenker Group.
After deciding to disband the McAuley Schenker Group, Schenker decided to reform the band in 1996 with Leif Sundin on vocals, Barry Sparks on bass and Shane Gaalaas on drums with whom he recorded Written in the Sand. Two years later, they released The Unforgiven, with Kelly Keeling replacing Sundin and with John Onder replacing Sparks.

## Discography
### 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)
* Universal (2022)

#### 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)

#### Michael 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)

### 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)

#### Michael 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)

## Members

Current members
* Michael Schenker – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1979–present)
* Robin McAuley – lead vocals (1986–1993, 2011, 2012, 2016–2020, 2022, 2023–present)
* Steve Mann – keyboards, rhythm and occasional lead guitar, backing vocals (1986–1987, 1988–1991, 2016–present)
* Bodo Schopf – drums (1986–1987, 1988–1991, 2007–2008, 2019–present)
* Barend Courbois – bass guitar, backing vocals (2021–present)