Speaking with Noise11 about his forthcoming album, My Years With UFO, guitar legend Michael Schenker discussed his plans for two more albums following the release.
Schenker: "After we finished with My Years With UFO, I started putting down my guitars for the (next) MSG album, which is gonna be called Don't Sell Your Soul. And it's with Erik Grönwall (ex-Skid Row) singing most of the songs, Robin McAuley singing, and Michael Voss, my co-producer, he's also singing. Then I did the instrumental album. As I was putting down my guitar, my composition, the instrumental part, Michael Voss kept singing, and I went, like, 'Michael, this sounds really good. I think we should turn this into a vocal album,' and (we) have, like I used to do with UFO, 'Belladonna' and 'Love To Love', all of these songs used to be instrumental songs, and then they turned into vocal songs. We invited Herman Rarebell from the Scorpions, ex-drummer. It turned into this amazing album."
The world of rock guitar has always been illuminated by a few virtuosic stars who shine brighter than the rest, and among them, Michael Schenker stands out as a comet blazing across the night sky. His tenure with the British hard rock band UFO during the 1970s remains one of the most celebrated periods in the annals of rock, elevating UFO from underground sensations to rock legends.
Now, in 2024, Michael Schenker is set to celebrate those glory days with his new album, My Years With UFO, alongside today's rock elite.
Produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss, the new album marks the 50th anniversary of Schenker's era with UFO, spanning from 1972 to 1978. The "German Wunderkind" was asked to join UFO at just 17 years old. Touring the globe as a teenager, Schenker became a driving force behind some of UFO's most loved tracks, such as "Doctor Doctor," "Rock Bottom," and "Only You Can Rock Me."
The first single off the new album, "Mother Mary," breathes new life into this classic, bringing together Michael Schenker's and Slash's unmatched guitar work with Erik Grönwall's soaring vocals.
Stream/download "Mother Mary" here, and watch a visualizer for the song below.
Although Michael Schenker's era with UFO spanned only six years, his influence as a young songwriter and exceptional guitarist had already left a lasting mark on rock. During these meteoric years, the UFO albums Phenomenon, Force It, No Heavy Petting, Lights Out, Obsession, and the seminal live album Strangers In The Night were recorded, each contributing significantly to the genre. Strangers In The Night particularly stands out as one of the most influential live rock albums of all time and is still regarded as a cornerstone in any rock enthusiast's collection.
In this celebratory album, Michael Schenker presents 11 of UFO's greatest hits from this magical era with an impressive lineup of guest stars. Joining Schenker on this journey are Derek Sherinian on keys' Brian Tichy on drums' and Barry Sparks on bass.
The stellar roster of guest artists includes Axl Rose, Slash, Kai Hansen, Roger Glover, Joey Tempest, Biff Byford, Jeff Scott Soto, John Norum, Dee Snider, Joel Hoekstra, Joe Lynn Turner, Carmine Appice, Adrian Vandenberg, Michael Voss, Stephen Pearcy, and Erik Grönwall.
This album is the introduction to an upcoming trilogy, as Michael Schenker has signed an exclusive three-album deal with earMUSIC, with additional albums to follow in 2025 and 2026.
The release of "Mother Mary" sets the stage for what promises to be one of the most exciting rock albums of 2024.
My Years With UFO will be released worldwide on September 20th via earMUSIC and is available for pre-order here.
Tracklisting:
"Natural Thing" (Feat. Dee Snider + Joel Hoekstra)
"Only You Can Rock Me" (Feat. Joey Tempest + Roger Glover)
"Doctor Doctor" (Feat. Joe Lynn Turner + Carmine Appice)
"Mother Mary" (Feat. Slash + Erik Grönwall)
"This Kids" (Feat. Biff Byford)
"Love to Love" (Feat. Axl Rose)
"Lights Out" (Feat. Jeff Scott Soto + John Norum)
"Rock Bottom" (Feat. Kai Hansen)
"Too Hot Too Handle" (Feat. Joe Lynn Turner, Adrian Vandenberg, + Carmen Appice)
"Let It Roll" (Feat. Michael Voss)
"Shoot Shoot" (Feat. Stephen Pearcy)
"Mother Mary" visualizer:
(Photo - Tallee Savage)
