Few guitarists have influenced as many generations of hard rock and metal players as Michael Schenker. From his early days with UFO to his solo projects and the Michael Schenker Group, his distinctive playing style has become instantly recognizable to fans worldwide. Now, as he celebrates milestones in his career, Schenker is revisiting his past while continuing to forge ahead with a trilogy of albums that encapsulate different chapters of his musical life.
When asked about the origins of this trilogy, Schenker explained that it began with the anniversary of UFO. “I discovered a lot of things when I discovered that the 50th anniversary of UFO, My Years With UFO was coming up. And so I decided to use this, you know, as a way to re-educate people and newcomers and, you know, people who have forgotten or whatever. And give more detailed information on that.”
He stressed that many casual listeners often misinterpret his timeline: “I realized that when people Google Michael Schenker, they think that Michael Schenker was musically born in the 80s, you know. But I started in the 70s and influenced a lot of musicians in the 80s, etc.” With that in mind, the trilogy became an opportunity to tell his story more deliberately.
The first part, My Years With UFO, reconnected him with the period that established his reputation. Its follow-up, Don’t Sell Your Soul, draws lyrical inspiration from his personal reflections: “I’m singing about what I did, why I did it, how I did it. And that connects with my journey.”
Don’t Sell Your Soul, was co-produced by Schenker and Michael Voss and recorded with longtime collaborators Bodo Schopf on drums, Barend Courbois on bass, and Steve Mann on guitar and keyboards. On lead vocals is Erik Grönwall, the former Skid Row singer widely regarded as one of the standout rock voices of his era. Guest vocalists include Robin McAuley, Roberto Dimitri “Lia” Liapakis, and Voss.
The trilogy will conclude with Freedom of Expression, an album Schenker describes as one of his favorites. “It’s tuned to 432, like Dark Side of the Moon, which apparently is the vibration of the universe. And we have Herman Rarebell on drums and his wife playing saxophone… It’s a very off-the-wall album. It’s very interesting when people hear it, they go like, Wow.”
Schenker also spoke at length about the collaborators who helped bring these records to life. His process usually begins with guitar-based compositions, which then inspire vocal melodies and lyrics. But this time, he stepped into a new role. “On this album, it was an exception that I wrote lyrics and vocal melodies for two songs because they are more personal songs. And so two songs were written by Robin McCauley. But in general, when I go to the studio, I put down my musical compositions, and then they are the spark to inspire the vocals and the lyrics to be created.”
Those contributions eventually came together with the help of singers like Eric Grönwall and Leah, whose performances impressed Schenker: “Eric said, ‘This is my kind of rock and roll,’ which was good to hear that he was 100% behind it. And he did fantastic singing on that.” Leah, meanwhile, proved essential during a European tour when Gromo was sidelined by health issues. “Luckily, I rehearsed the show with two singers at the same time. So Leah was ready to do it anytime. And he did a fantastic job.”
Pre-order Don’t Sell Your Soul here.
Promotion for Don’t Sell Your Soul even included a special appearance at Wacken. Schenker recalled: “The record company had an idea for promotion, and they asked if we could rehearse that song and play it at a Wacken show. I thought it was a great idea. It was gonna be released in the next few days. So it was a perfect opportunity for promotion. And that’s what we did. And it went down really well.”
Despite an extensive touring schedule that stretches across the U.S., Asia, and Europe, Schenker insists he thrives on the road: “I love playing music. What else would I do?” Still, he admitted that staying healthy requires balance and discipline. “I stay away from the band to be mentally not exhausted. When I’m driving, it’s a very good time to meditate, to contemplate, to think. It’s a perfect tool. I catch two flies with one stroke. And, you know, I kind of refuel myself, energize myself while driving.”
Not all of his choices are so calculated, however. Asked about his trademark hat and sunglasses, Schenker laughed at the notion of an origin story: “The hat and the sunglasses. I don’t know. It’s just like life, you know. I was born with them. They just appeared somewhere for some reason, but I don’t focus on that, so I don’t really know how it all started.”
The interview ended on a high note, with a question about “Doctor Doctor,” one of UFO’s most enduring songs. Today, it serves as the traditional opener for Iron Maiden concerts, an unexpected afterlife for a track that continues to resonate with fans across generations. Schenker’s response was characteristically understated: “Well, I guess I must say, thank you, Iron Maiden. You made that song a hit.”
In reflecting on his past, embracing his present, and planning his future, Michael Schenker shows no sign of slowing down. His trilogy is more than a celebration of what has been achieved, but also a roadmap to understand his artistry in full, and ultimately a reminder that his guitar remains one of rock’s most distinctive voices.
