Review | Michael Schenker – My Years With UFO – 50th Anniversary Celebration

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I have some mixed feelings about this release. Guitarist Michael Schenker revisiting his own musical past by re-recording the most popular and best UFO-songs he wrote accompanied by an international cast of guests helping him out. Produced by Der Michael and steady producer Michael Voss (who also sings the track ,,Let It Roll’’) it is certainly interesting to hear what the result is but the question shall always be why Michael Schenker made this move.

PASSPORT

It is somewhere in the early seventies as Schenker plays in Scorpions with his brother Rudolf and singer Klaus Meine. The lad is an enormous talent at seventeen years old. UFO by then has already three albums released and comes over to Germany for a tour with Scorpions as support. Unfortunately, UFO-guitarist in those days Bernie Marsden (later Whitesnake) has forgotten his passport and to be able to play Michael gets asked to fill in. UFO bass player Pete Way and Michael quickly go through the basics and Michael does a good job, resulting later in him joining UFO and moving to London.

TURBULENT

A turbulent period begins. Michel does not speak any English and has difficulties getting used to his British band mates who often play tricks on him and spent a lot of time in the pub. Plus they are a bit older as well. Musically the band goes from strength to strength with albums such as ‘Phenomenon’, ‘Force It’, ‘No Heavy Petting’, ‘Lights Outs’ and ‘Obsession’. Michael builds up his reputation as a guitar hero in that time. Within the band the relationship between singer Phil Mogg and Schenker is very tense. It is thanks to Pete Way that Schenker does not leave for good after walking out a first time. When Michael wants to pick up his guitars and amps Pete Way manages to keep him on board but it turns out to be just a delay.

After the epic live-release ‘Strangers In The Night’ with Michael clashing with Mogg (again) and also producer Ron Nevison the bomb finally explodes. Michael walks out during a tour (again), reuniting for a little while with Scorpions (and partly recording their ‘Love Drive’ record) before finally collapsing, seeking help in a clinic to deal with his alcohol problem. In 1980 he returns with The Michael Schenker Group while UFO continues with guitarist Paul Chapman, but to less success. During the years there are several reunions leading to a 1993 tour and the 1995 album ‘Walk On Water’. The real magic is certainly back on that particular album, but after that the spark is no longer there despite some more releases like for instance ‘Sharks’. At one stage Phil Mogg vows (after another walk out of Michael) never to take the stage again with the German ‘Wunderkind’.

MICHAEL SCHENKER 2024

We are almost a quarter of a century further. From the classic UFO line-up Pete Way and Paul Raymond (guitar/keyboards) have passed away. Phil Mogg suffered a heart attack on the last (and final) UFO tour (that also included long time drummer Andy Parker) but has made a brilliant comeback with his new album ‘Moggs Motel’ that has been released in September. Michael has been working under his own banner, releasing a big amount of records. Most of the time really good records, sometimes a bit up and down but to be honest the real heights of his UFO-days he has not been able to match completely, if you ask me.

It is indeed 50 years ago that UFO released their first album ‘Phenomenon’ with Michael. When you look at the titles that have been re-recorded, there are no surprises. Michael has played it on safe. All the five studio albums he made in the period 1974-1978 with UFO are represented although he chose to ignore material from ‘Walk On Water’, which I personally find a pity.

STAR CAST

Michael certainly has invited a star cast of musicians, that cannot be denied. The basics have been recorded by drummer Brian Tichy, bass player Barry Sparks and keyboardist Derek Sherinian. It is without a doubt about the singers and guitarists included while also Cactus skin beater Carmine Appice plays along on ,,Doctor Doctor’’. People such as Joey Tempest (Europe), Biff Byford (Saxon), Eric Grönwall (ex-Skid Row), Jef Scott Soto (Sons Of Apollo), Michael Voss (ex-Mad Max), Joe Lynn Turner (ex-Rainbow), Dee Snider (Twisted Sister) and even Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray) do a good to very decent job with Turner even singing two tracks.

But for me personally I do not really like the contributions of Axl Rose (Guns ‘N Roses) and Stephen Pearcy (Ratt). These two guys are as singers over the hill for me and with Rose tackling the possible best UFO-song ever (,,Love To Love’’) is something I just do not get. I think someone like for instance Glenn Hughes or Lee Small would have done a better job here. You better listen for yourself here. I find it horrible.

GUITAR MASTERS

All the guitar masters involved on this record have most likely been heavily influenced by Michael Schenker. I know our national Dutch treasure Adrian Vandenberg and Europe’s John Norum are admirers for sure, so for them to join one of their heroes must have been a fantastic feeling. I suppose the same goes for Slash, Joel Hoekstra, Kai Hansen and even veteran Roger Glover who plays bass on ,,Only You Can Rock Me’’.

MICHAEL SCHENKER – THE CONCLUSION

My mixed feelings keep getting the better of me with this record. I grew up with these classic songs and although the production and sound are superb, I never have or got the feeling that the original versions have been a hundred percent matched, let alone improved. Do not get me wrong, I like the initiative of making this record and it sure shows that the duo Schenker/Mogg must be seen as one of the best composers in hard rock and melodic rock as all the songs really stood the test of time.

With the release of Moggs Motel and ‘My Years With UFO’, it is a real good time for the old and faithful UFO-fans as they can enjoy new stuff and at the same time reminisce as well. It is a bit like the best of both worlds coming together, although we know that Michael and Phil will never ever work together again…. Or?

Release date: 20 September 2024