MICHAEL SCHENKER
Michael Schenker was born 10 January 1955 in Savstedt, Germany. By the time he was 11 years old the budding young guitarist had formed his first band, the Enervates, playing Beatles covers.By the stage Schenker's older brother, Rudolf, had already formed the Scorpions as a Rolling Stones Who/Pretty Things-influenced covers band. Rudolf was a better guitarplayer at that point, but he encouraged young Michael's talents by offering him a deutchmark for every new song he learnt. Soon enough, Michael had mastered so many songs, and was such an adept and skillful player that Rudolf had to concede that the youngster was a more proficient guitartechnician than himself. Throughout 1968 and 1969, Michael played first with Cry Express and then the Copernicus.
Heavily influenced by the prevailing British trends of the day (psychedelia and hardrock), and featering Klaus Meine (ex-Mushroom) on vocals, the Copernicus earned a solid reputation on the burgeoning Hannover club scene. In late 1970, original Scorpionslead guitarist Karl-Heinz Follmer left, and Rudolf invited Michael and Klaus to join. In October 1971, Scorpions signed a contractwith the Metronome label, which resulted in the Lonesome Crow album. Issued as the first release, in February 1972, on Metronome's newly inaugurated progressive label, Brain, the album proved to be an exciting and imaginative set brimming with psychedelic hardrock and dark, experimental textures. The material ranged from concise rockers and eerie ballads to the amazing 13-minute, spaced-out, mostly-instrumental extravaganza that was the title track. Although different in many respects from the electronica and cosmic space rock practiced by many other German bands of the day. Lonesome Crow stands as a fine example of early 1970's 'Kraut rock'. Musically, Michael dominated proceedings with his fiery riffs and piercing solos while Rudolf punctuated the tunes with his steely rhythmic attack.Michael's guitar heroes at the time numbered the likes of Ritchie Blackmore, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Mountain's Leslie West, and their influences permeated his playing on tracks like 'It All Depends' 'I'm Going Mad' and 'In Search Of The Peace Of Mind'. By the same token, it was obvious that, even by the age of 16, he had developed a finely honed sound and distinctive style all his own.
The album's success allowed the band to tour throughout West Germany on a regular basis. Official Website: http://www.michaelschenkerhimself.com/
