Michael Schenker was already a Rock superstar when he made the decision to quit UFO in 1979 and pursue a solo career.

Schenker had rist established himself in the public eye as a teenage prodigy with the Scorpions in the early -70's so impressing UFO when the two bands toured Europe together in 1974 that they decided to make him the proverbial offer he couldn't refuse.

Over the next five years, Schenker's teutonic good looks, tradmark Flying V guitar and a unique musical style that effortlessly combined melodic sensitvity with blazing power and passion made him THE guitarist to emulate. Every budding Rock guitar her wanted to be Michael Schenker.

But ther was also a dark, unpredictable side to his personality. So much so that people openly wondered wheter his volatile genius was suited to the pursuit of a solo career. The answer came with 'The Michael Schenker Group' album, released in September 1980 on chrysalis. The irony of the title was that there was actually no band as such involved on the record.  Schenker had hired top session men Simon Philipps [drums] and Mo Foster [bass] to provide a crucial rhythmic foundation, whilst Rainbow keyboardsman Don Airey was drafted in to provide texture and colour. In fact, the only other member of The Michael Schenker Group at the time was vocalist Gary Barden. Recruited from unknown British band Fraser Nash, Barden brought in a vocal style not unlike that of UFO's Phil Mogg. Both had distinctive voices without being classic singers. Both augmented Schnker's crisp, clear guitar playing without being overshadowed. Schenker also brought in Rainbow bassist Roger Glover as aproducer for Rainbow and ELF [featuring legendary singer Ronnie Dio], and brought a musician's perspective to the studio. Mind you, he wasn't the first choice. That accolade had fallen on Martin Birch, but he was busy working with American stars Blue Öyster Cult on their 'Fire Of Unknown Origin' album, so was consequently unavailable. No matter, Glover did a sterling job !

'The Michael Schenker Group' was full of the German guitarist's tradmarked brilliance. Wheter attacking from the front on 'Armed And Ready', wailing emotionally on 'Cry For The Nations or bombing down the autobahn throug 'Into the Arena', Schenker showcased his wide range of talants to maximum effect. Even now, his playing leaves you breathless. Yet he never overshadowed the songs, allowing them to evolve at their own pace. Result ? A classic Hard Rock album !
The album reached number eight in the UK chart, and featured a new-look Schenker on the cover, his long blond lock of the -70's having been swept away. A new decade dawned with Schenker's career on an upswing. Soon after the release of this album, Schenker put together a formidable touring band. Former UFO keybordsman/rhythm guitarist Paul Raymond flew over to Britain from LA to join his old bandmate. Bassist Chris Glenn winged in from a stint with the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, whilst drummer Cozy Powell was lured from Rainbow after the latter hade headlined the first ever Castle Donington Monsters Of Rock Festival in 1980. going under the shortened name of MSG, this was potentially one of the most exciting Hard Rock bands in the world. And the reality lived up the daydreams .....

An acclaimed world tour cemented the five's growing professional relationship and, by the time they came around to recording their first studio album together in 1981, there was an undoubted chemistry. Working with UFO producer Ron Nevison [ a veteran who understood how to bring the best out of Schenker], quintet came up with the 'MSG' album, virtually a second debut effort. If anything, this outstripped it's predecessor. 'MSG' was full of vitality, sparkel, melody and energy. Songs such as ironic 'The Attack Of The Mad Axeman', the plaintive, willowy 'Let Sleeping Dogs's Lie' and the rollercoaster ride of 'I Want More' proved that this band was even greater than the sum of its individual components would suggest. Schenker played like a man inspired, and the other four more than rose to the occasion. Few better Hard Rock Album emerge in the -80's. 'MSG' came out, again on Chrysalis, in September 1981 and reached number 14 in Britain. Again, the band toured extensively in support of this release, to ecstatic receptions from sell-out crowds across the world. But , this time they decided to capture the magic of the live show for all to her. MSG recorded their show at the famous Budokan theatre in Tokoy during August 1981. And it remains even now a landmark live album that is fitting tribute to the quality of this line-up.

A double vinyl release in the UK in March 1982, 'One Night At Budokan' proved to be MSG's most successful chart album in Britain, reaching number five. 'ONAB' sadly proved to be the swansong for this incarnation of MSG. Barden and Raymond left shortly afterwards, and things were never quite the same again, Schenker tried a number of different musicians in an attempt to rekindel the fire, but although his genius could never be completely extinguished, he has so far faild to come even close to recapturing what he had with Barden, Raymond, Powell and Glenn. 'The Michael Schenker Group' and 'MSG' albums still remain vital, vibrant records that have stood the test of time remarkably well. What shines through Michael Schenker, a master of his art at his very pinnacle. We may never see or hear his like again ...