Michael Schenker in Bilbao

Michael Schenker is a German rock guitarist, born in Sarstedt in 1955. He played on the Scorpions’ debut album, Lonesome Crow, before joining UFO, where his guitar work became central to songs including “Doctor Doctor,” “Rock Bottom” and “Lights Out.” He later founded Michael Schenker Group, whose early records introduced “Armed and Ready” and the instrumental “Into the Arena.” UFO’s 1978 US tour provided recordings for the live album Strangers in the Night. A 1981 Michael Schenker Group concert at Nippon Budokan was released as One Night at Budokan, and shows at London’s Hammersmith Odeon in 1983 produced Rock Will Never Die. Those recordings document his move between arenas and large theatres across successive stages of his career. Michael Schenker Fest brought several singers from his past into one full-band show, including Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, Robin McAuley and Doogie White. Its sets drew on material associated with Michael Schenker Group, McAuley Schenker Group and Temple of Rock.