Words and All Photos: Scott Lukes
Wow, what a show. Michael Schenker put on a true exposition in guitar mastery this week at the Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville. Schenker and his band the Michael Schenker Group jammed away too many of his best songs from those days in UFO with pure perfection. Seeing Schenker in person lets one understand what a remarkable guitarist he truly is. For over 90+ minutes with 3 extended encores, Michael never missed a note while constantly ripping away on one of his signature “Dean V’s”.
Opening for MSG was Images of Eden, and Damon Johnson & The Get Ready. Images of Eden started the show with a great metal rock set of 5 songs. Damon Johnson & The Get Ready followed with a high energy guitar-driven ten-song performance that electrified the crowd. Damon’s guitar skills were/are tremendous. I’m sure he’s a great addition to Lynyrd Skynyrd on those occasions when Damon plays with the band, and the same is true when playing for Brother Cane too. One couldn’t ask for two better opening bands to start the night out with.
MSG rocked the house playing at least 17 songs with most of them being in their long versions where Schenker would go into extended riffs of mind-bending guitar wizardry. I got to see Schenker and UFO playback in 1978 on their Obsession tour, and although many years have passed since that decade of unbelievable rock & roll, Mr. Schenker can sure still play the guitar. Watching him play at the Brooklyn Bowl this week was like I had stepped back in time to that show in 78 as he ripped away on his V.
Schenker’s career spans over 50 years with countless albums he wrote or greatly contributed to with UFO, The Scorpions, and the Michael Schenker Group. He was put on “Guitar World” magazine’s 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists list, awarded the Marshall “11” by Alice Cooper, with Jimmy Page, Tony Iommi, and John Paul Jones, received the “Rock Guitar Legend” award in 2012 and was honored with the “Golden God Icon Award” in 2014.
If MSG is coming to a city near you, don’t miss it since it will be a concert to remember and one that may never be matched again. For more information on the Michael Schenker Group and their tour, visit their website https://michaelschenkerhimself.com/
MSG Setlist, Brooklyn Bowl Nashville 10/30/2022
MSG:
Michael Schenker – lead guitars
Ronnie Romero – vocals
Bodo Schopf – drums
Steve Mann – keyboards, guitars
Barend Courbois – bass
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