Michael Schenker - Invites you into the 'Temple of Rock' for a special interview...

Helen Westby talks to one of the best guitarists in the World Michael Schenker about his 'Temple of Rock'

Music Trespass: After your recent huge success with the Temple of Rock CD/DVD and tours, I’d like to ask if you will continue to build on this formula? Like adding further UFO, Scorpions and MSG songs?

Michael Schenker: Arh Yes, we are just doing the finishing touches on my new album 'Bridge the Gap' which will be coming out in November 2013. It has the same line-up of musicians as 'Temple of Rock' - Herman Rarebell and Francis Buchholz (Scorpions),Doogie White (Rainbow and Yngwie Malmsteen etc) and Wayne Findlay. So this will be continuing with the classic 70’s style Rock that I am still passionate about. There will be some new songs on the album too.

Music Trespass: Your line-up for 'Temple of Rock' changes according to location and availability of certain artists, but will there be any changes on the current line-up for the up and coming UK dates is (Herman, Francis, Dougie and Wayne).

Michael Schenker: All these band members will still be covering the UK tour, as we are all happy with the way it has been going, with the success of previous tours. We all have the same ideas of what makes good Rock Music and everyone gets on well. There may be a couple of special guests at some of the gigs, but this will depend on who’s available to do it.

Music Trespass: I saw your Temple of Rock performance at High Voltage Festival, London in 2011, and it was great to see Pete Way playing the UFO numbers with you. Will he be joining you again at any of the dates this year?

Michael Schenker: I haven’t seen or spoken to Pete Way for a while, so I can’t really answer that question. I’m sure if he does get in contact with me, and he is ok, it may happen in future?

Music Trespass: Having seen you at High Voltage, and again at the Shepherds Bush Empire gig last year, where I was lucky to meet you and the rest of the guys at the sound check, I was blown away by your  awesome performance. I’m sure it proved to any doubters that you are at your peek once again. I was just wondering what the turning point was in your life, that made you get back on track after the hard times and personal tragedies that hit you?

Michael Schenker: You know, I’m a great believer in there being a higher force that guides you in life. I had sunk into the background during this time, and all of a sudden, it felt like, you know, it’s time to get back to what you love and believe in. I had not played live for a long time, and had spent too much time in my own world, experimenting musically, and developing and evolving my musical skills. I’d spent a long time working on my “self expression”. But then I thought, you know, I still love the music I’d listened to in my younger years, such as Black Sabbath and Deep Purple and I began to think, There’s no-one else out there doing this Classic 'Old School' Rock music anymore?.

Unfortunately a lot of the musicians I listened to, or were friends had died, so it was like, I need to do something to bring this music back. I knew there were many fans out there that were still as passionate as me about this music, so I thought, this is the time to get back to it and perform again. I found the right people to work with me on this project and the result was 'Temple of Rock'.

Music Trespass: You are starting to gain a new younger fan base at your concerts, as well as us older generation. Will this influence your next musical projects?

Michael Schenker: Well, you know, like I said, I think that a lot of people wanted to hear the Classic Rock sounds that they had always loved, and of course younger people probably heard some of the greatest rock bands of the 70’s, being played by their parents? I think people appreciate hearing this kind of music.

Check Out! a Video of Michael Schenker demonstrating how to play 'Rock Bottom' Below...

Music Trespass: Are you likely to do any collaboration work with other artists in the future, or is there anyone specific you’d like to work with?

Michael Schenker: Well I’m always open to suggestions. I continue to develop my ideas of music. One of my fantasies is to be working with Robert Plant, David Coverdale or Rod Stewart on a Blues Rock album. Plant, Coverdale and Stewart have that perfect Blues / Rock sound in their voice.

Music Trespass: In your quieter times, when you weren’t in the spotlight, you said that you’d given guitar lessons, is this something you enjoyed, and would you consider doing this again?

Michael Schenker: Well you know, there was a time in my life when I wasn’t writing or playing live. It was a necessary step to teach guitar. Looking back, it was a good idea at the time, because I had taken a step back and wasn’t around people much. The guitar teaching showed me I needed to be around people again, and it was good to interact with others who wanted to learn guitar. Many people own a guitar, or have picked one up after hearing someone else play, even if it just stands in the corner of a room, everyone knows how important the sound of a guitar is.

Music Trespass: Are your two children interested in following a musical career, and do they listen to Rock music in general?

Michael Schenker: My eldest, Tyson, is a very good electric guitar player. He was in a band a while back, and even played at Wacken Festival in Germany. The band has split up now, but he is looking for suitable people to start another band with. Tara is also a guitar player, but she prefers to play acoustic, they are both very talented.

Interview and Questions by Helen Westby

Michael is about to embark on another leg of the Temple of Rock Tour, and I wish him every success with this and his future projects. A true Guitar Hero if ever there was one!