Michael Schenker: Brick By Brick
|
|
Originally printed in Guitar World Magazine, November 2008
After years of grappling with alcoholism and itinerant living, Michael Schenker is fighting to rebuild his life and career. With a new Michael Schenker Group album, In the Midst of Beauty, the battle rages on.
The liner notes to the new Michael Schenker Group CD, In the Midst of Beauty, feature the following cryptic message written by Schenker himself: “In the midst of beauty, the beast is always waiting and ready to attack.” It’s an odd statement, yet it makes sense coming from someone who has waged numerous battles against both personal and external demons that have threatened to destroy his career since almost day one. In addition to battling alcoholism for more than 30 years, the guitarist has been plagued by management problems and complicated family issues. It’s a wonder that he didn’t decide to pack it in many years ago, yet he continues to tour and make records at a pace that even trouble-free musicians have difficulty keeping up with.
When Guitar World last caught up with Schenker, in October 2003, the guitarist was rebuilding his life one piece at a time, attending rehab and living in a modest hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. During the previous year, Schenker’s wife, Linda, had sold off most of his personal possessions before disappearing to Thailand with the couple’s son. Schenker’s manager Bella Piper had allegedly cleaned out most of the money he had earned since the Nineties from selling exclusive recordings over the internet and playing with UFO. To survive, he was forced to sell his few remaining personal possessions, including three Gibson Flying V guitars—his trademark instrument—that he had used extensively with UFO and MSG. Schenker got his musical career back on track in 2004. He toured throughout Europe and the U.S., released the Schenker-Pattison Summit album The Endless Jam and MSG’s World Wide Live 2004 DVD and hired a new personal manager, Nancy Lewis. But only three months after she was hired, Lewis was dismissed in an acrimonious split. In the latter half of the year Schenker arranged a tour with former Scorpions guitarist Uli Jon Roth, signed a new endorsement deal with Dean Guitars and announced plans to record a 25th anniversary MSG album featuring a variety of guest vocalists from throughout MSG’s history.
But in 2005, just as things were starting to look up again for Schenker, his forward momentum began to slow down. A planned tour with Yngwie Malmsteen was cancelled, and an album of cover songs called Heavy Hitters, produced by Bob Kulick and featuring Schenker on lead guitar with a revolving all-star cast of guest musicians, was marketed as a Michael Schenker Group release, complete with unauthorized use of the MSG logo. Schenker received only a flat fee to participate in the recording.
Meanwhile, his ongoing problems with Bella Piper (with whom he fathered two daughters, Chinua and Essenz), his ex-wife Linda and Nancy Lewis came to a boil. Linda Schenker and Piper claimed that the guitarist was a deadbeat dad, and Lewis publicly accused him of not paying his income taxes and other debts. Schenker reacted by airing his dirty laundry via a lengthy letter posted on his web site, michaelschenkerhimself. com. “I don’t feel safe coming back to the States,” Schenker announced. “I am being threatened with [having] my passport suspended, my assets frozen and jail time.”
Although Schenker was living in Los Angeles at the time, he was unable to come home due to his legal hassles, so he temporarily moved to Germany. Schenker explained the situation to his fans with the following message posted on his site: “I am announcing the cancellation of the MSG USA tour since I did not receive the official letters from Bella Piper and Linda Schenker that I have requested. Unfortunately, I must sacrifice this USA tour to protect myself to be able to keep playing music. I will not come back to America unless Bella and Linda stop threatening me in unfair ways for the sake of money.”
MSG’s Tales of Rock ’n’ Roll featuring guest appearances by several of the band’s former vocalists, including Gary Barden and Graham Bonnet, was finally released in March 2006, a few months late for MSG’s true 25th anniversary. Fans and critics praised Schenker’s playing on the album, which many said was his best effort since MSG’s early Eighties classics. The band toured Europe, but just as MSG were preparing to visit the U.S., the situation became grim again. Schenker announced that the tour was postponed until 2007, and a few days later his web site posted an upside-down MSG logo with the message “MSG is done.” Apparently, members of Schenker’s touring band members were complaining about pay, but they worked out their differences in time to tour Asia.
Related
You Might Also Like...
ximike
May 15, 2011 at 4:30am
Nike Shox Shoes With blue and white match colors as the theme, using a classic canvas materials, wear comfortable also have the good permeability.
ethantheb
March 03, 2011 at 10:35pm
Hello, my name is Ethan. I am good friends with his son and daughter, Chinua and Essenz Schenker. Chinua has had to live in a hotel, and go without because his dad is a deadbeat who needs to man up and support his children.
He is a pathetic load of crap, he is frightened of the U.S. because legally he must pay his child support. He doesn't even visit them, and Chinua has nearly forgotten him. That is sad.
If he can't take care of his children, then WEAR A DAMN CONDOM.
suzer
May 06, 2009 at 6:43pm
"Bella Piper allegedly cleaned out most of his earnings" BULL, do your research before you print his propaganda! - Bella has two of MS's children (Essenz is their daughter & Chinua Schenker is their son) Bella is not trying to squeeze money out of him- he is responsible for child support. The reason he doesn't feel safe coming to the US is becaue he has no-showed numerous court dates regarding child support so tell the truth Michael. The reason your assets will be frozen and you face jail time is because you ARE a deadbeat- ask ALL of his ex-wives! The letters he wanted to receive from Linda & Bella were letters saying that they would forgive his debts to them and let him go on without having to pay child support to the children he fathered. Bella is my friend and I have seen her struggling to take care of THEIR children because he is in default of child support (10's of thousands!). THEIR daughter Essenz has been hospitalized at San Diego Children's hospital several times struggling with anorexia. Michael did not once come to visit his daughter- who by the way helped design several of his guitars. Their son, Chinua, looks like a mini MS. The kids have had to sell off their guitars and any other memorabilia of their father's wonder years just so they could help their mom pay the rent, have gas for a broken down car, and to eat. They lived in a hotel for MONTHS until they could scrape together a deposit to move into a small apartment. Bella has wonderful photos and crazy memories of the kids and other rockers with Michael but by NO MEANS is she rolling in his dough! If Linda did what you say she did I'd bet it was because Michael was a jack-ass to her too! He may a guitar god but he is a jerk!! I have heard his "exclusive recordings" from the time he holed up in Mexico. There are some great guitar numbers but mostly rants of a drunken, drug induced Schenker screaming "Belllllaaa". If his fans knew the real MS they'd be appalled and he'd be knocked off his throne!!!
ledzepmoon
November 26, 2008 at 5:27pm
I had the rare opportunity to work with Michael and I have the honor of calling Linda my friend. I say it breaks my heart that such a horrible breakup and personal tragedy would be the forefront of a magazine article, especially publishing quotes from a website that are two years old. Instead of just going by what Mr. Schenker says, good journalism investigates all sides of the story, however I do understand that the article is after all, about Michael. But just for the record: Michael, please stop blaming Linda for situations that you got yourself into. It is not fair to her and you know the truth. Shame on you Michael. Shame on you Guitar World.
albertscott
November 26, 2008 at 12:29am
Although I do like Michaels music, I think it is time for him to quit blaming other people for his failures including his wife and Bella Piper.
The reason why he can not perform in the USA is because he doesn't want to pay child support for his kids, and he didn't pay his taxes. He started a business in Arizona using his wifes credit and name then left her with all with all the debt. He seems to blame every one for his own misgivings.
Just play your music and take responsability for what you have done.
DaveO (not verified)
October 06, 2008 at 4:45am
Michael is a survivor, because there is a reason for every action that has occured and allowed him to persevere. And i was blown away at Michaels confession on his use of a Pignose amplifier on the "Light's Out" recording sessions.
For anyone who doesn't know, the Pignose is a small compact amplifier that can run on batteries, and was mostly used for practice & portability. I remember in high school during that time, we used to make fun of Pignose amps advertised in music catalogs because...well...they sucked :-) Kudos for Michael and producer Ron Nevison for pulling that stunt off well. I did notice throughout the years, the guitar sound on Lights Out had an unusual tone to it...My friend Barbara Schenker and sister to Michael: please do not use a Pignose on your new album, borrow Jimmy Crucifix's Marshalls or your bro's...please...lol...Also waiting to see your new Dean too.
Latest News
-
8 hours 59 min ago
-
9 hours 26 min ago
-
9 hours 31 min ago
-
10 hours 40 min ago
-
10 hours 51 min ago
-
11 hours 56 min ago
-
13 hours 4 min ago
Connect with Guitar World
Featured Content
In the Magazine
Most Commented Articles
Guitar World On Twitter
Live Updates
-
Memorial for @Slayer's #JeffHanneman starting soon @thepalladium t.co/nA0CrFKLUI We show our respect w/ this special tribute issue.
-
Video: Jon Donais of @ShadowsFallBand / @Anthrax Demos Rivera Metal Shaman and Double Shaman Pedals t.co/NjkgP3pZPH
-
Video Review: @PaulRiario VS @BUGERA_AMPS TriRec Infinium Guitar Amplifier t.co/H7HkDtNq7c #Tone #Battle
-
RT @rod_ron: Just got the new @GuitarWorld looks like It's going to ne a good one as usual. #BlackSabbath t.co/p9fJr0464h
-
Viral Video: 14-Year-Old Girl Covers @VanHalen's "Eruption" Solo t.co/ONXVbDwzOX Great job Tina!
-
Exclusive Album Premiere: Monster Truck — 'Furiosity' t.co/XhY3IofrXY #NowPlaying
