TALKING GUITARS MICHAEL SCHENKER
HARD ROCK LEGEND. HERO TO SLASH, KIRK HAMMETT AND MORE
Interview Jonathan Horsley
Photo Tallee
Bguitar hero Michael Schenker debuted with the Scorpions before joining UFO in 1974, then breaking out on his own with The Michael Schenker Group. He favours a black and white Flying Vand helped popularise cocked-wah guitar tone. His new album is an all-star celebration of his UFO days, featuring Slash, Axl Rose and other heavy friends.
What guitar did you learn on?
It was a guitar that was lying around. It must have been an acoustic. My brother Rudolf [Scorpions guitarist] got a Gibson for his birthday instead of a motorbike. It must have been that one that I secretly played against his will! The first song I played was something to do with San Francisco. It was a hit in those days. [Hums SanFranciscoby The Mamas And The Papas] Yeah! And there was a solo in there, and I learnt that. Iwas nine years old and Iwas very happy.
Was was there amoment when you felt you had arrived as aplayer?
No, it has always been the same for me. Right from the moment when Iwas nine years old and picked up a guitar, Iwas always amazed with what I could discover, and it never stopped. Iam in the same place!