Michael Schenker Fest – Resurrection Tour: Better than Ever!

Resurrection Tour: Better than Ever!

by Lee Ann Flynn

Like many, I have been a Michael Schenker fan for 40 years, and with that comes memorizing, from my ear to my soul, every note Michael plays, as well as having tremendous expectations of seeing him live! What makes this tour so different, is seeing Michael the happiest I have ever seen him, and how much fun he has with his band: Steve Mann (guitar/keyboard), Chris Glen (bass), Bodo Schopf (drums), and four spectacular singers: Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, Robin McAuley, and Doogie White.

The show began with Michael welcoming everyone and introducing himself: “for the newcomer, I am lead guitarist Michael Schenker, ex-member and jump starter of Scorpions and UFO, as well as founder of Michael Schenker Group, MSG, Michael Schenker Temple of Rock, and Michael Schenker Fest!” Cheers and applause from the crowd responded to his intro, as Michael also shared his heartfelt condolences of both his late drummer, Ted McKenna (3/10/1950 – 1/19/2019), and his former UFO and Michael Schenker Group bandmate, Paul Raymond (11/16/1945 – 4/13/2019).

Before the show, I had imagined Doogie would sing the Michael Schenker Temple of Rock songs, and Robin would sing the MSG songs, while I wasn’t sure who would be singing what I consider Michael’s ‘classics’ from UFO, Scorpions, and Michael Schenker Group. I have no favorite singer in all of this, although I have mad respect for Graham Bonnet, who sounds and looks as fantastic today as he did years ago! What was so perfect about this is how these men blended singing together, sometimes even three or all four would be singing, and it all complimented Michael’s magic on his Flying V’s!

I have no idea what to call the “funky cool green laser projecting eyewear” Chris Glen wore a few times during the show, while I knew I had to try to see how it looks in pictures!

From the latest LP, Michael Schenker Fest – Resurrection, we heard “Night Moves,” “Heart and Soul,” “The Girl With Stars In Her Eyes,” “Take Me to Church,” and my new favorite “Messin’ Around.”

The set ended with the fantastic “Rock Bottom,” as Michael added even more beautiful playing, for what seemed close to twenty minutes, although I must confess time stood still for me while I rocked out with the rest of the Milwaukee crowd! Bodo, who steadily showed his chops all night, had a great drummer solo to conclude ‘Rock Bottom’ and we headed into more UFO for the encore. Three encore songs were perfectly played and known by everyone: ‘Shoot Shoot,’ ‘Natural Thing,’ and ‘Lights Out,’ with a great balance of vocals by Gary, Graham, Robin and Doogie!

As I headed out after the show, I was very aware of how I felt – in complete peaceful ecstasy, with my soul having felt every note Michael played. I wondered if my editor would permit me to make the title of this review “Better than Sex!” because that remains the most accurate description of how magnificent Michael Schenker Fest – Resurrection was for me!