Michael Schenker (born 10 January 1955 in Sarstedt, Germany) is a guitarist who shaped the sound of hard rock and heavy metal through his work with UFO in the 1970s and his own Michael Schenker Group (MSG), founded in 1979. His signature half-black, half-white Gibson Flying V and a tone built around a cocked wah pedal became instantly recognisable, influencing players from Kirk Hammett to Slash. Guitar World placed him among the 100 greatest heavy metal guitarists, and he received the Metal Hammer Golden God Icon Award in 2014.
MSG announced a European tour running from June to November 2026 in support of the album 'Don't Sell Your Soul'.
MSG released the new studio album 'Don't Sell Your Soul' on 3 October 2025 via earMUSIC, the second part of a planned trilogy.
At Wacken Open Air on 31 July 2025, Schenker announced 'Don't Sell Your Soul' live on stage and was joined by Slash as a surprise guest for the UFO classic 'Mother Mary'.
Former Skid Row frontman Erik Grönwall joined MSG as lead vocalist in April 2025, replacing Robin McAuley.
Schenker released 'My Years with UFO' on 20 September 2024, a re-recording of classic UFO songs featuring guests including Axl Rose, Slash, and Biff Byford.
