Fame of “dangerous” sported by the English band contributed to the decision of German musician, who also denied more amazing invitations
Enter Rolling Stones It is a privilege that few guitarists have had throughout their careers. After the death of Brian Jonesin 1969, Mick Taylor He took the vacancy and stayed until 1974. Ronnie Wood arrived the following year and no longer left, forming a double with the founding member Keith Richards.
However, there was a musician who refused to be part of the legendary band – and said no to several groups. It is about Michael Schenker.
The German artist is remembered for his tickets for Scorpions(Group founded by his brother, also the guitarist Rudolf Schenker) and UFO. Also captained solo projects, such as the Michael Schenker Group.
Such a curriculum could be even more powerful. About the invitation to a test with Stonesthe artist initially told in an interview with Eddie Trunk (via Celebrities rock):
I received a call, I had just joined the UFO (In 1973), it was probably in the same month, a couple of months later, I don’t remember. I didn’t have a phone, I had to go to the owner of my home to answer the phone and there was a request: ‘You would like to make a test for Rolling Stones? ‘. ”
Faced with the surprise, Schenker He said he promised to call later – which he obviously never did. Even so, the brother of Rudolf Schenker He believes he made the right decision, even for an unfounded fear.
Michael said:
Because I turned off, I never had the connection (with the band). I’m happy to haven’t had, because I didn’t want to go that far. Probably today I wouldn’t be alive if I had entered. But maybe that was just in my imagination, what the magazines showed, how crazy these musicians were, it’s not always true. ”
Avoiding the end of another guitarist
The fame of band “dangerous” by Rolling Stones even affected the reaction of Michael Schenker When invited to a test. Magazine Classic Rockthe guitarist remembered the early death of Brian Jonesat 27, when they asked him about the possibility.
No! I had never liked Stones at that time. And that band was dangerous. People died! ”
Michael Schenker’s refusals
One of hard rock’s most influential guitarists, Michael Schenker received more invitations from great artists and bands. However, it was difficult to convince him to accept.
After passing through Scorpions (from 1969 to 1973), from time with the UFO (from 1973 to 1978) and the brief return to the brother’s band (1978-1979), the musician defined that he would do only what he wanted. He wanted total creative freedom and peace without being tempted by fame.
He himself explained:
I make the music I want to do, music I connect with. There is a lot of self -expression in my music. It wouldn’t be good for any of those bands who invited me to get in. Would have been completely a ‘bad trip’. ”
Beyond Stones, Schenker He says he has not accepted an offer from Deep Purple In the 1990s. Before that, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, MOTT THE HOOPLE and Motörhead Supposedly they tried to recruit the musician, all in the late 1970s.
The most famous refusal of Michael Schenker it happened when Randy Rhoads died in a tragic air crash in 1982. German was one of the idols of the young guitarist of the band Ozzy Osbourne.
THE Madmanthen, made the invitation, remembered by Schenker in conversation with Classic Rock (via Guitar.com):
I received a call from Ozzy Osbourne in the middle of the night, stuttering, asking me to help you because Randy Rhoads had died in a plane crash. ”
Michael He admits that he was attracted to the offer. However, it chose to maintain the appointments it had with the Michael Schenker Groupthat recorded the disc Assault Attack (1982) with the vocalist Graham Bonnet (ex-Rainbow).
Not to refuse directly, Schenker adopted a curious strategy:
The only way I managed to think to get out of work with Ozzy It was to make absurd demands, so that’s what I did. In your book (I’m ozzy), Ozzy He said I ordered a private jet. And that’s true, but it was just for him to dismiss me. ”
Ozzy had to finish the 1982 tour with “Interinos” guitarists, as Bernie Tormé and Brad Gillisuntil Jake E. Lee be hired effectively at the end of the year. Already Michael Schenker He continued with his solo projects, relatively not famous, but full of the freedom by which the musician guided his career.
+++ Read more: What is it like to work with the studio Rolling Stones? Darryl Jones explains
Collaborated: André Luiz Fernandes.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
