Worst Gig Ever?
I must admit I was quite excited about this evening's gig. It's been a while – 20 odd years to be precise - since I last saw Michael Schenker Group (M.S.G.), then one of the best bands in the business. Nowadays I am not so sure as Mr Schenker comes with a lot of baggage. But, as is reported in recent years, which Michael Schenker would turn up?
Unfortunately we got the MS who was bladdered, unable even to play a single solo. General riffs were at best, okay. There was little structure to his solos, just playing off memory with no resemblance to the original solo (if you want an audible description, think guitar hero for the PS/Xbox and the plink plink noise you get when you fail to hit the correct note, that's how bad it was). 'Armed and Ready' was played only by Michael, all the others weren't even audible. This was corrected, and I wish it hadn't been. After the second song they were roundly booed and this continued through to the end. Michael kept ambling around the stage, even sitting down twice as a 30 min stint was too long for his endurance. This was a sad vision of a once great guitarist. He had to keep getting unravelled by a roadie as he kept walking in circles around his mike stand and getting his cable caught in his foot pedals.
When I think of 20 years ago there were only a handful of guitarists that could touch him. Even my lad Harry (11) who has only been playing for 18mths could give him a run for his money. The last song, 'Doctor Doctor', which even a hammered Michael Schenker should be able to play, was only below average. I even think that song was picked because it doesn't have a guitar solo! The only positive was that it lasted six songs. Also, whoever the singer was, you're far too good to be playing in this band. I really didn't want Michael to be this poor. A mere shadow of the MSG I saw in the 80s. I wish I wasn't there to witness it!
As I am writing this, I understand the rest of the MSG UK tour has been cancelled and Michael has been admitted to hospital in Germany. There's great pressure from promoters for bands to perform once the venues are booked, people to pay, sold tickets etc. In hindsight someone should have pulled the plug before the fans revolt (just check out the web) when there is obviously a valid reason for a poor performance. I really hope he gets the help he deserves and hopefully see him back on better form in the future. Good luck Michael, I sincerely wish you a speedy recovery.