Iconic guitarist Michael Schenker spoke about the time he was asked to audition for The Rolling Stones (see the video below).
Schenker was reportedly approached shortly after he arrived in London to join UFO in 1973.
In the clip, Schenker reveals how he took a call on his landlady’s telephone two months after joining UFO, and was asked if he’d be interested in trying out for the Stones. After speaking to older brother and Scorpions guitarist Rudolf Schenker in Germany, he decided not to return the call.
Schenker explains his reasoning, and reveals that the man who eventually got the Rolling Stones job, former Faces man Ronnie Wood, is actually a big Michael Schenker fan.
Michael Schenker Fest’s new album, Resurrection, will be released on March 2nd. Schenker is joined in the line-up by drummer Ted McKenna, bassist Chris Glen and guitarist Steve Mann. Singers Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, Robin McAuley and Doogie White are also involved in the project. The album can pre-ordered at Amazon.
Michael Schenker Fest recently announced North American tour dates. They are as follows:
03/06/2018 The Fillmore – Silver Springs, MD
03/07/2018 Carnegie Music Hall – Munhall, PA
03/09/2018 Berklee Performance Center – Boston, MA
03/10/2018 Irving Plaza – New York, NY
03/11/2018 Theatre of Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA
03/12/2018 Club Soda – Montreal, QC CANADA
03/14/2018 Royal Oak Music Theatre – Detroit, MI
03/16/2018 Agora Theatre – Cleveland, OH
03/17/2018 Concord Music Hall – Chicago, IL
03/18/2018 Pabst Theater – Milwaukee, WI
03/19/2018 Cabooze – Minneapolis, MN
03/22/2018 Neptune – Theatre Seattle, WA
03/24/2018 Events Center – San Jose, CA
03/25/2018 The Grove – Anaheim, CA
03/26/2018 Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ
03/27/2018 House of Blues – Las Vegas, NV
03/29/2018 Cervantes Ballroom – Denver, CO
03/31/2018 Vibes Event Center – San Antonio, TX
04/01/2018 Bomb Factory – Dallas, TX
04/03/2018 The Ritz – Tampa, FL
additional source: Classic Rock via teamrock.com
4 Responses
Cool story.
Around 1999 or 2000, when Rush’s future was in doubt, Geddy gave an interview to a record collector’s magazine in which he revealed he and Neil jammed with Schenker and discussed his joining them. This would have been in the late 70s before or after Lovedrive, and before or after Schenker auditioned for Aerosmith. Obviously Rush recorded some of their best material during those years, so this is definitely one of the biggest “what ifs” of hard rock history.
Schenker is my favorite rock guitarist , and even if he would have joined the stones , or rush , I don’t know how that would have worked… his amazing soloing style is very melodic , fast and articulate and he is so charismatic , he would have drastically changed their sound and the dynamic of the stones – I don’t think it would have worked – it obviously worked out right for ron wood & the stones lol and for Schenker UFO was the perfect fit – I cant imagine Schenker ever being in rush , now Aerosmith on the other hand would have been interesting …… I just wish Schenker would hire a full time great front man, a younger up and comer instead of these guys from his past who really don’t have the voice anymore, one guy sings this , one guy sings that , it really turns me off to the whole Schenker fest – I know he is friends and most likely very close with all these guys and he trusts and respects them, I just wish he would pick one ! and stick with him –
I cannot imagine Michael S. in the Rolling Stones. No offence to the Stones, by Michael S. is a better musician than ANY of those guys! Can you imagine him trading licks with Keith Richards? Schenker would blow Keith away! I like Schenker’s guitar playing, but he sounds kind of egotistical. When you read his interviews, he’s always saying how all of these guitarists are his biggest fans, and look up to him as an idol. It certainly may be true, but why keep bringing it up? He also always bad mouths his brother in interviews. I just think it’s better to stop bragging about yourself, and bringing up family issues you have with your brother. It makes you look like the bigger person. Just my opinion!
This guy would conduct business on the phone from his bed with women sitting on him….lol….he’s Michael freaking Schenker ….that would make anyone egotistical.