The first single features Slash & former Skid Row vocalist Erik Grรถnwall’s
The world of rock guitar has always been illuminated by a few virtuosic stars who shine brighter than the rest, and among them, Michael Schenker stands out as a comet blazing across the night sky. His tenure with the British hard rock band UFO during the 1970s remains one of the most celebrated periods in the annals of rock, elevating UFO from underground sensations to rock legends. Now, Schenker is set to celebrate those glory days with his new album My Years with UFO alongside rock’s elite.
Produced by Schenker and Michael Voss, the new album marks the 50th anniversary of Schenker’s era with UFO, from 1972 to 1978. The “German Wunderkind” was asked to join UFO at just 17 years old. Touring the globe as a teenager, Schenker became a driving force behind some of UFO’s most loved tracks, such as “Doctor Doctor,” “Rock Bottom,” and “Only You Can Rock Me.”
The first single off the new album, “Mother Mary,” breathes new life into this classic, bringing together Michael Schenker’s and Slash’s unmatched guitar work with former Skid Row vocalist Erik Grรถnwall’s soaring vocals.
Although Schenker’s era with UFO spanned only six years, his influence as a young songwriter and exceptional guitarist had already left a lasting mark on rock. During these meteoric years, the UFO albums Phenomenon, Force It, No Heavy Petting, Lights Out, Obsession, and the seminal live album Strangers in the Night were recorded, each contributing significantly to the genre. Strangers in the Night stands out as one of the most influential live rock albums ever and is still regarded as a cornerstone in any rock enthusiast’s collection.
In this celebratory album, Schenker presents 11 of UFO’s greatest hits from this magical era with an impressive lineup of guest stars. Joining Schenker on this journey are Derek Sherinian on keys’ Brian Tichy on drums and Barry Sparks on bass.
The stellar roster of guest artists includes Axl Rose, Slash, Kai Hansen, Roger Glover, Joey Tempest, Biff Byford, Jeff Scott Soto, John Norum, Dee Snider, Joel Hoekstra, Joe Lynn Turner, Carmine Appice, Adrian Vandenberg, Michael Voss, Stephen Pearcy, and Erik Grรถnwall.
This album introduces an upcoming trilogy, as Michael Schenker has signed an exclusive three-album deal with earMUSIC, with additional albums to follow in 2025 and 2026.
The release of “Mother Mary” sets the stage for what promises to be one of the most exciting rock albums of 2024.
My Years with UFO will be released globally on CD, LP and digitally on September 20th via earMUSIC.
- Natural Thing featuring Dee Snider + Joel Hoekstra
- Only You Can Rock Me featuring Joey Tempest + Roger Glover
- Doctor Doctor featuring Joe Lynn Turner + Carmine Appice
- Mother Mary featuring Slash + Erik Grรถnwall
- This Kids featuring Biff Byford
- Love to Love featuring Axl Rose
- Lights Out featuring Jeff Scott Soto + John Norum
- Rock Bottom featuring Kai Hansen
- Too Hot Too Handle featuring Joe Lynn Turner, Adrian Vandenberg, + Carmen Appice
- Let It Roll featuring Michael Voss
- Shoot Shoot featuring Stephen Pearcy
