Set-lists for the final three G3 gigs: Alan Walsh has been back from Zurich with Gary Barden and sent me the set-lists for Rome, Torino and Zurick gigs. Let us look forward to his review for these shows.
Rome, June 12 (Fri.)
In Search of Piece of Mind
Assault Attack
Another Piece of Meat
Into the Arena
Let it Roll
Captain Nemo
Written in the Sand
Essence
Lost Horizons
Attack of the Mad Axeman
Torino, June 13 (Sat.)-Monsters of Rock Festival
Assault Attack
Another Piece of Meat
Into the Arena
Lost Horizons
Attack of the Mad Axeman
Armed and Ready
In Torino, MSG were allowed 30 mins playing time, even so, Michael did the G3 jam with Joe and Uli.
Zurich, June 14 (Sun.)
In Search of Piece of Mind
Assault Attack
Another Piece of Meat
Into the Arena
Let it Roll
Captain Nemo
Written in the Sand
Essence
Armed and Ready*
Lost Horizons*
Bijou Pleasurette
Attack of the Mad Axeman*
*Gary and David sang (together) on these songs.
Also, you can find Alan's comments (review of the UK shows and diary) at Dave's page. You must check it out.
[06/13/98 update]
If you have not checked out Dave's detailed review and col pictures of UK leg of the G3 tour, you must visit his page.
[06/10/98 update]
Young Guitar: A July issue of the Young Guitar magazine (a Japanese guitar magazine) includes a report on the aborted 04/24 show at Nakano Sunplaza and an analysis of Michael's equipment for Japan tour. The gig review again contains nothing new for those who have frequently checked out this page. His equipment setting is just as I thought by checking the stage just before the aborted show. However, there is one thing I ashamedly did not know: that is, the black&white Flying V which he brought to the UFO Japan tour as a sub-guitar and is now using as a main guitar during the G3 tour is a new one that he got in Chicago when he went there for the UFO gig (probably August 1995). For his equipment, check out my Miscellaneous stuff page.
[06/09/98 update]
Player: A poster/calendar of Michael and Satch is attached to the July issue of Player magazine (a Japanese guitar magazine). However, it seems there is no article related to Michael Schenker in it.
Burrn!: A July issue of Burrn! magazine (a Japanese hard rock/heavy metal magazine) has two articles on Michael Schenker. One is titled 'UFO Crashed', a report on the aborted 04/24 gig at Nakano Sunplaza, which contains nothing new for those who have frequently checked this page and other sites on the net. And the other is a commentary by Mr. Masa Itoh, one of the most famous hard rock writer/commentator in Japan who also is the author of the great book on Michael Schenker. I will try to summarise his commentary:
Immediately after Michael left the stage of the Nakano Sunplaza on 04/24, he reportedly said over and over gain, 'I can't play'. By synthesizing the comments from various sources close to Michael, I have come to the conclusion that what Michael meant by saying 'I can't play' was probably that he could not remember the chord progressions (or songs themselves). ... When I saw Michael walking at the backstage of the Dublin G3 venue, he looked very fine. It was only three weeks after the accident happened in Japan. When I saw him, I was puzzled as to what to say to him first. I thought that 'thank you for your effort in Japan' would be dangerous, and 'you look great' would cause a problem. Then, suddenly he started saying 'Do you know where the restroom is? I have long been looking for it, but I can't find it'. I am left speechless, and then he went away. ... Michael started drinking alcohol again for the past few years. Long time ago, when he visited Japan with Robin McAuley for promotional activity, he often forgot chord progressions. But, he could soon remember them while playing. ... One thing I can say is that, since he started drinking again, his emotion has become like a roller coaster. ... I am still not sure what 'I can't play' which he said after the aborted Nakano Sunplaza show really means. However, I believe it was his true words and true feeling. He no doubt could not play. I suppose he himself didn't know why he couldn't. One thing I regret is that since he made such an accident happen, next Japan tour would be very unlikely because nobody may invite him to Japan anymore.
[06/08/98 update No.2]
A Lighter Note: For the 06/06 gig at Le Mans, MSG played 'On And On' as an encore. Sounds like Michael was in a pretty good shape in spite of my latest darker note. I will show you the story told to me by Alan Walsh, MSG played 'On and On' in the soundcheck with Gary in Dublin. However, due to time limitation, it has been dropped from the set. Before Gary went on stage for the soundcheck he asked Alan what he wanted to hear. He asked Gary to do 'On and On' because he already knew what the main set list was and it seemed likely that 'On and On' wouldn't be played on the tour. When Gary got on stage, Michael asked him which song he
wanted to do, so Gary replied 'On and On'. Michael said; "But it's not
in the main set". Everybody looked at each other and Michael said "OK",
at which point the band played the song. It at last saw the light at the Le Mans show.
According to Dave's Latest News, the venue for the planned Monsters of Rock festival in Milan has been changed to an indoor venue near Torino.
[06/08/98 update]
Unresting Information: According to Alan Walsh, during the 06/03 gig at Dijon in France, Michael did not return for the jam session. Alan was informed that Michael took exception to someone videoing MSG's set and wouldn't return for the jam session. But he doesn't know much more than this at the moment. It may be that Michael was annoyed about someone videoing MSG's set. However, it could be a recurrence of his previous problem. Micheael completed the MSG set, but he was (apparantly) angry about people 'taking liberties'. I would like to be in a wait-and-see position until I am informed what actually happened and what Michael's state of mind was. In the meantime, let us keep our fingers crossed that everything will be OK with Mikee.
[06/04/98 update]
A G3 tour review for the 05/24 Rotterdam gig by Ries was added. According to him, unlike the other previous gigs, for the acoustic set Michael played on a black acoustic guitar which, for Ries, looked like a Gibson, single-cutaway (which he is not sure about), instead of playing his black&white Flying V. I am wondering what was wrong with his black/white Ovation acoustic guitar. Ries has a cool webpage on Satriani and Vai. Should check this out, too.
[06/01/98 update]
A G3 tour review for the 05/31 Copenhagen gig by Torben Askholm was added. As concern the MSG set, he mentioned that Shane's Drumming was totally over the top.
[05/31/98 update]
As you can see from the photos taken by Alan Walsh at Croydon gig which were posted in Tristan's page, Michael was using his Cry Baby again. I have come to the conclusion that Michael uses Leon's "No.4" V without Cry Baby for the UFO gigs, and uses Black/White V with Cry Baby for MSG tour. Alan Walsh admitted that Michael never uses the cry baby with UFO. But Alan commented that the #4 V is still in pieces and is waiting to be reasembled, thus, Michael has reverted to playing the black and white V and if the #4 V had been intact, Michael would have used it for the MSG (G3) tour. If so, I just wonder why he used his two black and white Flying Vs during the Story Live Tour in Japan last year even though #4V was intact. Please check out what Michael said to Alan about how he regards the music of UFO and MSG.
Dave Wood added some long-awaited photos and comments on the G3 tour. And his U.K. tour diary and gallery are coming very soon. Look forward to them.
[05/29/98 update]
Photos taken by Alan Walsh at Wembly Arena gig on 05/19 were added to Tristan's page.
[05/27/98 update]
A new G3 concert review for the 05/24 Rotterdam show by Mr. Rene Veerman was added. Please check it out! Rene mentioned: "Schenker even smiled and was looking into the crowd from time to time. But, his guitar playing wasn't as good as during the UFO concert I saw in Tilburg last year. That time I was whining about how Schenker didn't look at the crowd. It looks like there is a connection between the two. Having both seen Schenker in concentrated guitar playing frenzy and in relaxed public friendly mode, I think I prefer the concentrated Schenker." Unique analysis!! He also stated that the grand finale (two songs with all three players on stage) was a bit of a let down for a Schenker fan.
[05/26/98 update]
Monsters Of Rock: After seeing the G3 Tour Dates listed in the Music Satellte webpage which specify the venue for the 06/13 Milan gig as 'Monsters Of Rock,' I have been wondering what other bands will be playing on the day. According to Dave, Van Halen, Deep Purple and Dream Theatre may join the festival on the 06/13 Milan and/or the 06/12 Roma shows.
[05/25/98 update]
Photos taken by Alan Walsh at Croydon gig on 05/21 were added to Tristan's page. According to Alan, the one of Gary and Michael was snapped at the exact moment when Gary sings DIE (ie 'a time to live, or DIE!'). At which point Michael bends the neck of his V and looks directly a Gary. A brilliant moment. The photo below (bottom) was taken at the start of 'Lost Horizons' (when Michael pulls on the neck of the V). These photos have both been signed by Michael (at Cardiff on Thursday). You can make out the signature if you look hard enough.
[05/23/98 update]
Alan Walsh has sent me an update of the G3 tour. Check out Tristan's Michael Schenker Story web-site for the
photos of MSG in Dublin taken by Alan. He has photos from every show (including backstage), which may be posted somewhere in the near future. Alan has confirmed that Gary Barden will be doing the whole of the European tour. There is a possibility that the next MSG album will feature Gary on vocals. He said he has to say that Gary has performed brilliantly and this is the reason Michael wants him to do the remaining dates. Alan also gave me his additional input in reaction to Frank's comment on how Michael performed during the finale jam session, which is posted in his concert report page as an addendum. He mentioned that Michael is aware that he has not been prominent in the mix during the jam. This has been a problem since Dublin and Michael is in the process of getting it 'sorted'. However he also admits that Michael is not one for interacting on stage with anybody and he wants his space and he doesn't invade anybody else's.
[05/22/98 update]
MSG has finished their 05/21 G3 last U.K. show at Cardiff with great success and will move on to the continent. According to the Dave's Latest News, it has been officially decided that Gary Barden is joining the continental tour!! As scheduled, Uli will take a break during the G3 Frence tour and be substituted by Patrik Rondat. Also, according to Dave, the Madrid show might be cancelled although it was added to the tour just recently.
G3 Reports Added: I received the G3 gig reviews from Tom Laird (05/15 Glasgow), Wilson Chiu (05/19 Wembly & 05/20 Croydon), and Frank McDonnell (05/14 Dublin addendum). Visit my concert report page! Frank raised a question on Alan's comment that during the finale jam session at Dublin Spot, Michael's guitar was just very low and his play was not bad. Frank mentioned that not only his guitar was very low, but he kept staring at the ground as if this was not his cup of tea where Uli and Satch were very fluent and that Michael may prefer playing stuff he's been associated with in the past. On different days, but Tom also stated the end jam session wasn't up to scratch with terrible sound quality from Michael's playing, and Wilson commented that Michael's playing style may not totally suit that type of jam. However, please note that these three gentlemen all agree that MSG sets were awesome, brilliant, and the best.
[05/20/98 update]
Incredible news!! The 05/19 gig at the Wembly Arena had a guest appearance from Brian May for the jam at the end of the show!!!! Acording to Dave, Schenker, Satriani, Roth and May.... was pretty amazing!! It's the way it should be. Brian on stage with Mikee!!! This is something I have never dreamed of. (Nobody cares, but I have been a huge Queen and Brian fan since early 70's, which was even before I became a disciple of Ritchie, and I am in possession of Brian May Model Guitar, too.) Also, Andy Nye (ex-MSG) visited the backstage of the Wembly show. I feel like crying 'cause I am not allowed to be there.
[05/19/98 update]
There is no gig on Monday the 18th, Alan Walsh and Dave Wood have kindly sent me updates of the G3 tour, respectively.
Information from Alan: Since Alan has been to all the G3 shows so far and he was issued with a laminate 'access all areas' tour pass (I am just jealous), he has got a lot of information. Check out his review.
Information from Dave: Dave has added some new comments on his Latest News page, but he sent me an email too "to make me jealous!" What a nice guy!! According to him, so far he has seen nothing to suggest that anything is going to go wrong and Michael is really playing well. He almost seems a totally different person from the UFO tour. Also, Leon is indeed working for Michael and seems in good spirits. Concerning the opinion that Michael was outshone or outdone by Uli and Satch during the Finale guitar battle in Dublin, he said he cannot comment on that one because he didn't go to Dublin. But there was certainly a problem with the mixing of Michael's guitar which was very low at the Manchester gig, but at Birmingham the mix was a lot better and Michael played really well. There also was problems with Gary's mix at Manchester too, you could hardly hear him, but again was fixed for the next night!
Thank you, Alan and Dave!!!!
[05/16/98 update]
Additional information from Frank, the unplugged set for the Dublin Point gig was unusal, the bass player
and drummer sat on stools playing acoustics while Michael stood beside them playing his black and white flying V which he played all night. Also, apparently, Leon Lawson is working with Michael again. Check out his review.
[05/15/98 update No.3]
You can find a report on G3 show in Dublin 14 May prepared by Mr. Paul McCanny (paul@pmcc.demon.co.uk).
[05/15/98 update No.2]
According to Mr. Frank McDonnell, the G3 tour kicked off in dublin on 04/14 as scheduled and Michael was in good form. There is only one
UFO song in his set; that is 'Let It Roll'. Gary Barden was brilliant and he sang 'Lost Horizens', 'Attack of the Mad Axeman' and 'Armed and Ready'. Probably Michael has changed his mind (refer to my 05/09/98 update). In the finale, Michael was outshone by Uli and Satch, and they played some B.B. King and Jimi Hendrix materials. Frank said he talked to Michael after the show and he said he had not made up his mind
about making another UFO record.
[05/15/98 update]
According to Dave Wood, another G3 date
has been added in Madrid on 16th June, with Roth being replaced by Salvador Dominguez (ex-Tarzen). However, still no news on how the first show in Dublin on 05/14 went. No news is good news, I hope.
[05/14/98 update]
There's a rumor going around that Leon Lawson (Michael Schenker's ex-guitar technician and the owner of the "number 4" white flying V trashed in Tokyo and already "revamped" by Michael) is now working again with him. If it is true, what a generous guy he really is! He is probably one of those who understand Michael the most.
[05/09/98 update]
Gary on the G3 Tour: Alan Walsh has kindly given me the information to correct my 05/08 update. Alan helped me find that the 05/08 update was not the additional information, but actually old one. According to Alan, originally Michael wanted to play all these five songs, but, because MSG are only playing for 1 hour, he's had to omit some of these songs. Thus (as it stands at the moment) Gary will be doing 'Horizons, 'Ready' and 'On and On', though these are subject for change depending on how Michael is feeling. I guess the combined time required for playing these three songs would be less than 25 min.
[05/08/98 update]
G3 Tour Information: Additional information on Gary Barden has been posted in Dave Wood's page. In addition to the three songs ('Lost Horizons', 'On and On' and 'Armed and Ready') indicated in the last update, it seems Gary will be singing on 'Tales of Mystery' and 'Attack of the Mad Axeman' during the G3 tour.
According to the source close to Michael, MSG (minus Gary) are currently rehearsing in the USA. Apparantly, 'things' are going OK. Only time will tell. Gary will rehearse with MSG when they arrive in Dublin on 13th May. Afterwhich, he'll be singing the songs on the day of the gigs in the soundchecks.
Update on the US UFO shows at the Edge: Mr. Kelly Shimokusu has kindly sent me the information on the UFO gigs at the Edge: "I was there on 4/15...the mix was terrible and from my view in the front row, Michael appeared equally dissatisfied. It looked like he was bending down in front of his amp so that he could hear himself during parts of songs! His untimely exit from the stage was just prior to the lead break in Venus...not during. As for the illness or broken finger story...that's crap! His shows the following three nights were all KILLER by report, and I saw him the last night (4/18) there. UFO ripped and the sound mix was well done. Michael never appeared "ill" and his playing did not suffer by any means. I can't see how he could've played the ripping (extended) solo in Rock Bottom, or how he could plan to tour with G3 if his finger was busted". If you want more information on the UFO shows at the Edge, you should check out the website called The Aggressive Edition where the critiques by the webmaster on all of the shows will be posted in the near future.
[05/05/98 update]
Additional information on Gary Barden arrived. At the G3 tour, the songs that Gary is scheduled to sing are;'Lost Horizons', 'On and On' and 'Armed and Ready'. Thus, Gary will be singing for approximately 25 mins. As MSG are scheduled to play for 1hr, it seems Gary will be singing for nearly half the set. Van Landing will be singing for other half on the tour.
[05/04/98 update]
Mr. Alan Walsh kindly sent me the following information. As far as he is aware, the G3 tour is still ongoing
and Gary Barden will be appearing with MSG for the first time in 14yrs. Gary and Alan are flying to Dublin on Wednesday 13th May
for the start of the G3 tour. The first date is Dublin Point on 14th
May. However, prior to this, it is likely that Alan will be meeting up with Michael at some point. MSG starts rehearsals for the G3 tour on 4th May. They are scheduled to rehearse until 11th May, at which point they fly to the UK for the G3 tour. I don't think Gary is the greatest vocalist, but I do believe he is the singer who is most fitted for MSG, and especially he is second to none in singing the great tune "Lost Horizons".
Alan also kindly sent me his message as to why Michael left the stage in Tokyo.
Message to the Michael Schenker fans from Alan:
"Suffice to say that Michael is a much maligned and misunderstood individual. I do not condone cancelling dates, but please ask the fans to understand that what seems irrational behaviour to them, is rational to the person who may be 'struggling' psychologically and emotionally. To leave may seem the only way out at the time".
[05/02/98 update]
According to Dave Wood, Mr. Alan Walsh has gotten the information from a source close to Michael that Michael himself confirmed that his finger is not broken and he will be doing the G3 tour. It is contradictory to what Tim heard from Michael on the phone. However, if it is true, it is good news that Michael would appear on the stage again soon. For your information, Alan Walsh was on the road with Michael Schenker on the "Assault Attack" & "Built To Destroy" tours as Gary Barden's personal assistant.
[04/28/98 update]
Mr. Tim Anderson in the U.S. talked with Michael on 04/27/98. According to Tim, Michael has a broken finger and that is the reason for him not being able to perform. Michael wants to perform at the highest level and with this injury he cannot do that. The G3 tour dates will also be a question mark depending on how it heals. In Japan, we have got the information that Michael has been feverish and that's the reason. Lots of informatin are flying. Also at the Cambridge UFO gig in February, the band played the full set minus the two encores, the reason that was given was that Michael had hurt his hand although apparently some of the roadies were coming up with alternative excuses.
To reflect what I have done, I would like to repeat here what Dave Wood admirably stated: "...all I will say is don't believe everything you hear and don't jump to conclusions because they're likely to be wrong....So if you were at the "Nakano Sunplaza" and are thinking of posting a scathing message somewhere on the Net, please stop and calm down; remember that first and foremost we are FANS and should want to support these guys through thick and thin, whatever's going on. Just think of the pleasure they've given you through 25 years of recordings, it's the least we can do in return".
[04/25/98 update No.2]
According to the source, Michael and UFO have split up.
[04/25/98 update]
Both the 04/25 and 04/26 shows were canceled. I guess that, if Michael cannot justify the reason for the cancellation,
their future shows in such a big hall in Japan would never be promoted
regardless of the band (MSG, UFO or solo).
[04/24/98 update]
The 04/24/98 show at Nakano Sunplaza lasted for only 40 minutes before Schenker left the stage just after he finished playing One More For The Rodeo. Refer to my concert report.
[04/23/98 update]
Set-list of 04/21/98 UFO Show in Osaka is as follows:
1.NATURAL THING
2.MOTHER MARY
3.A SELF MADE MAN
4.ELECTRIC PHASE
5.THIS KIDS
6.OUT IN THE STREET
7.ONE MORE FOR THE RODEO
8.VENUS
9.PUSHED TO THE LIMIT
10.LOVE TO LOVE
11.TOO HOT TO HANDLE
12.ONLY YOU CAN ROCK ME
13.LIGHTS OUT
ENCORE 1
14.DOCTOR DOCTOR
15.ROCK BOTTOM
ENCORE 2
16.SHOOT SHOOT
Set-list of 04/22/98 UFO Show in Nagoya is above minus Shoot Shoot because encore #2 was canceled due to the earthquake which shook the hall just after the encore #1.
[04/21/98 update]
Apparently UFO members have arrived in Japan and performed their first gig in Osaka as scheduled. It is found that he was ill at the 04/15/98 show. I hope he have made full recovery and will show us the greatest performance in Japan.
[04/19/98 update]
The UFO show at the Edge on 04/15/98 only lasted for 45 minutes before Schenker left the stage mid solo during Venus, leaving the rest of the band mistified. However, the 04/16/98 show went ahead as scheduled, and the aborted show has been rescheduled to Saturday 18th April. I hope they will come and play in Japan as scheduled.
[03/10/98 update]
As I wrote yesterday, an additional gig at Nakano Sunplaza (April 26) has been announced officially. Tickets can be booked NOW through the Internet at the UDO Site until March 12 (no English service) and via telephone from March 14.
[03/09/98 update]
An additional gig at Nakano Sunplaza has now become official. It will be announced in a couple of days on Japanese newspaper (Asahi and Yomiuri).
[03/03/98 update] [Information so far]
April 21 (Tue.) IMP Hall in Osaka (all standing) Yen7000
April 22 (Wed.) Club Diamond in Nagoya (all standing) Yen7000
April 23 (Thur.) Club Diamond in Nagoya (Option???)
April 24 (Fri.) Nakano Sunplaza in Tokyo 19:00- Yen7000
April 25 (Sat.) Nakano Sunplaza in Tokyo 17:00- Yen7000
April 26 (Sun.) Nakano Sunplaza in Tokyo 17:00- Yen7000
Tickets for Sunplaza can be booked from February 7 via telephone, and for Club Diamond from February 21.
Tickets for Sunplaza concerts are also available through the Internet at the UDO Site (no English service) from January 30 to February 3 (closed).
UDO Concert Info (in Japanese)
One or two more gigs might be added to the UFO Japan tour. According to UDO, a promoter, nothing has been decided on this matter. However, it is true that the Nakano Sunplaza hall for April 26 has been reserved by UFO. Also, the following site indicates that an additional gig in Nagoya might be probable. Pollstar website
Great News!! UFO will tour in Japan for the first time since 1994!!! The members are Michael Schenker, Paul Raymond, Pete Way, Phil Mogg and Simon Wright (ex-AC/DC-Dio).
Info: UDO (06-341-4506)
Info: CBC (052-241-8118)
Info: UDO (03-3402-5999)
Info: UDO (03-3402-5999) Sold Out!
Info: UDO (03-3402-5999)
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