The Michael Schenker Group, often abbreviated to MSG, is a hard rock and heavy metal band founded in 1979 by German guitarist Michael Schenker after his departure from UFO. The band's debut album, The Michael Schenker Group (1980), produced by Roger Glover (Deep Purple), became a hard rock classic. This success was confirmed by MSG (1981), thanks in particular to Gary Barden's voice and solid compositions, which placed the band in the melodic hard rock movement of the time. Greatly appreciated in Japan, the band returned from tour with One Night at Budokan (1982), followed by Assault Attack (1982), featuring the powerful vocals of Graham Bonnet (ex-Rainbow). After Built to Destroy (1983) and Rock Will Never Die in public the following year, the leader disbanded the band in 1986 to devote himself to the McAuley Schenker Group, with singer Robin McAuley at his side, who recorded three studio albums. MSG made a comeback in 1995, releasing Written in the Sand the following year, followed by The Unforgiven (1999). Despite constant changes of musicians throughout its existence, the band has maintained a long tradition of touring and returning to the studio on a regular basis. In 2001, Schenker gave a nod to his former bandmates on Be Aware of Scorpions (2001), followed by Arachnophobiac (2003), the cover album Heavy Hitters (2005), Talese of Rock n Roll (2006) and In the Midst of Beauty (2008). In 2010, the band celebrated their 30th anniversary on stage at Tokyo's Nakano Sun Plaza, where they recorded the concert released on CD and DVD The 30th Anniversary Concert: Live in Tokyo (2010). A further thirteen-year break sees the guitarist form Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock, then Michael Schenker's Fest. His original band returns with Immortal (2021) and Universal (2022). Two solo albums and a tour with UFO follow, before MSG returns for Don't Sell Your Soul (2025), featuring Swedish singer Erik Grönwall (ex-H.E.A.T).
