Concert Report by Greg Adams Michael Schenker Fest at Agora Theatre of Cleveland, OH, U.S.A. March 16, 2018 Added on 03/18/2018
Concert Report by Dave Cackowski Michael Schenker Fest at Agora Theatre of Cleveland, OH, U.S.A. March 16, 2018 Added on 03/20/2018
Another epic show tonite at the Cleveland Agora Theatre with Michael Schenkerfest with all MSG singers, Graham Bonnett, Gary Barden, Robin McCauley and Doogie White, keyboardist-guitarist Steve Mann and the killer rhythm section of Chris Glenn and Ted McKenna, both formerly of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band!
Cry For the Nations, Attack of the Mad Axeman, Armed and Ready, Anytime, Dancer, Scorpions classic instrumental Coast to Coast, killer new songs like Heart and Soul, Messinf Around, Warrior and Take Me to Church and of course UFO including Doctor Doctor, Natural Thing and Lights Out!
Concert Report by Ken Kitt Michael Schenker Fest at Agora Theatre, Cleveland, OH, U.S.A. March 16, 2018 Added on 03/20/2018
Concert Report by Kevin Montavon Michael Schenker Fest at Agora Theatre, Cleveland, OH, U.S.A. March 16, 2018 Added on 03/21/2018
Last night's Michael Schenker Fest in Cleveland was a show for the ages! I have somehow missed out on seeing MSG all these years, and when I heard he was doing this tour I vowed to see it. It was well worth the long wait, and man did he deliver! 30 songs over 2 1/2 hours. That is Pearl Jam length territory there! Michael has apparently discovered the cure for Lead Singer's Disease, as he had not one, but FOUR singer's performing on a rotating and combined basis throughout the night, and there wasn't even the slightest hint of an ego on display. On the contrary, Michael and the gang were the happiest looking group of musicians I have ever seen this side of a smiling Matt Patton in Drive-By Truckers. And it wasn't just 4 jabronis, as all 4 vocalists have achieved "star" status on their own.
First up was Gary Barden, singing a set of early MSG favorites. Highlight here for me was the crowd singalong on "Cry For The Nations".
Next was Graham Bonnett, who to me is every bit the star that Michael himself is. His work with Rainbow, Alcatrazz, and MSG are legendary, and I was extremely geeked to finally see him. The man is 70 years old and his voice rips like a 20 year old. His set featured a great deal of the Assault Attack material he recorded with MSG.
Robin McAuley was next, performing the most commercially successful MSG tunes (the band was even renamed McAuley Schenker Group during his tenure). After Michael and Graham, Robin was the guy I next-most wanted to see. His voice was probably the best of the 4, showing zero sign of strain. He made it look easy.
Doogie White, formerly of Rainbow and Yngwie Malmsteen's band, finished up the main set with several of the Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock songs.
Last song of the main set was UFO's "Rock Bottom", one of my favorite songs ever. All 4 singers took turns on the verses, "tagging off" and "handing the baton" (the mic) to the next guy. I should also mention that thoughout the night, the singers would rotate in and out in various combinations during each others sets as backing vocalists/duet partners.
Throughout it all, the Master of Ceremonies Mr. Schenker kept the rock coming, and looked like he was having the time of his life.
The whole entourage encored with 4 more classic UFO songs to polish off the night. I left spent, in awe, and knowing I had seen something truly special.
