Michael Schenker has detailed events which led to his final exit from UFO in 2002, saying that “the natural flow of the chemistry was destroyed” by the time the end came. Schenker made his comments while talking to eonmusic about MSG’s Immortal album, which has just been released via Nuclear Blast.

Schenker who’s original tenure with the British rock institution lasted from 1973 - 1978, rejoined UFO in 1993, recording the Walk On Water [1995] album with the classic lineup of the band that also included lead singer Phil Mogg, Pete Way on bass, drummer Andy Parker, and guitarist / keysman Paul Raymond.   

Explaining how the reunion came about, Michael said; “Phil Mogg came to Los Angeles in ‘93, begging me to refuel UFO because he completely had destroyed it." He continued; “I said I have a few conditions; one is, you have to give me 50% of the UFO name so you don’t destroy it again, especially if I put my energy into it."

The one time Scorpions man went on to say that initially, things were great within the camp, and that he noticed a change in the formerly dejected Phil Mogg almost immediately; “I tell you, when I saw Phil the next time when we started recording, he looked like an one hundred and eighty degree different person,” he said; “he was happy, healthy; he was unbelievably fit!”

But it was a harmony that wasn’t to last. “Walk On Water was a blessing after seventeen years. It was such a beautiful record that famously carried on from Strangers In The Night [1979]. And then of course we went on the road, and then Phil lost it, and wanted control again and destroyed everything,” explained the guitarist.

Despite going on to record two further albums with the band - 2000’s Covenant and 2002’s Sharks, Michael said that it was further lineup (the ousting of both Parker and Raymond) which ultimately, destroyed the band.“I always said to him; “never do a reunion with UFO unless it’s the original set up, including the producer. Because if you take one piece out, the chemistry is finished,” he clarified.

Bringin in producer Mike Varney for Sharks in place of Ron Nevinson, the man behind their greatest ‘70s triumphs, for Michael, the end was nigh. “I said to Phil; “don’t do this. It will backfire. It will not succeed”, and it did not,” he remarked, pointedly. “The natural flow of the chemistry was destroyed, and basically, we were just limping towards the end,” he shrugged.

Despite this, Michael made one final gesture of good will towards Mogg; “I’d had enough of UFO at that point, and in 2002, Phil Mogg asked me; “Michael, I need the name UFO back”. I said to Phil; “you know what? God bless you. I’ll give you the name back for free. Enjoy your life." And then, that was it. That was the end of it”.

Read the entire interview at eonmusic.co.uk.

Order the Immortal album here.

Tracklisting:

"Drilled To Kill" (feat Ralf Scheepers)
"Don’t Die On Me Now" (feat Joe Lynn Turner)
"Knight Of The Dead" (feat Ronnie Romero)
"After The Rain" (feat Michael Voss)
"Devil’s Daughter" (feat Ralf Scheepers)
"Sail The Darkness" (Feat Ronnie Romero)
"The Queen Of Thorns And Roses" (feat Michael Voss)
"Come On Over" (feat Ronnie Romero)
"Sangria Morte" (feat Joe Lynn Turner)
"In Search Of Peace Of Mind" (feat Ronnie Romero, Gary Barden,Doogie White, Robin McAuley)

"Sail The Darkness" lyric video:

"After The Rain" (feat. Michael Voss) video:

"Drilled To Kill" lyric video:

(Photo - Stephanie Cabral)