Shaun Ponsonby
07-30-2007, 08:38 AM
The Manchester Apollo is a special venue for me. It's the place I came to to see my first real gig. This is the place I've seen the majority of the people I grew up with. I've seen some truly great people here. I've seen Motorhead here a number of times. I saw David Lee Roth here. Judas Priest. I felt a chill down my spine when Riders on the Storm opened with "Roadhouse Blues" here. I spent 2 great days/nights here and around the area for a 2-nighter with Velvet Revolver and Motley Crue last month. I like the size of the venue. I like the acoustics of the venue. And I like the acts I've seen at the venue. All of them have been great.
All except one. Somebody I've had tickets for a number of times, but either he's cancelled or I've had to. Somebody I've grown up admiring. Michael Schenker. He received a warm welcome when he entered the stage. There was some ridicule when the singer's mic wasn't plugged in for the first song (I have no idea what that was, BTW). When they finally got it working, he was talking about the new MSG album. As he was saying it, the mic was fixed and there was a huge round of applause. Schenker thought it was for his new album and got a stupid, arrogant grin on his face.
They proceeded. Playing some UFO classics (Lights Out, Too Hot To Handle and Doctor Doctor) as well as another MSG song (Armed and Ready). He could barely put two notes together. He was clearly drunk, but it seemed as if he was doing it on purpose. "Lights Out" was so bad that his other guitar player was giving him the worst looks imaginable, as if he'd gone into his house on Christmas Day and shat on his kids. He completely messed up the riff to "Too Hot To Handle", and all of his solos sounded like a drunk uncle who had never played a guitar before had grabbed a member of the wedding band's guitar and started playing it, thinking he sounded like EVH did on Van Halen I. I could have played better than him. And I don't even play guitar.
Eventually, he was booed off. And I couldn't have felt more sorry for the band, who gave a good performance. The singer doesn't really suit the material, but he isn't exactly unlistenable. He just doesn't suit the material. It wasn't the band's fault. If they had any sense, they would dump this washed up, finished, low life German drunk and do something on their own. I have NEVER wanted somebody I like to get off stage so much in my life. I was ashamed to call myself a fan. I even saw somebody wearing an MSG T-shirt take it off and throw it to one side. Anybody who is disappointed about Schenker continually cancelling American tours...don't be. Be thankful. All you're missing is pure disappointment. I am glad he is not in UFO anymore. When I saw UFO last year, they were excellent. They played brilliantly. Schenker is officially finished.
MSG setlist
?
?
Lights Out
Too Hot To Handle
Armed and Ready
Doctor Doctor
(booed off)
Thank God for the Scorpions. Why can't Michael Schenker be more like his brother? The Scorpions are always reliable. They show up on time, they always play well, they give you value for money (tonight's set was around 130 mins long) and they appreciate their audience. People seemed to appreciate them a little more tonight. Matthais' first solo of the night got a round of applause, such was the absolute horror of Michael Schenker. They were loud, but the sound was crystal clear (although, admittedly, it did get a tiny bit messy during "Dynamite").
I just can't fault them. The crowd went for everything. Even the new tracks from "Humanity-Hour 1" and 2004's "Unbreakable" went down like old favourites. Klaus even looked a bit overwhelmed after "Bad Boys Running Wild", and the instrumental sections of "The Zoo" were sung by the audience.
But, of course, the great thing about this gig was having Uli Jon Roth on stage with the band once again. He still looks like a white Jimi Hendrix. He's dressed the same way (he looks wonderfully like 1967), his teeth even look like Hendrix's. And he played majestically. He broke a string during "Fly To The Rainbow", but to hear it you wouldn't know it. It made me wish HE had opened the show with his solo band. I would much rather have heard something from "Electric Sun" than buthered versions of great UFO songs.
Finally, a question...how can Rudolph still have that much energy? He was windmilling faster than Pete Townshend ever did. He was never still. he was banging the guitar into himself during "Big City Nights". Brilliant. It was as if he was using the stage as his own personal launch pad.
The only way the Scorpions set could have been improved is if they played "Loving You Sunday Morning". Also, it would have been nice if Herman was there as well, but apparently he's getting ready to promote a solo album (although, I don't know where he thinks he'll get better promotion than on a Scorpions tour).
Scorpions Setlist
Intro
Hour 1
Bad Boys Running Wild
Love Em or Leave Em
The Zoo
Coast To Coast
Deep and Dark
Holiday (MS runs onstage expecting a cheer but is greeted by silence, so leaves. Rudi with Flying V acoustic)
Humanity
Pictured Life*
Speedy's Coming*
Dark Lady*
We'll Burn The Sky*
Fly To the Rainbow*
Tease Me Please Me
321
Bass/Drum Jam
Drum Solo
Blackout
Big City Nights
Dynamite
-------------------
Wind of Change
Still Loving You
In Trance*
Rock You Like A Hurricane
*Featuring Uli Jon Roth
VIDEOS
This isn't from last night. It's from the night before at the Rock and Blues Custom Show...a rock/biker festival in derbyshire that the Scorpions and MSG were also playing. Just to give you and idea of how bad Michael Schenker was.
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_vmo_ePVGGI"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_vmo_ePVGGI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
SCORPIONS
Intro
<a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=14463094">Scorpions intro</a><br><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" flashvars="m=14463094&v=2&type=video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="430" height="346"></embed><br><a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=14463094&title=Scorpions intro">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home"> More Videos</a>
Holiday
<a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=14463503">Scorpions-Holiday</a><br><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" flashvars="m=14463503&v=2&type=video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="430" height="346"></embed><br><a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=14463503&title=Scorpions-Holiday">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home"> More Videos</a>
Uli Comes onstage
<a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=14466772">Scorpions-Uli comes onstage</a><br><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" flashvars="m=14466772&v=2&type=video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="430" height="346"></embed><br><a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=14466772&title=Scorpions-Uli comes onstage">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home"> More Videos</a>
We'll Burn The Sky (w/Uli)
<a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=14463825">Scorpions/Uli Jon Roth-We'll Burn The Sky</a><br><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" flashvars="m=14463825&v=2&type=video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="430" height="346"></embed><br><a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=14463825&title=Scorpions/Uli Jon Roth-We'll Burn The Sky">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home"> More Videos</a>
Big City Nights
<a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=14464754">Scorpions-Big City Nights</a><br><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" flashvars="m=14464754&v=2&type=video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="430" height="346"></embed><br><a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=14464754&title=Scorpions-Big City Nights">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home"> More Videos</a>
In Trance (w/Uli)
<a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=14464994">Scorpions/Uli Jon Roth-In Trance</a><br><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" flashvars="m=14464994&v=2&type=video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="430" height="346"></embed><br><a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=14464994&title=Scorpions/Uli Jon Roth-In Trance">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home"> More Videos</a>
End of show (Rudolph still ridiculously high on energy)
<a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=14466572">Scorpions-How Can Rudolph Schenker Have So Much Energy?</a><br><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" flashvars="m=14466572&v=2&type=video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="430" height="346"></embed><br><a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=14466572&title=Scorpions-How Can Rudolph Schenker Have So Much Energy?">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home"> More Videos</a>
PICTURES (some are mine some aren't)
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/Captainswing_2006/scorps.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/Captainswing_2006/SCORPS4.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/Captainswing_2006/SCORPSKLAUS.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/Captainswing_2006/Uli.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/Captainswing_2006/SCORPS3.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/Captainswing_2006/scorps2.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/Captainswing_2006/SCORPULI.jpg
All except one. Somebody I've had tickets for a number of times, but either he's cancelled or I've had to. Somebody I've grown up admiring. Michael Schenker. He received a warm welcome when he entered the stage. There was some ridicule when the singer's mic wasn't plugged in for the first song (I have no idea what that was, BTW). When they finally got it working, he was talking about the new MSG album. As he was saying it, the mic was fixed and there was a huge round of applause. Schenker thought it was for his new album and got a stupid, arrogant grin on his face.
They proceeded. Playing some UFO classics (Lights Out, Too Hot To Handle and Doctor Doctor) as well as another MSG song (Armed and Ready). He could barely put two notes together. He was clearly drunk, but it seemed as if he was doing it on purpose. "Lights Out" was so bad that his other guitar player was giving him the worst looks imaginable, as if he'd gone into his house on Christmas Day and shat on his kids. He completely messed up the riff to "Too Hot To Handle", and all of his solos sounded like a drunk uncle who had never played a guitar before had grabbed a member of the wedding band's guitar and started playing it, thinking he sounded like EVH did on Van Halen I. I could have played better than him. And I don't even play guitar.
Eventually, he was booed off. And I couldn't have felt more sorry for the band, who gave a good performance. The singer doesn't really suit the material, but he isn't exactly unlistenable. He just doesn't suit the material. It wasn't the band's fault. If they had any sense, they would dump this washed up, finished, low life German drunk and do something on their own. I have NEVER wanted somebody I like to get off stage so much in my life. I was ashamed to call myself a fan. I even saw somebody wearing an MSG T-shirt take it off and throw it to one side. Anybody who is disappointed about Schenker continually cancelling American tours...don't be. Be thankful. All you're missing is pure disappointment. I am glad he is not in UFO anymore. When I saw UFO last year, they were excellent. They played brilliantly. Schenker is officially finished.
MSG setlist
?
?
Lights Out
Too Hot To Handle
Armed and Ready
Doctor Doctor
(booed off)
Thank God for the Scorpions. Why can't Michael Schenker be more like his brother? The Scorpions are always reliable. They show up on time, they always play well, they give you value for money (tonight's set was around 130 mins long) and they appreciate their audience. People seemed to appreciate them a little more tonight. Matthais' first solo of the night got a round of applause, such was the absolute horror of Michael Schenker. They were loud, but the sound was crystal clear (although, admittedly, it did get a tiny bit messy during "Dynamite").
I just can't fault them. The crowd went for everything. Even the new tracks from "Humanity-Hour 1" and 2004's "Unbreakable" went down like old favourites. Klaus even looked a bit overwhelmed after "Bad Boys Running Wild", and the instrumental sections of "The Zoo" were sung by the audience.
But, of course, the great thing about this gig was having Uli Jon Roth on stage with the band once again. He still looks like a white Jimi Hendrix. He's dressed the same way (he looks wonderfully like 1967), his teeth even look like Hendrix's. And he played majestically. He broke a string during "Fly To The Rainbow", but to hear it you wouldn't know it. It made me wish HE had opened the show with his solo band. I would much rather have heard something from "Electric Sun" than buthered versions of great UFO songs.
Finally, a question...how can Rudolph still have that much energy? He was windmilling faster than Pete Townshend ever did. He was never still. he was banging the guitar into himself during "Big City Nights". Brilliant. It was as if he was using the stage as his own personal launch pad.
The only way the Scorpions set could have been improved is if they played "Loving You Sunday Morning". Also, it would have been nice if Herman was there as well, but apparently he's getting ready to promote a solo album (although, I don't know where he thinks he'll get better promotion than on a Scorpions tour).
Scorpions Setlist
Intro
Hour 1
Bad Boys Running Wild
Love Em or Leave Em
The Zoo
Coast To Coast
Deep and Dark
Holiday (MS runs onstage expecting a cheer but is greeted by silence, so leaves. Rudi with Flying V acoustic)
Humanity
Pictured Life*
Speedy's Coming*
Dark Lady*
We'll Burn The Sky*
Fly To the Rainbow*
Tease Me Please Me
321
Bass/Drum Jam
Drum Solo
Blackout
Big City Nights
Dynamite
-------------------
Wind of Change
Still Loving You
In Trance*
Rock You Like A Hurricane
*Featuring Uli Jon Roth
VIDEOS
This isn't from last night. It's from the night before at the Rock and Blues Custom Show...a rock/biker festival in derbyshire that the Scorpions and MSG were also playing. Just to give you and idea of how bad Michael Schenker was.
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_vmo_ePVGGI"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_vmo_ePVGGI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
SCORPIONS
Intro
<a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=14463094">Scorpions intro</a><br><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" flashvars="m=14463094&v=2&type=video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="430" height="346"></embed><br><a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=14463094&title=Scorpions intro">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home"> More Videos</a>
Holiday
<a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=14463503">Scorpions-Holiday</a><br><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" flashvars="m=14463503&v=2&type=video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="430" height="346"></embed><br><a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=14463503&title=Scorpions-Holiday">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home"> More Videos</a>
Uli Comes onstage
<a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=14466772">Scorpions-Uli comes onstage</a><br><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" flashvars="m=14466772&v=2&type=video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="430" height="346"></embed><br><a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=14466772&title=Scorpions-Uli comes onstage">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home"> More Videos</a>
We'll Burn The Sky (w/Uli)
<a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=14463825">Scorpions/Uli Jon Roth-We'll Burn The Sky</a><br><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" flashvars="m=14463825&v=2&type=video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="430" height="346"></embed><br><a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=14463825&title=Scorpions/Uli Jon Roth-We'll Burn The Sky">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home"> More Videos</a>
Big City Nights
<a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=14464754">Scorpions-Big City Nights</a><br><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" flashvars="m=14464754&v=2&type=video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="430" height="346"></embed><br><a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=14464754&title=Scorpions-Big City Nights">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home"> More Videos</a>
In Trance (w/Uli)
<a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=14464994">Scorpions/Uli Jon Roth-In Trance</a><br><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" flashvars="m=14464994&v=2&type=video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="430" height="346"></embed><br><a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=14464994&title=Scorpions/Uli Jon Roth-In Trance">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home"> More Videos</a>
End of show (Rudolph still ridiculously high on energy)
<a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=14466572">Scorpions-How Can Rudolph Schenker Have So Much Energy?</a><br><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" flashvars="m=14466572&v=2&type=video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="430" height="346"></embed><br><a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=14466572&title=Scorpions-How Can Rudolph Schenker Have So Much Energy?">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home"> More Videos</a>
PICTURES (some are mine some aren't)
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/Captainswing_2006/scorps.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/Captainswing_2006/SCORPS4.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/Captainswing_2006/SCORPSKLAUS.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/Captainswing_2006/Uli.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/Captainswing_2006/SCORPS3.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/Captainswing_2006/scorps2.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/Captainswing_2006/SCORPULI.jpg