Michael Schenker live at the Concord Music Hall
Concord Music Hall, Chicago, IL USA April 21, 2019
Michael Schenker back at the Concord Music Hall Chicago IL after being here a year ago to a sold-out crowd. Tonight’s crowd was a near sell-out, but definitely a lively bunch of fans ready for an amazing night of music.
The Michael Schenker tour for 2019, players are an eight-man ensemble — Schenker, singers Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, Robin McAuley, and Doogie White, plus guitarist and keyboardist Steve Mann, bassist Chris Glen, and drummer Bodo Schopf.
Schenker stepping up to pay tribute to Schenker Fest drummer Ted McKenna, who passed away on January 9. More unexpectedly, he followed with a second tribute to UFO keyboardist and guitarist Paul Raymond, who died on Saturday, April 13, 2019, just after finishing UFO’s European tour. Michael then started the night of music with the SCORPIONS song “Holiday” which he did his best to sing.
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie” featuring Gary Barden on vocals for who was, of course, the original lead singer of MSG during the early 80s. The show was nothing thing short of excitement with Graham Bonnet, Robin McAuley, and Doggie White also having their moment taking the stage rotating in and out heading songs as
well as all members on stage singing backups.
Graham Bonnett’s turn as the lead started off with “Dancer” and “Screaming For a Reason”, but it wasn’t until “Desert Song” which I totally enjoyed. Graham still has the vocal range and power.
The band now is now going to rock out with Robin McAuley “Bad Boys”, an overwhelming fast-paced “Save Yourself” and the power ballad “Anytime” which featured not only McAuley but Bonnett, Barden, and Doogie White as the backing vocalists. By far my favorite vocalist is Robin McAuley out of all these amazing singers.
The set was filled with a shit ton of songs again just like last year with 31 songs in the set. I feel that that is plenty but for most fans, they wanted to hear more. Michael Schenker was brilliant as always on guitar. Schenker’s unlike any other guitarist out there but I’m grateful to be able to experience his Michael Schenker Fest twice now in two years. Hopefully, he continues to do this for many years to come.
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