Following on from the release of their successful debut album, “Resurrection”, Michael Schenker Fest are currently recording their second album, co-produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss (Casanova), which is tentatively scheduled to be released in August 2019.
The news is bittersweet however, as the band have been mourning the passing of beloved MSF drummer Ted Mckenna.
Michael Schenker comments: “We are totally heartbroken to hear about Ted McKenna - our amazing drummer and dearest friend - passing away. It’s a massive shock and a huge loss to lose Ted so suddenly. He always had a smile on his face and was one of the most sincerely genuine people you could ever have the pleasure of meeting. One of the great rock drummers, he always played from the heart and his heart was music. Rest in peace Ted, we will miss you!”...
Today, the band announced they will be welcoming back Simon Philipps and Bodo Schopf - who each played drums in MSG - to the Michael Schenker Fest line-up. Simon who played on the MSG debut album will return as the main drummer on the upcoming second album. Due to his schedule, he is unable to be the live drummer for the upcoming US tour however, so this role will be completed by Bodo Schopf, who played on “Perfect Timing” and “Save Yourself”. With the sudden passing of Ted Mckenna, Bodo will be featured on the upcoming record but in a smaller role, as he had the important job of preparing for the US tour.
Michael Schenker states: “We are very grateful to Bodo for being a team player and working out with Simon what needs to be done in order for us to continue as smoothly as possible, and also to Simon for helping us to make it all possible. Bodo is the perfect choice to continue as the permanent drummer for Michael Schenker Fest. It is a perfect balance between the musicians from the past. It includes everything as a family to continue Michael Schenker Fest”.
Bodo comments: “I am very sorry that Ted had to leave us under these tragic circumstances and I’m proud to rock for him and all the Michael Schenker fans. RIP Ted”.
The Michael Schenker Fest family is going to tour North America, See all dates below.
North American Tour Dates 2019:
15.04. USA West Hollywood, CA - Whisky a Go Go
16.04. USA West Hollywood, CA - Whisky a Go Go
17.04. USA West Hollywood, CA - Whisky a Go Go
19.04. USA San Francisco, CA - Palace of Fine Arts
20.04. USA Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades
21.04. USA Portland, OR - Revolution Hall
22.04. CDN Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre
24.04. CDN Calgary, AB - The Palace Theatre
27.04. USA Englewood, CO - Gothic Theatre
28.04. USA Kansas City, MO - The Truman
30.04. USA Louisville, KY - The Bourbon Hall
02.05. USA Kalamazoo, MI - State Theatre
03.05. USA Milwaukee, WI - The Pabst Theater
04.05. USA Chicago, IL - Concord Music Hall
05.05. USA Ft. Wayne, IN - Piere’s Entertainment Center
07.05. CDN Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall
09.05. USA Albany, NY - The Egg
10.05. USA Worcester, MA - Palladium
11.05. USA New York, NY - Irving Plaza
12.05. USA Westbury, NY - The Space at Westbury
14.05. USA Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live!
15.05. USA Richmond, VA - The National
16.05. USA Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
18.05. USA Austin, TX - Empire Garage
Weblinks:
www.michaelschenkerhimself.com
www.facebook.com/michaelschenkerrocks
The news is bittersweet however, as the band have been mourning the passing of beloved MSF drummer Ted Mckenna.
Michael Schenker comments: “We are totally heartbroken to hear about Ted McKenna - our amazing drummer and dearest friend - passing away. It’s a massive shock and a huge loss to lose Ted so suddenly. He always had a smile on his face and was one of the most sincerely genuine people you could ever have the pleasure of meeting. One of the great rock drummers, he always played from the heart and his heart was music. Rest in peace Ted, we will miss you!”...
Today, the band announced they will be welcoming back Simon Philipps and Bodo Schopf - who each played drums in MSG - to the Michael Schenker Fest line-up. Simon who played on the MSG debut album will return as the main drummer on the upcoming second album. Due to his schedule, he is unable to be the live drummer for the upcoming US tour however, so this role will be completed by Bodo Schopf, who played on “Perfect Timing” and “Save Yourself”. With the sudden passing of Ted Mckenna, Bodo will be featured on the upcoming record but in a smaller role, as he had the important job of preparing for the US tour.
Michael Schenker states: “We are very grateful to Bodo for being a team player and working out with Simon what needs to be done in order for us to continue as smoothly as possible, and also to Simon for helping us to make it all possible. Bodo is the perfect choice to continue as the permanent drummer for Michael Schenker Fest. It is a perfect balance between the musicians from the past. It includes everything as a family to continue Michael Schenker Fest”.
Bodo comments: “I am very sorry that Ted had to leave us under these tragic circumstances and I’m proud to rock for him and all the Michael Schenker fans. RIP Ted”.
The Michael Schenker Fest family is going to tour North America, See all dates below.
North American Tour Dates 2019:
15.04. USA West Hollywood, CA - Whisky a Go Go
16.04. USA West Hollywood, CA - Whisky a Go Go
17.04. USA West Hollywood, CA - Whisky a Go Go
19.04. USA San Francisco, CA - Palace of Fine Arts
20.04. USA Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades
21.04. USA Portland, OR - Revolution Hall
22.04. CDN Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre
24.04. CDN Calgary, AB - The Palace Theatre
27.04. USA Englewood, CO - Gothic Theatre
28.04. USA Kansas City, MO - The Truman
30.04. USA Louisville, KY - The Bourbon Hall
02.05. USA Kalamazoo, MI - State Theatre
03.05. USA Milwaukee, WI - The Pabst Theater
04.05. USA Chicago, IL - Concord Music Hall
05.05. USA Ft. Wayne, IN - Piere’s Entertainment Center
07.05. CDN Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall
09.05. USA Albany, NY - The Egg
10.05. USA Worcester, MA - Palladium
11.05. USA New York, NY - Irving Plaza
12.05. USA Westbury, NY - The Space at Westbury
14.05. USA Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live!
15.05. USA Richmond, VA - The National
16.05. USA Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
18.05. USA Austin, TX - Empire Garage
Weblinks:
www.michaelschenkerhimself.com
www.facebook.com/michaelschenkerrocks