
The rock anthem A King Has Gone, taken from MSG’s new album Universal, and its intro Calling Baal, also available on Universal, both have a special significance: The track, sung by Helloween frontman Michael Kiske, is a tribute to the immortal Ronnie James Dio, in particular to his performance on the 1976 hard rock classic Rainbow Rising. For this reason, Michael Schenker has brought together an original Rainbow rhythm section consisting of Bobby Rondinelli and Bob Daisley.
Michael Schenker additionally enlisted keyboardist Tony Carey, who also played on Rainbow Rising, for the terrific Moog synth intro Calling Ball – a direct reference to the iconic intro of the 1976 album opener Tarot Woman.
The impressive result Calling Baal/A King Has Gone is already considered to be one of the most important and successful songs in Schenker’s career to date, both musically and lyrically, and can be enjoyed in its entirety on MSG’s new studio album Universal!
Universal will be released on May 27th, 2022, via Atomic Fire Records and is available as Digipak CD (incl. 2 bonus tracks), coloured vinyl, Earbook (CD incl. 2 bonus tracks) and digital album, featuring the following tracks:

MSG just kicked off their European leg of the 50th anniversary Universal – World Tour!

MSG EU TOUR 2022
Michael Schenker * Robin McAuley * Steve Mann * Barend Courbois * Bodo Schopf
- 27.04.2022 FI – Helsinki, Vanha Yo-talo
- 29.04.2022 SE – Stockholm, Tyrol
- 30.04.2022 NO – Oslo, Vulkan Arena
- 01.05.2022 DK – Kopenhagen, Amager Bio
- 03.05.2022 NL – Zoetermeer, De Boerderij
- 04.05.2022 GER – Bochum, Zeche
- 05.05.2022 CH – Pratteln, Z7
- 06.05.2022 GER – Speyer, Halle 101
- 07.05.2022 FR – Cleon, La Traverse
- 10.05.2022 ES – Madrid, La Riviera
- 11.05.2022 ES – Barcelona, Razzmatazz 1
- 12.05.2022 ES – Pamplona, Totem
- 14.05.2022 IT – Mailand, Phenomenon
- 15.05.2022 IT – Rom, Largo Venue

MSG US TOUR 2022
Michael Schenker * Ronnie Romero * Steve Mann * Barend Courbois * Bodo Schopf
with ERIC MARTIN, IMAGES OF EDEN
- 09/27/2022 San Juan Capistrano, CA – The Coach House
- 09/28/2022 Roseville, CA – Goldfield Trading Post
- 09/29/2022 San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
- 10/01/2022 Los Angeles, CA – Saban Theater
- 10/02/2022 Las Vegas, NV – Count’s Vamp’d
- 10/04/2022 Denver, CO – Oriental Theater
- 10/07/2022 Des Plaines, IL – Des Plaines Theater
- 10/08/2022 St Charles, IL – Arcada Theater
- 10/09/2022 Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater
- 10/11/2022 Hobart, IN – The Art Theater
- 10/12/2022 Ft Wayne, IN – Piere’s
- 10/14/2022 Columbus, OH – The King Of Clubs
- 10/15/2022 Cleveland, OH – Agora Theater
- 10/16/2022 Detroit, MI – Harpo’s
- 10/17/2022 Pittsburgh, PA – Jergels
- 10/19/2022 New Bedford, MA – The Vault*
- 10/20/2022 Plymouth, NH – Flying Monkey
- 10/21/2022 Beverly, MA – Cabot Theater
- 10/22/2022 New York, NY – Sony Hall
- 10/23/2022 Newton, NJ – Newton Theater
- 10/25/2022 Glenside, PA – Keswick Theater
- 10/26/2022 Leesburg, VA – Tally Ho
- 10/27/2022 Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theater
* No Support
w/ DAMON JOHNSON & THE GET READY, IMAGES OF EDEN
- 10/29/2022 Cincinnati, OH – Bogarts
- 10/30/2022 Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
w/ WASP, ARMORED SAINT
- 11/02/2022 Houston TX – White Oak Music Hall
- 11/03/2022 Corpus Christi TX – Concrete Street Pavillion
- 11/04/2022 San Antonio, TX – Eaton Arena
- 11/05/2022 Dallas, TX – Amplified Live
- 11/06/2022 Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Theater
There are few rock guitarists on this planet who have had such a lasting influence on so many renowned musicians as Michael Schenker. With his outstandingly fluid style, inexhaustible wealth of ideas and instinctive feel for hooks and melodies, Michael Schenker is a living legend who, despite his longstanding and distinguished history, still impresses with his unflagging energy and drive. The blond stringman from Sarstedt (near Hanover) began his international career in the early 1970s with the Scorpions, achieved worldwide fame after joining British rock group U.F.O. and then seamlessly continued his exceptional global success story under his own name, as well as with acts such as Michael Schenker Group (MSG for short), Temple Of Rock and Michael Schenker Fest. Schenker and his career, which has spanned more than fifty years, are absolute exceptions in the otherwise short-lived music industry.
MSG is:
Michael Schenker | Lead Guitar
Ronnie Romero | Vocals
Bodo Schopf | Drums
Steve Mann | Keyboards/Guitars
Barend Courbois | Bass
MSG online:
Atomic Fire Records/Michael Schenker
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