MICHAEL SCHENKER RECRUITS DEREK SHERINIAN TO TOUR JAPAN

Michael Schenker has invited keyboardist Derek Sherinian to tour Japan with him in January, including a show at the legendary Budokan.

In 2021, Michael Schenker invited Sherinian to guest on his album "Immortal" album on the opening song "Drilled To Kill". Schenker said of Sherinian, "Derek and myself trading solos, it sounds unexpected and beyond my expectation." "Absolutely fantastic!" In 2022, Schenker returned the favor by guesting on Sherinian's Vortex album on the song "Die Kobra". In 2024, Sherinian appeared on Schenker's My Years With UFO album.

Sherinian was also recently named “Best Keyboardist” in Japan’s BURRN! Magazine 2022 Readers Poll (an award he also received previously, in 2020). Derek was also voted “Greatest Keyboardist of the 21st Century” and  #8 “Greatest of All Time” by MusicRadar.com, and also was ranked #9 “Greatest of All Time” in PROG Magazine.  

Sherinian has distinguished himself by his versatility, and aggressive "guitaristic" approach to his signature keyboard style. MusicRadar.com declared, "His virtuoso playing has seen him dubbed the keyboard-playing version of Eddie Van Halen." David Coverdale claims that “Derek plays the Hammond organ like the son of Jon Lord.”

Starting his pro career with Alice Cooper in 1989 on the “Trashes the World” world tour, Sherinian proceeded to tour and record with KISS, Dream Theater, Yngwie Malmsteen, Billy Idol  and Whitesnake. He has also released nine solo albums, and was the co-founder of Planet X,  Sons of Apollo, and supergroup Black Country Communion (also featuring Joe Bonamassa, Glenn Hughes, and Jason Bonham).

Michael Schenker Shares New Single "Only You Can Rock Me"

Following the success of his first two singles "Mother Mary" featuring Slash and Erik Grönwall, and "Rock Bottom" featuring Kai Hansen, legendary guitarist Michael Schenker is set to release the third single "Only You Can Rock Me" from his highly anticipated new album My Years with UFO.

This new single once again showcases an incredible lineup featuring Joey Tempest (Europe) on vocals, Roger Glover (Deep Purple) on bass, Derek Sherinian on keys, and Brian Tichy on drums. As we approach the album's release, the anticipation builds for what's set to be one of 2024's most exciting rock records!

Schenker's new album My Years with UFO is a tribute to the golden years that saw British hard rock band UFO rise from an underground phenomenon to rock legends.

Produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss, the new album marks the 50th anniversary of Schenker's era with UFO, spanning from 1972 to 1978. The "German Wunderkind" was asked to join UFO at just 17 years old. In the following years, Michael Schenker secured his place as one of rock’s most influential creators by composing UFO’s most beloved tracks, including "Doctor Doctor," "Rock Bottom," "Lights Out," "Love to Love" and many more.

Although Michael Schenker's era with UFO spanned only six years, his influence as a young songwriter and exceptional guitarist had already left a lasting mark on rock. During these meteoric years, the UFO albums Phenomenon, Force It, No Heavy Petting, Lights Out, Obsession, and the seminal live album Strangers in the Night were recorded, each contributing significantly to the genre. Strangers in the Night particularly stands out as one of the most influential live rock albums of all time and is still regarded as a cornerstone in any rock enthusiast's collection.

In this celebratory album, Michael Schenker presents 11 of UFO's greatest hits from this magical era with an impressive lineup of guest stars. Joining Schenker on this journey are Derek Sherinian on keys; Brian Tichy on drums; and Barry Sparks on bass. 

The stellar roster of guest artists includes Axl Rose, Slash, Kai Hansen, Roger Glover, Joey Tempest, Biff Byford, Jeff Scott Soto, John Norum, Dee Snider, Joel Hoekstra, Joe Lynn Turner, Carmine Appice, Adrian Vandenberg, Michael Voss, Stephen Pearcy, and Erik Grönwall.

This album is the introduction to an upcoming trilogy, as Michael Schenker has signed an exclusive three-album deal with earMUSIC, with additional albums to follow in 2025 and 2026.

My Years with UFO will be released worldwide on September 20 via earMUSIC and is available for pre-order here.

Michael Schenker Shares New Single "Rock Bottom" Feat. Kai Hansen

SONG IS TAKEN FROM UPCOMING ALBUM MY YEARS WITH UFO

Following the success of his first single "Mother Mary," featuring Slash and Erik Grönwall, legendary guitarist Michael Schenker is set to release the second single "Rock Bottom" from his new album My Years with UFO.

This epic, 11-minute track once again showcases an incredible lineup featuring Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray, Helloween) on vocals; Derek Sherinian on keys; Brian Tichy on drums; and Barry Sparks on bass. The new single paves the way for what promises to be one of the most exciting rock albums of 2024.

Schenker's new album My Years with UFO is a tribute to the golden years that saw British hard rock band UFO rise from an underground phenomenon to rock legends.

Produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss, the new album marks the 50th anniversary of Schenker's era with UFO, spanning from 1972 to 1978. The "German Wunderkind" was asked to join UFO at just 17 years old. Touring the globe as a teenager, Schenker became a driving force behind some of UFO's most loved tracks, such as "Doctor Doctor," "Rock Bottom," and "Only You Can Rock Me."

LISTEN TO "ROCK BOTTOM" FEAT. KAI HANSEN

Although Michael Schenker's era with UFO spanned only six years, his influence as a young songwriter and exceptional guitarist had already left a lasting mark on rock. During these meteoric years, the UFO albums Phenomenon, Force It, No Heavy Petting, Lights Out, Obsession, and the seminal live album Strangers in the Night were recorded, each contributing significantly to the genre. Strangers in the Night particularly stands out as one of the most influential live rock albums of all time and is still regarded as a cornerstone in any rock enthusiast's collection.

In this celebratory album, Michael Schenker presents 11 of UFO's greatest hits from this magical era with an impressive lineup of guest stars. Joining Schenker on this journey are Derek Sherinian on keys; Brian Tichy on drums; and Barry Sparks on bass. 

The stellar roster of guest artists includes Axl Rose, Slash, Kai Hansen, Roger Glover, Joey Tempest, Biff Byford, Jeff Scott Soto, John Norum, Dee Snider, Joel Hoekstra, Joe Lynn Turner, Carmine Appice, Adrian Vandenberg, Michael Voss, Stephen Pearcy, and Erik Grönwall.

This album is the introduction to an upcoming trilogy, as Michael Schenker has signed an exclusive three-album deal with earMUSIC, with additional albums to follow in 2025 and 2026.

My Years with UFO will be released worldwide on September 20 via earMUSIC and is available for pre-order here.

Michael Schenker Announces New Album "My Years With UFO" + Shares Single "Mother Mary" Featuring Slash + Erik Grönwall — LISTEN

MICHAEL SCHENKER TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM  MY YEARS WITH UFO CELEBRATING 50TH ANNIVERSARY ALONGSIDE TODAY'S ROCK ELITE

DROPS FIRST SINGLE "MOTHER MARY" FEATURING SLASH + ERIK GRÖNWALL

The world of rock guitar has always been illuminated by a few virtuosic stars who shine brighter than the rest, and among them, Michael Schenker stands out as a comet blazing across the night sky. 

His tenure with the British hard rock band UFO during the 1970s remains one of the most celebrated periods in the annals of rock, elevating UFO from underground sensations to rock legends. 

Now, in 2024, Michael Schenker is set to celebrate those glory days with his new album My Years with UFO alongside today's rock elite.

Produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss, the new album marks the 50th anniversary of Schenker's era with UFO, spanning from 1972 to 1978. The "German Wunderkind" was asked to join UFO at just 17 years old. Touring the globe as a teenager, Schenker became a driving force behind some of UFO's most loved tracks, such as "Doctor Doctor," "Rock Bottom," and "Only You Can Rock Me."

The first single off the new album, "Mother Mary," breathes new life into this classic, bringing together Michael Schenker's and Slash's unmatched guitar work with Erik Grönwall's soaring vocals.

Although Michael Schenker's era with UFO spanned only six years, his influence as a young songwriter and exceptional guitarist had already left a lasting mark on rock. During these meteoric years, the UFO albums Phenomenon, Force It, No Heavy Petting, Lights Out, Obsession, and the seminal live album Strangers in the Night were recorded, each contributing significantly to the genre. Strangers in the Night particularly stands out as one of the most influential live rock albums of all time and is still regarded as a cornerstone in any rock enthusiast's collection.

In this celebratory album, Michael Schenker presents 11 of UFO's greatest hits from this magical era with an impressive lineup of guest stars. Joining Schenker on this journey are Derek Sherinian on keys' Brian Tichy on drums' and Barry Sparks on bass. 

The stellar roster of guest artists includes Axl Rose, Slash, Kai Hansen, Roger Glover, Joey Tempest, Biff Byford, Jeff Scott Soto, John Norum, Dee Snider, Joel Hoekstra, Joe Lynn Turner, Carmine Appice, Adrian Vandenberg, Michael Voss, Stephen Pearcy, and Erik Grönwall.

This album is the introduction to an upcoming trilogy, as Michael Schenker has signed an exclusive three-album deal with earMUSIC, with additional albums to follow in 2025 and 2026.

Today's release of "Mother Mary" sets the stage for what promises to be one of the most exciting rock albums of 2024.

My Years with UFO will be released worldwide on September 20 via earMUSIC and is svailable for pre-order here.

Drumming Phenom/ Music Mogul Jason Hartless (Ted Nugent, Joe Lynn Turner, Eric Martin) Launches a Successful Record La

27-year-old Jason Hartless has been an in demand drummer in the music world for quite a number of years. He began touring at the tender age of 11 years old and at 14, still yet to see a day of high school, he became a hired gun drummer for one of the opening acts on Motley Crue’s “Crue Fest 2” tour that crisscrossed the United States the summer of 2009. He was recruited at 20 years old by the fellow Detroit native, Ted Nugent, and has since been his go-to drummer on all Nugent related work. Jason and Nugent just finished up the Sold-Out “Detroit Muscle” US summer tour. While working with Nugent, Jason has also toured and/or recorded with other artists such as Sponge, Joe Lynn Turner (Deep Purple, Rainbow), Tantric, Mitch Ryder, Pop Evil and Insane Clown Posse. Jason will be heading out this fall drumming for Eric Martin (Mr Big). (dates below)

On September 17th, 2022, Jason will be reactivating his family’s long-time business, Sound City Music Group Inc., where he will serve as a managing partner and head of product development. After working for 6 years in the same capacity at Prudential Music Group and having great success, Sound City will be relaunching with exciting releases by The Sweet, Ted Nugent, Missing Persons, Steeler, Sparks and many more fan favorites. Releases also include all forms of music media, band merchandise, and publishing services.

Jason and Sound City has partnered with legendary guitarist, songwriter and founding member of THE SWEET, Andy Scott and his boss, the legendary Ted Nugent to bring fans worldwide an incredible amount of their never released music and merchandise. Sound City is a subsidiarity of Sony Music / Orchard.

"I wanted to take something that my parents worked many years to build, even before I was born. With the strong relationships we have in the music industry, I wanted to resurrect a concept/ record label that my dad started back in his years as a working musician. I have had the Sound City name as a part of my household my whole life and when the opportunity was presented for me to go on my own, I took it and ran with it. I was brought up to honor commitments, embrace loyalty and be ethical when conducing business. So I am going to stay on at Prudential for as long as I am needed or until their last product I was involved with ships,. On September 17th 2022 sees the relaunching of Sound City Music Group Inc. with my family. Like I said earlier, along touring with Ted all summer, I have been working 2 full time jobs it seems," says Jason.

He adds, "But, I am very excited for everyone to see what Sound City has coming down the pipe, so many exciting things including more from my partnerships with Andy Scott of the SWEET and my boss Ted Nugent, just so much more great things. For sure End of 2022 and 2023 is going to be an incredible year for us product and release wise, I cannot wait to share with everyone everything we have in production, but until I can tell everyone, I will just keep my mouth shut for now (Laughs)."

Tour Dates w/ Eric Martin (Mr. Big):

Sept. 27 - San Juan Capistrano, Calif. @ The Coach House
Sept. 28 - Roseville, Calif. @ Goldfield Trading Post
Sept. 29 - San Francisco, Calif. @ Great American Music Hall
Oct. 01 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ Saban Theater
Oct. 02 - Las Vegas, Nev. @ Count's Vamp'd
Oct. 04 - Denver, Colo. @ Oriental Theater
Oct. 06 - Sauget, Ill. @ Pop’s
Oct. 07 - Des Plaines, Ill. @ Des Plaines Theater
Oct. 08 - St. Charles, Ill. @ Arcada Theater
Oct. 09 - Milwaukee, Wis. @ Pabst Theater
Oct. 11 - Hobart, Ind. @ The Art Theater
Oct. 12 - Ft. Wayne, Ind. @ Piere's
Oct. 14 - Columbus, Ohio @ The King Of Clubs
Oct. 15 - Cleveland, Ohio @ Agora Theater
Oct. 16 - Detroit, Mich. @ Harpo's
Oct. 17 - Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Jergels
Oct. 20 - Plymouth, N.H. @ Flying Monkey
Oct. 21 - Beverly, Mass. @ Cabot Theater
Oct. 22 - New York, N.Y @ Sony Hall
Oct. 23 - Newton, N.J. @ Newton Theater
Oct. 25 - Glenside, Pa. @ Keswick Theater
Oct. 26 - Leesburg, Va. @ Tally Ho
Oct. 27 - Stroudsburg, Pa. @ Sherman Theater

For More Information Please Visit:

http://www.jasonhartless.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jasonhartlessofficial

https://www.soundcitymusicgroup.com/