Review: The Michael Schenker Group – Live & Ready: 1980 – 1984

Chrysalis Records – April 3^rd, 2026

Reviewer – Chris O’Conner

Michael Schenker… a legitimate legend, a guitar maestro – if not always a stable genius – but a man for whom I have endless time.

Back when I was running the Rock247Online radio station from my studio in Tamworth, I had the privilege of hosting Michael for an interview. This was roughly a year after the infamous meltdown at the “Rock & Blues Festival”, run by the Outlaws MC – an incident where his drunken behaviour came perilously close to costing him his life. By the time I met him, however, he was clean, sober, and accompanied by his Japanese partner. He was warm, engaging, and an absolute joy to speak with. Forgive the brief indulgence in nostalgia, but it remains a particularly happy memory.

Anyway, to the matter in hand.

Following his dramatic departure from UFO in 1978—cutting off his hair and seemingly disappearing – Schenker would briefly resurface with his brother Rudolf and The Scorpions to contribute to the superb ‘Lovedrive‘ album, before once again moving on to form the Michael Schenker Group (MSG). I was fortunate enough to catch the band live several times between 1980 and 1982, so this box set revisits an era that holds very fond memories for me.

The early live line-up – Gary Barden, Paul Raymond (later Andy Nye), Chris Glen, and Cozy Powell (later Ted McKenna) – was nothing short of formidable. These recordings capture a band in imperious form, brimming with urgency and purpose. Schenker, clearly aware of the need to prove himself as a bandleader, plays with passion and intensity throughout.

I do wish the 1982 Reading Festival performance had been included – arguably the finest show I witnessed – but what we do have is still immensely satisfying. In retrospect, Gary Barden could never have been Phil Mogg – but then, who could? What he did bring was youthful energy and a genuine connection to the material, making him the perfect foil for Schenker. Over time, Michael himself has repeatedly acknowledged Barden’s importance to the band.

The Manchester Apollo show from September 1980 is a particular highlight. Having seen the band just days earlier at Birmingham Odeon, I can attest that the sheer vibrancy captured here is entirely authentic. This is Schenker with everything to prove, delivering a tight, thirteen-song set of “all killer, no filler.” From ‘Armed & Ready’ and ‘Cry for the Nations’ through to ‘Rock Bottom’ and ‘Shoot! Shoot!’, it is exhilarating from start to finish.

Discs two and three take us to the Nippon Budokan in 1981, where the band sounds even more assured. Barden, in particular, has grown into the role – his voice stronger, his confidence evident. Schenker is, once again, in scintillating form, while the Powell/Glen rhythm section drives proceedings with immense power and precision. Paul Raymond’s versatility on both guitar and keyboards remains indispensable, just as it was during his time with UFO. This sixteen-song set is close to flawless, the band operating like a finely tuned machine. And it would be remiss not to mention Cozy Powell’s extraordinary twelve-minute drum solo – an astonishing display that serves as a reminder of just how remarkable a performer he was. Rest in power, indeed.

The 1983 Hammersmith Odeon show presents a different picture. Following the ill-fated and short-lived tenure of Graham Bonnet, Gary Barden had been reinstated as vocalist. However, the line-up had shifted: Paul Raymond had departed, replaced by Andy Nye, and Cozy Powell had made way for Ted McKenna, reuniting with his former Sensational Alex Harvey Band colleague Chris Glen. The chemistry between McKenna and Glen is undeniable – almost telepathic at times – and they inject a distinct new feel into the band.

For me, however, this is one of the less compelling performances in the set. Barden handles the Bonnet-era material admirably, but the songs from ‘Assault Attack‘ have never quite resonated with me; they represent, in my view, a noticeable dip in quality. The mid-set instrumental section, spanning three tracks, also disrupts the momentum, draining some of the energy from the performance. It feels somewhat lacklustre – particularly ironic given that the show was being recorded for a potential live release.

Which brings us to the fifth and final disc, recorded at Seibu Stadium in Tokyo in 1984 during the ‘Built to Destroy‘ tour. By this point, MSG had undergone further changes: Dennis Feldman replaced Chris Glen on bass, and Ray Kennedy took over vocal duties from Barden. Unfortunately, this line-up feels markedly weaker. The performance lacks urgency, and the overall atmosphere is noticeably subdued.

Ray Kennedy, while clearly a capable vocalist, is simply not the right fit for MSG. This is not a question of ability, but of compatibility – and here, it just doesn’t work. The extended mid-set instrumental section, now expanded to four pieces, drags interminably, further sapping the energy. Even the inclusion of the epic ‘Lost Horizons’ fails to lift proceedings; Kennedy’s vocal simply doesn’t suit the material. It is perhaps no surprise that Schenker chose to disband MSG not long after this tour. Even more weird are the occasional between song chats, clearly intended for advertising – which make you go “what?” Why leave them in place? Again, it kills the flow.

As a historical document, this final disc has some value – but it also serves as a stark reminder of a band losing its way. For this reviewer, it is the one portion of the set that feels entirely non-essential.

In summation, ‘Live & Ready: 1980–1984‘ is a fascinating and highly worthwhile collection. For Schenker fans, it is close to essential – though I would advise approaching the final disc with tempered expectations. Michael Schenker remains one of the greatest guitarists of all time – fact, not opinion – and this box set offers a compelling snapshot of both his brilliance and the turbulent journey that accompanied it.

Metal Mickey? You simply have to love him.

Tracklisting:

Disc One: Manchester Apollo (30-09-80)

1. Armed & Ready
2. Cry For The Nations
3. Victim Of Illusion
4. Natural Thing
5. Feels Like A Good Thing
6. Into The Arena
7. Looking Out From Nowhere
8. Rock Bottom
9. Tales Of Mystery
10. Lost Horizons
11. Shoot Shoot
12. Doctor Doctor
13. Lights Out

 Disc Two: Nippon Budokan (12-08-81)

1. Introduction
2. Armed & Ready
3. Cry For The Nations
4. Attack Of The Mad Axeman
5. But I Want More
6. Victim Of Illusion
7. Into The Arena

 Disc Three: Nippon Budokan (12-08-81)

8. On & On
9. Never Trust A Stranger
10. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
11. Tales Of Mystery
12. Cozy Powell Drum Solo
13. Courvoisier Concerto
14. Lost Horizons
15. Doctor Doctor
16. Ready To Rock

 Disc Four: Hammersmith Odeon (22-23/10/83)

1. Captain Nemo
2. Rock My Nights Away
3. Ready To Rock
4. Cry For The Nations
5. Rock You To The Ground
6. Attack Of The Mad Axeman
7. Into The Arena
8. Courvoisier Concerto
9. Rock Will Never Die
10. Desert Song
11. I’m Gonna Make You Mine
12. Red Sky
13. Looking For Love
14. Armed & Ready
15. Still Love That Little Devil
16. Doctor Doctor
17. Thank you

 Disc Five: Seibu Stadium Tokyo (12-08-84)

1. Captain Nemo
2. Rock My Nights Away
3. Cry For The Nations
4. On & On
5. Lipstick Traces
6. Bijou Pleasurette
7. Into The Arena
8. Courvoisier Concerto
9. Lost Horizons
10. I’m Gonna Make You Mine
11. Armed & Ready
12. Doctor Doctor

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