Concert Review: Michael Schenker's sold out show at The Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, CT. "The My Years with UFO" 50 year Anniversary Celebration Tour with Jared James Nichols

Mark Kurtzner
Sep 15
3 min read

Photos by Mark Kurtzner - review by Mark Kurtzner & John Moore

The year is 1979. For my Birthday, my dad brings me to a local record store - I have $20.00 to spend and I buy UFO "Strangers in the Night", RUSH "2112" and Ted Nugent's "Double Live Gonzo". The instant I put on Strangers it was life-changing - seriously! Instantly I was hooked - absolutely loved Michael's playing and in my eyes it's still the greatest live album ever!

My 1st time seeing Michael Schenker was on November 12th 1987 when he opened up for RUSH, also it was one of my 1st concerts that I took pictures at. I love all of his solo stuff - but the UFO songs are just special and I'm so glad that he went back into the catalog to do this. He still plays a lot of the UFO hits during his solo shows - which I've seen a few times over the years!

And a little over 30 years ago I was lucky to see the original UFO reformed lineup w/Phil Mogg, Michael Schenker, Pete Way & Paul Raymond, only Andy Parker was missing basically doing the entire Strangers set on September 5th 1995 when they did a very small US tour for the 1995 "Walk on Water" album. This show was well-attended, but not sold out because it was only announced days before and without the internet of today - I was super lucky to even hear about this show. Needless to say it was truly amazing. Fast-forward 30 years, and when I heard the news that Michael was going to be doing the UFO years I knew that it was a must see show! Of course it was amazing. Michael's backing band was solid, and featured Bodo Schopf on drums and Steve Mann on second guitar/keys, who had been with MSG the first time I saw Schenker in 1987. Singer Erik Gronwell (ex-Skid Row) who did the European tour, could not do the US tour due to health reasons, so on vocals was RD Liapakis, from Mystic Prophecy, who did a very good job with Phil Mogg’s vocals – of course no one can BE Phil, but we were here to see Herr Schenker.

I could watch Michaell play for hours, he's one of my all time favorite guitarists, I just soaked up every note and every moment of his playing - playing such a great set – of course the set included all of my essential ‘Strangers in the Night’ favorites especially "Rock Bottom", "Natural Thing", "Mother Mary", "Love to Love", "Lights Out', "Doctor Doctor", but Michael dug out a few UFO deep tracks for the hardcores too, like “Can You Roll Her” and “Reasons Love” (from ‘No Heavy Petting’)... such a great set! For me - this show was the show of the year... Definitely if you get a chance go see this show!

Set List:

Natural Thing

Only You Can Rock Me

Hot 'n' Ready

Doctor Doctor

Mother Mary

I'm a Loser

This Kid's

Lights Out

Love to Love

Let it Roll

Can You Roll Her

Reasons Love

Rock Bottom

Shoot Shoot

Too Hot to Handle

US Tour Lineup:

Michael Schenker - Guitar

R.D. Liapakis - Vocals

Steve Mann - Guitar & Keyboards

Bodo Schopf - Drums

Barend Courbois - Bass

Jared James Nichols opened the show with a fingerpicking, high energy set of pure guitar mastery. Jared is truly a throwback player, playing with the intensity that reminded me of a young "Ted Nugent". He was the perfect opening act.