Former SKID ROW frontman Erik Grönwall has left Michael Schenker‘s European tour with the intention to return house to Sweden and be along with his ailing father.
Earlier right now (Sunday, Could 4),Erik posted the next message on his social media: “Typically life attracts a tough line between stage and residential. Twenty minutes earlier than the present in Vienna [on April 17], I obtained a name from my household and associates – my dad had been rushed to the hospital in an ambulance, unable to face on his left leg. Quick ahead to right now, and it has been determined he’ll endure coronary heart surgical procedure. There are dangers concerned as a consequence of his age and well being historical past and the medical doctors have been clear with us, and whereas there’s hope, there’s additionally uncertainty.
“I’ve made the choice to fly house right now (Sunday Could 4th) to be by his aspect – to assist him, my household, and to be absolutely current for no matter comes. Within the meantime, the Michael Schenker tour will proceed in line with plan, and I am extremely grateful to vocalist Roberto Dimitri Liapakis (Lia) for stepping in to cowl for me. What this implies is that I will not be doing the reveals in Madrid [May 4] and Barcelona [May 5] however I plan to rejoin for the UK reveals [starting on May 8 in Wolverhampton], and I am going to hold you posted.
“Proper now, I would like to point out up, not as a performer, however as a son.
“Thanks to your understanding.”
The legendary German guitarist — accompanied by Grönwall on vocals, Bodo Schopf on drums, Barend Courbois on bass and Steve Mann on keyboards/guitar — kicked off his spring 2025 European tour on April 9 at De Boerderij in Zoetermeer, The Netherlands.
Schenker is touring in assist of his not too long ago launched “My Years With UFO” album celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Michael‘s years with UFO.
Grönwall is the featured singer on the “Mom Mary” track on “My Years With UFO”, which additionally features a visitor look by GUNS N’ ROSES‘ Slash on guitar.
Erik touched upon his touring plans with Schenker in a September 20, 2024 YouTube livestream. He mentioned: “Yeah, I am heading out with Michael Schenker subsequent 12 months, a European tour. I did that track with him on the ‘My Years With UFO’ launch. And it is gonna be loads of enjoyable. And I have been trying ahead to get again on that stage as soon as once more.”
In March 2024, Grönwall — who was recognized with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in March 2021 — introduced his departure from SKID ROW. He mentioned on the time that he determined that the journey and rigors of the highway weren’t conducive to his total well being and restoration, and he wished to concentrate on a way of life that’s extra amenable for his well-being, therapeutic and household.
In a latest interview with Noise11‘s Paul Cashmere, Schenker revealed that he was already engaged on a brand new MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP album known as “Do not Promote Your Soul” which is able to function Grönwall “singing a lot of the songs,” together with vocal contributions from Robin McAuley and Michael Voss.
Produced by Schenker and Voss, “My Years With UFO” marked the fiftieth anniversary of Schenker‘s period with UFO, spanning from 1972 to 1978. The “German Wunderkind” was requested to hitch UFO at simply 17 years outdated. Touring the globe as a teen, Schenker turned a driving pressure behind a few of UFO‘s most liked tracks, akin to “Physician Physician”, “Rock Backside” and “Solely You Can Rock Me”.
Though Michael Schenker‘s period with UFO spanned solely six years, his affect as a younger songwriter and distinctive guitarist had already left an enduring mark on rock. Throughout these meteoric years, the UFO albums “Phenomenon”, “Drive It”, “No Heavy Petting”, “Lights Out”, “Obsession” and the seminal dwell album “Strangers In The Night time” had been recorded, every contributing considerably to the style. “Strangers In The Night time” significantly stands out as one of the influential dwell rock albums of all time and remains to be considered a cornerstone in any rock fanatic’s assortment.
On this celebratory album, Michael Schenker presents 11 of UFO‘s biggest hits from this magical period with a formidable lineup of visitor stars. Becoming a member of Schenker on this journey are Derek Sherinian on keyboards, Brian Tichy on drums, and Barry Sparks on bass.
The stellar roster of visitor artists consists of Axl Rose (GUNS N’ ROSES),Slash (GUNS N’ ROSES),Kai Hansen (HELLOWEEN),Roger Glover (DEEP PURPLE),Joey Tempest (EUROPE),Biff Byford (SAXON),Jeff Scott Soto (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JOURNEY),John Norum (EUROPE),Dee Snider (TWISTED SISTER),Joel Hoekstra (WHITESNAKE),Joe Lynn Turner (RAINBOW),Carmine Appice (VANILLA FUDGE, CACTUS),Adrian Vandenberg (WHITESNAKE),Michael Voss, Stephen Pearcy (RATT) and Erik Grönwall (SKID ROW).
Typically life attracts a tough line between stage and residential. Twenty minutes earlier than the present in Vienna, I obtained a name from my…
Posted by Erik Grönwall on Sunday, Could 4, 2025
