Robin McAuley's time as the vocalist for veteran guitarist Michael Schenker lasted three mostly MTV-fueled albums from 1987-91. But McAuley originally wasn't keen on teaming up with Schenker.
When the pair reunited for an appearance in 2012 at Alamo City Music Hall (interview here and here), it marked the first time they'd worked together since commercial successes of Perfect Timing, Save Yourself, and the lesser-known but vastly underrated self-titled album in 1991. Their time together was so special, Schenker agreed to rename his band from Michael Schenker Group to McAuley Schenker Group.
After their time, McAuley appeared to have disappeared from the hard-rock scene. In truth, he joined other bands including Survivor, taking over in 2006 for Jimi Jamison, who died in 2014. As if that wasn't groundbreaking enough, McAuley may also be the only person in the history of rock and metal to have recorded a song that was commissioned by His Holiness himself -- Pope John Paul II.
As part of the Michael Schenker Fest's live San Antonio debut Saturday night at Vibes Event Center, McAuley joined fellow vocalists Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet and Doogie White for a 2-hour, 40-minute performance that featured 30 tunes spanning Schenker's career with Scorpions, UFO and his MSG solo material.
Prior to the memorable concert, McAuley discussed all things in his world exclusively with Alamo True Metal, from his early days to the Fest band's new debut release of Resurrection. Click the video box below to hear our conversation. Then watch McAuley and his cohorts in action with ATM footage of 1989 hit "Anytime" plus new hard-hitting track "Heart and Soul" segueing into 1987 classic "Love is Not a Game."
Click here for ATM's interview with Bonnet, and stay tuned for more with Schenker and White, plus coverage of the show.
One of four former vocalists in the solo era of guitarist Michael Schenker goes "Into the Pit" with Alamo True Metal prior to the Fest band headlining Vibes Event Center. Robin discusses various aspects of his career such as how he originally declined to join Schenker in the '80s, his time in other bands such as Survivor and having recorded a song commissioned by Pope John Paul II (camera: Howard Peterson)