Michael Schenker`s Temple of Rock, The Sage, Gateshead

THE fact that the likes of Rolling Stones, Aerosmith and Ozzy have in the past courted the services of German guitar legend Michael Schenker, is testament to his reputation. From his debut with the Scorpions as a teenager to the golden period of UFO through to his own band the MSG, Schenker has created some of the pivotal moments in rock.

The path along the way has been a rocky one with some enormous highs and devastating lows, but this may well be the best band Schenker has put together, featuring former Scorpions rhythm section Herman Rarebell and Francis Buchholz along with one time Rainbow vocalist Doogie White completed with long-serving sidekick Wayne Findlay.

With such an impressive catalogue to draw on Schenker more than lived up to his promise of playing classics and crowd favourites from across his career mixed in with new songs from his Temple of Rock outfit.

Fans of UFO were treated to an opening salvo of Doctor Doctor, Lights Out and a riff heavy Natural Thing while from his MSG days Victim of Illusion and Attack of the Mad Axeman came from those much-loved first couple of albums.

The new material is certainly strong with the pacey Live and Let Live arguably the heaviest Schenker has done in years while the epic Before The Devil Knows You`re Dead was touchingly dedicated to the memory of former Rainbow bassist, Jimmy Bain who died recently.

Schenker cut a fine figure with his trademark two-tone Flying V, clearly enjoyed himself lapping up the applause after his showpiece Rock Bottom extravaganza. Schenker is back and at the very top of his game.

Mick Burgess