His main influences were Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Leslie West, Johnny Winter and Rory Gallagher.

Schenker was invited to be lead guitarist for UFO (taking over from Bernie Marsden, himself a temporary replacement for Larry Wallis who had in turn taken over for the departed Mick Bolton).

Despite successful albums and tours, Schenker unequivocally quit UFO after their show in Palo Alto, California, on 29 October 1978.

"[Singer Phil] Mogg later claimed that I left UFO over a disagreement about which version of 'Rock Bottom' appeared on Strangers," Schenker recalled, "but don't believe everything you read.

[11] According to Martin Huxley, Schenker stormed out of the room after producer Gary Lyons made jokes about Nazis.

"[15] Schenker has also claimed that at some point he was offered, but turned down joining the likes of Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, Ian Hunter and Motörhead in order to focus on his solo career.

Bonnet lasted one album (Assault Attack) and a single gig, at Sheffield University, where he drunkenly exposed himself and was subsequently fired from the band.

He then resurrected the Michael Schenker Group with all new members and recorded three more albums, Written in the Sand, The Unforgiven, and Be Aware of Scorpions before rejoining UFO for two further releases, Covenant and Sharks.

Early 2008, Schenker worked with Gary Barden, Don Airey, Simon Phillips, and Neil Murray on a new MSG album In the Midst of Beauty, which was released in May 2008, followed by touring.

In November 2010, Schenker was given the Marshall "11" award in London along with other rock legends including Ron Wood and Slash.

The award was presented to Schenker by Alice Cooper, with Jimmy Page, Tony Iommi and John Paul Jones also in attendance.

In 2016, Schenker toured Japan under the name of "The Michael Schenker Fest" featuring current and former singers: Doogie White, Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet and Robin McAuley, bassist Chris Glen, drummer Ted MacKenna and keyboardist/guitarist Steve Mann, releasing one live album "Fest: Live Tokyo International Forum Hall" (2Cd/Dvd) following two more albums, Revelation (2018) and Resurrection (2019).

In 2021, Schenker announced the return to the MSG brand, releasing "Immortal" with some of former MSG/ Fest members: singers Michael Voss, Doogie White, Robin MacAuley and Gary Barden, bassist Barry Sparks, guitarist Steve Mann and drummer Bodo Schopp along with special guests: former Rainbow singers Joe Lynn Turner and Ronnie Romero, longtime collaborators Simon Phillips and Brian Tichy on drums.

The following year MSG released the album "Universal" featuring a new steady lineup with Mann, Schopp, Romero and bassist Barry Sparks.

And as usual some special guest such as vocalists Ralph Scheepers (Primal Fear) and Michael Kiske (Helloween), former Rainbow members, keyboardist Tony Carey, drummer Bobby Rondinelli and bassist Bob Daisley.

[24] Schenker has been on the covers of many guitar magazines and has influenced many notable guitar players, including Kirk Hammett[27] and James Hetfield[28] (Metallica),[29] Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman (Megadeth),[29][30][31] Dimebag Darrell (Pantera),[29][32] Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson (Testament),[29][33] Mike McCready (Pearl Jam),[29] Gary Holt (Exodus),[29][34][35] Rob Cavestany (Death Angel),[36] Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden),[29] Slash,[29] John Norum (Europe), Paul Gilbert,[29] Randy Rhoads,[29] George Lynch (Dokken), Warren DeMartini (Ratt),[29] John Petrucci (Dream Theater),[29][37] Michael Amott (Arch Enemy),[29] Dan Spitz (Anthrax), Criss Oliva (Savatage), Jeff Waters (Annihilator),[29] Phil Campbell (Motörhead), Kerry King (Slayer),[29] and Syu (Galneryus).