Captain Nemo

Zoo Freaks, get ready to dive into the cosmic vibes of Captain Nemo by the Michael Schenker Group from their 1983 album Built to Destroy, spinning now at THE ZOO! This instrumental track is a fan favorite, known for its electrifying guitar riffs and intricate melodies. One juicy piece of trivia is that Captain Nemo serves as the theme song for Eddie Trunk’s radio shows, Friday Night Rocks on WAXQ and Trunk Nation on XM Radio’s Hair Nation Channel. Trunk’s choice highlights the song’s timeless energy, with fans on platforms like YouTube praising its iconic opening riff as a perfect kickoff to his broadcasts. A post on X from @doomedparade in December 2024 raved about Michael Schenker’s performance of the song at Hammersmith in 1983, noting how every note feels purposeful, showcasing Schenker’s melodic genius.

Another tidbit comes from fan discussions on < allerlei href="https://www.strat-talk.com/threads/captain-nemo-michael-schenker-group.559369/">Strat-Talk, where guitarists marvel at the song’s technical difficulty. One player shared their struggle to master the track, pointing out Schenker’s unique style of rarely using his pinky, which makes replicating his sound a challenge. Fans also love debating the song’s influence, with some YouTube commenters suggesting Iron Maiden’s Back in the Village from 1984 borrows heavily from Captain Nemo’s riff, sparking playful arguments about who inspired whom. On MusicMeter, fans call Captain Nemo the standout of Built to Destroy, praising its instrumental brilliance despite critiques of the album’s production, like its infamous fade-out ending that drives some listeners wild.

Now, let’s rewind to how Michael Schenker, the mastermind behind Michael Schenker Group, got his start. Born on January 10, 1955, in Sarstedt, Germany, Schenker was hooked on the guitar by age nine. His older brother Rudolf, founder of Scorpions, received a Gibson Flying V for his birthday, and young Michael was mesmerized. Inspired by legends like Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton, he taught himself to play, developing a style that blended melody with raw power. By his teens, Schenker was a prodigy, joining Scorpions as a founding member and contributing to their 1972 debut album, Lonesome Crow. His stint with Scorpions was brief, but he returned briefly in 1978 to record parts of their album Lovedrive, including the track Another Piece of Meat.

In the mid-1970s, Schenker’s career skyrocketed when he joined British rock band UFO, where his virtuosic playing on albums like Phenomenon and Lights Out made him a metal guitar icon. Frustrated by band dynamics, he left UFO in 1978 and formed the Michael Schenker Group in 1979, aiming to channel his vision into melodic hard rock. Known for his signature half-black, half-white Gibson Flying V, Schenker’s unorthodox lead guitar style influenced countless players, earning him accolades like the Marshall “11” Award in 2010 alongside rock titans like Slash and Jimmy Page. His journey wasn’t without turbulence—Schenker turned down offers to join Ozzy Osbourne, Deep Purple, and Aerosmith, prioritizing his solo path, a decision he later said saved him from personal chaos.

Zoo Freaks can connect with Schenker’s legacy online. Check out his official website at michaelschenkerhimself.com for tour dates and news. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and throwbacks to his epic performances. Fans gather at sites like Last.fm to stream tracks and share reviews, while MSG Fan Club on Facebook is a vibrant hub for devotees swapping stories and rare photos. Whether you’re shredding air guitar to Captain Nemo or diving into Schenker’s storied career, keep rocking with THE ZOO!