For more than four decades, Gary Barden’s voice has been tied to some of the defining moments in Michael Schenker’s career, from the first MSG album through reunions, Schenkerfest and a long catalogue of music beyond. Now, at 71, Barden returns with Empowered Emotions, once again working with Michael Voss on an album that has been described as his farewell. But, as Gary tells Paulie Christine for MetalTalk, “never say never” still very much applies. You can find Paulie at The Rock History Show on YouTube.
The seeds for the Empowered Emotions album began in 2023. “Michael Voss gave me 15 demo tracks of some ideas and asked if I was interested. I heard them, the rhythms, and the direction on each song. I agreed to have a go at most of them. He shared his famous words ‘take yourself into a dark room and let your mind wander.’
“I did, on my own, in the jungle with a laptop. I came up with 6/8 tracks of lyrics and melodies. Fast forward to 2025, there was no record company or interested parties.”
1980, Michael Schenker would hear Gary Barden on a demo of the band Fraser Nash and invite him to join MSG. “It was the golden opportunity,” Barden told MetalTalk. “Schenk had heard a demo going around town, and he was looking for a new singer for his new project after leaving UFO.
“After the getting-to-know-you period, we needed musicians to play his ideas. Chrysalis and Peter Mensch were in the picture as Michael had signed with them. Billy Sheehan and Denny Carmassi were flown from USA to knock a new project and band into shape. The power of these professionals was AWESOME for a country boy.”
Maybe due to the cost, this was not the lineup for the first album. “The organisation thought it best, for the album, to bring in experienced session players. So Simon Phillips and Mo Foster were brought in for the album recording.
“Roger Glover was producer, incidentally one of my heroes. We recorded the album in Wessex Studios, North London. Every track three times or so around with the boys until the thumbs up from everybody. Same studio, no changes.”
The songs on The Michael Schenker Group album were very strong. Feels Like A Good Thing and Looking Out From Nowhere were personal favourites. Lost Horizons was an epic end to the album.
“Michael and I wrote for some time on the songs that would appear on that debut album in dingy black rehearsal studios with a Sony tape recorder,” Gary says. “Michael and I on my guitar so he could try out his thoughts and me trying to come up with stuff, themes, lyrics as well.”
After the release of the album, thoughts turned to the live lineup. Paul Raymond, Chris Glen and Cozy Powell would join. “I don’t recall all the ins and outs of the live band choices,” Gary Barden says. “Paul Raymond was a trusted keyboard/guitarist Michael had been working with. Cozy and Chris were a powerhouse backing section for the band. These were fantastic choices for the time to tour the album.
“My favourite story of the ‘union’ is travelling in a cramped English car with Coxy, Chris and Paul up the M1 to do the Scottish gigs. They asked me if I had brought my passport with me. I said I had not.”
Do you know that we are going to another foreign country was the question posed in the car.
“I shit myself,” Barden laughed. “I thought about going back to London.”
There was a moment’s pause before the car erupted with laughter. “I was green as grass,” Barden said. “It must have been tattooed on me.. I was the baby of the band, as named by the ‘Union’.”
The second album, MSG, found the band firing on all cylinders. Produced by Ron Nevison, it still sounds killer. But I Want More, Never Trust A Stranger, and Looking For Love were songs that stood out on a powerful Side B. On And On was played on American Radio.
“All I will say is it took six months to record,” Barden said. “The cause, you figure out. I’m not getting into that one. One of the most expensive rock albums made at that time.”
It has been written that at this point, Barden was asked to leave MSG. “Yes, Paul Raymond and I were asked to leave,” he says. “The amazing cost the record company had to pay for the album needed to be recuperated [laughs]. Strictly business. Some bright spark suggested getting a name singer in for the next album and tours.”
At this time, Gary Barden was living in Hampstead in London, when a chance meeting with Gary Moore led to the pair working on demos for the Corridors of Power album.
“We bumped into each other at the supermarket, and at a coffee cafe called the Coffee Cup, which I lived over,” Barden said. “We got chatting. He was in a deal with Virgin Records and had access to a recording studio on a barge in Maida Vale. I went down, and we recorded Don’t Take Me For A Loser. Just me and the backing track. It was not meant to be. Virgin wanted Mr Moore’s complete package. Just himself.”
Don’t Take Me For A Loser is available at YouTube here, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoCtAu2V_9U, having been blocked by the user.
Gary Barden would then form Statetrooper, and there were some pretty great songs on their debut album. “Statetrooper was of course my baby,” he said. “After leaving Michael, I took about six months to reevaluate my position in the music business. I needed a band. I found two brothers in Yorkshire, Steve and Paul ‘Fasker’ Johnson. I was amazed at their skills as musicians and songwriters.
“We put down some demos to get a record deal, which can be found on YouTube. There were no deals available. I saw a band called Wildfire who had all the ingredients I wanted. That turned into Statetrooper Mk II.
“If you listen to the tempo of the Troops in Armed And Ready, the adrenaline, that’s my snappy speed in me. Either that or Bruce the drummer was on something,” Gary laughs.
After Graham Bonnet was fired from MSG, Barden would find himself back in the band. It was quite a shock to fans when they played Reading to see Gary out front, and MSG sounded great that day. I did love the “Hey Reading, Surprise Surprise.”
Gary was on the video for Dancer. To me, the chorus sounds like it’s both him and Graham singing. “Rob Cooksley, Michael Schenker’s tour manager, came to my house in Hampstead and begged me to do the up-and-coming Reading Festival,” Gary says. “Mr Bonnet had left the building. Everyone knows the occasion. I got the hard luck story.
“He asked if I would do it and also asked for a price. I had no manager, no agency. There was nothing for me. I asked a reasonable fee. Blood drains from his face. I took half. The kinda guy I am? Stupid.
“Yes, after the Reading gig I was reinstated for MSG. Assault Attack had to be promoted. I did the overdubs on the videos Dancer and Desert Song, with Graham’s backing vocals for the coming tours.”
Built To Destroy would follow in 1983, and another lineup change with Andy Nye on keyboards. A UK version produced by Louis Austin was made, with a US version remixed by Jack Douglas. Derek St. Holmes would provide vocals on the American Remix of Still Love That Little Devil.
Top to bottom, this was a great album. Red Sky is a standout, with The Dogs Of War and the ballad Rock Will Never Die (Walk the Stage); these three songs should be on any MSG setlist.
“There was no producer and no money from the record company,” Gary says. “We were literally left alone on Ridge Farm Studios to make an album on our own. The songs were working, but, yes, the UK version was very dry. The record company decided on a few more quid to put some Jack Douglas American fairy dust on it. It worked in a certain way.”
Once the Built To Destroy tour was over, Barden would work with Praying Mantis. “Praying Mantis, formerly known as Spraying Mattress,” Barden smiles. “A little Tino joke. It was only one album, one I’m very proud of.
“To The Power Of Ten was hard work. I was doing a 9-to-5, then train to Waterloo, back to the job. Repeat. My dad also had cancer at the time. It was physically and emotionally tiring. It took its toll on me as a person. I wrote two more songs for them for the next album. Tony O’Hara sang my lyrics, and we parted. A great band that I respect.”
Barden would then work with Michael Voss. I have been a fan since the first Silver album. Christine is a song I constantly play all the time.
“I was in Hawaii with my wife Suchi and six-month-old daughter Chimara for a holiday break,” Gary says. “We had a fax machine [laughs]. Herr Voss tracked me down, suggesting doing an album, and that’s when it started.
“It was a pleasure and a privilege to be asked, and you’ve heard the results. My favourites? Christine, Brother Kill Brother, She Came. So many. Vossy caught my voice and feelings. We never toured. I’ve got some ideas up my sleeve for live work if Empowered Emotions takes off.”
Gary Barden would release five solo albums prior to this year’s Empowered Emotions. The first, Past & Present, was a great interpretation of MSG songs. Marco Minnemann on drums was killer.
“My solo albums were a great release for me,” Gary says. “Vossy’s idea for Past & Present was an eye-opening change for me. As we know, it opened the door to the others.”
Barden would appear on the 30th anniversary MSG Show, finally playing with Simon Phillips and Neil Murray. Simon told me there was to be a 40th anniversary that would have been a full world tour, but COVID killed that.
“On the 30th anniversary gig in Japan, I’m proud to say, as my own critic, I’m in good voice. I had a cold, but this was a very special gig. The band played terrifically.
“There were a couple of rehearsals in LA, then it was into the fire. Simon is a powerhouse. You feel the punch in your back. Neil Murray and Wayne Findlay fill the Schenker sounds admirably. I’m very proud of capturing the songs. But, yes. COVID-19.”
Fans would also get to enjoy Schenkerfest, which was fantastic for us.
How was travelling with all those personalities? “I hear this also,” Gary says. “It was like a Boy Scouts outing for us [laughs]. The respect each of us had and we gave to each other was heartwarming. We supported each other as well, harmonies on stage the full three hours or so. No hiding in the dressing room. Great vibe, and great guys with nothing to prove.”
Released on 18 September 2026, Empowered Emotions would find Barden working again with Michael Voss. Voss said this would be Gary’s farewell album to us fans. For me, there is still a great tone in his voice.
I wondered if Gary has been bitten by the bug of new music. Could there be some live shows? For fans who have followed Barden over the years, many, like me, would thank him for all the music that will be with us forever.
“How many never say never,” Gary laughs. “How many have we been subjected to? I’m not a bullshit artist. This was a thank you for everything I got from my fans and friends. Because I’m an old git now, with the aches and pains they get at 71.
“I thought with Vossy’s energy I could do it. But, even now, a storm is brewing inside me. If Empowered Emotions sells well and the Gods allow, a final live show would be the icing on the career of that fucking cake called Gary John Barden.
“I put the John into my name on my solo albums in honour of my father, who died at 63 years old. Loved ya, Dad. Thank you for your strength, even now.
“We finally sent two tracks to Frontier’s Music in Italy, and they actually liked them. They offered us a record deal to go ahead on the album. Michael and I wish to thank Frontier’s Records, Marco and the whole team for putting their trust in us.
“For putting their trust in us to complete the journey and to finally give the fans and friends new music to listen to.”
Empowered Emotions opens on Bardens Overture, a 23-second ditty that has MSG tones all over it. Maasai Enkai follows, a song about the Native Americans’ plight. There is a killer solo by Tommy Denander. Gary’s vocals are not the high vocals of the ’80s, but there is a head bob to this track.
Long-time Barden fans will be interested in the single Hit The Ground Running. It’s led by Voss, and it links to prior Michael Schenker albums, as his tone and style are very Schenkerish. The title track features Don Airey, and there is a very AOR feel here. Burning Wind is one of my favourites. A true rocker.
Barden history is at the fore, and a real treat for MSG fans finds Schenker playing lead on Dark Waters. My only complaint? This song should be longer!
Ride Horseman Ride is another of my favourites. There is powerful guitar work from Voss, making this a heavy rotation on my playlist.
This Phoenix’s Gonna Burn Ya’s rhythm guitar work is very reminiscent of Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield, which brought a smile to my face. It actually works in the structure of the song, with some fancy tap work from Vossy.
It is the closing pair that brings the emotions to the fore. Brian Tichy drums on Walk Away, and I have to say that I love Gary when he’s feeling the songs. Like Never Trust A Stranger or Walk The Stage, he brings these emotions to this song. I actually played this song several times and was caught in the moment every time.
We’ll Meet Again closes Empowered Emotions. Is this Gary Barden’s farewell to us? Heartfelt and sincere, there is nice acoustic guitar from Michael Voss.
Is this a fan’s album? Maybe, and We’ll Meet Again closes the Barden story in some style. Will it be Gary’s Final album? Vossy says it is. Gary says Never Say Never.
I am going to hold Gary Barden to that. If there is to be that one final show, that one final farewell and thank you, then at 71 and with that career, you know there would be plenty interested in this.
