MSG MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP - One Night At Budokan 2LP 12" Vinyl LP Album

- A Legendary 1981 Live Performance Captured on a Double LP from Tokyo's Iconic Budokan Hall

"MSG Michael Schenker Group's 'One Night at Budokan' (1982) encapsulates the peak of 1980s rock and metal. Produced by T.Leo Sato and Hiro Kadoma, engineered by Soiji Okumura and David Wooley, the live recording at Tokyo Budokan showcases virtuosity. Yukio Maehara's design and Koichira Hiki, Kazumura Yoshikawa's photography enhance the visual narrative. A sonic journey through time, this iconic 2LP 12" vinyl immortalizes a historic night in music."

"One Night at Budokan" Album Description:

In the realm of live music recordings, few albums have achieved the iconic status of "MSG Michael Schenker Group - One Night at Budokan." Released in 1982, this 2LP 12" vinyl LP album stands as a testament to the electrifying performance of the Michael Schenker Group on a memorable night at the Tokyo Budokan on 12 August 1981.

Capturing the Essence of a Musical Era

The early 1980s were marked by a dynamic evolution in the rock and metal music landscape. Michael Schenker, a virtuoso guitarist known for his work with UFO and the Scorpions, formed the Michael Schenker Group (MSG) to embark on a new musical journey. "One Night at Budokan" encapsulates this period, offering a sonic snapshot of a band at the peak of its prowess.

Production Prowess: T.Leo Sato and Hiro Kadoma

Behind the scenes, the album's production was skillfully handled by T.Leo Sato and Hiro Kadoma. Their meticulous approach ensured that the raw energy and musical finesse displayed on stage were faithfully translated onto the vinyl grooves. This production team played a pivotal role in crafting an album that not only documented a live performance but also elevated it to a timeless piece of musical history.

Engineering Excellence: Soiji Okumura and David Wooley

The responsibility of capturing the live essence fell on the shoulders of sound engineers Soiji Okumura and David Wooley. The challenges of recording a live show are numerous, yet their expertise resulted in a pristine audio quality that allowed listeners to feel the pulsating energy of the crowd and the thunderous resonance of the instruments. The balance achieved in the recording is a testament to the engineering finesse brought to the project.

Tokyo Budokan: The Epicenter of the Musical Spectacle

The choice of the Tokyo Budokan as the venue for this historic night adds another layer of significance to the album. The Budokan has been witness to legendary performances, and MSG added their chapter to this storied venue. The choice of Tamco Mobile Recording and the subsequent mixing at Air Studios further attests to the dedication to sonic perfection.

Visual Aesthetics: Yukio Maehara's Design and Photographic Brilliance

The album's visual appeal is equally noteworthy, thanks to the artistic vision of Yukio Maehara. The album cover design reflects the energy and intensity of the performance within, providing a visual narrative that complements the auditory experience. The photography by Koichira Hiki and Kazumura Yoshikawa captures the essence of the live show, freezing moments in time for posterity.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Hard Rock

Label & Catalognr:

Chrysalis 301 927

Album Packaging

This 12" LP vinyl music record comes in a Fold Open Cover (FOC), also known as a Gatefold cover. The inner pages contain photos and artwork.

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

1981 – German / Holland

Producers:

T. Leo Sato – Producer
Hiro Kadoma – Producer

Sound & Recording Engineers:

Soiji Okumura – Engineer
David Wooley – Engineer

Recording Location:

Live Recording: Tokyo Budokan, 12 August 1981
Mobile Studio: Tamco Mobile Recording
Mixing Studio: Air Studios

Album Cover Design & Artwork:

Yukio Maehara (DER) – Cover Design

Photography:

Koichira Hiki – Photography
Kazumura Yoshikawa – Photography

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Members, Musicians:

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. "Armed and Ready" (6:20)
  2. "Cry for the Nations" (5:32)
  3. "Attack of the Mad Axeman" (4:50)
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. "But I Want More" (5:24)
  2. "Victim of Illusion" (6:18)
  3. "Into the Arena" (4:45)
Tracklisting Side Three:
  1. "On and On" (5:32)
  2. "Never Trust a Stranger" (6:07)
  3. "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie" (7:18)
Tracklisting Side Four:
  1. "Courvoisier Concerto" (3:42)
  2. "Lost Horizons" (7:22)
  3. "Doctor Doctor" (5:30)
  4. "Are You Ready to Rock" (7:10)
Album Front Cover Photo
MSG 'One Night at Budokan' album cover featuring five live-action photos of the band framed in tilted squares against a dark background with electric blue diagonal lines.

This is the front cover of the live album MSG – One Night at Budokan, featuring a dynamic collage of five concert photographs of the Michael Schenker Group members performing live.

Each band member is captured in mid-performance and framed within tilted squares, creating an energetic and angular layout. The top right shows Michael Schenker in a leather jacket, playing a white Flying V guitar with intense concentration. Opposite him on the top left is Cozy Powell behind a black drum kit, captured mid-strike with a fierce expression.

Bottom left features vocalist Gary Barden in a sleeveless shirt, passionately singing into a microphone. To the right of him, Chris Glen is seen gripping a black bass guitar with a powerful stance. At the bottom right, Paul Raymond is leaping mid-air, playing a yellow Gibson Explorer guitar under stage lights, showcasing high energy and stage presence.

The background is black with electric blue diagonal streaks crisscrossing behind the photos, giving a sense of movement and voltage. The band’s acronym "MSG" is stylized in red in the bottom right corner. The album title "MSG One Night at Budokan" is printed in bold red and white at the top in a dramatic italic font.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of MSG's One Night at Budokan featuring a tilted live shot of Gary Barden and Michael Schenker, blue lightning graphics, tracklist, musician credits, and production notes.

This is the back cover of the album MSG – One Night at Budokan. Dominating the artwork is a dramatic, tilted live performance photo framed in red. It shows Gary Barden on the left, mid-vocal and gripping the mic stand with one hand while wearing a white jacket and black shirt. To his right, Michael Schenker kneels on stage, locking eyes with Barden while playing his signature white Flying V guitar. He wears a black leather jacket with metal studs and an intense expression.

The background features a black field laced with sharp, diagonal electric blue lines, giving the illusion of lightning bolts. The top half of the cover displays the full 4-side tracklisting in white sans-serif font, aligned diagonally and separated by side labels: Side 1 to Side 4. Each side lists three to four songs including: “Armed and Ready,” “Into the Arena,” “Doctor Doctor,” and “Are You Ready to Rock.”

Below the tracklist, the band lineup is listed clearly: Gary Barden – vocals, Chris Glen – bass, Cozy Powell – drums, Paul Raymond – keyboards, rhythm guitars, backing vocals, and Michael Schenker – lead guitar.

In the bottom-left corner, white text displays production credits: produced by T. Leo Sato, recorded at Budokan on August 12, 1981 by Tamco Mobile Recording, and mixed at Air Studios. Additional credits are given to designers and photographers including Yukio Maehara (DER) and Kazumura Yoshikawa.

The Chrysalis Records logo and catalog number (301 929-406) are shown on the top right corner, while the LC 1626 label code appears in a blue circle at the bottom right.

Photo One of Inside Page Gatefold Cover
Inside gatefold of MSG's One Night at Budokan featuring collage of live band photos, crowd scenes, venue shots, and Japanese signage, all bordered in red frames.

This is the inside gatefold photo from the album MSG – One Night at Budokan, presented as a vivid photo-collage of 15 rectangular images. Each image is bordered in red and arranged at dynamic angles against a deep black background.

The photos capture a mix of high-energy live performances, backstage moments, crowd shots, and venue visuals. Centered prominently is Michael Schenker playing his white Flying V guitar, bathed in warm red and orange lighting, wearing a leather jacket with chest exposed.

Surrounding him are shots of band members Chris Glen, Gary Barden, and Cozy Powell in action—singing, shredding, and drumming, all mid-performance. One image captures Cozy raising a drumstick in triumph, while another shows Gary leaning into the microphone passionately.

There are two large crowd shots taken from inside the Budokan arena showing a packed audience under massive lighting rigs. Additional images show the blue and white Tamco Mobile Recording truck parked outside, and a sign written in Japanese with "Michael Schenker Group" on the concert venue’s facade.

At the lower left, small white text credits the MSG road crew, listing Bob Pyle (Tour Manager and Drums), David Kirkwood (Sound), and others involved in lighting and keyboards. The layout and color scheme convey both the grandeur of the live event and the gritty intensity of touring life.

Photo Two of Inside Page Gatefold Cover
Second inside gatefold collage from MSG's One Night at Budokan with red-framed photos of live band performances, drumming, and stage action, over a black background.

This is the second inside gatefold photo from the live album MSG – One Night at Budokan, showing a vibrant, multi-image collage of on-stage performance shots. The design mirrors the previous gatefold: rectangular photos with red borders, positioned at dynamic angles on a solid black background.

Most images highlight Michael Schenker front and center, performing in his iconic leather outfit and white Flying V guitar, often illuminated by deep stage lights. Several shots capture his trademark power stance, hair flaring mid-motion, radiating intensity and charisma.

Other images include Cozy Powell behind a Yamaha drum kit in motion blur, Gary Barden belting vocals in a sleeveless red shirt, and Chris Glen hammering his bass. Paul Raymond is also featured playing keys and rhythm guitar.

Crowd energy is captured in two key shots—one with the band in a collective bow and another with the crowd reaching forward in a burst of shared excitement. The lighting across images is theatrical, casting deep purples, reds, and blues to heighten the rock spectacle.

Along the bottom, white text gives detailed credits and thanks. Notable mentions include recording at the Tokyo Budokan on August 12, 1981, engineering by Tamco Mobile Recording, and mixing at Air Studios by David Wooley and MSG. Special thanks are extended to the UDO Agency staff and various crew members.

Close up of Side One record’s label
Close-up of Side One label from MSG's One Night at Budokan LP on Chrysalis Records with a blue gradient background, butterfly logo, track titles and credits in black print.

This is a close-up of the Side One record label from the vinyl LP MSG – One Night at Budokan, released by Chrysalis Records. The label features the distinctive Chrysalis design: a gradient blue-to-white background with the white butterfly logo near the bottom left.

Printed at the top in bold black type is the artist name Michael Schenker Group with the album title One Night at Budokan directly beneath it. Three tracks are listed for this side, including:

  • Armed and Ready – 6:16 (Schenker/Barden)
  • Cry for the Nations – 5:33 (Schenker/Barden)
  • Attack of the Mad Axeman – 5:08 (Schenker/Barden)

Production credits note the album was produced by M.S.G., David Wooley, and David Kirkwood. Copyright is attributed to Chrysalis Records Ltd., dated 1980/81.

On the right side of the label, pressing info includes: Side 1, STEREO, GEMA/ STEMRA licensing, catalog number 301 927, and matrix code S 301 927 A. The upper rim includes legal disclaimers in German prohibiting unauthorized duplication and distribution.

The label’s clean design and crisp typography make it highly legible, with the bold white “Chrysalis” wordmark standing prominently at the bottom.

Index of MICHAEL SCHENKER Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery

MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP - Assault Attack
Michael Schenker Group - Assault Attack

The Michael Schenker Group's "Assault Attack" (1982) made a distinct mark in the early '80s rock scene. With vocalist Graham Bonnet and producer Martin Birch, the album, recorded in France, marked a departure towards a heavier sound. Despite not matching earlier commercial success, it remains a significant testament to the evolving musical landscape of its time, blending powerful vocals and intense guitar riffs.

Assault Attack 12" Vinyl LP
MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP - Built to Destroy LP
Michael Schenker Group - Built to Destroy

Michael Schenker Group's 1983 album "Built to Destroy" encapsulates the dynamic shift in 1980s rock. Melding hard rock and metal, the LP, produced by MSG and Louis Austin, showcases Schenker's guitar virtuosity. With tracks like "Rock My Nights Away" and "Captain Nemo" it contributes to the era's evolving sound. The album's enduring influence lies in its production quality and cultural impact, making it a timeless gem in rock history.

Built to Destroy 12" Vinyl LP
Michael Schenker Group - Self-titled
Michael Schenker Group - Self-titled

The Michael Schenker Group's eponymous debut, released in September 1980, significantly influenced the hard rock genre during the dynamic late '70s and early '80s. Fueled by Michael Schenker's exceptional guitar skills, the album, available on vinyl LP, showcased a diverse range of tracks, contributing to the evolving sound of hard rock. Its enduring impact and distinctive production mark it as a pivotal release in rock music history.

Show Michael Schenker Group - Self-titled 12" Vinyl LP
Thumbnail Of  Michael Schenker Group -  One Night at Budokan  album front cover
Michael Schenker Group -  One Night at Budokan

"MSG Michael Schenker Group's 'One Night at Budokan' (1982) encapsulates the peak of 1980s rock and metal. Produced by T.Leo Sato and Hiro Kadoma, engineered by Soiji Okumura and David Wooley, the live recording at Tokyo Budokan showcases virtuosity. Yukio Maehara's design and Koichira Hiki, Kazumura Yoshikawa's photography enhance the visual narrative. A sonic journey through time, this iconic 2LP 12" vinyl immortalizes a historic night in music."

One Night at Budokan 12" Vinyl LP
 MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP - Perfect Timing
Michael Schenker Group - Perfect Timing

"Perfect Timing," the inaugural album by the McAuley Schenker Group, marks the initial synergy between iconic guitarist Michael Schenker and vocalist Robin McAuley. Released on 12" Vinyl LP, this 1987 masterpiece encapsulates a musical era characterized by dynamic collaborations. With its fusion of Schenker's legendary guitar prowess and McAuley's captivating vocals, the album makes an indelible contribution to the period's rock landscape, solidifying its significance within the context of the late '80s.

Perfect Timing 12" Vinyl LP
Rock Will Never Die
Michael Schenker Group - Rock Will Never Die  

"MSG Michael Schenker Group - Rock Will Never Die" is a live rock album recorded in 1983 at Hammersmith Odeon, London. Produced by Jack Douglas and others, its sonic brilliance is heightened by engineers James Ball and Gray Russell. Capturing the essence of '80s rock, the album's visual identity, crafted by Martin Brown, and cover photography by Fin Costello and Justin Thomas, complement the musical journey. A timeless classic, it resonates with the enduring spirit of live performances.

Rock Will Never Die 12" Vinyl LP
Thumbnail Of  Save Yourself ( Picture Disc)   album front cover
McAuley Schenker Group -  Save Yourself

The MCAULEY SCHENKER GROUP's "Save Yourself PD Picture Disc" epitomizes the late '80s and early '90s music scene. Produced by Frank Filipetti, the shaped picture disc, adorned with Annamaria Di Santo's photo, stands as a testament to creative innovation. It captures the era's spirit, blending diverse genres and pushing artistic boundaries. This multi-sensory experience reflects a dynamic period in European music history, where sound and visuals harmoniously intertwine.

Save Yourself (Picture Disc)