Michael Schenker declared his love for Rod Stewart’s voice, but explained why he wouldn’t write a song specifically for the veteran singer, in a new and exclusive video premiere.

“I love Rod Stewart -- simple,” guitarist Schenker says in the clip. “He’s a natural. Some people are lucky… they just have a natural voice. Many people who wanted to become rock stars because of the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle, lots of them, at some point they went to school. But Robert Plant and Rod Stewart, it’s just natural.”

You can watch the video below.

Former UFO and Scorpions member Schenker goes on to explain that, as a result of not speaking English in the earlier part of his life, he found himself more interested in the sound of vocals rather than the lyrics.

“I don’t write songs with anybody in mind … the way I write songs is not based on lyrics,” he says. “I need a singer to make a sound.”

He also accepts that many people prefer to listen to music they grew up with rather than discovering new music. Still, he says, “I hope there are some people out there who are still interested in art."

Michael Schenker Fest’s new album, Revelation, was released last month, and includes singers Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, Robin McAuley and Doogie White, guest vocalist Ronnie Romero, bassist Chris Glen, guitarist and keyboardist Steve Mann and drummers Simon Phillips and Bodo Schopf, both of whom were hired after the death of Ted McKenna in January.

You can watch the band’s video for its latest song “Behind the Smile” below.

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