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SCORPIONS

line up: Klaus Meine (vocals) Rudolf Schenker (guitar) Mathias Jabs (guitar) Ralph Rieckermann (bass) Herman Rarebell (drums)

The foundation of the Scorpions (the band that later will be the most successfull European hardrock act) starts at the Schenker's in Hannover, Germany. Rudolf founds it in 1964 and after a while his younger brother Michael plays sometimes with them on guitar. However, Michael isn't allowed to play because who wants their 9-10 year old brother, who can technically play better than you, hanging around with your friends? When Rudolf accepts his brother, Michael becomes a real band-member. This is 1971 and the band furthermore exists of vocalist Klaus Meine, bassplayer Lothar Heinberg and drummer Wolfgang Dziony. They broke up just before Lonesome Crow was recorded. Conny Plank, a well known producer, offered them a chance to write and record the music for a movie soundtrack. The movie was a German movie called "The Cold Parardise" that mainly delt with drug abuse. The soundtrack was released as Lonesome Crow which they recorded and mixed the album in either 6 or 7 days. The band went out on tour, got nowhere, and broke up. Wolfgang & Lothar got married and got regular jobs at the local power plant. They reformed the band, started touring again, and got a record deal. They had to stop and serve their time in the German military, as everyone in Germany has to. When they got out, Uli was brought on as a third guitarist. Young Michael plays very good, even that good, that he's asked by U.F.O. to join them. Michael accepts the offer and leaves. The only original members left are Rudolf and Klaus, who record the second album, "Fly to the Rainbow", with Francis Buchholz on bass, and Jurgen Rosenthal on drums,and Ulrich Roth on lead guitar.Just like on the debut, the Scorpions play heavy rock with sometimes some Hendrix-alike space-influences in stretched guitar solo's from Ulrich (Uli for friends) Roth. Meanwhile Rudy Lenners has replaced Jurgen on drums because Jurgen got drafted. "In Trance", first time produced by their producer Dieter Dierks, is a big step forward, concerning the play and the compositions.Rudy plays drums on the hard "Virgin Killer", a true monument of hardrock-history, if it was only for the lolita-cover, that isn't allowed in the U.S. The Scorpions are breaking through in Europe and Japan, when "Taken by Force" is released in '78, this time with Herman Rarebell on drums. Rudy had to quit playing with the band, and drumming because he developed a heart murmur. Herman was a janitor at Heatrow airport, and was one of Michael's friends.This record has, besides the obligatory tempo-rockers, also some beautiful stretched epic songs. The negative side of the development of the Scorpions is the style-gap that arises between Schenker/Meine and Roth. Roth also disagreedwith their producer Dieter dierks over publishing. This results in Roth leaving the band after the '78-tour and founding his own band Electric Sun. Nevertheless a double-live album "Tokyo Tapes" is released, with recordings from this tour. A very good album, with no audible style-gap. The split happens also in a very friendly atmosphere. Before he left, the band auditioned 178 guitarists to replace him. When nobody panned out, a friend of Ulrich's brother Zeno was brought in. That's how Matthias got the gig. Coincedentally, Michael Schenker had just left U.F.O., but not in the same friendly atmosphere. He is welcomed like the prodigal son, though Matthias Jabs should replace Ulrich. Jabs is sidetracked and the new album "Lovedrive" is finished with Michael. Since Michael is contractually bound to UFO and has to go back, they call Jabs again and the actual line-up is born. There are also no more arguments about the musical direction, they want to break through in the U.S. The way to get this is a good live reputation, and the Scorpions adapt their songs to this. The time for experimental songs is history. By "Animal Magnetism" and especcially "Blackout" they conquer America. The band is almost constantly on tour and there is little time left for any studio albums. "Love at first Sting" is the last studio album for the moment. To keep the public awake, in '85 the mini-LP "Gold Ballads" is released. The new double live album "World Wide Live" confirms again the enormous class of Scorpions' favorite occupation: playing on stage. First in 1988 a new studio album is released: "Savage Amusement". A good record, showing the band (that gives ten sold-oud concerts in Leningrad, spring 1988) from a more introvert side. In 1990 a new album, "Crazy World", is released which has their most famous song and biggest hit to date, "Wind Of Change". Before their next album in July 1992, Francis Buchholz has decided to leave the band. They finally found a replacement bassist in Ralph Rieckermann. He quickly picked up their songs and blends well with the Scorpion's attitude.Later, in August 1993 they released another album, "Face The Heat", which is more heavy than their last album. It shows that the Scorpions truely know how to adapt in this society of changing music interests. In April of 1995, a new live album entitled Live Bites (1988-1995) is released for the fans. It has three new never before released tracks entitled White Dove, Heroes Don't Cry, and Edge Of Time.

Originally from The Book Of Metal (University Of Minnesota) Transcribed and updated by Gilbert G. Morton Corrections by Eric Jahr

Studio albums:

Lonesome Crow 71 **

Fly to the Rainbow 74 **

In Trance 75 ***

Virgin Killer 76 ***

Taken by Force 77 ***

Lovedrive 79 ****

Animal Magnetism 80 ***

Blackout 82 ****

Love at First Sting 84 ****

Savage Amusement 88 ****