Scorpions

Scorpions' bases were laid in Hanover (Germany) in 1965, when guitarist Rudolf Schenker decided to set up a band with Wolfgang Dziony (battery). The line-up was completed in 1969-70 with the arrival of Klaus Meine (chant), Michael Schenker (guitar) and Lothar Heimberg (bass). It was in this form that the first album, Lonesome Crow, was released in 1972, in a Psychedelic Rock register that was quite distant from the Scorpions' typical sound that was later known. At the end of the same year, three of the members left the adventure; Rudolf Schenker and Klaus Meine, who recruited the three Dawn Road Ulrich Roth (guitar, better known as Uli Jon Roth), Francis Buchholz (bass) and Jürgen Rosenthal (drums). Fly To The Rainbow appeared in 1974 and allowed the group to begin to make themselves known outside Germany. In 1975 Rudy Lenners became the new drummer. The album In Trance marks a turning point towards a more Hard Rock sound; It is produced by Dieter Dierks, who will remain a producer of Scorpions until the late 1980s. Virgin Killer (1976) was particularly notable for her controversial cover, but nevertheless had some success, particularly in Japan. In 1977 Rudy Lenners was replaced by Herman Rarebell. Taken By Force was recorded the same year, it was the last album with Ulrich Roth, who decided to leave after the 1978 tour (from which the live Tokyo Tapes was drawn). Mathias Jabs is the guitarist. It is with this line-up, stable for more than a decade, that Scorpions reaches the peak of its popularity. Lovedrive albums in 1979 (on which Michael Schenker appeared) and Animal Magnetism in 1980 allowed the band to export to the United States. In 1981, singer Klaus Meine encountered serious vocal problems, to the point of considering withdrawing, but eventually recovered. The two greatest classics of the band were Blackout (1982), and especially Love At First Sting (1984), which touched the general public, notably with the ballad Still Loving You (the most sold song of 1984 in France). The ensuing tour resulted in the recording of World Wide Live in 1985. It was not until 1988 that a new studio album, Savage Amusement, was released, the last with producer Dieter Dierks. It is followed by a world tour including the USSR, then the Crazy World album in 1990, best known for the title Wind Of Change which refers to united Germany and the fall of the Communist bloc. Bassist Francis Buchholz left the band in 1992 and was replaced by Ralph Riekermann. Face The Heat , in 1993, is more heavy than previous productions but does not meet the expected success. In 1995, it was the turn of drummer Herman Rarebell to leave Scorpions, replaced by Curt Cress for the recording of Pure Instinct (1996, an album that made the most of ballads), then by James Kottak. In 1999, Eye II Eye , more focused Electro-Pop , did not help to refurbish the German coat of arms. In 2000, Moment Of Glory , a compilation of former tracks re-recorded with the Berlin Philarmonic Orchestra, followed by a tour and a new live, Acoustica . 2004 marks the departure of Ralph Riekermann and the arrival of bassist Pawel Maciwoda. Unbreakable , announced as a return to the sources, is relatively well received without resuming the success of the 1980s. In 2007, it is a concept album that is born: Humanity - Hour I . In 2010 comes out what must be the last opus of the formation, Sting In The Tail . In fact, the band announced a farewell tour in the same year, which was to last until 2012. At the same time appears Comeblack , compilation of re-records and covers. At the end of 2012, and a new declaration: retirement is no longer on the agenda. The album Return To Forever was released in 2015 to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Scorpions. It is partly made up of indeits composed during the 1980s and reworked for the occasion. In 2016, drummer James Kottak left the band. He was then replaced by Mikkey Dee (ex- Motörhead). A new compilation entitled Born To Touch Your Feelings - Best Of Rock Ballads was released in 2017 and includes two new titles.
.