Scorpions

Scorpions are a legendary rock band from Hannover. Rudolf Schenker started the band in 1965, and in 1969 Rudolf’s brother Michael and vocalist Klaus Meine joined him. Scorpions were known internationally a bit later, in 1972, after their debut album Lonesome Crow was released. In 1973 the band was touring in Germany with famous hard rock band from London UFO. By the end of the year Michael was offered to become their new guitarist, and he agreed. Scorpions wanted Uli Roth to join them, but he preferred to stay in Dawn Road. Rudolf Schenker also became a member of that group, and soon Klaus Meine was invited to Dawn Road. They decided to use the Scorpions name, because they were already known in Germany, and musicians started to work on the album Fly To The Rainbow, which was released in 1974. That time Jurgen Rosenthal was changed by Rudy Lenners. Scorpions found their style: dynamic guitar riffs and solos and melodic vocal parts. Album In Trance appeared in 1975, and the fourth studio work titled Virgin Killer was released in 1976.

Scorpions were becoming popular and spent lots of time in numerous tours. They found many fans due to their rock ballads, which were presented on album Taken by Force, appeared in 1977. By this time the band had a new drummer - Herman Rarebell. The fifth album turned out to be commercially successful, but Uli Roth did not appreciate that fact, and after the Taken by Force tour he quitted the band. Matthias Jabs became a new member of Scorpions, but soon he had to leave the band for a while: Michael Schenker quarreled with UFO, and returned to Scorpions. He took part in record of Lovedrive which was released in 1979. He had parts in three compositions, and played with Scorpions during Lovedrive tour. In 1979 during one show Michael could not perform because of his problems with alcohol, and later he was substituted permanently by Matthias Jabs. Scorpions had constant members and were able to achieve the main goal: conquest of America.

The seventh album Animal Magnetism was released in 1980. The record was very bright and vivid, performed in best traditions of hard rock, and is considered to be one of the most recognizable albums of Scorpions. Album Blackout of 1982 got to the Top 10 of Billboard magazine. Next studio work titled Love At First Sting appeared in 1984. It had the famous song Still Loving You, and the record was as successful as Blackout. Savage Amusement of 1988 had a great success: it reached number five in the US and was on top of European charts. 1990 was the year of Scorpions most prosperous record: Crazy World. The band got the new sound, but still they were faithful to their own style. One of the most famous and legendary songs Wind Of Change was presented on this album. In 1992 Francis Buchholz quitted the band, and Ralph Rieckermann was chosen to be the new bassist. James Kottak became the new drummer. These were the new members of group; in 1996 the band released album Pure Instinct.

Scorpions were in a great shape, which is proved by the Eye To Eye album, released in 1999. It included such songs as Mind Like A Tree, Mysterious and Yellow Butterfly. Just before the millennium Scorpions started collaboration with the Berlin Philharmonic, and in 2000 the album Moment Of Glory appeared. It had Scorpions energy and incredible arrangements of Berlin Philharmonic. Album Unbreakable was released in 2004, and its quality proved the skills and talent of musicians. In 2007 the 21st studio work titled Humanity - Hour I appeared. In creation of that album Scorpions worked with many musicians, but rockers showed that they had their own style and sound. The legendary Scorpions decided to finish their career, and record Sting In The Tail, released in 2010, was the last album of Hannover hard rock band.