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German heavy metal band Scorpions, are 45-year veterans of the rock music industry. The line-up of the group has changed considerably over the years with members coming, going and in some cases returning. Today, they are a five piece comprising guitarist Rudolf Schenker who founded the group in 1965; vocalist Klaus Meine who joined in 1970; Matthias Jabs, lead and rhythm guitar who has been with the group since 1978; drummer James Kottak who joined in the mid 1990s and newcomer, Pawel Mąciwoda who plays the bass and came on board in 2003.
The group was set up by Schenker in Hannover in 1965 and went through several changes before they released their first album, “Lonesome Crow” in 1972. In 1973, guitarist Michael Schenker left the group to join UFO and the band split. Rudolf Schenker was keen to work with fellow guitarist Uli Roth, but the latter preferred to remain with his own group, Dawn Road, so Schenker joined them, bringing with him several of the original members of Scorpions. By this time the name Scorpions was more well known than Dawn Road, so Dawn Road changed their name and the Scorpions was reborn.
The group’s second album, “Fly to the Rainbow” was released in 1974 and proved a small commercial success but it was their follow-up in 1975, that defined the sound of the group. “In Trance” was a collaboration with record producer Dieter Dierks who would go on to work with the band on many future releases. The album produced hits such as “Dark Lady”, “Robot Man” and “In Trance” which soon became fan favourites.
The band released three further albums during the 1970s, “Virgin Killer” in 1976, “Taken by Force” in 1978 and “Lovedrive” in 1979 which is still considered the best album the group ever recorded. The album combined ballads with hard rock songs such as “Loving You Sunday Morning” and “Holiday”. But it wasn’t the band’s most successful album. That accolade goes to their 1982 release “Blackout” which became their best selling album to date and produced hits such as “Dynamite” and “No One Like You”.
Throughout the late 1970s and early eighties, the membership of the band changed frequently. Michael Schenker returned to the band and then left again to be finally replaced by Jabs; drummers came and went, as did bass guitarists. But whatever the line-up, the band kept on recording and touring, strengthening their fan base and honing their sound.
In 1984, they released their ninth album, “Love at First Sting” that was successful not only in their home country but also in the influential US charts where it went double platinum. As with some of their previous records, the album cover was considered provocative and some record shops refused to stock it. But the group’s videos were picked up by MTV and played constantly on the music station. MTV gave the Scorpions the nickname “The Ambassadors of Rock” and repeatedly played the videos to their singles, which included “Bad Boys Running Wild” and “Still Loving You”.
It was four years before the band recorded another studio album, spending much of the interim period touring globally. “Savage Amusement” released in 1988 was criticised for being too pop-oriented and sold only reasonably well. Following the reaction from the press and fans, the band parted ways with their long-time producer, Dieter Dierks. During the tour to support the album, Scorpions played in the Soviet Union, becoming only the second Western group to do so after Uriah Heep. A later concert they did in Russia caused controversy for the group. They claimed they thought they were performing a Christmas concert for members of the ruling party but it turned out to be a 90th anniversary concert for the founding Cheka which was the predecessor of the KGB.
Their 1990 album, “Crazy World” produced the hit single “Wind of Change” which became the theme song for the changes that were happening throughout Europe at that time with the overthrow of the Communist regimes. It also became the song the band is most known for and was a massive hit around the world. The same year, they took part in Roger Water’s performance of Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” in Berlin.
The next four albums that the band released were not successful. “Face the Heat” came out in 1993 and saw the group return to their metal roots, which didn’t go down too well with fans and their live album “Live Bites” which took recordings from several of their tours, didn’t sell well. “Pure Instinct” was their 13th studio album and was released in 1996. The album contained a number of rock ballads, which enjoyed moderate success, unlike their 1999 album, “Eye II Eye” which was more pop, and techno focussed and was not a hit with fans or critics.
The Scorpions went back to their rock roots for their 15th studio album, “Unbreakable” released in 2004. It included tracks such as “New Generation” and “Deep and Dark” but due to lack of promotion and marketing, it didn’t sell well and didn’t make it into any of the major album charts. The group followed up the album with “Humanity – Hour I” in 2007, which, this time did make it into the Billboard 100 album chart, albeit at number 63.
The group were to release one further studio album, before announcing their retirement from the music business. “Sting in the Tail” came out in 2010 and was their 17th studio album. It did much better commercially reaching number two in their home market and number 23 in the US album charts. To say goodbye to their fans, the band embarked on a final farewell tour that is expected to last until the end of 2012.
Very few European heavy metal acts break through into the international music scene and ever fewer last 45 years and sell over 100 million albums. Despite numerous band member changes and 17 studio albums, the band will always be remembered for “Wind of Change” the song that defined a moment in time.
