Biography
This German hard rock band was formed by guitarists Rudolf (b. 31 August 1948, Savstedt, Germany) and Michael Schenker (b. 10 January 1955, Savstedt, Germany) in 1970. With Klaus Meine (b. 25 May 1948, Hannover, Germany; vocals), Lothar Heimberg (bass) and Wolfgang Dziony (drums), they exploded onto the international heavy rock scene with Lonesome Crow in 1972. This tough and exciting record was characterized by Schenker's distinctive, fiery guitar work on his Gibson "Flying V' and Klaus Meine's dramatic vocals. Prior to recording their major label debut, Heinberg, Dziony and Schenker left, the latter joining UFO. Francis Buchholz and Jurgen Rosenthal stepped in on bass and drums, respectively, for the recording of Fly To The Rainbow. Ulrich Roth was recruited as Schenker's replacement in 1974 and Rudy Lenners took over as drummer from Rosenthal the following year. The following releases, In Trance and Virgin Killer, epitomized the Scorpions" new found confidence and unique style - a fusion of intimidating power-riffs, wailing guitar solos and melodic vocal lines. Produced by Dieter Dierks, the improvements musically were now matched technically. Their reputation began to grow throughout Europe and the Far East, backed up by exhaustive touring.

Taken By Force saw Herman Rarebell replace Lenners, with the band branching out into power-ballads, bolstered by emotive production, for the first time. Although commercially successful, Roth was not happy with this move, and he quit to form Electric Sun following a major tour to support the album. Tokyo Tapes was recorded on this tour and marked the end of the first phase of the band's career. This was a live set featuring renditions of their strongest numbers. Matthias Jabs (b. 25 October 1956, Hannover, Germany; ex-Fargo) was recruited as Roth's replacement, but had to step down temporarily in favour of Michael Schenker, who had just left UFO under acrimonious circumstances. Schenker contributed guitar on three tracks of Lovedrive and toured with them afterwards. He was replaced by Jabs permanently after collapsing on stage during their European tour in 1979. The band had now achieved a stable line-up, and shared the mutual goal of breaking through in the USA. Relentless touring schedules ensued and their albums leaned more and more towards sophisticated, hard-edged melodic rock. Blackout made the US Billboard Top 10, as did the following Love At First Sting which featured "Still Loving You", an enduring hard rock ballad. World Wide Live was released in 1985, another double live set, but this time only featuring material from the second phase of the band's career. It captured the band at their melodic best, peaking at number 14 in a four-month stay on the US chart.

The band took a well-earned break before releasing Savage Amusement in 1988, their first studio album for almost four years. This marked a slight change in emphasis again, adopting a more restrained approach. Nevertheless, it proved a huge success, reaching number 5 in the USA and number 1 throughout Europe. The band switched to Phonogram Records in 1989 and ended their 20-year association with producer Dieter Dierks. Crazy World followed and became their most successful album to date. The politically poignant "Wind Of Change", lifted as a single, became their first million-seller as it reached the number 1 position in country after country around the world. Produced by Keith Olsen, Crazy World transformed the band's sound, ensuring enormous crossover potential without radically compromising their identity or alienating their original fanbase. Buchholz was sacked in 1992, at which time investigators began to look into the band's accounts for alleged tax evasion. His replacement was classically trained musician Ralph Rieckermann (b. 8 August 1962, Lübeck, Germany), who had previously provided computer programming for Kingdom Come, as well as varied soundtrack work. Rieckermann made his debut on a perfunctory 1995 live album, their third such venture. Allied to a lack of new material, Live Bites only served to heighten suspicions about the long-term viability and vitality of the band. Rarebell subsequently left, and was replaced by James Kottak (b. 26 December 1962, Louisville, Kentucky, USA; ex-Kingdom Come). Kottak appeared on the band's new recording, Eye II Eye.

Discography:
Action/Lonesome Crow (Metronome/Brain 1972)***, Fly To The Rainbow (RCA 1974)***, In Trance (RCA 1975)****, Virgin Killer (RCA 1976)**, Taken By Force (RCA 1977)**, Tokyo Tapes (RCA 1978)**, Lovedrive (EMI 1979)**, Animal Magnetism (EMI 1980)**, Blackout (EMI 1982)***, Love At First Sting (EMI 1984)****, World Wide Live (EMI 1985)***, Savage Amusement (EMI 1988)***, Crazy World (Vertigo 1990)***, Face The Heat (Mercury 1993)**, Live Bites (Mercury 1995)**, Pure Instinct (East West 1996)**, Eye II Eye (Coalition 1999)**.

Solo: Herman Rarebell Nip In The Bud (Harvest 1981)**.

Compilations:
The Best Of The Scorpions (RCA 1979)***, The Best Of The Scorpions, Volume 2 (RCA 1984)**, Gold Ballads (EMI 1985)**, Best Of Rockers 'N' Ballads (EMI 1989)**, CD Box Set (EMI 1991)**, Deadly Sting: The Mercury Years (EMI 1995)***, One And Only Power Ballads (Mercury 1997)***.

Videography:
First Sting (PMI 1985), World Wide Live (PMI 1985), Crazy World Tour (PMI 1991), Acoustica (Warners 2001).

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