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February 2, 2010
Scorpions Set to End Career on a High Note
At first I thought he was nuts. In the days of my youth back in the early 1980’s, I had a friend who introduced me to a rock band from Germany called Scorpions. First I’m thinking “A rock band from Germany?” It just didn’t make sense to me at the time. Everyone knew all of Europe’s great rock groups came out of the U.K., right?
Well, after riding around in his car listening to Scorpions cassette tapes for hours, I started to get it. These guys actually are pretty good. That was my introduction to the best-known rock band ever to come out of Germany. I won’t lie and say they are among my all-time favorites, but I still give their albums a listen once in a while, and usually end up enjoying their material more than I had anticipated.
After a wildly successful career which earned them a loyal fan base around the world, the Scorpions have decided to call it quits. They will, however, not be leaving quietly by any means. A new album entitled Sting in the Tail is in the works, and will be followed by a two-year tour spanning five continents.
Some fans may be wondering why they are throwing in the towel while they are still able to rock their fans like a hurricane, but as guitarist Rudolf Schenker describes it, “You can’t think about Scorpions at 70, not moving on stage, playing ‘Rock You Like a Hurricane’ — but on stage it’s not like a hurricane, it’s a very small wind," he says. "There’s no stinger, and that’s not good. You’re going back down hill, from big hall to small how, small how to club…Everything has it’s end; the question is it a good end or bad end? In this case we want to do these things and make it a good end.”
Man, I just love the way those guys put things sometimes. A “very small wind.” That’s not mean to be demeaning or to belittle their English skills in any way. It just comes out sounding rather amusing, but in a good way, and strangely endearing at the same time. Maybe it’s just me.
At any rate, Schenker is also quick to point out that they have no intention of disappearing altogether, and he eludes to all the film and other material they have accumulated during their career that they can continue releasing. In fact, the upcoming two-year tour is set to be filmed for possible release as some point.
It’s hard to blame them for wanting to go out on top. He’s very right about the “small wind.” Eventually we all reach the point where we would need a hand just getting up on a stage, and perhaps even a walker to move about once there!
It appears that these German rockers don’t have to worry about turning into a “small wind,” and will indeed be departing the scene like a hurricane. Venues around the globe are bound the be filled to capacity as they close out a pretty damn impressive career.
And to think I was doubtful about German rockers.
More details are online at Billboard.
November 20, 2009
Scorpions Announce Plans For 2010 World Tour
The latest classic rock group to announce tour plans for next year are Germany’s hard-rocking Scorpions. As the most successful rock band from Germany, the Scorpions are recognized around the world and can draw fans to arena-sized venues in from South America to Russia.
Even after working through a two-year world tour in support of their most recent album, Humanity: Hour 1, they have announced plans to hit the road again next year for a tour that is planned to last two years and bring the hard-working group to stadiums and other large venues.
With the tour scheduled to kick off in their home country next May, the group are currently working in the studio on a new album that is set for release next year. Also announced was word of a “sensational statement” that is expected from the group in January, which the group has not elaborated on.
Although no date has yet been announced for release of the new album, it makes sense to expect it to be available before the 2010 tour, which would give the Scorpions new material to showcase for their fans around the world. A new DVD, Amazonia - Live In The Jungle, which features footage from two of their shows in Brazil during the “Humanity World Tour” is available beginning today. The new DVD seeks to draw attention to the efforts of Greenpeace and their work to stop the destruction of Amazonian rain forests. Part of the proceeds from the DVD will be donated to Greenpeace.
After the start of the tour in Germany, plans are in place to bring the group to the United States, South America, Asia, Russia and other locations in Europe.
Fans will also be interested to learn that guitarist Rudolf Schenker has written a book called Rock Your Life. Although it is currently available only in a German-language version, there are other versions planned for release, including an English version. As the interview below shows, the book is less about rock and roll and more about self-improvement and fulfillment of one’s desire to be truly happy.
More information is available on the Scorpions official website.
