The legendary group Scorpions again says goodbye to Russia as part of an additional tour. The mini-tour will end in Moscow on the stage of Crocus City Hall, which, according to the band’s vocalist Klaus Meine, will be different from previous “farewells” and, apparently, will still be the last in the capital and in Russia.

In 1972, the group released their debut album, Lonesome Crow. From the very beginning, Scorpions aimed to reach the top of the world hard rock business, so Klaus Meine wrote all the lyrics in English.

Starting with the third album In Trance (1975), the group began collaborating with the famous international producer Dieter Dierks. The album Virgin Killer (1976) won the Album of the Year award in Germany, and received gold status in Japan - for the first time in the group's history.

In 1979, the Scorpions released the album Lovedrive, which became a huge triumph for the group.
That same year, the musicians began their first large-scale tour of America. During the recording of the album Blackout (1982), Klaus Meine lost his voice. After two ligament surgeries, Klaus resumed work in the group.

After three of the band's albums - Animal Magnetism (1980), Blackout (1982) and Love At First Sting (1984) - hit the American charts, the Scorpions spent two years touring around the world and participating in all the major rock festivals.

In 1985, the double album World Wide Live was released, which was the result of the tour, combining songs performed during the tour. In 1986 in the UK, the Scorpions headlined the famous Monsters Of Rock festival, which featured some of the biggest names in the hard rock/heavy metal scene.

In 1988, Savage Amusement was released, the last album produced by Dieter Dierks. It reached number three on the American charts and number one on the European charts. In anticipation of the Savage Amusement world tour in 1988, the Scorpions performed 10 sold-out concerts in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), attended by a total of 350 thousand Soviet fans.

Scorpions became the first foreign rock band to play in the USSR. In 1989, Soviet authorities allowed the legendary Moscow Music Peace Festival to be held, which was organized in support of the fight against drugs in Russia.

Scorpions performed at the Moscow Stadium. Lenin along with Bon Jovi, Cinderella, Ozzy Osbourne, Skid Row, Motley Crew and the Russian group Gorky Park. Impressed by the festival, Klaus Meine created a hit Wind of change.

That same year, the Berlin Wall was destroyed. Wind Of Change has become a worldwide anthem to glasnost and perestroika, a kind of soundtrack to the fall of the Iron Curtain, communism and the end of the Cold War.

In 2012, the last tour of Russia was announced. On April 26 and 27 there will be concerts in Moscow at Crocus City Hall.

On the film, which began filming at the end of 2011. This is a documentary about the band and concerts. Filming took place in London, Berlin, Paris, and in different parts of the world. The last concerts in Moscow will also be filmed.

The current line-up of the group includes: Klaus Meine - vocals; Rudolf Schenker - rhythm guitar; Matthias Jabs - rhythm guitar, James Kottak - drums, Pawel Maciwoda - bass guitar.

The material was prepared based on information from open sources

Page 1 of 2

Like many teenagers of the 60s, inspired Elvis Presley, chewing gum, blue jeans, leather jackets and, most importantly, rock and roll, in 1965 Rudolf Schenker laid the foundation for the most successful German hard rock band of all time - SCORPIONS. Since their 1972 debut album "Lonesome Crow", the Scorpions have traveled an incredible path in their career, giving us with their creativity some of the brightest and most unforgettable moments in the history of world rock music.

In Japan, the 1975 album "In Trance" becomes the best-selling album of the year from the RCA catalog.

In the mid-70s, the newly formed Van Halen began to gain popularity through covers. Scorpions- "Speedy's Coming" (album "Fly To The Rainbow") and "Catch Your Train" (album "Virgin Killer").

In 1979, the album " Lovedrive"reaches gold status in the US.

In 1982, the album "Blackout" entered the American TOP 10, reached platinum status and was recognized as the best hard rock album of the year.

In 1983 at a festival in California in San Bemadino Valley Scorpions performing in front of 325 thousand fans.

In 1984, the album "Love At First Sting" was released with the famous ballad " Still Loving You". “Scorpio mania” is beginning on both sides of the Atlantic.

In 1985, at the famous Rock In Rio festival in Brazil, the group gathered 350 thousand people.

In 1988, visiting the USSR for the first time, Scorpions They sell out their concerts. Thus, in Leningrad, the “scorpions” completely sold out 10 concerts, which were attended by more than 300 thousand fans.

In 1990, the "scorpions" take part in a grandiose theatrical performance Roger Waters "The Wall"at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin.

In 1991 Scorpions were invited to the Kremlin for an honorary meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev. This meeting is still considered a unique event both in the history of rock music and in the history of the USSR. The same year the single " Wind Of Change"took first place in the charts in 11 countries.

In 1992 Scorpions received the World Music Award and were recognized as the best German group.

In 1994, they again received a World Music Award and received an invitation from their daughter Elvis Presley to play at the prestigious Elvis Presley memorial concert in Memphis.

In 1996, to mark the end of the war in Libya Scorpions played a concert in Beirut, thus becoming the first Western hard rock band to perform there.

On November 11, 1999, on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the reunification of Germany, at the invitation of the German government, Scorpions performing in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

In 2000 at a rock festival in Poland Scorpions gather the largest audience - 750 thousand people.

In 2003 Scorpions perform in Moscow on Red Square during the City Day celebration.

The Scorpions were one of the first Western groups to perform about the USSR. Does Russia hold any special place in your hearts now?

Interviews with musicians"SCORPIONS"

Klaus: Russia has always held a special place in my heart, primarily because we had many interesting and impressive moments there related to our creativity and music. They simply cannot be forgotten. I have a lot of memories associated with concerts and meetings in Moscow and other cities. Even using the example of our last big tour in 2002, when we were asked if we would be interested in giving concerts in more than ten cities, including Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, Vladivostok, Samara, Rostov-on-Don, etc., we We had no doubt at all, and these six weeks of tour became for us the most unforgettable adventure that simply cannot be forgotten. Every time I remember and share my impressions of Russia with my friends, I do not hide that Russia will always remain a special place for Scorpions, be it our very first concert in Leningrad, the Moscow “Music Peace Festival” or the last September performance on Red Square at the bottom of the city, when I, standing with my eyes closed in front of tens of thousands, thought: this is the most beautiful dream that you can have any musician. I even wrote a ballad called "Siberia" ("Siberia"), but time will tell whether it will see the light of day or not. Maybe we'll include it on one of our albums as a bonus track.

Matthias: Yes, of course, at one time it was a rather bold, even a little historical act, when we first came to the USSR with a concert. I remember that it was virtually impossible to perform in the former Eastern European bloc. In the year 1985-86, when one promoter organized our first concert in Hungary, he was the only person who later tried to find a contact for us to come to the USSR. East Germans then could freely come to our concert in Hungary, but the Russians could not afford this. Then about 45 thousand people gathered in Budapest, of which ten thousand came from eastern Germany. In the spring of 1988, when we were finally able to come to Leningrad, it was an inexplicable feeling, we had done something impossible, and it would stay with us for the rest of our lives.

Rudolf: Before, we knew nothing about Russia. Only from someone's stories, or thanks to TV. It was a natural desire to come to this country and see everything with my own eyes. Since then we have been frequent guests, and, of course, Russia has taken a special place in my heart. Moreover, during our last Russian tour I met Tatyana, with whom we have been together for more than a year. Having traveled around the country and talked with ordinary people, it seemed to me that the Russian soul is in many ways very similar to the German one. Oh my God, I remember we arrived in Volgograd, and a folk women’s choir greeted us with songs, and our grandmothers treated us to vodka. It's unforgettable.

In 1989 Scorpions released a 25-minute video from the 1988 concert in Leningrad "From Russia With Love". Are you planning to release any new video material from your trips and concerts around Russia in the near future?

Klaus: Yes, we are currently working on a new DVD, which will include material from our September Moscow performance, fragments from German TV, we will also definitely include documentary photographs and episodes about our journey across Russia by train through the Ural Mountains, and will highlight our arrival in Volgograd etc. I think the new video should be out before the end of 2004.

Matthias: In addition to the video, we recorded quite a lot of concert material from performances in Moscow and Siberia. This material is quite enough for a live album. Time will tell, maybe something special will happen, some interesting event that will push us to release a live album from Russian shows.

When you perform simply as a rock band, everything is clear and understandable, but when you are on stage with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra or the Russian Presidential Orchestra, then everything probably turns out differently. Even the audience can be different. Do you have any comments on these types of performances?

Klaus: Yes, sure. When we play a rock show as a band, everything comes naturally to us. This is what we have always done and continue to do to this day. When we perform with an orchestra, everything, of course, turns out a little differently. First of all, there are many technical and organizational issues. Standing on stage, in addition to your monitors, you should hear another eighty people with violins, trumpets, etc. You have to be very sensitive and find a certain balance between the group and the orchestra. Remember that it’s not just us, not five people, but all eighty-five on stage. Everyone must be extremely concentrated. The second point is, of course, the arrangement and construction, the structure of the songs. Playing with orchestras is not as easy as it seems.

History of the Group

Like many teenagers in post-war Germany,
Klaus Meine and Rudolf Schenker were influenced by music and other tempting delights
modern life, brought to their homeland by American soldiers: Elvis Presley,
chewing gum, jeans, leather vests and, above all, rock and roll. WITH
In their early years, Klaus and Rudolf felt an irresistible desire to pick up
guitar and step out into the spotlight. In the early 60s, the Beatles made a beat revolution. A
in the mid-60s Klaus Meine and Rudolf Schenker, blessed with understanding
parents also began performing with their own rock bands.

Guitarist and songwriter Rudolf Schenker's inspiration was the raw riffs of bands like the Yardbirds, Pretty Things and Spooky Tooth,

who were considered true hard rockers in those days.

Rudolf's younger brother Michael (Michael Schenker) was

fascinated by rock music and the emerging rock culture.

With the advent of the New Year 1970, the younger Schenker, who despite his youth had already established himself as an outstanding guitarist, left

together with the singer and composer Klaus Meine, the Hanoverian group Copernicus,
to join the SCORPIONS. Klaus and Rudolf teamed up to create
excellent creative duo Meine/Schenker, thereby laying the foundation
impressive success story.

In 1972, the SCORPIONS released their excellent debut album, Lonesome Crow (1972), produced by Connie

Plank (Conny Plank)
in Hamburg. Vocal and instrumental motifs that a few years later
have become a typical, unchanging Scorpov sound, already recognizable:
uncompromising guitar hard rock like what Jimi Hendrix played
(Jimmy Hendrix), Cream, Led Zeppelin in the mid-60s.

The unique SCORPIONS style resulted from

combinations of two electric guitars: with unusually powerful riffs and dazzling
florid solos. Add to this the instantly recognizable voice of the singer and frontman
Klaus Meine with his expressive, brilliant presentation.

In some ways, the SCORPIONS were unique in the German rock scene of that period. The group set its sights on reaching the top from the very beginning

world hard rock business, so Klaus Meine wrote all the lyrics in English. IN
creative union of Maine and Schenker, Germany finally found a worthy answer
famous beat and rock bands from the English-speaking world.

The first album "Lonesome Crow" set the band on the path

to international success. SCORPIONS opened for Rory Gallagher
(Rory Gallagher), UFO and Uriah Heep.

Throughout the history of the Scorpions group, its unshakable
the driving force was Rudolf Schenker. He followed his father's philosophy of life:
“Nothing is impossible, you just have to believe.” From the first days of creation
SCORPIONS Rudolf Schenker said without undue modesty: "Once upon a time SCORPIONS
will become one of the best rock bands in the world!" The rest of the group also
were committed to this idea.

SCORPIONS never rested on their laurels and were constantly looking for something new. They took every opportunity to

improve your professional level and get closer to success.

In 1973, after a joint tour with UFO, Michael Schenker

joined this British rock band. In place of Skorpovsky's lead guitarist
he was replaced by Ulrich Roht. He was also an exceptional guitarist,
possessed an almost mystical talent. With Ulrich, SCORPIONS continued exploring
hard rock genre.

In the 70s they undertook several tours of Western Europe, playing in numerous venues and conquering country after country. They

appeared wherever they could connect their instruments. In 1973
The same year they opened for The Sweet on their first European tour. In it
At the same time, the SCORPIONS continued to work on studio albums, of which
the next four were recorded with Ulrich. "Fly To The Rainbow"
(1974) features hard, energetic rock like never before heard from
German group. The title track "Speedy's Coming" epitomizes the style
SCORPIONS: Ultra-hard rock harmoniously combined with exciting melodies.

Since the third album "In Trance" (1975)

The SCORPIONS are working with renowned international producer Dieter Dierks. They
decided to make a career in hard rock. "In Trance" became
bestseller in Japan, where real Scorpio mania broke out.

In 1975, the SCORPIONS toured Europe, where they were the highlight of the show along with KISS. In the same year they were recognized

the best live band in Germany. SCORPIONS Touring UK
found themselves in the very “lion’s den”: they had the honor of performing in the legendary
Cavern Club in Liverpool. In this cradle of hard rock
they managed to gain recognition from even the most die-hard British fans.
Further successes of the Scorps in the mid-70s were concerts in the famous
London club The Marquee.

Japan 1978

SCORPIONS dream to become the best German rock band
came to fruition when their fourth album "Virgin
Killer" (1976) won the Album of the Year award in Germany.
Japan's "Virgin Killer" received gold status for the first time
in the history of the group.

The next album "Taken By Force" (1977) also

went gold in Japan.

In 1978, the SCORPIONS toured Japan, the world's second largest music market, where they first experienced

means to be superstars. Upon arrival at Tokyo airport, our five
The rockers were surrounded by a crowd of enthusiastic fans.

After the Japanese tour, Ulrich Roth left the group. Double

the album "Tokyo Tapes" (1978) seemed to sum up the period of collaboration
SCORPIONS and Ulrich. This recording is even now highly valued by collectors throughout the world.
all over the world.

Michael Schenker returned to the “prodigal son” group for a short time (he recorded parts in some songs from Lovedrive), and then the vacant

The guitarist's place was finally taken by Matthias Jabs. This was preceded by a huge
Job. In 1978, an advertisement appeared in Melody Maker magazine:
The SCORPIONS are looking for a new lead guitarist. In London they had to listen to more
140 applicants until they decided on a fellow Hanoverian
Matthias Jabs. Having joined the work at the very end, Matthias immediately
joined the recording of "Lovedrive". The album was a huge triumph
group and still remains one of the best SCORPIONS albums. Cover
won the award of the year for best artistic direction.

As already mentioned, Michael Schenker joined briefly

joined the group in 1978, but left again mid-tour. In 1980 he
created his own group MSG (The Michael Schenker's Group).

Matthias Jabs, one might say, jumped on the bandwagon of the outgoing

trains, having accomplished a real feat: literally the night before he had learned all
program for the upcoming tour. His baptism of fire took place when SCORPIONS
played to a crowd of 55,000 as the opening act for Genesis. In the person of Matthias
The SCORPIONS have finally found a lead guitarist whose enthusiasm, virtuosity and
creativity made a decisive contribution to the group's success. Thanks to him
Scorpov's sound has become even richer and more expressive. Like a missing piece
mosaics, his guitar perfectly complemented the dynamics of the group, creating what we call
unique SCORPIONS sound.

Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs still form the core of the group. With bassist Francis Buhholz (he

joined the group in 1973 at the same time as Ulrich Roth) and drummer
Herman Rarebell (he made his debut during the recording of the album
"Taken By Force") they finally confirmed the "star
composition", which was destined to continue its victorious march right up to Wind
Of Change.

Already hailed as a supergroup in Japan in 1978, in 1979 the SCORPIONS decided to conquer the huge US market. Their weapons: professional

attitude to work, an unbending will to win and a friendly atmosphere as
within the group and in relation to the fans. And, of course, amazing
musicality. The SCORPIONS had a very long way to go before
their own unique musical image was formed on the world
rock scene.

In the 80s The US had the largest music market in the world.

And the SCORPIONS, starting in 1974, had many followers in
States. Van Halen boosted their career in music by making cover versions of the Skorpovskys
hits "Speedy's Coming" (from "Fly To The Rainbow") and
"Catch Your Train" (from "Virgin Killer").

In 1979, now professionally produced and hot from the success of "Lovedrive" (1979), the SCORPIONS

line-up - Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs - started their first
a large-scale tour of America, giving concerts in open venues with Aerosmith,
Ted Nugent and AC/DC. In Chicago, the SCORPIONS became the highlight of the program
instead of Ted Nugent, and since then the Scorps have more fans in this
city. This tour was a good lesson for the SCORPIONS in how to play in the rock business.

Their seventh album, "Lovedrive", was released in the US on
1979 and became the first SCORPIONS item to receive gold status there.
disc." The next one was "Animal Magnetism" (1980).

With these two albums - "Lovedrive" and

"Animal Magnetism" - the group finally made a breakthrough in the North
America. The SCORPIONS' second US tour was a triumph. An era has begun
Grand Tour of the SCORPIONS.

After even more successful tours in 1981, during

recording "Blackout" (1982), Klaus Meine suddenly lost his voice. Not
Wanting to hinder the band's success, Klaus decided to leave the SCORPIONS. But strong
friendship between Klaus and Rudolf along with support from all members
groups allowed the almost impossible to happen. After long
training and two operations on the ligaments, Klaus managed to recover from the injury. Few
Moreover, in 1982 he returned with significantly improved vocal abilities.
One critic wrote: "They gave Klaus Meine a bundle of iron!"
The band's decision not to part ways with their constant vocalist subsequently
completely justified itself. ".

In 1982, the SCORPIONS undertook a tour of the United States (opening for

Iron Maiden performed there in support of their stunning new album
"Blackout". The stunning cover design for this album was done by Gelnwein
(Helnwein). The album and single "No One Like You" hit the American
"Top Ten", as well as the album went platinum and won
"Best Hard Rock Album of the Year" award.

One hit followed another - and in the 80s the SCORPIONS conquered

the hearts of rock lovers from all over the world. In 1984, the SCORPIONS became the first
German band who performed three successful concerts for 60,000 fans in New York
"Madison Square Garden".

The SCORPIONS have climbed to the very top of the musical Olympus.

Three of their albums entered the American charts at once: "Animal Magnetism"
(1980), "Blackout" (1982) and "Love At First Sting" (1984).
SCORPIONS spent 2 years "on wheels", participating in all major
rock festivals that appeared after Woodstock. They toured all over
world with entire squadrons of trucks, buses, helicopters, with our own
airplanes and traditional limousines. Hanoverian heavy metal band
now there are grandiose concerts in North, South, Central America, Europe, and
also in Asia - in Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Japan. It was golden
century" of hard rock. Giant stages, lighting and pyrotechnic effects -
The SCORPIONS unleashed a storm of light and sound on the crowd.

Their endless energy drove fans crazy. For

American audiences of the SCORPIONS with their brilliant, polished "melodic
rock" and the powerful dramatic vocals of Klaus Meine embodied everything
the best in hard rock. Bon Jovi, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Def Leppard and Europe,
which later became supergroups, played as the opening act for the SCORPIONS, receiving priceless
experience of performing in front of crowds of millions.

"Love At First Sting" became one of the most successful

albums in rock history. It includes the most bone-crushing Scorpovsky
stuff like "Rock You Like A Hurricane", "Bad Boys Running
Wild" and the imperishable masterpiece "Still Loving You".

Critics competed with rave reviews. Rolling Magazine

Stone called the SCORPIONS "heavy metal heroes." SCORPIONS were accepted
to an exclusive club of the 30 greatest rock bands of all time. Ballad
"Still Loving You" became an international rock anthem. In only one
In France, this single sold 1,700,000 copies. The song caused such a stir
hysteria among French fans, which has not been seen since the days of the Beatles, and became
SCORPIONS insignia.

The SCORPIONS' most memorable public appearances were

concerts in California in front of an audience of 325,000 and in Rio de Janeiro, where they
greeted by 350,000 enthusiastic South American fans. In 1985 double
album "World Wide Live" (1985), twin brother of the album "Tokyo"
Tapes" captures the band's recent international triumph in all its glory.

In 1986, the SCORPIONS were the highlight of the

famous festival "Monsters Of Rock". And that same year they played
the capital of Hungary, Budapest. This was their first appearance in the country of the East
Blok.

The SCORPIONS were a regular on the charts with hits such as "Rock You Like A Hurricane",

"Blackout", "Big City Nights", "The Zoo",
"No One Like You", "Dynamite", "Bad Boys Running"
Wild", "Coast To Coast". In the 1980s, the Scorps created a new
a type of hard rock that has not lost popularity to this day. And their powerful
rock ballads such as "Still Loving You", "Holiday",
"Wind Of Change", "Send Me An Angel", "When You Came"
Into My Life", "You & I" along with wonderful acoustic
songs "Always Somewhere" and "When The Smoke Is Going Down"
- were able to conquer even the most inveterate hard rock haters.

"Savage Amusement" (1988), last album,

produced by Dieter Dierks, was released in 1988. He reached 3rd place in
American charts and 1st place in European charts.

Even after years of touring the US and the rest of the world,

The SCORPIONS did not rest on their laurels, but continued to look for something new.
Ahead of the 1988 "Savage Amusement" World Tour, SCORPIONS
broke through the Iron Curtain and gave 10 sold-out concerts in
Leningrad for 350,000 Soviet fans. They became the first foreign
rock band that played in the USSR, a stronghold of communism. Hard rock, heavy metal and, in
features, Scorpio ballad "Still Loving You" has already penetrated
for the Iron Curtain. SCORPIONS are still met with enthusiastic
reception in Russia.

Moscow 1989

And a year later, in August 1989, 20 years after Woodstock,
Soviet authorities, inspired by the success of Scorpov's concerts in Leningrad,
gave the go-ahead for holding the legendary Moscow Music and Peace Festival
(Moscow Music Peace Festival). Here the SCORPIONS performed with others
hard rock monsters such as Bon Jovi, Cinderella, Ozzy Osbourne
Osbourne), Skid Row, Motley Crew and Russian group Gorky Park - in front of 260,000
Soviet rock fans at the Moscow Stadium. Lenin.

In September 1989, Klaus Meine, impressed by

Moscow Peace Festival, created the super hit "Wind of change".

Then, in November 1989, something completely unexpected happened.

event. The Berlin Wall was destroyed. "Wind Of Change" became
the global anthem of glasnost and perestroika, a kind of soundtrack to the fall
The Iron Curtain, communism and the end of the Cold War. Year
Later, in 1990, the SCORPIONS performed on Roger Waters' spectacular show.
Waters) "The Wall" on Potsdamer Platz, where
once stood a fragment of the Berlin Wall.

"Wind Of Change" was such a success in Russia that
Scorps soon recorded a Russian version of the hit. Thanks to this wise decision,
they had a high-ranking fan: in 1991, the German group was
invited to the Kremlin for a meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev, the last President
USSR and party leader. This was a unique event in the history of the Soviet
Union and rock music.

The SCORPIONS themselves were also affected by the "wind of change".

Before recording and releasing the new album "Crazy World" (1990), their
long-term collaboration with Dieter Dierks, who produced so many successful
albums have come to an end. "Crazy World", first album, producers
which was the SCORPIONS themselves (with the help of Keith Olsen),
which included "Wind Of Change", immediately became the most successful
disc of the year. Not only "Crazy World" received this honor: the single
"Wind Of Change" became a No. 1 hit worldwide, peaking at No.
charts in 11 countries.

IN In 1992, the SCORPIONS received the "Music Peace Prize" as the most successful German rock band. "Crazy World" -

clear proof of the creative talents of Scorpov's masterminds: Matthias Jabs
contributed with the dynamic title track "Tease Me Please"
Me", while Rudolf Schenker once again proved his ability
hit the nail on the head with the classic Scorpio ballad "Send"
Me An Angel" and Klaus Meine demonstrated brilliant skill in
"Wind Of Change".

Following the "Crazy World" worldwide tour, the SCORPIONS parted ways with bassist Francis Buchholz. On "Face The Heat" (1993) (co-producer)

Bruce Fairbairn)
a new bassist participated - Ralph Rieckermann, with a conservatory education. In 1994
The SCORPIONS have once again won the Music Peace Prize.

Another significant moment in their career came when, at the invitation of the family of the “King of Rock and Roll”, Priscilla and Lisa Marie

Presley and the “King of Pop” Michael Jackson they presented a cover version
"His Latest Time" at the Elvis Presley Memorial Concert in Memphis.

In the same year, SCORPIONS, together with the UN, provided assistance

refugees from warring Rwanda. In just one week the band recorded and released
charity single "White Dove".

In late 1995, as the recording of Pure Instinct (1996) was wrapping up (co-produced by Keith Olsen and Erwin Masper

(Erwin Musper), SCORPIONS veteran drummer Herman Rabell has left the band.

In 1988, during the Savage Amusement tour, the American band Kingdome Come, produced by Keith Olsen, opened for the SCORPIONS. Even then, Scorpov was impressed by the playing style of the band's drummer, Californian James Kottak. In 1995

The Scorps asked former AC/DC manager Stuart Young to call James and
hire him as drummer for the upcoming "Pure" world tour
Instinct." Kottak became the first American to play in a German rock band.
In the person of 2 new members, bassist Ralf Riekermann and drummer James Kottak,
A new generation of musicians has appeared in the SCORPIONS group.

The "Pure Instinct" world tour proved that the SCORPIONS were still one of rock's most important acts. Not only in

Europe and America. In countries like Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, volume marks
their album sales reached well above average levels, their discs continued
receive “gold” and “platinum” status. In November 1996
The SCORPIONS became the first rock band to play concerts in Beirut after graduation.
civil war in Lebanon.

In 1999, on the recording of "Eye To Eye" (1999) (produced by Peter Wolf), James Kottak took part in the Scorpions' work in the studio for the first time. The album cover marks some changes in style

groups. The cover shows only the founders of the SCORPIONS: Rudolf Schenker,
Klaus Meine and Matthias Jabs. And the album itself is another confirmation
the impressive talents of all members of the SCORPIONS as composers and
instrumentalists. Songlike "Mysterious"
"Yellow Butterfly", "A Moment In A Million Year",
"Mind Like A Tree" and "Eye To Eye" - show that the team is on
picket of creative upsurge. In "Du Bist So Schmutzig"
(“You Are So Dirty”) is the first time we hear German lyrics from the Scorps. How
The SCORPIONS played part of the "Eye To Eye" world tour by invitation
Michael Jackson at the charity concert "Michael Jackson and Friends"
("Michael Jackson and Friends") in Munich.

Following its motto "Don"t Stop At The

Top!” (“Don’t stop there!”), SCORPIONS met
new millennium with a new beginning: a joint project with the world famous
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, previously led by the legendary
Herbert von Karajan. In 1995, the orchestra considered the possibility of joint
project and was looking for a suitable group. Years later, even this classical orchestra
recognized the success and international reputation of SCORPIONS. Two Mercedes
German music agreed to a joint bold undertaking under the leadership
famous Austrian producer, composer, conductor and arranger
Christian Kolonovits. SCORPIONS began preparing already in
1995 From that time on, both groups, so to speak, continued
work on the project. After the release of "Eye To Eye" (1999) and subsequent
world tour, the SCORPIONS got down to serious business. Harbinger
upcoming events was Scorpov's performance at the invitation of the German
government at a concert held in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
November 11, 1999, on the 10th anniversary of German reunification. "Wind Of Change"
166 cellists performed with the SCORPIONS, and the outstanding soloist
virtuoso cellist Mstislav Rostropovich.

In January 2000, the SCORPIONS with Christian Kolonowitz

started studio recording in Vienna. The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra recorded its
parties in April. The album was finally mixed in April-May 2000 at Galaxy
Studios in Belgium. Collaborative album between SCORPIONS and Berlin Philharmonic
orchestra's "Moment Of Glory" (2000) was released on June 19, 2000.

The first concert took place on June 22, 2000 at the EXPO 2000 exhibition in Hannover. The album also includes the exhibition's official anthem

"Moment Of Glory".

In February 2001, the SCORPIONS performed several acoustic

concerts in Lisbon. Based on their results, a live album was recorded
"Acoustica" (2001), which includes acoustic variations
old Scorpov hits, as well as 3 new songs. In the recording of the project again
Christian Kolonowitz took part. He worked on the arrangements as well as
recorded keyboard parts for the album. Without stopping studio work, this spring
same year, the SCORPIONS gave concerts in Russia and the CIS countries as part of the tour
"Moment Of Glory". In June, Scorps continued their “development”
countries of Eastern Europe, performing for the first time in the capital of Albania, Tirana.

2001 – the album “Acoustica” and the single “When Love” are released

Kills Love.” The grandiose program was presented in Lisbon in front of 4000
fans. It went on sale on May 11. Old songs have acquired something new
sound, which was largely facilitated by the group’s enormous creative potential.
The album peaked at number 13 on the charts. Immediately after the album's release
"Acoustica" the band went on a world tour in support of the album.

2002 - not a single album is released, but progress is made
a large number of tours. In the spring of 2002, the SCORPIONS closed Acoustica
Tour" with three concerts in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In the summer SCORPIONS
undertook a giant tour of the USA. This year they are again the first:
Scorpions are the first Western rock band to perform a total of 21
concert in cities of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania. They performed in major
cities on both sides of the Ural Mountains, which were uninhabited territory even
for Russian concert organizers. SCORPIONS were in “closed” Nizhny
Novgorod, in historical Volgograd, in Rostov-on-Don, in Samara, in Embankment
Chelny, Perm, Ufa, Yekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk, Omsk, Novosibirsk,
in Tomsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Vladivostok. Scorpions visited
cities that are no less significant for the history of Ukraine. This is Odessa on the coast
the Black Sea, and Dnepropetrovsk on the Dnieper, and Kharkov.

2003 – SCORPIONS continue to march around the world. A very highlight of this

time can be considered a huge concert for 85,000 spectators on the Schlossplatz square
in Stuttgart. In May 2003, Scorpions performed in front of an audience consisting of
40 world rulers at the celebration of the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg. In September 2003
they play with the Presidential Orchestra of the Russian Federation on Red Square.
It was a grand light show created by famous designer Gert Hof.
Also this year, a musician from
Krakow (Poland) Pawel Maciwoda.

After 5 years of experimentation, the SCORPIONS return to the world hard and heavy arena with a new rock album, "Unbreakable" (2004),

which was released on April 21, 2004. Critics called it the "heaviest"
after the album "Face the Heat", and the band's fans were delighted with
new songs: "New Generation", "Love "em or Leave "em",
"Through My Eyes", "Deep and Dark", "Maybe I Maybe"
You".

In 2005, the SCORPIONS made a remarkable

"special-guest-UK-Tour" with Judas Priest.

In July 2005, the DVD "One Night In" was released

Vienna", or the full title - "Unbreakable World Tour 2004 - One Night in
Vienna Live", which consists of 2 parts: one is devoted mainly
concert in Vienna, which took place in the summer of 2004 on one of the Danube islands, and
the second part is a unique material "Rockumentary" - i.e. Very
extensive history of the SCORPIONS: interviews, private videos, clips and much more,
which allows you to delve quite deeply into the history of the group.

On September 10, 2005, the SCORPIONS accomplished what they had long promised their fans, namely: in Colmar, France at the Theater

de Plein Air) for the first time since 1978 - after 27 years - Scorpions and Uli Jon Rotom
(Uli Jon Roth) were together again, and in the song He"s A Woman She"s A Man to them
another ex-Scorpions joined - drummer Rudy Lenners
(1975-1977). The lucky ones who attended the concert called it “magical” and
they say that two and a half hours flew by unnoticed.

In August 2006, the SCORPIONS were invited to perform at the landmark Wacken Open Air festival, which takes place annually at

site in the village of Wacken, an hour's drive from Hamburg, and fires often flare up here
serious passions. So the SCORPIONS decided not to change the traditions of the festival - they
managed to surprise the discerning spectators of the festival and immediately after the end of the show
it was called historical. The concert featured songs from 2000 – 1984 – 1980 –
1979 – 1976 – 1974 – 1972, and the current Scorpions played together on stage,
Uli Jon Roth, Michael Schenker, Herman Rarebell and Tyson Schenker. Rare show
which the SCORPIONS staged can be seen on the DVD "Scorpions Live at Wacken Open
Air 2006.”

In 2006, the SCORPIONS spent approximately 4 months in

studios in Los Angeles with producers James Michael and Desmond Child, who,
along with the group, actively developed the concept of the new 21st album
Scorpions "Humanity: Hour I" (2007). Klaus Meine said this about
new album: “When we decided to create a joint project with Desmond Child,
we did it not only because we knew him as a producer, but also because
that he's a genius songwriter who wrote so many of Bon Jovi's hits,
Aerosmith, Kiss... We aimed to recreate the signature Scorpions sound, but at the same time
time we want to move further in our career, to improve as
artists, in the profession that we are engaged in and will continue to engage in. I
I think we made a powerful record, in the old style, in the sense that we
we regard this album as a single whole, not the type of album from which
a person can download one track on the Internet and never listen to everything
rest. This album is complete, it is a whole concept, and we hope that
fans will listen to all his songs, from the first to the last."

Having barely left the studio in Los Angeles, the SCORPIONS began their 2007 Tour. To the delight of Russian fans, the first concert took place in

Moscow. On March 2, 2007, the SCORPIONS gave a sold-out concert that became
one of those where, thanks to the purest sound, it was possible to appreciate how
technically, harmoniously and with “drive” Scorpios “sting”, demonstrating
the highest level of world hard rock. On this visit the fans staged
grand meeting for the group, for which the SCORPIONS separately thanked the Russian
fans on your website.

On May 14, 2007, the 21st album "Humanity: Hour I" was released to the public. The album contains 12 songs. Produced by James Michael, co-produced and co-written by Desmond Child - he has worked with such stars as

like: Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Ricky Martin, Cher, Michael
Bolton and Bonnie Tyler. Also, in the song "The Cross" he sings not only
Klaus Meine, but also the frontman of the Smashig Pumpkins band Billy Corgan. Above the album
Other famous personalities also worked. The Scorpions group managed to promote
there are so many ideas of these brilliant people around you at once and at the same time remain in
in its recognizable style - this is a powerful, in its ideological component, album, this
heavy guitar riffs in an amazing combination with the signature ballad style
groups are new Scorpions and time-tested Scorpions, this is a group
which again took several steps further than its contemporaries.

Until the end of 2007, the SCORPIONS are making a big tour in support of the new album "Humanity: Hour I". They also visited the capital

Ukraine Kyiv, on June 8th they performed on Palace Square in St. Petersburg, and
On June 18 this year, SCORPIONS together with Uli Jon Roth, Joe Cocker and Juliette &
The Licks gave their Greek fans an amazing festival in Athens.

End of career

Scorpions “Sting In The Tail”. This is the last album of the group, Scorpions complete
his career with a farewell world tour. Their single The Good Die was released on March 12
Young. On March 18, a Scorpions concert took place in Moscow, at the Megasport Sports Palace on
Khodynka field. On April 29, as part of their farewell world tour, the group gave
concert in Minsk, at the Minsk Arena. On October 14, a concert took place in Chisinau. November 2
In 2010, the farewell concert was held in Kyiv, on November 4 - in Odessa. General
The farewell tour of Russia took place in May 2011. September 29 at
press conference in Donetsk, the group stated: “We have completed work on the project,
which will be released in November 2011." On September 30, 2011 the concert took place in
Donetsk.

The group's farewell tour will continue until 2013.

Which told about the group's visit "Scorpions" to Leningrad and the concert they gave at the Rock Club.
And recently I dug up a more detailed story on YouTube. There were also memories of one of the spectators of that concert.

“I have long wanted to write about this wonderful event, which I myself witnessed. After all, in fact, the Scorps were the first who managed to break through the Iron Curtain and perform in the USSR (except for the incomprehensibly permitted Elton John concert in Leningrad in 1979) .

My then friends - the group "Mitra" (there is practically no information about which on the Internet, although some famous personalities came from there) tried to join the Leningrad rock club, but were rejected by the commission with the wording "we don't need a second Aquarium" (I must say, quite fair, since the group had many songs reminiscent of the work of Aquarium). At the same time, the NEP group was auditioning, but they were luckier - they managed to get through to the next round. My classmate and I really liked the group, and we decided to go see them in the second round.

Taking with us my older brother (also a big music lover), we came the next weekend to 13 Rubinshteina Street. What immediately caught my eye was the unusually large number of party-goers in the courtyard of the rock club, mostly hairy metalheads in riveted leather jackets. The NEP audition took place in a small hall, but we were not allowed in (it turns out that the second round was held behind closed doors). We had already decided to go home, when suddenly a whisper swept through the party: “Now the Scorps are coming!” We ask individuals and they say: “yes, there was such a rumor.” Let's wait.

Suddenly, indeed, a limousine (or maybe just some kind of foreign car, we didn’t see them in large numbers yet) drives into the yard and Scorps come out, accompanied by two huge security guards, who help them squeeze through the crowd of fans into the rock club building. Another rumor sweeps through the crowd: “there will be a session.” We are left waiting again.

After some time, everyone is allowed into a small hall, there is simply nowhere for an apple to fall. Among the audience are many famous rock club musicians. First, the Pig performs, singing his simple songs, something like “I hate all bourgeois.” He himself, as usual, in a tattered raincoat, waving a half-empty bottle of beer, periodically watering the first rows. Then the girl punk group “Situation”, probably no one remembers it anymore (at least, I never saw or heard anything about them again). The sound of the equipment is disgusting, everything wheezes, whistles, you can’t make out the words, the instruments too.

Then a short break, and then the moment of truth: the Scorpions take the stage! They pick up the instruments that our punks had just played, spend about five minutes tuning them and start playing. To say it was a shock is an understatement! Using the same equipment, the Germans produce a sound comparable to their own sound on the record. They performed Blackout and some other killer song (I don’t remember now). The audience is even slightly stunned, but gets excited from the first chords. Security guards push particularly zealous fans away from the stage, but one of them is allowed to exchange jackets with Rudolf Schenker. Schenker becomes the proud owner of a leather jacket with an artisanally riveted inscription, and the St. Petersburg metalhead gets an elegant brown cowboy leather jacket.

Well, that's all. After this, the Scorps apparently went to drink with the club administration, and the stunned public went home. And the St. Petersburg musicians received a good lesson in professionalism and the correct attitude to sound."

You can immediately start watching the video from the 4th minute, when Scorpions are starting. Against their background, all ours "AU", "Situations" and others who took part then seem, of course, to be simply an anti-musical breed. And this despite the fact that I don’t like Scorpions.
By the way, the so-called Red Corner Rock Club- this is the room in which Panker and Pinochet organized a rock store in the 90s. There was also a bar there, and some concerts were periodically held on that same stage. I then worked in the Rybinsk (ex-Kino) newspaper "Nowhere" and wrote reports about these concerts. Somewhere around 97-98.
Then the Rock Club finally died.
After watching this video, for some reason it began to seem to me that the visit of the German group was the main event of the entire life of the Leningrad Rock Club.

• The tour schedule forced the musicians from Hannover to return to their homeland. In 1987, Scorpions, with the support of their producer Dieter Dierks, began work on a new album. This record was the last for the creative union of Scorpions and Dieter Dierks.
• They initially wanted to call the album Don’t Stop At the Top, but settled on the name Savage Amusement in order to cast a shadow on the content of the album.
• Basically all the lyrics and music for the album were written by Rudolf Schenker and Klaus Meine.
• The album sounded very fresh for the late 80s. The group experimented with sound, but all the material was kept in a strict style. The sound of the record remains the standard of heavy rock to this day. If we talk about themes, we need to mention songs like Media Overkill, which talks about the influence of the media on society. Passion Rules the Game is about gambling. We Let It Rock... You Let It Roll is the rock 'n' roll anthem of a band going all out. The theme of love dominates the album - the songs Rhythm of Love, Walking On the Edge, Every Minute Every Day, Love On the Run and Believe In Love tell about wonderful feelings.
• In the summer of 1988, Savage Amusement went platinum in the United States. Sales reached the million mark.
• In April 1988, Scorpions began a tour in support of their disc. The first stop of the German musicians was the city of Leningrad. The group released a special video called To Russia with Love and Other Savage Amusements, where the musicians talked about their adventures in the Northern capital.
• It was rumored that M.S. Gorbachev personally forbade the group from performing in Moscow. It was planned to hold 5 concerts in Moscow and 5 concerts in Leningrad, but in the end it was decided to play 10 concerts in Leningrad at the SKK im. Lenin. The concert performances of the legends were opened by the Moscow group Gorky Park.
• Klaus Meine about the events of those days: “As an artist and musician, I was lucky, I was at the center of these historical events in 1988-89 - the end of the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall. Our group and me personally, as immigrants from Germany, could not help but worry about all this. Speaking in Leningrad, we said: “Our parents came to you with tanks, we came with guitars.”
• While exploring the city, the Scorpions visited the Leningrad rock club. The band played several songs on the legendary stage.
• Vladimir Rekshan (musician): “The appearance of the Scorpions group was very funny: everything was kept in the strictest confidence, but people still packed in. The stadium band played on the five square meters of the red corner, and a crowd of metalheads reached out to them. Their guards didn't know what to do. One tearfully asked me to help, suggesting that, due to my height, I was a local security guard.”
• The concert tour in support of Savage Amusement ended with two concerts at the Luzhniki Ballpark on August 12-13, 1989 as part of the Moscow Peace Festival. Klaus Meine said this: “For us it was the biggest festival we ever played at. And if you look at it after so many years, it was truly a legendary festival. As for the role of the Scorpions, having given ten concerts in Leningrad in 1988, we then opened the doors to the Soviet Union. And a year later, after Doc McGee became our manager, we returned - this time to Moscow. Doc was behind the organization of this festival, called the “Moscow Peace Festival”. And for us personally, this was also a chance to perform in Moscow for the first time - after all, in 1988, our concerts here were canceled, which made us very upset. And now, a year later, we still managed to do it, so from our position it looked like this: “Yes! Finally we got to Moscow!” Whatever the auspices of the festival, we just wanted to play for our Moscow fans. Well, if the festival eventually became the “Festival of Peace,” then it’s generally wonderful. And all these gossip and stories that began to emerge later were not yet known to anyone. It was a large-scale undertaking, no one had done anything like this before, and, apparently, only an American who was well versed in such issues could cope with such a task at that time.”
• Rudolf Schenker about the festival in Moscow: “As far as I remember, he arranged everything together with Stas Namin, who had weight here in Russia. Personally, I was very impressed that in a difficult time for himself, Doc McGee was able to find a way out and even benefit. Namely, he dealt with troubles, opened up new opportunities for everyone, and also came out of it all in a very favorable light. Which was very smart. As for us, he also used us in some way - after all, the Scorpions were already very well known in the USSR. And we were supposed to be the headliners, but because of the American MTV, which wanted to present everything as “Bon Jovi conquering Russia,” he put Bon Jovi after us. And it was only at this moment that he made a big mistake: as Bon Jovi ended up looking very pale. After us, about half of the people simply left, and Jon Bon Jovi himself was left extremely upset. He even said: “I will never play again after Scorpions!” The mistake was that, having performed in front of us, Bon Jovi would have appeared in an excellent perspective - they would have been shown triumphantly on MTV, and everything would have been great ... "