List of Scorpions members

Scorpions are a German rock band from Hanover. Formed in 1965 by rhythm guitarist and vocalist Rudolf Schenker, the band went through numerous changes in personnel in its early years before settling on a lineup which included lead vocalist Klaus Meine, lead guitarist Michael Schenker (Rudolf's younger brother), bassist Lothar Heimberg and drummer Wolfgang Dziony to record their debut album Lonesome Crow, released in 1972.[1][2] Michael Schenker, Heimberg and Dziony all left after the album's release, with Rudolf Schenker and Meine briefly disbanding the group and joining Dawn Road, featuring guitarist Uli Jon Roth, bassist Francis Buchholz, drummer Jürgen Rosenthal and keyboardist Achim Kirschning; the six-piece later opted to adopt the Scorpions moniker, and in 1974 released Fly to the Rainbow.[3]

Scorpions performing live in 2014 (top) and 2015 (bottom).

Rosenthal left after the recording of Fly to the Rainbow, being replaced first by Jürgen Fechter and later by Rudy Lenners, who performed on In Trance and Virgin Killer.[4][5] In 1977, Lenners was replaced by Herman Rarebell, whose first recording with the band was Taken by Force.[6] Roth left Scorpions the following year,[7] which he has since explained was because he "began getting dissatisfied with the direction of the music" the band were making.[8] Michael Schenker briefly returned to the band after being fired from UFO in late 1978, performing on four tracks for the album Lovedrive, although he was replaced the following year by Matthias Jabs who had joined around the same time.[9] The Scorpions lineup of Meine, Rudolf Schenker, Jabs, Buccholz and Rarebell remained constant from 1978 and through the 1980s.[1]

After 19 years with the band, bassist Buchholz left Scorpions in 1992 due to fatigue arising from touring, as well as "business problems".[10] He was replaced by Ralph Rieckermann later in the year.[11] Drummer Rarebell also left three years later, claiming that he was unsatisfied with the band's changing musical direction, and the lack of songwriting input he was able to have in the band.[12] He was replaced in 1996 by James Kottak,[13] after Curt Cress performed on Pure Instinct.[14] Rieckermann left Scorpions in 2003, with Paweł Mąciwoda taking his place early the following year.[15] Former Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee replaced Kottak in the band in September 2016.[16]

Members

Current

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Rudolf Schenker
  • 1965–1973
  • 1974–present
  • rhythm guitar
  • backing vocals (lead vocals 1965–67)
all Scorpions releases
Klaus Meine
  • 1969–1973
  • 1974–present
lead vocals
Matthias Jabs
  • 1978–present
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
all Scorpions releases from Lovedrive (1979) onwards
Paweł Mąciwoda 2004–present
  • bass
  • backing vocals
all Scorpions releases from Unbreakable (2004) onwards
Mikkey Dee 2016–present
  • drums
  • percussion
Born to Touch Your Feelings: Best of Rock Ballads (2017) – three new tracks

Former

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Wolfgang Dziony 1965–1972
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals (lead vocals 1965–67)
Lonesome Crow (1972)
Achim Kirchhoff 1965–1968 (died 1977) bass none
Karl-Heinz Vollmer 1965–1967
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
Werner Hoyer 1967 lead vocals
Ulrich Worobiec 1967–1969
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
Bernd Hegner lead vocals
Lothar Heimberg 1968–1972
  • bass
  • backing vocals
Lonesome Crow (1972)
Michael Schenker
  • 1969–1973
  • 1978–1979
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
Joe Wyman 1972 drums none
Werner Löhr 1972–1973
Helmut Eisenhut 1973
Francis Buchholz 1974–1992
  • bass
  • backing vocals
Uli Jon Roth 1974–1978
  • lead guitar
  • backing and lead vocals
  • all Scorpions releases from Fly to the Rainbow (1974) to Tokyo Tapes (1978)
  • Live at Wacken Open Air 2006 (2007)
Achim Kirschning
  • 1974
  • 1975–1977 (touring)
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
  • mellotron
Jürgen Rosenthal 1974
  • drums
  • percussion
Fly to the Rainbow (1974)
Jürgen Fechter 1974–1975 none
Rudy Lenners 1975–1977
  • In Trance (1975)
  • Virgin Killer (1976)
Herman Rarebell 1977–1995
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals (keyboards 1991)
Ralph Rieckermann 1992–2003
  • bass
  • backing vocals
all Scorpions releases from Face the Heat (1993) to Bad for Good (2002) – two new tracks
Curt Cress 1995–1996
  • drums
  • percussion
Pure Instinct (1996)
James Kottak 1996–2016
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
all Scorpions releases from Eye II Eye (1999) to Forever and a Day (2016)

Timeline

Lineups

Period Members Releases
1965–1967
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, lead vocals
  • Wolfgang Dziony – drums, percussion, lead vocals
  • Karl-Heinz Vollmer – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Achim Kirchhoff – bass, backing vocals
none
1967
  • Werner Hoyer – lead vocals
  • Karl-Heinz Vollmer – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Achim Kirchhoff – bass, backing vocals
  • Wolfgang Dziony – drums, percussion, backing vocals
1967–1968
  • Bernd Hegner – lead vocals
  • Ulrich Worobiec – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Achim Kirchhoff – bass, backing vocals
  • Wolfgang Dziony – drums, percussion, backing vocals
1968–1969
  • Bernd Hegner – lead vocals
  • Ulrich Worobiec – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Lothar Heimberg – bass, backing vocals
  • Wolfgang Dziony – drums, percussion, backing vocals
1969 – November 1972
  • Klaus Meine – lead vocals
  • Michael Schenker – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Lothar Heimberg – bass, backing vocals
  • Wolfgang Dziony – drums, percussion, backing vocals
November – December 1972
  • Klaus Meine – lead vocals
  • Michael Schenker – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Lothar Heimberg – bass, backing vocals
  • Joe Wyman – drums, percussion
none
December 1972 – June 1973
  • Klaus Meine – lead vocals
  • Michael Schenker – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Lothar Heimberg – bass, backing vocals
  • Werner Löhr – drums, percussion
June 1973
  • Klaus Meine – lead vocals
  • Michael Schenker – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Lothar Heimberg – bass, backing vocals
  • Helmut Eisenhut – drums, percussion
Band inactive mid-1973 – early 1974
Early – mid-1974
  • Klaus Meine – lead vocals
  • Uli Jon Roth – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Francis Buchholz – bass, backing vocals
  • Jürgen Rosenthal – drums, percussion
  • Achim Kirschning – keyboards, synthesisers
September 1974 – January 1975
  • Klaus Meine – lead vocals
  • Uli Jon Roth – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Francis Buchholz – bass, backing vocals
  • Jürgen Fechter – drums, percussion
none
January 1975 – May 1977
  • Klaus Meine – lead vocals
  • Uli Jon Roth – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Francis Buchholz – bass, backing vocals
  • Rudy Lenners – drums, percussion
May 1977 – May 1978
  • Klaus Meine – lead vocals
  • Uli Jon Roth – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Francis Buchholz – bass, backing vocals
  • Herman Rarebell – drums, percussion, backing vocals
August – September 1978
  • Klaus Meine – lead vocals
  • Matthias Jabs – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Francis Buchholz – bass, backing vocals
  • Herman Rarebell – drums, percussion, backing vocals
September 1978 – April 1979
  • Klaus Meine – lead vocals
  • Michael Schenker – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Francis Buchholz – bass, backing vocals
  • Herman Rarebell – drums, percussion, backing vocals
April 1979 – early 1992
  • Klaus Meine – lead vocals
  • Matthias Jabs – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Francis Buchholz – bass, backing vocals
  • Herman Rarebell – drums, percussion, backing vocals
December 1992 – mid-1995
  • Klaus Meine – lead vocals
  • Matthias Jabs – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Ralph Rieckermann – bass, backing vocals
  • Herman Rarebell – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Late 1995 – early 1996
  • Klaus Meine – lead vocals
  • Matthias Jabs – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Ralph Rieckermann – bass, backing vocals
  • Curt Cress – drums, percussion (session)
Early 1996 – late 2003
  • Klaus Meine – lead vocals
  • Matthias Jabs – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Ralph Rieckermann – bass, backing vocals
  • James Kottak – drums, percussion, backing vocals
January 2004 – September 2016
  • Klaus Meine – lead vocals
  • Matthias Jabs – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Paweł Mąciwoda – bass, backing vocals
  • James Kottak – drums, percussion, backing vocals
September 2016 – present
  • Klaus Meine – lead vocals
  • Matthias Jabs – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Paweł Mąciwoda – bass, backing vocals
  • Mikkey Dee – drums, percussion

References

  1. Weber, Barry. "Scorpions: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  2. Rivadavia, Eduardo (21 February 2017). "45 Years Ago: Scorpions Release Their Debut Album, 'Lonesome Crow'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  3. Rivadavia, Eduardo (2 November 2014). "40 Years Ago: The Scorpions' 'Fly to the Rainbow' Points to Bigger Successes". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  4. Ling, Dave (28 April 2014). "The Story Behind The Song: In Trance by the Scorpions". Classic Rock. TeamRock. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  5. "Scorpions' Legendary 'Virgin Killer' Album To Be Released On Limited-Edition 180-Gram Vinyl". Blabbermouth.net. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  6. Makowski, Peter (6 November 2016). "Big City Nights, Loving You Sunday Morning: The Turbulent Story Of The Scorpions". Classic Rock. TeamRock. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  7. Prato, Greg (15 June 2015). "Uli Jon Roth Discusses 'Scorpions Revisited,' Gear and the Group's Classic Tracks". Guitar Player. NewBay Media. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  8. Epting, Chris (17 January 2013). "Uli Jon Roth on Why He Left the Scorpions, Sharing His Guitar God Knowledge (Interview)". Noisecreep. Loudwire. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  9. Giles, Jeff (25 February 2016). "The History of Scorpions' Breakthrough and Best Album, 'Lovedrive'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  10. Syrjala, Marko (14 January 2007). "Interview: Francis Buchholz ex-Scorpions". Metal-Rules.com. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  11. Boehm, Mike (12 March 1994). "Adding Bite to Their Sting: The Scorpions display a social awareness that departs from their customary hard-rock hedonism. They play Irvine tonight". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  12. Whitaker, Sterling (5 August 2012). "Herman Rarebell Says He Quit Scorpions Because He Hated the Music". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  13. "James Kottak of The Scorpions". Modern Drummer. February 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  14. "Pure Instinct - Scorpions: Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  15. "Scorpions Announce New Bassist". Blabbermouth.net. 11 January 2004. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  16. "Former Motörhead Drummer Mikkey Dee Joins Scorpions As Permanent Member". Blabbermouth.net. 12 September 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
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