Rudolf Schenker

Rudolf Schenker (born 31 August 1948) is a German guitarist and founder of the hard rock band Scorpions, being the rhythm guitarist, primary songwriter and longest-serving original member. He is the CEO/Owner-Manager of the Scorpions Musik-Produktions-und Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (Scorpions-music-production-publishing-company) and Owner/founder of the Scorpio-sound-Studios at his place of residence , Schwarmstedt, Lower Saxony.

Rudolf Schenker
Schenker performing with the Scorpions in 2014
Background information
Born (1948-08-31) 31 August 1948
Hildesheim, Germany
GenresHard rock, heavy metal
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active1964–present
LabelsBMG
Associated acts

Career

Schenker founded Scorpions in 1965. He has become one of the major driving forces in the band's song-writing and musical direction for 50 years. Schenker has been Scorpions' most consistent member, appearing on every album and at every tour. His younger brother Michael Schenker was a member of Scorpions in the band's earliest inception, before joining the band UFO. In the year 2000 Rudy was awarded the city of Hannover plaque[1] as well as the Cross of Merit First Class (Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse) of the Lower Saxony Order of Merit.

Playing style

In an interview on the 'World Wide Live' video, he mentioned that his goal is grounded in compositional skill more than technical skill. In most Scorpions songs, guitar solos are performed by lead guitarist Matthias Jabs and rhythm guitars are performed by Rudolf, but there are some notable exceptions, in which Rudolf plays the solos instead of rhythm guitar and Matthias plays rhythm guitar instead of guitar solos, such as "Wind of Change", "Always Somewhere", "Still Loving You", "Send Me an Angel", "Lady Starlight", "Big City Nights, "As Soon as the Good Times Roll", "When the Smoke Is Going Down", "Animal Magnetism", "Through My Eyes", "SLY" and "Rock 'N' Roll Band".

Schenker is known for his energetic riffing and wild live performances, which often includes swinging his guitar over his head and throwing the guitar up and catching it.

Equipment
Schenker performing in 2007

After starting out with a Fender Stratocaster, Schenker is primarily known for playing Gibson Flying Vs. In the Acoustica DVD, he is seen playing an acoustic Flying V made especially for him by Dommenget. He now uses Dean acoustic V models. Some of Rudolf Schenker's main live guitars in recent years are Dommenget, the same maker that produced Klaus Meine's live guitar[2] and many guitars for Matthias Jabs.[3] Rudolf's signature models are "Gibson Rudolf Schenker Flying V", the Dommenget "Ferrari" V, PGG "Scorpions Golden Jubilee" Flying V, PGG "Veetle" Flying V and the "Scorpions" V.[4] In the past, Schenker primarily played Marshall amps, using their JMP, JCM800 2203, and JCM800 2205 heads. Currently, he uses ENGL amps, endorsing the E 650 Ritchie Blackmore signature heads.

References
  1. "Die Scorpions". Hannover.de. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  2. "Boris Dommenget Guitarmaker handmade Guitars and Pickups".
  3. "Matthias Jabs Studio & Touring Guitars".
  4. "Boris Dommenget Guitarmaker handmade Guitars and Pickups".
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