"Scorpions" circa 1972

[rbV5]

I wasn't aware early Scorpions video existed, but look what I found on YouTube!

Yes, that is a bearded Klaus Meine singing and the blonde kid playing guitar is 16 year old Michael Schenker. (I was 12 years old at the time, listening to Led Zepplin and Black Sabbath

Schenker would leave his brother's band the following year after UFO offered him the lead guitar duties...Breaking up the "Scorpions" until Rudolf Schenker and Klaus joined Uli Roth, Juergen Rosenthal and Francis Buchholz that same year in the band "Dawn Road". They changed the name back to "Scorpions".

They went on to become my all time favorite band, and currently are in the studio with their new album ""Humanity - Hour 1" set to release May 2007.




Link

 

[Fritzo]

The Scorpions are an enigma. How can Klaus sing in English, but if you've ever heard him talk, his accent is so thick you can't understand a word.

 

[rbV5]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
The Scorpions are an enigma. How can Klaus sing in English, but if you've ever heard him talk, his accent is so thick you can't understand a work.

Kinda like Ozzy except German instead of Cockney or whatever that is that Ozzy spits out., LOL.

I remember listening to an interview with Klaus. He said he writes all his songs in English, no translation. He said he wrote in English because he wanted his band to be the greatest rock and roll band, and that the fans needed to understand him. Ironic since they were huge in Japan before hitting it big in the States as I recall.

I remember them first with their album "Taken by Force", and I recall searching for the imports after that. I really liked the earlier stuff, but it seemed like "Lovedrive" is what made American's take notice. I think they're very underated.

I bought "Unbreakable" a couple years ago, (which is a great album btw). Klaus's voice is absolutely incredible, I'm amazed he could hit those notes again after all he's been through, but wow. I can't wait to hear the new album, some 35 years after that video in the OP.

 

[nutxo]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
The Scorpions are an enigma. How can Klaus sing in English, but if you've ever heard him talk, his accent is so thick you can't understand a work.

Around as long as the stones and more original. I met the scorpions in Sacramento ( tower records used to have autograph things all the time ) when I was a kid and couldnt understand anything they said.

 

[Squisher]

Wow.

Doesn't sound very much like the Scorpions, but the guitar sure is Schenker.

 

[rbV5]

The album track is much longer at 4:52. If you're a guitarist, particularly a Michael Schenker fan, the "Lonewsome Crow" album is pretty appealing, mainstream music fans would likely be disappointed, or at least bored. Personally, I like it.

for a contrast, some 35 years after that video, here is a mp3 link to "Humanity" off the Scorps upcoming album recorded live from a hungarian TV show. I saw the link at several sites, so I'll go ahead and post it here. I'd guess it may not last.

Scorpion fans should like this one, it has a familiar sound like something off "Animal magnetism". It is not the same version as the album apparently, shortened up from what I read on the Scorp fan site. Sounds good, and now I'm waiting for the album
Humanity

 

[Frintin]

That is some old scary stuff there!