Scorpions

Formed in Hanover in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, Scorpions grew from a German hard rock band into one of the best-selling acts in hard rock and heavy metal, with estimated worldwide sales of more than 100 million records. Schenker remains the group’s only original member. Singer Klaus Meine joined in 1969 and has remained continuously in the band, while lead guitarist Matthias Jabs has been a regular member since 1978.

The band’s 1972 debut, Lonesome Crow, featured Rudolf’s younger brother Michael Schenker on lead guitar. Michael left to join UFO and was replaced by Uli Jon Roth, whose tenure covered Fly to the Rainbow (1974), In Trance (1975), Virgin Killer (1976), Taken by Force (1977) and the 1978 live album Tokyo Tapes. After Roth’s departure, Jabs joined as lead guitarist. Michael Schenker briefly returned during the making of Lovedrive (1979), then left again for a solo career.

Lovedrive marked the band’s move toward a more melodic rock sound and introduced the lineup of Rudolf Schenker, Meine, Jabs, bassist Francis Buchholz and drummer Herman Rarebell. That lineup remained together from 1978 to 1992 and recorded much of Scorpions’ best-known material. Albums including Animal Magnetism (1980), Blackout (1982), Love at First Sting (1984), World Wide Live (1985), Savage Amusement (1988), Best of Rockers ’n’ Ballads (1989) and Crazy World (1990) were all certified at least platinum in the United States. The group also placed 13 consecutive studio albums in Germany’s top 10, including one No. 1 record, and scored three consecutive top-10 albums on the US Billboard 200.

Love at First Sting produced “Rock You Like a Hurricane” and “Still Loving You,” songs widely associated with the band’s mix of hard-rock riffs, dramatic ballads and Meine’s distinctive vocals. “Wind of Change,” from Crazy World, became one of Scorpions’ most recognized recordings. Linked to political change in Eastern Europe and the fall of the Berlin Wall, it has sold more than 14 million copies and remains among the world’s best-selling singles.

Later members have included bassist Paweł Mąciwoda, who joined in 2003, and drummer Mikkey Dee, a member since 2016. Scorpions released their latest studio album, Rock Believer, in February 2022.