With a musical style similar to Bon Jovi or Def.Leppard, the Scorpions
have fully explored the world of rock & roll throughout their long
career. Known best for their 1984 anthem “Rock You Like a Hurricane” and
the 1990 ballad “Wind of Change”, the German rockers have sold well over
22 million records, making them one of the most successful rock bands to
ever come out of continental Europe.
Originally formed in 1969 by Rudolf Schenker, the original lineup
consisted of rhythm guitarist/vocalist Schenker, lead guitarist
Karl-Heinz Follmer, bassist Lothar Heimberg and drummer Wolfgang Dziony.
In 1971, Schenker’s younger brother Michael joined the band to play lead
guitar, and good friend Klaus Meine became the new vocalist. In 1972,
the Scorpions released their remarkable debut album, Lonesome Crow.
Although they failed to get into the public’s eye, the early incarnation
of ’70s rock band UFO noticed Michael Schenker’s guitar playing and
hired him as their lead guitarist; Michael, therefore, would leave the
band in 1973.
Guitarist Uli Jon Roth replaced him, and under his guidance, the group
released four consecutive albums: Fly to the Rainbow (1974), In Trance
(1975), Virgin Killer (1976) and Taken By Force (1977). Although these
albums failed to attain any serious attention in the United States, they
were all quite popular in Japan. By the time Taken By Force was
released. Roth made the decision to leave the band and form Electric Sun
after feeling that his musical ideas would take the group in an entirely
different direction. Tokyo Tapes, a double live album that the group
recorded in Tokyo with Roth, was released in 1978.
Shortly after Roth’s departure, Michael Schenker was kicked out of UFO
for his constant alcohol abuse and came back to play with the Scorpions
in 1979, who had recently signed with Mercury Records. The group
released Lovedrive that same year and played their first American tour,
but Lovedrive failed to attract attention being banned in the United
States because of its sexually explicit cover. Still coping with his-
drug and alcohol addiction, Michael missed tour dates repeatedly and
guitarist Matthias Jabs was hired to fill in for him on nights when he
was absent. Michael eventually would leave the band a second time after
realizing that he was failing to meet their expectations.
Now with a lineup of Klaus Meine on vocals, Rudolf Schenker on rhythm
guitar, Matthias Jabs on lead, Francis Bucholzon bass and Herman
Rarebell on drums, the band released Animal Magnetism in 1980 and
embarked on another world tour. Surprisingly, Animal Magnetism went gold
in the United States, and the Scorpions immediately went back into the
studio to record their next release. Problems arose, however, and the
project was postponed because Meine had lost his voice and would have to
have surgery on his vocal chords. Meine returned for the 1982 release
Blackout, which contained the hit “No One Like You.” A major success
worldwide, Blackout sold over one million copies in the U.S. alone. But
as popular as Blackout was, it was the band’s powerful follow-up. Love
At First Sting, that made them superstars. Released in
1984. the album boasted the single Rock You Like a Hurricane and would
eventually achieve double-platinum status. The group undertook one of
their most successful world tours, boasting an outstanding stage show
with high-energy performances.
After releasing World Wide Live in 1985. the band took a long hiatus for
two years. Their tenth studio album. Savage Amusement, was finally
released in 1988, and the hit ballad Rhythm of Love brought on another
major success. For their next project, the group participated at the
Monsters of Rock tour in 1989 and performed in Russia for the first
time, selling out seven shows in a row. Obtaining tremendous inspiration
from their Russian tour, Meine wrote the song “Wind of Change,” which
was placed on the 1990 release Crazy World. The content on this album
made Crazy World \\\e most popular Scorpions’ release ever.
Unfortunately, Crazy World was the last successful Scorpions’ release in
the U.S. By the time their Face the Heat album was released in 1993,
many longtime fans had already lost interest in the band. Face the Heat
did eventually reach gold, and in 1995 they released another live album,
Live Bites, in an attempt to win back supporters. This album also didn’t
sell as many copies as they had hoped, but the group continued to remain
optimistic. They released Pure Instinct in 1996, this time touring with
shock-rock master Alice Cooper in hopes that they would attract a
bigger audience. Mercury Records assembled a double album of he band’s
greatest hits, entitled Deadly Sting: The Mercury Years, and released it
on July 15, 1997. Although they still do not command as much media
attention as they did in the ’80s, the Scorpions continue to have a
steady following throughout the world, and released the new album Eye to
Eye in 1999.
On 11 November 1999, the 10th anniversary of German reunification the
Scorpions played in front of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate at the invitation
of German government. Joining them in their performance of Wind of
Change were 166 cellists. The work was conducted by the distinguished
cello virtuoso Mstislav Rostropovich.
The crossover CD Moment of Glory, featuring the Scorpions with the
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, was released on 19 June 2000. The first
live performance took place in Hanover on 22 June 2000.
White Dove
A place without a name
Under a burning sky
There’s no milk and honey here
In the land a God
Someone holds a sign
It says we are human, too
And while the sun goes down
The world goes by
White dove
Fly with the wind
Take our hope under you wings
For the world to know
That hope will not die
Where the children cry
Waves, big like a house
There’re stranded on a piece of
wood
To leave it all behind
To start again
But instead of a new life
All they find is a door that’s
closed
And they keep looking for
A place called hope
White dove
Fly with the wind
Take our hope under your
wings
For the world to know
That hope will not die
Where the children cry
Na na
Na na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Na na
Na na na na
Na na na na na
Can anyone tell me why
(can anyone tell me why)
The children of the world
(the children of the world)
Have to pay the price (pay
another price)
And now you’re telling me
You’ve seen it all before
I know that’s right but still
It breaks my heart
Well, the golden lamb we sent
Makes us feel better now
But you know it’s just a drop
In a sea of tears
White dove
Fly with the wind
Take our hope under your
wings
For the world to know
That hope will not die
Where the children cry
White dove
Fly with the wind
Take our hope under your
wings
For the world to know
That hope will not die
Where the children cry
Na na
Na na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Na na
Na na na na
Na na na na na
Still Loving You
Time, it needs time
To win back your love again
I will be there, I will be there…
Love, only love
Can bring back your love
some day
I will be there, I will be there…
Fight, baby, I fight
To win back your love again
I will be there, I will be there…
Love, only love
Can break down the walls
some day
I will be there, I will be there…
Refrain:
If we’d go again all the way
from the start
I would try to change things
that killed our love
Your pride has built the wall
so strong that I can’t get through!
Is there really no chance
to start once again?
I’m loving you
Try, baby, try
To trust in my love again
I will be there, I will be there…
Love, our love
Just shouldn’t be thrown away
I will be there, I will be there…
Refrain:
If we’d go again all the way
from the start
I would try to change things
that killed our love
Is now there your pride and a
wall that you’ve been through?
You should give me your chance,
this couldn’t be the end
I’m still loving you X 2
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