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Scorpions

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Scorpions are a German hard rock and heavy metal band from Hanover. Guitarist Rudolf Schenker founded the group in 1965. Singer Klaus Meine has played in it since 1969. The best-known line-up, with Schenker, Meine, guitarist Matthias Jabs, bassist Francis Buchholz and drummer Herman Rarebell, existed from 1978 to 1992. The debut album Lonesome Crow appeared in 1972, with Schenker's younger brother Michael on guitar. He left for UFO and was replaced by Uli Jon Roth, who can be heard on Fly to the Rainbow, In Trance, Virgin Killer and the live album Tokyo Tapes, among others.

Music and breakthrough

After Roth's departure the band brought in Jabs and moved towards a more melodic rock style, audible on Lovedrive from 1979. The album Love at First Sting from 1984 contains Rock You Like a Hurricane and Still Loving You, two songs that were highly influential. The biggest hit was Wind of Change, from the album Crazy World from 1990, a song that was seen as a symbol of the political changes in Eastern Europe and the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Scorpions were the first heavy metal band from a non-English-speaking country to have international success.

Influence

In August 1989 the band appeared at a large rock festival in Moscow, in the middle of the Cold War. For that reason it features in School of Rock in the magazine on living with the bomb. Its music shows that rock could work as a bridge, also between East and West.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Wind of Change and notice the whistling at the beginning and the calm guitars beneath the vocals. Can you hear how this rock song sounds like a ballad, with a chorus to sing along to?

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

Categories: Artists