BLACKOUT

Continuing the theme of bands seen, I present you with The Scorpions. Quite by chance, I was offered a ticket by a girl at school to go see them in Edinburgh. Without a thought on how I would get there or where I would stay, I accepted and passed the princely fee of £4.50 over to her hands. It turned into a top piece of business for me, as I was able to enjoy a band rising to their peak in terms of popularity and creativity.

To my memory, they put on a fantastic, lively, energetic show. My eardrums were given a blasting. To finish their show, they brought on a piper and sang something Scottish. I honestly can't recall if it was Flower of Scotland or Loch Lomond or something else. Whatever it was, we all joined in and loved it. I also remember that rather than just a black tour t-shirt, they offered a white with blue sleeves baseball-type jersey, which I bought. Its somewhere safe now (I'll keep looking!).

The album then. Well, it was a bit special. Really thumping home their new found branch of Teutonic heavy metal. Seems a bit odd that their rise to prominence in the UK came at a time when the #NWOBHM (you might want to look that up) was in full flow. Another odd band to benefit at the time was Blackfoot - an American Southern rock band! Anyways, it didn't and doesn't matter where they were from. There's only two types of music - GOOD and BAD. And this album fell into the "good" category.

The title track, opening with a single, simple riff which is basically repeated all through the song, sets the tone for a loud, brash and proud slice of heavy metal. Actually a few sing-alongs too. "#CANTLIVE WITHOUTYOU" went one of the choruses and it became a regularly played song in their live set for years. Anthemic, I believe you would call it.

My favourite track is "CHINA WHITE". Not about, as you'd think, narcotics, but more about how there seemed to be a growth of anger and enmity around the world and how it is important to remember that there are positives out there. Well, written and recorded in 1982, has there been much change?

Lead guitarist Matthias Jabs gave some breathtaking solos throughout the album, really showing off his talent on every track. Except the mentioned China White, which saw Rudolf Schenker play a fine, fitting piece. Schenker is probably among the top rhythm players in rock, not only his playing but eye-catching live performances. Terrific bass work throughout by Francis Buchholz, weaving and bobbing his way in every song. An under-rated musician. Drummer, Herman (Ze German) Rarebell as well as contributing a rock-steady beat, also wrote some of the lyrics. Out front, the extraordinary voice of Klaus Meine. He not only had range but quite some power in his lungs. I suppose you'd have to, if you wanted to be heard over the cacophony being made behind you! Altogether a fantastic band.

The Scorpions are still recording and playing live today, well yesterday in fact (8th June 2024) at the London Wembley Arena. The line-up has changed a little, with former Motorhead drummer Mikkey Dee behind the beat and the bass now being thundered by Pawel Maciwoda. With both Schenker and Meine in their mid-70s, it surely won't be long until they hang up their guitar picks for good. I'm sure they announced their retirement in 2015 or thereabouts, so you can never be sure. If they are fit enough to do it, then why not continue. They released their 19th studio album, "Rock Believer" in 2022 and it may not be the last. Who knows? If they do or don't, their catalogue is still one to Lie Back & Enjoy It!

Track Listing:

Blackout

Can't Live Without You

No One Like You

You Give Me All I Need

Now!

Dynamite

Arizona

China White

When The Smoke Is Going Down

Klaus Meine - Vocals

Rudolf Schenker - Guitars

Matthias Jabs - Guitars

Francis Buchholz - Bass Guitar

Herman Rarebell - Drums