The Scorpions have posted the following messages on their Facebook page:
“[Drummer] James Kottak boarded a plane out of Dubai and arrived in the US last night. He will have to find the time to sort out his problems… Scorpions.”
“Dear fans, at this point we want to hear personally from James what happened in Dubai…we let you know…Hopefully there will be better days ….. Scorpions.”
Scorpions drummer James Kottack was reportedly convicted of insulting Islam, raising his middle finger, and being under the influence of alcohol while in transit at Dubai airport.
Addtionally according to The National, the drummer consumed five glasses of wine on a flight from Moscow to Dubai. He was in transit to Bahrain to perform at the country’s Formula One grand prix about 11pm on April 3rd.
He said he and a friend had taken a wrong turn and enter-ed the transit hall. Kottak was arrested for being drunk and became angry, witnesses said.
They said he started swearing and talking about “non-educated Muslims,” then flashed his middle finger at Pakistani passengers. Police said he also exposed his behind.
Policeman A said he heard Kottak say, “What is this disgusting smell?” before he insulted Islam.
“I didn’t see anything else but I heard him. I then informed my supervisor, who came and took the defendant away,” A said.
A customer service employee at the airport, said: “When he saw the Pakistani and Afghan passengers, he covered his nose and said that there was no way he will travel with them.”
The drummer has been detained in Dubai since April 3rd, but according to the Scorpions’ Facebook post above, has been freed and now back in the States.
30 Responses
What a freaking loser. He should have stayed over there for another month. The disgusting smell was probably his own exposed ass. This is similar to the Mel Gibson nonsense from a few years back. Look at his picture, those poor Pakistanis must have been mortified. There is absolutely nothing more pathetic than a drunk asshole in public. The band should fire this idiot and get someone better. Who would give a damn about a moron like this?
Reads like a bad Simpsons, Family Guy or South Park script doesn’t it??
5 glasses of wine cost man career with iconic rock band…
This guy has always stuck out like a sore thumb with the Scorps to me. Even with his ego in full flare Rudolph still comes off like a class act, and Klaus and Mathias always come off as true professionals. Kottak comes off like Bobby Blotzer….look at me i’m a big rock star and have the hair and bracelets to prove it. Hard to imagine the guy being arrogant and mouthy to officials in a foreign country.
Dear Scorpions,
Not that interested in Kottak “sorting out his problems”. More interested in why bands continue to tour countries that are so out of step with the rest of the world. James Kottak could be the biggest a-hole in the history of mankind, I don’t care. To put someone in jail for a month on the charge of “insulting a religion” should be enough reason to never perform in that country again. Why is it that Islam gets the pass and everyone is supposed to understand its customs regarding alcohol, language, etc.. Just imagine the fans that you are there to perfom for and the injustices that they must encounter everyday in these god forsaken countries. In the future, please don’t be so easily enticed to play Dubai and aid that twisted government in the building of their next skyscraper while their citizens have their speech trampled. Also, to put out a statement addressing how to keep us informed of your drummer “sorting out his problems”, how about having the stones to point out the country that jailed him a month for supposedly insulting a religion should sort out their own. With no mention whatsoever about that issue, we can summize that The Scorpions feel that the punishment was just or are too cowardly to speak out. By the way, where the hell was the US govt in addressing the jailing of a US citizen abroad for a month on such ridiculous charges. This is like the Randy Blythe situation. Our own gov’t needs to be more proactive in getting our citizens released even if they decide to play these repressive, disgusting countries.
I hope to God our government has better things to do than worry about drunks getting a month in jail for Disorderly Conduct. The world is not some gigantic playground for overpaid 51 year old jackasses to say FUCK YOU, I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT. No Fuck him and his expectation of preferential treatment. Imagine how this guy treats women? Limo drivers? Hired help?or anyone else?
Dear Frank Smith
As my friend Scott and I like to say, that was a well typed up pile of nonsense. Perhaps one regret you should have in life was never paying attention in Social Studies. Or maybe not taking Political Science in high school. Your post is so uniformed, perhaps you never finished high school, or maybe you’re just in a lower grade at the present time. Either way, I feel dirty having to stoop so low to think at your level. So I’ll stop. Best Regards.
Dear Richman, I was in East Germany with my husband many years ago, not speaking the language and lost and we were lucky enough to run into James Kottak who treated us like royalty because we were Americans. He was kind, respectful, down-right friendly and very helpful and we were total strangers. One of the most beautiful things about being American is that we can say anything we like, whenever we want. You shouldn’t judge others without knowing the whole story. In addition, it is not your job to judge others. There is someone far better than you to do it and you should leave the job to him.
Hi Jen,
While agree with you that most people in the world today are far too judgmental, he was just expressing his opinion, and that is what it was, an opinion.
I am glad that you had a positive experience with James Kottak, but if you watched the FUSE series, The Ex Wives of Rock, you would see another side of him.
As I stated before, it could have been the way the show was edited, but Mr. Kottak was portaryed as a very selfish, immature human being who is clearly struggling with substance issues. Also, I am sure if you ask his ex wife (who is featured on the show), Athena Lee (Tommy Lee’s sister), and their children what they think of Mr. Kottak, they would have a much different opinion about him than you do.
Human beings are complex creatures and what one sees on the surface isn’t always who they really are in the privacy of their domain. Again, I am glad you a good experience, but be mindful that was your personal experience and opinion, which isn’t necessarily proof positive of what he may be like all the time. Just my humble opinion.
Dana from EddieTrunk.com 🙂
Hey Dana,
I get your point that my experience with James was positive and that doesn’t mean that he’s always a great guy. We all have our issues. All of us. I personally don’t take a lot stock in info coming from a bit on a TV series of all things, and I am very careful about judging people when it is coming from someone in a relationship that breaks up. I have learned that there are three sides to every story in break ups, yours, mine and the truth. It all depends on your perspective. The point that I was trying to make, that didn’t come across clearly was that unless you see it all, witness the entire thing you are commenting on, you shouldn’t say anything. If it were me in his position, and I really didn’t do what they said I did, I’d be pissed at those accusing me and everyone else who stood in line behind them without having the facts. Thanks for your opinion, it was well stated.
Jen
As was yours,
D 🙂
I partially agree with you. jail for being an asshole? stupid. but i hope this asshole learned his lesson. too many assholes on trains, buses, planes, sidewalks!, etc think they can be assholes because most of the time nobody puts them in their place.
Is Herman available?