The Scorpions say they have had too much fun on their three-year long ‘farewell tour’ to actually call it a day.
The band had planned to retire at the end of their global tour but singer Klaus Meine admits the temptation to keep going has been too strong.
He tells Deutsche Welle, “When you start a three-year farewell tour, you know you’ve got a long time ahead of you. But that long period went by much faster than we imagined. The closer we got to the goal – Munich in December 2012 – the stronger the feeling was that we hadn’t come to the end at all. There were so many images in our minds and so many emotions in our hearts. Everything we experienced between 2010 and 2012, the 200 concerts, it was all so powerful. You stand on stage, look down and see so many fans, including the younger generation, who are really getting into it and saying, ‘Guys, this is so cool. We’re seeing you for the first time. When will you be back?’ It’s so motivating and inspiring to play for three generations. We’re all having too much fun to put down the guitars.”
Lead guitarist Matthias Jabs explains the decision to keep going caused some internal bickering before they all agreed to keep on as an entity.
He explains, “At first, there were plenty of arguments in favor of stopping. But we were quickly overshadowed by the feeling of how much fun it all is. It doesn’t matter where we went, the shows were packed – in South America, the US, throughout Europe. So, we just thought this can’t really be the end.”
The band’s drummer James Kottak was jailed in Dubai earlier this year for a drunken incident at the UAE city’s airport. He was replaced by Swedish drummer Johan Franzon and there has been no news on whether Kottack will return.
additional source: classicrockmagazine.com
21 Responses
Saw the Scorpions a couple of summers ago in Albuquerque. Had to travel to the show with a night’s stay over. I wanted to see them one last time before they packed it in. Turns out afterwards the Scorpions decided not to retire. While I have no regrets in seeing the Scorpions and Tesla, who opened for them, I was a bit peeved about being mislead they were retiring. This is why I’m not planning on seeing Motley Crue this Friday in Albuquerque. For one i don’t believe this will be their final tour, regardless of what pact the band may have made with each other. Two are the ridiculous prices for tickets, well over $100 if not more. Third is that I saw Motley Crue five times during their 80s/90s heyday, and I don’t believe I’ll get that experience again seeing them in 2014, especially with the way Vince Neil dogs his singing and vocals nowadays. Just telling the truth, like Eddie Trunk would say.
Medved,
Although I agree with you and believe they will tour again, I don’t know what you are talking about regarding ticket prices. I just got tickets to see them in Chicago and the tickets were 32.00$. Also Vince can indeed be hit or miss. I saw them with Kiss and Vince was incredible- my friends and I were shocked. I bet your memories with how great Crue were back in the day would be tainted if Youtube existed back then, they were known for being sloppy and sleazy. I saw Crue on the Shout at the Devil headline tour at a theater in St. Louis (this right was after their tour with Ozzy) and they were a mess, great show though!
$32.00 if you want to sit on the lawn and furthest away from the stage. I don’t want to attend a concert, then have to watch it from a distance on big screens. Other folks may feel differently.
P.S. to my earlier post. Scorpions need to do the right thing and cut out the cancer in their band that is James Kottak. Plenty of other good drummers they can get. Just telling the truth.
Because he has a drinking problem?
I trashed the trashed Kottak more than anyone here but if he corrects his problem then he is a keeper. His drumming itself was not an issue at all. He is very good. If the band wants him back then by all means. This music we all love is about triumph and social acceptance. If a guy battles his addiction head on and comes out on top then that’s someone I would applaud. How can you not admire Alice Cooper? I hope Ace Frehley hits it out of the park on his latest album. God be with you MEDVED and FRANK W.
Anyone in the band addicted to cigarettes? Or video games? Or anything else? Should they be kicked out too?
Any chance you can stop mischaracterizing your opinion as “truth”? Other that the logistics info of your trip to see the Scorps, not one thing you said in any of your posts about any of the bands is actually “truth”.
Stop saying that you’re telling the truth…you’re just stating your opinion.
The last CD was a very strong CD! Glad there sticking around! Saw them in 88 monster of rock in NY and they blew everybody off the stage including VH and Metallica that night
The Crue will do the same but it will be worded “tours stopped”. One off shows at festivals, and Vegas runs are fair game.
Why retire? If you can still sing & play, (and they can) why retire?
If you’re still having fun, as well as the fans, keep going, keep rockin’! 🙂