THE SCORPIONS RELEASE A BRIEF STATEMENT REGARDING DRUMMER JAMES KOTTAK’S ARREST IN THE UAE
The Scorpions have released the following statement regarding reports that their American drummer, James Kottak, will spend a month in a Dubai, United Arab Emirates jail after he was convicted on Tuesday morning of insulting Islam.
“Dear fans, when James Kottak arrived in Dubai on April 3th, he ran into problems at immigrations and got busted. Whatever happened is totally out of our control and we don’t know any details about it at this point. For the concerts in Germany, Johan Franzon, a Swedish drummer, will take James’ seat. Please understand, we keep you posted.”
According to the Associated Press, Kottak was convicted of insulting Islam, raising his middle finger, and being under the influence of alcohol while in transit at Dubai airport.
The Scorpions latest double CD was their first MTV Unplugged which was released on November 29th.
Dear heavens……….why…oh, why couldn’t it have been Justin Bieber?!?!?!
At least Bieber is a young guy. This is a 51 year old man.
A 51 year old man who should know better.
Don’t mess around in Dubai. Didn’t a British couple get arrested there for kissing in public?
I have zero interest in going there for the reason I could possibly be locked up for something.
Midnight Express made quite an impression on me when I was younger!
I was actually just listening to some Scorpions albums for the first time in a while;
Love At First Sting is better than I remember, Blackout is very cool, but my favorite is actually Lovedrive. It stands up very well and has that bubble gum boobie cover to boot.
Absolutely, do not mess around down there – at all. You’re not allowed to show affection in public. not even holding hands!!!
Just leave Kottak behind and stop wasting time. Johan Franzon may just appreciate the job and fans of the music enough to not get arrested. A 51 year old acting this way is a lost ’cause and maybe may just benefit from doing time in a Dubai jail. It is never sober people who act like assholes at concerts and sporting events.
Kottak, I saw him with the great Mandy Lion, and the guy is a phenomenal drummer, he is one of these guys that makes the whole band, even the singer, sound better. So your post is very inadequate and fails to grasp the gravity of the situation. Who cares what mistakes this guy may have made to get him arrested, he sure doesn’t belong there. Your post has a vindictive subtext which I find reprehensible.
OK, so he’s a GOOD drummer who is 51 and gets arrested for being an asshole in public. If a GOOD drummer ‘ caused a scene in front of your house, you wouldn’t call the cops? Maybe he’ll use the MANDY LION DEFENSE and when the judge hears that he should let him go. If Jimmy Page shoots 10 people, they should just let him go?
Perhaps if you had had dealings with Kottak personally, and were disclosed as to his character you would view this very unfortunate situation differently. I’m just sayin’. And to answer your questions, no and no.
“We don’t know any details”. What a crock of shit. They had the legal papers under Scorpions’ management in hours.
another arrogant American in foreign waters!…
Just goes to show how great it is to live in a country with freedom of speech and not some goofy third world country…
Dubai a third world country? Holy shit what an ignorant statement. Do you wonder why other countries hate us?
Be honest, should I go back to my childhood nickname: RICHMAN or stay with MILTON BERLE’S SHLONG?
Richman, if it that is indeed you – I would stick with the original monikor that has brought you the love and admiration from the millions of us here at Trunk Nation. You are a polarizing figure and a true original….just like your name.
So the country is goofy but the drunken 51 year old shithead giving the finger to some religious symbol is a freedom fighter. If a drunk guy was in front of your house acting like an asshole and the cops came and threw him in jail for a month would you go protest and say that is unfair or would you say good? I’d say good.
Just like people say we shouldn’t judge all Muslims on the actions of a few, I don’t think you should judge all Americans as arrogant based on the actions of a few either. It works both ways.
Dana from EddieTrunk.com 🙂
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