Scorpions Going Strong at 50

Group photo credit: Marc Theis

The Scorpions launched a farewell tour in 2010, but they found themselves having so much fun that those plans have since been scrapped. In fact, last year the Scorpions celebrated their 50th anniversary. Most impressive: they’re clearly still at the top of their game, putting bands two generations younger to shame.

Their new DVD, “Live in Munich 2012,” is visual and audio proof that the Scorpions aren’t ready to fade away just yet – not by a long shot.

The concert has a celebratory vibe and the Scorpions sound as solid as ever throughout the two-hour set. Klaus Meine’s instantly recognizable vocals are powerful and passionate, lead guitarist Matthias Jabs provides a master class in woodshedding and rhythm guitarist Rudolph Schenker bounces about the huge stage with abundant energy, all while laying down dozens of classic hard rock riffs.

Meanwhile, bassist Pawel Maciwoda holds down a steady groove and drummer James Kottak gives his usual over-the-top performance (Kottak was recently replaced by ex-Motorhead sticksman Mikkey Dee).

The setlist is stellar, mixing numerous classics, lesser played songs and some new material. The band opens with “Sting in the Tail,” from the then-new album of the same name before pulling out gems “Make It Real” and “Is there Anybody There?”

Other treats include 1977’s soaring “We’ll Burn the Sky” and early 90s rocker, “Hit Between the Eyes.” The classics are wall-to-wall, from “The Zoo,” “Blackout” and “Big City Nights” to “Still Loving You,” “No One Like You” and, of course, “Rock You Like a Hurricane.”

The band is all smiles throughout the show, and it’s great to see a veteran group clearly enjoying themselves and not going through the motions. Many bands are apprehensive about waiting too long to retire and tarnishing their name. The Scorpions clearly don’t have that problem.

Something old, something new: A couple more DVDs I’m looking forward to: This Friday, Nov. 4, comes “The End,” a DVD/CD of Motley Crue’s final concert on Dec. 31, 2015 in Los Angeles. As you may know, Ritchie Blackmore resurrected Rainbow this summer for a few European festival shows. It’s all documented on the DVD/CD, “Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow: Memories in Rock – Live in Germany.” The Rainbow set is out Friday, Nov. 18.

Hope you can join me on Sunday, Nov. 13, at 6:45 p.m. at the DOC NYC Film Festival for the premiere screening of the Mumford & Sons documentary, “We Wrote This Yesterday.” Yes, my tastes go beyond hard rock and metal. This doc follows the collaborative process of Mumford & Sons with a collection of musical partners during their 2016 tour of South Africa. The experience led to the recording of the band’s recent EP, “Johannesburg,” which features artists from Senegal, Sweden, Malawi, Cape Town, and London.

For more info, visit: http://www.docnyc.net/film/we-...