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-...