Scorpions

Scorpions are exemplar German hair-rockers formed in the late 1960s. They are best known for the hits “Rock You like a Hurricane” and “Wind of Change”.

The group took shape in 1965 when young Rudolf Schenker (rhythm guitar) put together a small school band, but it was when his brother Michael (lead guitar) and Klaus Meine (vocals) joined him in 1969 that the band really began to gather steam. By 1972 they had been joined by Lothar Heimberg (bass) and Wolfgang Dziony (drums) and had released their first album, Lonesome Crow. This initial line-up was the first of many incarnations and much to-ing and fro-ing ensued, with only Rudolf staying the full course.

Fly to the Rainbow enjoyed greater success than its predecessor, but it was In Trance, their 3rd album, which solidified the Scorpions brand, thanks to seminal songs "Dark Lady", "Robot Man" and the title track. Virgin Killer was released in 1976 to general praise, however some criticism was levelled at the album as a result of its (now withdrawn) cover art. It was a controversy which they were doomed to repeat with subsequent releases.

Taken by Force was supported by significant marketing and saw the band move into more commercial directions resulting in yet another personnel change. The new line-up released Lovedrive in 1979 which was considered by many to be their best album yet, including the fan-pleasing singles "Loving You Sunday Morning" and "Holiday". 1980's Animal Magnetism was not as well received, being more notable for yet another Spinal Tap-esque cover. Blackout followed in 1982, but the release of the double platinum Love at the First Sting and its associated hit single 'Rock You Like a Hurricane' propelled the band to stardom and earned them the nickname 'Ambassadors of Rock'.

1988's Savage Amusement was followed in 1990 by Crazy World: the birthplace of their massive hit power ballad 'Winds of Change'. When Face the Heat came out in 1993 there was a shift of emphasis from the trademark melodic rock for which they had become famous, to a heavier, metallic drive. Unsurprisingly it alienated some fans while winning new devotees from the rock spectrum, but the new fans were to be disappointed when follow-up album Pure Instinct returned to the ballad-heavy format of earlier efforts. Their disappointment gathered when the next album in 1999, Eye II Eye, blended pop and techno into the rocky mix.

2000 found them collaborating, like Metallica S&M, with the Berlin Philharmonic for Moment of Glory. In 2001 they released an 'unplugged' album Acoustica, but 2004 marked a return to heavy rocking form with Unbreakable.

In 2007 Scorpions released Humanity Hour 1, a concept album heralding yet another direction for the band whose membership and musical direction has never stayed still.