"With their single ""Rock You Like a Hurricane,"" the Scorpions were one of the most successful German rock bands with over 22 million records and a successful reign throughout the ‘80s.Influenced by American rock ‘n' roll, from the likes of The Yardbirds, Pretty Things and Spooky Tooth, Rudolf Schenker formed the Scorpions in Hanover in 1965. Along with Schenker's brother Michael, who rocked on the guitar, and singer Klaus Meine, the group recorded Lonesome Crow in 1972, a soundtrack for the film Das Kalte Paradies. What set the Scorpions apart was not only their polished rock delivery and extensive guitar solos but the fact that all their songs were in English. The group supported their debut with a joint tour with UFO in '73, who liked Michael's style so much they hired him, which left the Scorpions short of a lead guitarist. Shortly thereafter Uli Jon Roth replaced Michael and the group spread their claws over the next few years touring Europe and recording their next four studio albums with Roth. Virgin Killer, 1976's album earned them ""LP of the Year"" in Germany and Japan gave them their first gold certification.When Roth left after their Japan tour in '78 he was replaced (after several dozen auditions) by Matthias Jabs for the recording of Lovedrive (their first USA gold). The quintet, which also included drummer Herman Rarebell and bassist Francis Buchholz, finally found a solid set. At this point the rockers were ready to hit the US and began touring there, already reeling off the fan base Van Halen had built when covering their singles.But when Meine lost his voice, they thought their reign was over. The band wouldn't let him or the Scorpions fail - following two vocal cord operations and vocal training, the band was back together for a full swing. The ‘80s saw more memorable singles and live performances as their '82 album Blackout rached the US Top Ten and was voted Best Hard Rock Album of the Year."
