Your source for news about the Scorpions since 1996.

Rudy,Klaus and Matthias were interviewed:
http://smashpipe.com/autos/videos/ZQ-7TJKEk_Y

The event is breathtaking and beautiful, and Scorpions founder Rudolf Schenker sat down with Goldmine Magazine to talk about how the show came to be, why the band never did MTV Unplugged during their 1980’s heyday, and how he wanted other musicians to arrange the songs for the special event since he was ‘too close’ to them, as their creator.

During the interview, Rudolf admits the band is still on the ‘Farewell Tour’, and they are indeed beginning their descent into retirement. However, he also tells of a documentary and a new album that are in the works, assuring the Scorpions will continue to sting us with new releases, at least for a few more years to come.

This interview was conducted by Jeb Wright from Goldmine magazine

Full interview – http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/show_interview.php?id=1053

Statement from James Kottak:

After years of drinking alcohol, on April 3rd, 2014 my addiction finally caught up with me during a 5-hour flight from Ekaterinburg, Russia to Bahrain via Dubai, during which I consumed 5 or 6 glasses of wine. While at the airport in Dubai I approached an airline representative to check on status of my flight. The representative informed me that I was in the wrong place and I replied “WTF?!.” The representative then called the police and reported that I was intoxicated (which I was) and that I made a lewd jester.

One of the police officers recognised me as drummer of “The Scorpions”. When the police asked me to show my ID., I showed them the “Rock & ROLL FOREVER” tattoo on my back, instead of my actual ID. which was in my back pack my friend was carrying for me. Apparently, the police did not find this funny and I was charged with “Drinking Without a License”, for which I pleaded guilty and received a one-month sentence and a 2,000 Dirham (300 USD) fine. I was also charged with insulting Islam/Muslims by making a lewd jester for which I pleaded not guilty and did not actually do.

Upon returning to the United States on May 6th, I immediately reached out to Bob Forrest, an addiction specialist known for his work with musicians and “Celebrity Rehab”. I have been meeting with Bob on a regular basis. He has guided me to the MusiCares Organization, which provides musicians with help for mental health and addiction issues.

I am determined to come to grips with my alcoholism and am doing everything on a daily basis to beat this relentless disease. This entire incident caused me to realize that it is time to stop drinking once and for all so that I can become the father, musician, and friend that I know I can be.

I am glad to put this unfortunate incident behind me and move onward and upward with my life. I would like to send out a HUGE thank-you to my family, friends and fans around the world for their incredible loving support…you kick ass! I would also like to send a sincere apology from the bottom of my heart to everyone I have affected and look forward to seeing you all!!

with love, James Kottak – Tomorrow is a brand new day!

German hard rock veterans SCORPIONS have confirmed that their American drummer, James Kottak, arrived in the U.S. last night after spending a month in a Dubai, United Arab Emirates jail for insulting Islam. The band added in a statement posted on Facebook: “[James] will have to find the time to sort out his problems.”

Dear fans, at this point we want to hear personally from James what happened in Dubai…we let you know…Hopefully there will be better days ….. Scorpions

For SCORPIONS’ recent concerts in Germany, Swedish drummer Johan Franzon filled in for Kottak.

“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.”
Read more at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/scorpions-release-statement-regarding-drummer-james-kottaks-arrest-and-conviction-in-dubai/#xXfhoHE4374wLG41.99

Here is my two cents. Even though James is a great drummer and has been with the band for 18 years. If he made those comments about Muslims. The band has no choice but let him go. The band will become a terror target at every show going forward if he stays in the band. Here is the Scorpions chance to reach out to Herman Rarebell and bring back the greatest drummer the Scorpions have ever had in their 43 year history. Anyone who has seen Herman play in the last couple years with Michael Schenker knows he can still play the drums real well live in concert. Plus the band doesn’t play anymore then 50-70 shows a year these days. So age should not matter anymore. If the band is indeed on their farewell tour. They can’t bring in a new guy to play drums. Herman has expressed the last 5 years that he would like to rejoin the Scorpions if James left. This is the perfect opportunity for the Scorpions to conclude the farewell tour with a past member who had a huge hand in their career success.

Now we know why drummer James Kottak missed the Scorpions‘ performance earlier this month at the 2014 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand  Prix — he was in jail.

The 51-year-old reportedly consumed five glasses of wine on an April 3 flight  to Dubai, and then allegedly began shouting derogatory remarks at other passengers once  arriving at the airport. Kottak is now spending a month in a Dubai jail, after  being convicted this morning of insulting Islam.

Witnesses claimed that Kottak “started swearing and talking about ‘non-educated Muslims’ before he flashed his middle finger at passengers.” Police also said the drummer lowered his pants, exposing his rear. Another  witness, who worked at the airport, added: “When he saw the Pakistani and  Afghani passengers, he covered his nose and said that there was no way he will  travel with them.”

Kottak, who has been in custody since April 3, denied the allegations: “I  don’t remember saying these words and I did not flash my middle finger. … There  is no way that I would say such a phrase about Muslims, whether I was drunk or  not.” He also denied pulling down his pants. “This is not true. I just lifted my  shirt up to show the tattoo on my back” as a “spontaneous act.”

In addition to his one-month sentence, Kottak was fined approximately $545  for drinking alcohol without a license. “I confess to drinking alcohol,” he  said, “but I refuse the other two charges. I did not do them.”

Kottak was previously in Kingdom Come, a former opening act for the recently unretired Scorpions. Helloween’s Mark Cross  filled in for Kottak during the April 5 Scorpions performance at the Formula One  concert.