Scorpions are a heavy metal band that were formed in 1965 in Hanover, Germany by Rudolf Schenker. Since the start of the band, the genres they have explored has ranged from hard rock, heavy metal, and glam metal. The original band members were on rhythm guitarist/vocalist Schenker, lead guitarist Karl-Heinz Follmer, bassist Lothar Heimberg, and drummer Wolfgang Dziony. Schenker's younger brother Michael joined the band to play lead guitar in 1971 and a good friend Klaus Meine became the vocalist. The band from 1978 to 1992 was the most successful incarnation of the group, and included Klaus Meine as vocalist, Rudolf Schenker on rhythm guitar, Matthias Jabs as lead guitarist, Francis Buchholz as bassist, and Herman Rarebell on drums. Rudolf Schenker has been the only member of the band who has always been on it. Along with Meine, who has appeared on all of Scorpions' studio albums. Matthias Jabs has been a constant member since 1978. Bassist Paweł Mąciwoda has been with the band since 2003 and drummer Mikkey Dee has been around since 2016.
During the mid-1970s, the musical style of the band was hard rock while guitarist Uli Jon Roth was with the group. After Roth left the band in 1978 and short-lived combination with Schenker's brother Michael, Matthias Jabs joined. After that, Scorpions followed the advice of Dieter Dierks, their producer, and changed their sound to hard rock/heavy metal, integrated with rock power ballads. Scorpions received raving reviews and critical acclaim in the 1980’s for their music. They experienced popularity and success with the albums Animal Magnetism, released in 1980, Blackout in 1982, Love at First Sting in 1984, the live recording Worldwide Live in 1985, Savage Amusement in 1988 and Best of Rockers 'n' Ballads in 1989. Best of Rockers ‘n’ Ballads is their best-selling compilation album.
The Scorpions released their eleventh studio album in 1990 called Crazy World. It included the song "Wind of Change", which turned into symbolic anthem of the political changes in Eastern Europe in the late 1980s and early 1990s and the fall of the Berlin Wall. It has become one of the best-selling singles in the world with over 14 million copies sold worldwide. The Scorpions have sold over 110 million records in since they were formed. They have released a total of 18 studio albums, 27 compilation albums and 74 singles! The work of the Scorpions has reached gold, platinum and multi-platinum status 200 times in different countries. Six of their singles have reached number one on the charts in different countries.
MTV called the Scorpions the "Ambassadors of Rock" while Rolling Stone described the Scorpions as "the heroes of heavy metal." The band has served as influence for a number of bands such as Guns N' Roses, Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, Skid Row, Cinderella, Doro, Helloween, Hanoi Rocks, and Yngwie Malmsteen. The Scorpions were ranked number 46 on VH1's Greatest Artists of Hard Rock program. Their single "Rock You Like a Hurricane" peaked at number 18 on VH1's list of the 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs. "Still Loving You" was ranked at number 22 among the greatest ballads. They have received multiple awards in their time, including, three World Music Awards, a star on the Hollywood Rock wall, and a presence in the permanent exhibition of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Scorpions celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2015.
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