As predictable as the sunrise in the east, another of the so-called classic rock elite has decided that they'll continue their career since there appears to be money in the offing. The Scorpions, with whom I'm quite familiar as a result of being pulled into their world via the co-authorship of the only two books of memoirs ever to come from any representative of the group, have decided that last years world tour was not the end of their career but will continue indefinitely.
What does this mean? It means you were all duped by a group of individuals who seem to have little or no conscience. Their actions in the past few months, guided I'm sure by their management, should be a clear indication of the realities within the band. I honestly must say it's difficult to respect individuals who use some of the tactics they have to remain current and vital within the world of entertainment because ultimately those tactics, though profitable, run against the grain of everything that I believe is and should be a part of our world.
I guess it always comes back to the same thing. So long as people are willing to pay money for your efforts no matter how tainted they may become, you will not say no. Self-respect means nothing. Honesty means nothing.
As has been so often the case with individuals in the rock and roll community, and as it was, sadly for Muhammad Ali in boxing and countless others in other public occupations, to not realize that your day has come and gone and you can ride out into the sunset happily recalling what once was is a mistake that often leads to disaster. I believe that fans deserve more than simply a relic being paraded around like a prized stallion probably by management who sees their cash cow going out to pasture and wondering how they will ever find anyone else to take money from.
When one looks at the activities of the Scorpions over the past year, one can only wonder how long fans will care to hear Rock You Like a Hurricane. Yes, it is anthemic. But is that enough. Remember, it's been over 25 years since it was a hit. It has been revived time and again in movie soundtracks and by the band itself. The mere fact that their last album featured nothing new and now they are stealing material from their only real producer, Dieter Dierks, to supposedly produce another album of songs written 30 years or more ago should illustrate the truth to those who wish to see it.
The Scorpions, for the real fans, will always be a combination of Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker, Herman Ze German Rarebell, Matthias Jabs, Francis Bucholz and producer Dieter Dierks. 90% of all the music at any show you are apt to see anywhere in the world, features the music created by that line up. Is it any wonder that the sound and success of the band has dwindled to simply being little more than a band resting on its laurels over the past 20 years?
There are many who wonder why hard rock is dying in the world of music. Countless concerts around the world fail to live up to expectations by bands that at one time were at the pinnacle of the industry. Why? Well, the truth is there is nothing new for many of those bands to give the people. The last tour by the Scorpions of the US, last summer, they claim was a success. However, look at it in detail. They played only 12 shows I believe. Some of the biggest music centers in the country were not even on the docket. Half of the 12 shows were played in California and the western states. The band could not get booked in New England. They didn't play in New York City. They didn't play in the south or the Midwest. Doesn't this tell you that in the minds of promoters they just don't seem to interest enough people to draw a crowd that won't be embarrassing? And how many of you out there can name a song that was popular after "Wind of Change"?
Well you see, the scruples of such artists have to be questioned. They used the ploy of claiming their last tour was going to be the last time the band would play anywhere to attract fans. Why? Simple. In 2010 they had a tour of the US that was a financial disaster for almost every promoter who bellied up to the table. The only way the band could even attract attention was to say it was their last tour. And yet, in truth, their last tour was in 1995 when the main body of the band was torn apart by greed. Now they are nothing more than three of the six playing for people who are led to believe they are the Scorpions. They aren't. All they are today are three guys who are using the name of a once great band to steal money from those who made them what they are and will forever be, one of the all time greats of the 1980's. But it's not the 1980's anymore...
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