By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
German rockers Scorpions shocked fans around the world when they announced in January their retirement after more than 40 years in the music business.
Frontman Klaus Meine believes it is only right for the Scorpions to end on a high note. ``We've been in this crazy rock world for four decades now. We are actually very happy to release our new album. ... We thought that it wise to wrap this thing up when we are at our highest level. But we are planning to do a world tour for at least two years, so it's not completely the end. Dear fans, please don't cry! This is a time to celebrate and let's enjoy the party,'' he said in an e-mail interview.
The Scorpions, best known for the hits ``Winds of Change,'' ``Rock You Like a Hurricane,'' ``Still Loving You'' and ``Blackout,'' was founded by guitarist Rudolf Schenker. Since then, the hard rock band has released 20 albums and sold millions of records around the world. The band's current line-up also includes lead guitarist Matthias Jabs, bassist Pawel Maciwoda and drummer James Kottak.
The decision to end the Scorpions came while they were recording the latest album, ``Sting in the Tail,'' which will be released this week in Korea. Schenker said the band's manager ― and long-time friend ― asked them if they could make a better album. It caused the band to stop and seriously think about their future.
``We can fly, jump high and go crazy on the stage for now. But what's next after four or five years? Will things still be satisfactory to us after a few years? So we made up our mind to create the best album ever and to finish our career as Scorpions,'' he said.
Scorpions promised the new album is filled with classic rock and metal tunes that fans can enjoy. ``The title means `let's go crazy, let's have fun.' ... This is our last album, so we wanted to go wild, filled with rock spirit,'' Schenker said.
The band kicked off its farewell ``Get Your Sting And Blackout World Tour,'' in Prague last week. The band hopes to leave fans with good memories of them performing at their best.
While there is no date yet for a concert in Korea, the group members are excited about coming back. The band performed at a peace festival in Korea in the 1990s, and visited the demilitarized zone, which reminded them of Germany's own history of division.
``It's been about 20 years since the Berlin Wall collapsed. We understand what Koreans are going through emotionally. We hope that one day both Koreas will reunite and live in peace,'' Meine said.
``Korea has been always special to me. I guess it's because that we share a common historical background and we know about the sorrow from division. It was such a sad moment to see the North and South divided when we visited the border. Whenever I remember the place, I pray for the people,'' Schenker added.
With 40 years together, the Scorpions is one of the longest-running rock groups. Meine attributes the band's longevity to their strong friendship.
``We all shared the same interest in rock music, even before we released our first album in 1972. We dreamed a lot of things together, and many of them became true. Friendship sustains you for better or worse. When ("Blackout") came out in 1982, I lost my voice and I thought I would never be able to sing again, but my friends told me, `Yes, you can do this. Just after rehab, you will sing again.' I will never forget that. I can't thank them enough,'' Meine said.
While the Scorpions are planning to retire from the music industry, it does not mean that the members will be giving up on music. Meine said he might make a solo album, but there are no definite plans yet. ``I'm a musician! I will always live as a musician and a songwriter. The band might be over but I am pretty excited about the second chapter of my life,'' he said.
Schenker said he will work on new music with his brother and fellow musician Michael Schenker, as well as write a book about the Scorpions.
``I want Scorpions to be remembered as a great live band. I also wish that many of our songs will be remembered and sung generation after generation,'' Meine said.