Just over a year ago I went to see the Scorpions for the first time in 17 years, and surprised myself by having a fantastic time - not least because ex guitarist Uli Roth joined the band on stage to play a handful of their old songs. A year on, and the same tour is winding down but now Uli was coming over as alternating support act with Michael Schenker - who this time last year was so smacked out of his head most of the time, that even the basic ability to stand up whilst playing live was proving difficult.
Knowing that, I was pleased to find out that London was going to be an Uli gig. He played 5 songs - three from his new album, top and tailed with Scorpions classics: 'The Sails of Charon' and 'We'll burn the sky' - both off the, now 30 year old, 'Taken by Force' album. It was a great way to kick off the night and Uli's guitar playing was as excellent as you would expect it to be.
And then the Scorps came on, and once again a great hard rock sing-a-long commenced: 'The Zoo'; 'Coast to Coast'; 'Bad Boys Running Wild'; 'Holiday'; 'Big City Nights'; 'No one Like You', 'Dynamite', 'Another Piece of Meat', 'Loving You Sunday Morning', 'Lovedrive', 'Still Loving You' , and more.
Michael made it onto stage for a handful of these tunes to mostly play brother Rudolf's lead guitar parts. Whilst you still wouldn't say he was looking great and healthy, the fact he was sober enough to stand, and was looking much better than last year was great news. The band seemed glad to have him onstage too.
Perhaps the biggest highlight for me, however, was probably Uli once again back on stage, and the band doing another Taken by Force track - and my favourite as a child - 'He's a Woman, She's a Man'. Just brilliant.
All in all, another great gig.
Knowing that, I was pleased to find out that London was going to be an Uli gig. He played 5 songs - three from his new album, top and tailed with Scorpions classics: 'The Sails of Charon' and 'We'll burn the sky' - both off the, now 30 year old, 'Taken by Force' album. It was a great way to kick off the night and Uli's guitar playing was as excellent as you would expect it to be.
And then the Scorps came on, and once again a great hard rock sing-a-long commenced: 'The Zoo'; 'Coast to Coast'; 'Bad Boys Running Wild'; 'Holiday'; 'Big City Nights'; 'No one Like You', 'Dynamite', 'Another Piece of Meat', 'Loving You Sunday Morning', 'Lovedrive', 'Still Loving You' , and more.
Michael made it onto stage for a handful of these tunes to mostly play brother Rudolf's lead guitar parts. Whilst you still wouldn't say he was looking great and healthy, the fact he was sober enough to stand, and was looking much better than last year was great news. The band seemed glad to have him onstage too.
Perhaps the biggest highlight for me, however, was probably Uli once again back on stage, and the band doing another Taken by Force track - and my favourite as a child - 'He's a Woman, She's a Man'. Just brilliant.
All in all, another great gig.
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