Klaus Meine – Scorpions

Scorpions is a name synonymous with hard rock and heavy metal. Since the German band’s formation in 1965, they have shared in the full richness and wealth these genres have had to offer, and have lent the music world such timeless classics as “Rock Me Like a Hurricane”, “Winds of Change”, and a host of others. Having the absolute pleasure and honour to speak with frontman, chief songwriter, and band founder, Klaus Meine, despite a couple complications over the phone at first, once the ball got rolling, we had a great chat about the Scorpion’s legacy, celebrating the band’s 50th anniversary, new album ‘Return to Forever’, and so much more!

“There are not many bands around that can celebrate a 50^th anniversary,” Klaus noted with astonishment, “but there is even less bands that can celebrate it with a brand new album.” With ‘Return to Forever’ now out worldwide, it is the Scorpion’s eighteenth studio album. Reflecting on this being their newest record, and having been a consistently successful band for half a century, Klaus had this to say: “To tell you the truth, it still comes hard over my lips. ‘5-0’, you know, that’s like, ‘Wow, man!’ My friend, [rhythm guitarist] Rudolf Schenker, started the band in ’65. It’s something very special.  We’re very excited for this album, this is quite something. ‘Return to Forever’ [has now come out] and also a movie – a documentary – about the Scorpions; about the life and career of the band. So there are lots of things to celebrate this year and we’re excited! The only thing that’s missing in all the excitement is a few shows down under.”

Speaking of shows down under, Klaus expressed great interest in coming to Australia sometime hopefully in the near future. “With all the touring we did in all those years, and with the tour in May in China, we definitely hope we have a chance to come and play in Australia – which would be for the very first time. We played some shows in New Caledonia a few years ago – a long way back – we had a 24 hour stop-over in Sydney and we just fell in love right away. It was just like, ‘God, man, we have to come here and play some shows!’ And after all these years, and playing all over the world, we never did Australia, it’s simply something we have to change. We’re working on it and we would be very excited to come and play for our fans in Australia.”

Following Scorpions’ brief period of retirement in the past, and after appearing on the likes of MTV Unplugged, alongside touring extensively, it was thought for a time that Scorpions would perhaps not record another studio album, but would just continue instead as a live touring act. I asked Klaus what prompted the return to the studio. “We’ve been working on this album for the last couple of years,” he began. “We did MTV Unplugged and we started writing again. So on this new album there is some ‘80s material, but also a lot of brand new songs. [But] we’re taking it as it comes. We’re excited, especially after so many years, that we’re still around. To be a part of this generation of bands like Motorhead, AC/DC, Ozzy Osbourne; all those bands who started in the early ’70s. It’s great that we still play on stage. It’s fantastic to see a whole new audience out there – a young generation of kids – and to play in front of three generations. It’s just very motivating, you know? But we take a look around the corner and see what life will bring. Right now, it feels great, and if you ask me, it could go on forever, but you never know what life will bring.”

‘Forever and a Day’ – A film by Katja von Garnier

The Scorpions’ music is always full of heart and soul, and manage to register on a deeply emotional level. I asked what inspires Klaus when it comes to his lyrics. “I mean, we always try to reflect what’s going on in your own life, what’s going on with me on the road with the band going all over the world, and you reflect on all your emotions and what you go through. Especially with this album, in the many songs, it reflects this kind of feeling: what it is being out there in this crazy rock and roll circus. But at the same time you want to go back home and you’re longing for your loved ones, your family and friends. Then again, the road is calling you and you miss it like a good old friend. That’s what it says in the song “Gypsy Life”. Because after all these years we’re still like gypsies, it’s in our blood. The inspiration always comes from touring around the world. This is what our life as musicians is all about and this is what you reflect in your music, what you try to reflect in your feelings. And of course, it’s your personal views and what’s going in the world and all that. I try to express it in all those songs.”

As our interview drew to a close, I asked if Klaus had any final words he’d like to offer his fans. “I would like to say thank you for all your support down under in Australia. I know we’ve been missing out on your country for a long time but I hope some promoters will listen. We’re ready to go anywhere and we would love to come down under for this tour, and have a chance for the very first time after all these years to rock Australia like a hurricane!”

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