Scorpions / MSG @ Hammersmith Apollo

Not really related to Jeff, other than the fact Jeff appears on MSG's covers allbum, but I went to see The Scorpions supported by MSG last night at Hammersmith Apollo. It was an interesting experience.

I thought the Scorpions were terrific. A real throwback to a time (pre-grunge) when people went to concerts for genuine ENTERTAINMENT. The Scorps strutted around on stage and really milked the audience, posing and going through their guitar choreographed routines like they were still in their heyday. Rudi Schenker in particular ran around the stage like a whirling dervish, and it was great to see.

As a photographer they were a dream - they really know that a concert experience is as much about the visuals as the music. They posed and played up to the cameras in the front row, pulling faces and teasing each other. It's just a shame I was only allowed three songs then had to get out of the pit.

The mood of the concert then changed, when Uli Jon Roth (one of the original guitarists) appeared on stage for a reunion and played a few songs from their early 70's era. The early scorps songs were more more serious, rambling solo affairs and I thought the show lost a little impetus for the 20 minutes or so Roth was on stage. Then he left and it was back to the hits and the higher tempo (and more entertaining) catalogue.

All in all, a great show from Klaus and co.

Michael Schenker, on the other hand, was an absolute disgrace. Maybe that's the wrong word - an embarrassment would be more accurate. Dressed like a cross between a hoodie and a tramp, this tiny rake of a man attempted to play guiter, often knelt with his back to the audience, and it sounded painful. The rest of the band soldiered manfully on, but even they looked nervous about what MS would or wouldn't do. His attempts at intros and solos were badly out of key and out of time, and if you didn't know what the song were (mainly old UFO songs) you would never ever have recognised them. It really sounded like somebody on his third or fourth guitar lesson attempting to pick his way through the song.

I'm not sure whether it was drugs or drink, but he was completely out of it on stage, oblivious to the audience and unsteady on his feet. It is really so sad that a once great guitar maestro can reduce himself to this level.

Marty

This is one band that I really want to see.

Thanks for the rpost Marty, you made me jealous!

My only Scorpions' gig experience was in the Face the Heat tour (1993/94) and it was a blast just like see them in 1984 era. Amazing sound, their guitar choreographed routines, Mathias Jabs solos was the best part of the show, Rudolf Schenker running from 1 side to another as a Devil and Klaus Meine with his great voice doing everything perfect and of course you were able to see their smiles in their faces all the time - as Marty said.

For anybody interested, here are my pics from the show on Monday night...

http://www.martymoffatt.com/scorpions2007hammersmith

Marty

Speechless as usual! Thanks Marty!