Scorpions

 Today in 1979 Scorpions released the album Best of Scorpions

Sarstedt, Lower Saxony,Germany Traditional Heavy Metal/Hard Rock

Status:Active

Years active: 1964-present

The band name is "Scorpions," not "The Scorpions."

One of Germany's oldest and most well-known metal bands, Scorpions didn't really achieve worldwide fame until their second decade of existence, with songs like "Rock You Like A Hurricane" catapulting them into the spotlight. Actually they are probably the oldest metal band period, having been formed way back in 1964 (!) by guitarist Rudy Schenker, and he along with vocalist Klaus Meine are the sole remaining original members from their first release, 1972's Lonesome Crow. While albums such as Animal Magnetism, Blackout, and Love At First Sting represent the familiar mainstream Scorpions sound, their work in the 70's was a bit different, with then-guitarist Ulrich Roth's overt Hendrix stylings giving the band a different feel. The BNR pick for their best album would be Lovedrive, featuring a brief return from UFO guitarist (and brother of Rudy) Michael Schenker -- it signalled the end of the Roth era, and the beginnings of their more radio-friendly period, but it stands as their most metallic album. Typical of bands who last this long, Scorpions' later studio albums haven't had the same impact as their classic works, but the band is still a great live draw and who knows how much longer they'll be around. They had declared that they'd retire after a tour following 2010's Sting In The Tail, but five years later they released another album and are still in action.

RCA Victor Records

Compilation

Rudolf Schenker Guitars (rhythm)

Klaus Meine Vocals (all tracks, except track 6)

Francis Buchholz Bass

Hans-Jürgen Rosenthal Drums (track 5)

Ulrich Roth Guitars, Vocals (track 6)

Rudy Lenners Drums (tracks 2-4, 6, 8, 9, 11)

Herman Rarebell Drums (tracks 1, 7, 10)

Side A

1. Steamrock Fever 03:35

2. Pictured Life 03:21

3. Robot Man 02:42

4. Backstage Queen 03:10

5. Speedy's Coming 03:32

6. Hell-Cat 02:54

Side B

7. He's a Woman, She's a Man 03:14

8. In Trance 04:42

9. Dark Lady 03:25

10. The Sails of Charon 04:24

11. Virgin Killer 03:41

38:40

Tracks 1, 7 and 10 appeared on "Taken by Force" (1977).

Tracks 2, 4, 6 and 11 appeared on "Virgin Killer" (1976).

Tracks 3, 8 and 9 appeared on "In Trance" (1975).

Track 5 appeared on "Fly to the Rainbow" (1974).