Scorpions @ Hammersmith Apollo, London
Originally published on my old blog.
Teutonic metallers rocked us like a hurricane
German rock legends Scorpions whistled up a treat of a show.
One of my very first metal cassettes was "Masters of Metal", a compilation of many rock and metal hits from the mid 80s. On that tape was the epic tune Rock You Like A Hurricane, an absolute head banging, tennis racket smashing testosterone festival of a tune. When I was more acne than human I simply adored it - that epic opening, the soaring vocals, the classiest of epic tunes - and to be fair, I still do.
So, 20 years later, despite their being near retirement age already, I jumped at the chance to see them live. They played Hammersmith Apollo, the iconic venue not too far from where we lived, and they rocked up a storm. Germany's most famous rock act, with not one but two legendary guitarists in Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs, and a career spanning three, no, four decades. Absolute class. The singer wore his signature little leather cap, and they played all my favourites: Big City Nights, Still Loving You, Wind of Change complete with the whistling, and Rock You Like A Hurricane saved up for last.
It was one of those gigs where you get back on the bus still air-guitaring and singing along. Jo loved it, and she'd never even heard of them. A master class in how to thrill a loyal crowd 30 years on, and a solid four out of five - no one left disappointed.
Huge band, epic set, great gig.
Photos from the gig
