For six decades the Scorpions have shaped rock music with a presence that feels both familiar and timeless. Formed in Hanover in 1965, they grew from a small German band into a global phenomenon, admired for their clarity of purpose and unmistakable sound. Their journey includes historic concerts, chart successes, cultural moments and a catalogue that continues to influence artists across the world. In August they marked their sixtieth anniversary with a sold-out stadium show in their home city, a performance captured entirely by drone cameras and celebrated by fans from every corner of the globe. In the midst of these milestones we met an enthusiastic guitarist and founder, Rudolf Schenker, to speak about reflection, resilience and the path that still drives the Scorpions forward.

SETTE: After sixty years with the Scorpions, how did it feel to come home for the anniversary show in Hanover?

Rudolf Schenker: We already had the song called ‘Coming Home’, and we said that if we celebrate our sixtieth anniversary, we must do it in Hanover, in the stadium. When we started, we were not very popular in our city because we sang in English. People asked why these crazy musicians were singing in English when they lived in Germany. Later, when we travelled to other countries and reached international audiences, it became clear that we were following the right instinct.

I was once asked about my goal. I said that I wanted us to be among the thirty greatest rock bands in the world. We reached that position by refusing limits, by staying curious and by showing the world that a new generation from Germany had arrived. Not with tanks and conflict, but with guitars, with love, with peace and with rock and roll. That spirit took us to Russia at a key moment in history. We became part of a peaceful revolution, and that experience inspired Klaus to write ‘Wind of Change’.

The song grew in a way none of us expected. Russian radio played it every morning and every night. I told Klaus that we should try singing it in Russian. He said it would never work. I said it would, and we recorded it in Holland. That version was sent to Russia, and soon after came an invitation from the Kremlin through the German Foreign Ministry.

Gorbachev wanted to meet us. These things happened because we always set new goals. That is the secret of the Scorpions.

We have played in over eighty countries and felt a strong connection wherever we went. Music links people. Inside the band the chemistry matters as much as the music. Klaus is like the sun, I am more like the moon and Matthias brings his own character to the mix. Mikkey Dee gives us power from the drums and Paweł completes the foundation. It works. That night in Hanover felt like a celebration of all those years with people from every continent. The concert was filmed entirely with drones, which created a new kind of energy. It was a special moment for the band and for the city.

Do you have any rituals before going on stage?

Not anymore. Everyone prepares in their own way and we function almost telepathically. We do not need to stand in a circle and shout something before the show.

We are aligned, and since Mikkey joined us the rhythm and the drive have become even stronger. Paweł is perfect on bass, and the whole band feels steady. Our ritual is friendship. When you travel the world as friends, you do not need anything else.

How do you define success today? Has that changed over the years?

Success means writing strong songs, staying connected through friendship and sharing that with audiences. The crowd throws the energy back to us, and we pass it forward again. Success is living the life you chose and doing it with commitment. That has not changed.

How does that differ from happiness? Many artists struggle despite having success.

That happens when the ego takes control. The ego starts telling you that you are the one who must lead everything and that others should follow. That destroys unity. You must listen when someone in the band is not happy. Ask why, talk about it and adjust. If you ignore it, things fall apart. Look at The Beatles. They had everything, yet the ego damaged the balance.

In our band the constellation works well. Klaus has his strengths, I bring mine, Matthias adds his own expression and the rhythm section supports it all. We treat our road crew as friends, not as employees. That makes a tour feel like a family, which keeps the atmosphere healthy.

Was there a moment when you realised you had become part of rock history?

That is the danger. The moment you say that you have made it, the energy drops. I never wanted that. When I sensed that things were moving fast in the early eighties, I said that we should go to Russia. People thought I was crazy. But we found the right contacts and moved step by step. Playing Leningrad and Moscow opened new doors. Later came the Peace Festival with Bon Jovi, Ozzy Osbourne and others. When ‘Wind of Change’ rose, we still avoided standing still. We kept moving, kept travelling. That is why we played India, China and South America. If you rest, you fall behind.

What helped you stay grounded during difficult times?

Meditation. It puts you on the highway of your own personality. Many people grow up in a small world and never leave it, even mentally. Meditation takes you further. I combined it with composing. My day began with meditation, then writing, then more meditation.

Some of my strongest songs came from that routine. I had to wait years before the band was ready to record them. I never forced it. I waited until it felt right. Meditation gives clarity and helps you sense which people belong in your life, which teams work and what decisions lead to balance.

How do you see the music world today? What has improved and what has been lost?

The essence of rock has not changed. Music with roots remains. Rock grew from the blues, so it carries history. Some modern styles rise fast and fade fast. They impress the eyes more than the heart. I saw a recent show in Las Vegas, a huge production by the Backstreet Boys, and it looked spectacular. The next morning nothing stayed with me. That is the difference. True impact remains after the lights go out. Rock has that ability. It comes back in cycles. The key is to stay present when the cycle returns.

What advice would you give your younger self today?

The same advice I gave you. Meditate. It brings you closer to yourself and to your direction. I played football before music and loved it, even played in the same stadium where we performed this anniversary show. Life has strange ways of connecting moments, but it happens when you follow your path with focus.

If you could see one artist who is no longer with us perform again, who would it be?

Elvis Presley. He had a voice, a style and a presence that shaped entire generations. There were others I admired, but Elvis had something rare. He was an explosion of emotion.

Rudolf, thank you so much for your time.

The Scorpions remain one of the few bands whose identity has grown stronger with time. Their journey is marked by curiosity, discipline and a willingness to evolve without losing their core. Sixty years after their beginnings in Hanover, they continue to tour the world with a sense of purpose that reflects both their history and their drive to move forward. Their anniversary show captured this spirit in full force, blending memory with momentum and proving that their music still resonates deeply with audiences everywhere.

The Scorpions are not finished. Their story continues to expand, shaped by a band that knows how to stay true to itself while reaching far beyond borders.

For more Information visit: www.the-scorpions.com

– Interview by Dylan Lodise; Photos by Holger Fichtner / Marc Theis / Patrick Schneiderwind

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