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The Scorpions UK - The
‘Tail’ Continues!
The tale
began in the
60s when The Scorpions from Manchester, England had a number one hit in
Holland with 'Hello Josephine' in 1965. It stayed in the Radio Veronica
charts for no less than 33 weeks!. More success followed with hits such
as 'Ann Louise', 'Greensleeves' and 'Baby Baby Balla Balla'. All three
entered the Top Twenty.
During
their heyday
The Scorpions appeared with Golden Earrings on the 'Tiener Top Show'
and their proudest moment was playing alongside The Everly Brothers and
The Supremes on the ‘Grand Gala Du Disque’ show in
1965.
The song
they will
always be remembered for is undoubtedly ‘Hello
Josephine’.
It re-entered the charts and got into the Top Ten in 1977, after a
Scorpions reunion appearance on a TV show called ‘The Day the
Music Died’. This was followed two weeks later by an
appearance
on ‘Top Pop‘.
The
renewed interest
in the group resulted in another album in 1978 called ‘My Own
Way
to Rock’ on the Telstar label. The Scorpions were preparing
to
return to Holland in 1984 but tragically, lead-singer Peter Lewis died
of cancer.
The
present line-up includes three members from 1965. They are:-
Lead
singer and lead guitarist Graham Lee
who played with the Scorpions during the 60s and 70s. Graham has also
played with Billy J. Kramer and Wayne Fontana but considers several
great years with Hermans Hermits, led by Barry Whitwam, to be one of
the highlights of his career.
Tom
Unthank on drums and Roy Smithson
on keyboards, both played during the 60s and 70s with the Scorpions on
many TV shows, gigs and recordings. Tom has been the resident drummer
in a Manchester night-club for many years. He has also played drums for
many top artists.
As well
as playing on keyboards, Roy has provided the high harmonies on most of
the Scorpions recordings and gigs.
Diccon
Hubbard
on bass guitar is a welcome addition to the band. He brings with him a
wealth of experience and has played with Wayne Fontana, Billy J. Kramer
and Dave Berry to mention a few.
Fans
will be delighted to know that the Scorpions are making a new album due
for release in early 2011.
Korte Nederlandse samenvatting:
De Scorpions is een succesvolle Engelse formatie uit Manchester die in
1965 ruim 30 weken aan de top hebben gestaan met het nummer "Hello
Josephine". Daarna volgende o.a. "Ann Louise" en "Greensleeves". Ze
speelden tijdens het Grand Gala du Disque samen met o.a.The Everly
Brothers. Tevens waren ze regelmatig te zien in TOP POP en waren
éen van de hoogtepunten tijdens het afscheid van VERONICA in
1977. Op deze pagina van de website is een prachtige video te zien van
dat TV-optreden, opgenomen in Scheveningen.
Zanger Peter Lewis
is inmiddels helaas overleden, maar 3 andere leden van The Scorpions
maken nu nog steeds deel uit van de groep. Zanger en sologitarist Graham
Lee speelde ook nog een paar jaar bij o.a. Hermans
Hermits. Verder zit Tom Unthank achter de
drums, speelt Roy Smithson keybords en
bespeelt Diccon Hubbard de basgitaar.
Begin 2011 komt er een nieuwe CD en zullen ze ongetwijfeld weer in
Nederland te zien zijn.
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