Rudolf's outing

[therocker]

Scorpions: Why we turned down Download

19th Feb 2013 | 10:03

The Scorpions rejected an offer to play the Download festival this summer

[caption id="attachment_52271" align="alignleft" width="610"]Scorpions: wanted to be on the main stage[/caption]

The Scorpions rejected an offer to play the Download festival this summer.

Talking to Classic Rock, guitarist Rudolf Schenker explained the band’s decision as being down to two reasons.

“We were asked to play on the first day (June 14), when Slipknot will headline. The problem was that we would have been on the second stage, not the main one. This would have meant us not having the chance to bring over a full stage set, and that isn’t something we were prepared to consider. We’d be cheating the fans, and feel we are worth a bit more than being anywhere other the main stage.

“There was also a financial problem, because what we would have been paid wasn’t very good at all. So we reluctantly turned it down.”

The band recently finished their final world tour. It lasted three years, but didn’t include a single UK show. And nobody it appears is more disappointed than the band.

“We desperately wanted to come over. We love playing in Britain. But again it was a money consideration. Everywhere we go, our fee is really excellent, and that allows us to give a full value show. But in the UK, we get very low offers, the sort we can’t really accept. That’s why we’ve not played there.”

However, there’s the possibility we will get to see the Scorps, who won the Metal Guru Award at the 2011 Classic Rock Roll Of Honour, next year.

“We hope to play a festival in 2014. We have just finished what will certainly be our last tour, but we have never said there won’t be live shows in the future. So, if the opportunity is there we will come over.”

Schenker also confirmed that while 2010’s Sting In The Tail will definitely be their farewell studio album, there will be future releases from the band.

“We are working on a live movie, and we’ve also had a fantastic offer from our record label. I can’t say what this is right now, but if it comes off it will be unique. We have never said we are splitting up, so there’s plenty to come.”

[Inulka]

We always knew that it's all about money. That's why there's no possibility to see scorps in Italy

[adriana]

Yes, but.?... what about the stage thing? When you have your well known name you wouldn' t agree to be placed second of anyone

[Gabi6912]

Yes, I agree with Adriana, and sorry, but I still don't totally believe that in case of Scorps everything is just about money, because I can't imagine that so much money would be offered to the Scorps by my Hungary, but they have played here the last years.

[Nadin]

Well..Rudolf said it all honest - of course the 1st comes the "stage proposal" thing - here I totally agree with Adriana - such kind of a proposal to play on a second stage to such a band sounds, for me, for ex, even a but offensive - here I totally understand his position.
Plus, of course money is not the main thing for the guys, but still not the last one - they know their price, and also wouldn't play for "nothing". Coz one thing is if they play for charity and that kind of things, but the other is to play at a huge rock festival. Here I understand Rudy too.
But still I hope that the guys will find some good proposals and there will be scorps shows in UK and other countries, where fans are waiting for them!

[YNWA]

Wow, I`ve answered yesterday to this info, in Dates 2013 And, as I see, me and Nadia have completely the same point of view..

But, I think, the main problem here, is that they won`t be.. hm.. main stage or main headliners. I`m really sorry for the UK fans, but I absolutely understand our guys! They are LEGENDS and not only.. They were inspiration to so many hard rock/metal bands. It`s unacceptable to put them to play just.. somewhere... There place is MAIN STAGE/HEADLINER.

About money.. If they were too less, yes, I also understand them. I don`t think they are so focused on money, but after all, it`s good that they know their price.

As a final, if they have been negotiating about show in UK, then, I think, they`ll continue to think in that direction, in order to have the chance to meet their fans there... The best is yet to come! ;)

[Sand]

While I was reading Rudolf words what I felt was : that it is a kind of "question of honor", I understand him too much, because a group like the Scorpions can't accept another place than a main stage, it's a question of RESPECT, for the group and for the fans too. For the financial subject, I imagine there are many things to pay when the group, the team, the trip with all they need for the concerts, and I can understand Rudolf too.
Finaly the word I understand in what Rudolf says is : RESPECT
I agree with you Adriana, Gabi, Curry, Nadia Hey ! many kisses to you girls !!!

[diego18]

If am wrong english fans please tell me but I think the main problem is that the scorpions are ignoring or do not know their situation in the UK, they are not a big band there anymore as they used to be, so how are they going to headline one of the most famous UK's festival. There's only a few choices for the scorpions in England:

- To be there as a second act/opening band like when they opened for judas priest afew years ago, or in a second stage in a festival, it's not something shameful, nothing bad about it, but I think they don't t feel the same

- To do a tour with special guests like pasts years with Uli & Michael ,but quite difficult to see again i'm afraid...

- Not going there

But well I hope they go there finally and soon!

[Kristof]

During the Humanity tour I saw the Scorpions at Arrow Festival ,Netherland ....They were programmed in the middle of the afternoon,...with still Toto and Aerosmith as headliners,...
For my opinion it was really strange seeing Scorpions so early ,...but with that kind of line up,...
But the latest tour was a lot more successful ,...so now they really have to be the headliner,...especially over Slipknot,...why Slipknot not on the second stage,...
I can understand Rudolfs opinion,...when they go somewhere,...the fans deserve to see a full value show,not with a discounted price...also just thinking on the Drumraiser,...maybe it was not possible on the other stage,...
Mybe they just can do a concert with special guests again ,just like before at Hammersmith,...
but this time the O2 arena

[fos daddy]

[quote="diego18"]If am wrong english fans please tell me but I think the main problem is that the scorpions are ignoring or do not know their situation in the UK, they are not a big band there anymore as they used to be, so how are they going to headline one of the most famous UK's festival. There's only a few choices for the scorpions in England:

They are not big anymore in the states either .. It all about younger newer groups .. even if they suck .. Its all about money, it has been and always will be. Ask any Dj today . one that's honest .. Christ some ppl in radio are so freshly out of their mothers wombs they have no clue as to who The Scorps are or what justifies as real music .
And most of that had been discussed and argued over with about the poor promotion and management dating back to Unbreakable and beyond that ..
Someone or somebody didn't push Unbreakable , HH1 or SITT hard enough down the program directors in the states throats hard enough to get anything off these 3 gems to get The Scorps proper airplay .
You cant win over the pop .. hip pop etc culture of today when these listeners are only attracted to the craap that radio spills into their minds these days .
The day of the radio listener in (my) most of the older fos members having a say in whats played is long gone. And without radio airplay there is no popularity and thus the phrase ,
Who Are They .
So instead of punishing the good ppl of England they maybe need to look amongst their inner circle of under achievers and punish them ..

[diego18]

If am wrong english fans please tell me but I think the main problem is that the scorpions are ignoring or do not know their situation in the UK, they are not a big band there anymore as they used to be, so how are they going to headline one of the most famous UK's festival. There's only a few choices for the scorpions in England:

They are not big anymore in the states either .. It all about younger newer groups .. even if they suck .. Its all about money, it has been and always will be. Ask any Dj today . one that's honest .. Christ some ppl in radio are so freshly out of their mothers wombs they have no clue as to who The Scorps are or what justifies as real music .
And most of that had been discussed and argued over with about the poor promotion and management dating back to Unbreakable and beyond that ..
Someone or somebody didn't push Unbreakable , HH1 or SITT hard enough down the program directors in the states throats hard enough to get anything off these 3 gems to get The Scorps proper airplay .
You cant win over the pop .. hip pop etc culture of today when these listeners are only attracted to the craap that radio spills into their minds these days .
The day of the radio listener in (my) most of the older fos members having a say in whats played is long gone. And without radio airplay there is no popularity and thus the phrase ,
Who Are They .
So instead of punishing the good ppl of England they maybe need to look amongst their inner circle of under achievers and punish them ..

It can't be said better,you spoke the whole truth Thomas.

[antonis]

I agree,as well!!!

[Funnynunny]

If am wrong english fans please tell me but I think the main problem is that the scorpions are ignoring or do not know their situation in the UK, they are not a big band there anymore as they used to be, so how are they going to headline one of the most famous UK's festival. There's only a few choices for the scorpions in England:

They are not big anymore in the states either .. It all about younger newer groups .. even if they suck .. Its all about money, it has been and always will be. Ask any Dj today . one that's honest .. Christ some ppl in radio are so freshly out of their mothers wombs they have no clue as to who The Scorps are or what justifies as real music .
And most of that had been discussed and argued over with about the poor promotion and management dating back to Unbreakable and beyond that ..
Someone or somebody didn't push Unbreakable , HH1 or SITT hard enough down the program directors in the states throats hard enough to get anything off these 3 gems to get The Scorps proper airplay .
You cant win over the pop .. hip pop etc culture of today when these listeners are only attracted to the craap that radio spills into their minds these days .
The day of the radio listener in (my) most of the older fos members having a say in whats played is long gone. And without radio airplay there is no popularity and thus the phrase ,
Who Are They .
So instead of punishing the good ppl of England they maybe need to look amongst their inner circle of under achievers and punish them ..

well fos daddy like the BUGGLES song always has said since 1979

Watch on youtube.com

...hugs nunny!

[Scorpions Fos Finland]

... I think the main problem is that the scorpions are ignoring or do not know their situation in the UK, they are not a big band there anymore as they used to be, so how are they going to headline one of the most famous UK's festival. There's only a few choices for the scorpions in England:

- To be there as a second act/opening band like when they opened for judas priest afew years ago, or in a second stage in a festival, it's not something shameful, nothing bad about it, but I think they don't t feel the same

Amen!

[Nadin]

They are not big anymore in the states either .. It all about younger newer groups .. even if they suck .. Its all about money, it has been and always will be. Ask any Dj today . one that's honest .. Christ some ppl in radio are so freshly out of their mothers wombs they have no clue as to who The Scorps are or what justifies as real music .
And most of that had been discussed and argued over with about the poor promotion and management dating back to Unbreakable and beyond that ..
Someone or somebody didn't push Unbreakable , HH1 or SITT hard enough down the program directors in the states throats hard enough to get anything off these 3 gems to get The Scorps proper airplay .
You cant win over the pop .. hip pop etc culture of today when these listeners are only attracted to the craap that radio spills into their minds these days .
The day of the radio listener in (my) most of the older fos members having a say in whats played is long gone. And without radio airplay there is no popularity and thus the phrase ,
Who Are They .
So instead of punishing the good ppl of England they maybe need to look amongst their inner circle of under achievers and punish them ..

and that's why you are Daddy, Tom! you always look into the "root", the basical reason of the problem - and you said so right! nothing to add here, just AMEN!
Btw, for ex, in my city there are almost no scorps songs ( esp from the latest albums) being played on the radio - all I can hear from time to time is mostly WOC and SLY, nothing else

[ray41]

the scorpions would never fill a arena in the uk so how rudolf thinks they should be on the main stage at a major festival is beyond me last time they were here they played the academy newcastle and were bloody well paid for it the tickets were £42 which is more than kiss charged for playing a bigger venue .
there not as big as they once were and its about time they realised that .

[devilman]

ray41 speaks the truth. The Scorpions as a main headliner would cause the festival to fail. Playing to a half empty main stage would be embarrassing. 2nd headliner was about right and they could have done pretty much a full show but we'd rather have them play without the show than not play at all.

[fos daddy]

There are numerous bands that,
Like The Scorps that started off by playing clubs and bars and other small venues ..
and to date there's a list of bands that once packed arenas worldwide ..
They either need the money or still love playing for the fans that put them where they are today.
So I assume we need to ask the members of
Blue Oyster Cult
Styx
Foghat
Bad Company
Grand Funk Railroad
REO Speedwagon
UFO
and others ..
Why they still perform even though they only play ..
Fairs
Bars
Casinos
Clubs
small venues
do they do it for the money or the love of playing
Sometimes ppl need to swallow their pride and do the right thing .
I don't really care about a stage myself .. I myself like a group for the music

[ray41]

tom what i cant understand is how they think they can still command a large fee and to charge high prices on the door we had shinedown and halestorm play newcastle and they charged £15 compared to the scorps £42 and im sure both the bands mentioned pull in bigger crowds than the scorpions in the usa

[therocker]

Well, I will try to say what I think.

I adore this band, I adore Rudolf for what he accomplished since 1965, the man wrote some of the most beautiful music of Rock'n'Roll history. The guy is a Living legend. Therefore I have some concerns, like a fan, I will try to explain myself:

You are trying to sell your product the better you can, nothing to say on it. You try to get the more you can out of your work, that's also fine to me. But please consider that in such places like Italy, UK, Spain etc, the rules have changed since Rock'n'Roll was great...
Why bands like AC DC, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Mark Knopfler and many more accept these rules and Scorpions not ? Do you think you are a better act ? Do you know how the fans are feeling about this ?
Where is the love to play for the kids, which are not kids anymore ? Where is the feel ?
Where are SCORPIONS ???