NEW interviews from the band.

[Scorpions Fos Finland]

I wonder when they are going to decide, that are they making some shows after so called last show in 2012...different interview, different answer



Matthias Jabs On The Band's Final Show - "It Is Something I Am Trying To Not Think About, But I Am Afraid It Will Be A Very Sad Moment"

Matthias Jabs talks to BraveWords.com correspondent Matthew O’Shaughnessy (from WVOX.com) about their final days stinging on stage, the enduring legacy of the German music institution and his upcoming memoir.

WVOX.com: We’ve all heard the news that the Scorpions will no longer be taking to the great stage forever more. Indeed, the Final Sting Tour 2012 says it all. But, is this really the Scorpions last hurrah?

Matthias Jabs: “Yes, it is. The tour title is very appropriate. It’s true. It’s the last time the Scorpions are gonna come around. We’ve been on this this farewell tour since the beginning of 2010 and now in 2012; it is sad on one hand, but we are serious and we are sticking to what we announced and this will sadly be the last time the fans will see us.”

WVOX.com: The Scorpions have such a great arsenal of big hard rock hits and all around mega songs all being showcased on the Final Sting Tour 2012.

Matthias Jabs: “We decided to play all the hits of course; all the songs that made us so popular in the United States like 'No One Like You', 'Rock You Like A Hurricane', 'Still Loving You'. There are some songs we have to play and want to play. The fans are demanding them! But we are also playing songs like 'Loving You Sunday Morning' and 'Send Me An Angel' and all the songs the fans really want to hear. The shows throughout the country have been going so well. Great actually! We enjoy it so much even though simultaneously there’s this feeling wow it’s going to be the last time. So there’s a touch of sadness too. But the fans have been enjoying it.”

WVOX.com: In 1965, the Scorpions formed and would become Germany’s most successful hard rock band of all time. The Scorpions forged new ground-breaking territory in the genre. So much has been written about the band over the years – you’ve been in Scorpions since 1978. As you look back, what would you ultimately like to say to your diehard and loyal fans who have always been with you?

Matthias Jabs: “I mean, I can only say the fans – a lot of them are still with us. The ones that were there in the beginning are still with us and it’s amazing what kind of support we are getting and were getting the whole time from fans from around the world every where we play especially on this Final Sting Tour. Everybody comes out. We have, luckily, many new fans also and young fans – some younger than our songs! The loyalty of the fans who have been there from the beginning or let’s say the early '80’s here in the United States is just amazing.”



WVOX.com: There are many great milestones in the Scorpions career. What aspects of the band are you the most proud of?

Matthias Jabs: “It’s our whole career. Since I joined the Scorpions some 34 years ago we’ve been constantly recording albums and doing live shows without ever taking a break. And I think the band is capable of doing that. I can only be very thankful that this was all possible. It’s been a great life on the road and I can only be very thankful.”

WVOX.com: There are, as we can fathom, many highlights of the Scorpions career such as Blackout and Love At First Sting being two of the most successful album in rock history. Bands such as METALLICA, IRON MAIDEN, DEF LEPPARD and BON JOVI got more exposure as support acts on Scorpions worldwide tours. And in 1988, the band set yet another milestone in their remarkable history by penetrating the Iron Curtain to give ten sell-out concerts in Leningrad for 350,000 soviet fans. Scorpions were the first international hard rock group to play the former U.S.S.R. And that’s only touching the tip of the iceberg.

Matthias Jabs: “Yes, all those shows come to mind now! The US Festival, The Monsters Of Rock Festival at Giants Stadium with VAN HALEN. Moscow Music Peace Festival. All those shows come to my mind. The Scorpions would love to be remembered as one of the best live bands and this is one the reasons we want to stop now when we are in top form and not like in five years.”

WVOX.com: How do think you are going to feel when you walk off the stage for the very last time once The Final Sting Tour comes to a rocking halt?

Matthias Jabs: “I don’t know yet. It is something I am trying to not think about. But I am afraid it will be a very sad moment. Basically, you think you can go on forever but realistically you can not. As I said before, we want to be remembered as a band in great form. Even though I would love to play on stage all over the world as we’ve been doing it for the last decades. But, we know, at some point it will show we are not the youngest any more and we want to avoid this. But it will be a very sad moment and I can foresee this already. We are an experienced band but we have no experience with stopping a career. It will be a first and very tough moment.”


WVOX.com: What else would you want to say about the Scorpions rich legacy?

Matthias Jabs: “The Scorpions are maybe the one worldwide-known rock band that played more countries than any other band. Everywhere from Taiwan to Singapore to Russia to Romania. It’s such a worldwide band and it gave us all the chance to see all the world and meet the people.”

WVOX.com: Once The Final Sting Tour comes to a close, have you ever considered writing a book about your life in rock and roll?

Matthias Jabs: “The thought has crossed my mind. Yes, maybe. When the time comes, I will focus on this and see if it’s worth doing. I think a book should be reflecting the things the fans really want to know about what happened in the Scorpions career from like an insider’s point of view but in a way that is really translating to the reader so I think that’s most important. Maybe I will give it a try!”

WVOX.com: On a final note, what would you like to leave all your worldwide fans with?

Matthias Jabs: “I would just want to say, and this is from my heart, thank you to everybody for supporting the Scorpions throughout our career. It’s been a fantastic time! Unfortunately, it’s coming to an end now. Thank you to everybody…”

[Deleted User 13688]

I wonder when this interview was actually CONDUCTED as opposed to posted. If it was before they changed their minds, thus the confusion. But I have asked MJ and hopefully he will clear things up. Orrrr....maybe not!

[skorpatti]

Ok nice stuff for a whlile, no Bono stuff. Yes this is very intresting interview, altough it doesn´t bring any new information. But there's no mention of Bono and it¨s as good as it can be. Sorry for my english, no beer today but 39% Finninsh alcohol.

[Guest]

Ok nice stuff for a whlile, no Bono stuff. Yes this is very intresting interview, altough it doesn´t bring any new information. But there's no mention of Bono and it¨s as good as it can be. Sorry for my english, no beer today but 39% Finninsh alcohol.

Haaahaaa... It is summer, after all, in Finland too, so you are forgiven, you nutcase !

[Scottss8]

Peter Amend,Klaus and Rudy probably told Matthias to stop telling people they are not retiring.

[YNWA]

I think it`s time to make special topics for interviews and put everything there, cause it`s such a mess in here.. Whatever..

I don`t know how did u accepted the message, posted 2 years ago about retirement. What I`ve understood of it was that our beloved guys stop their active career as Scorpions, which, according to me means: they won`t tour and record, at least, not with that tempo. I mean.. hey.. they are non-stop on the road, going here and there.. every year - with (supporting new album) or without (just rock the world) particular reason.

I`ve never though, they`ll stop as STOP - go at their homes, watch TV shows, make afternoon walks and drink coffee at the nearby cafes. And they won`t. They`ll continue being musicians and they`ll follow another projects - we`ll see what exactly in future. BUT! I`ve also know, ok.. I don`t know, I just feel it and it seems logicly to me, that retiring doesn`t mean that if they feel nostalgic for playing toghether again, they won`t do it. They will do it but not as a EU or world tour but just like guests on some event - either on a NY eve or on a Football World Cup.

My point is that I DON`T FIND ANY contradiction in both Matthias interviews - yeah, they`ll stop being active (at least as Scorpions) and yes, this doesn`t mean there is no chance that they`ll play song or two on some big event. Notice: song or two is neither a full show, nor a tour. It`s just like "Hey, how r u? Probably u know .."somebody"... has invited us to play WOC/RYLAH during .."whatever big event".. I miss playing with you, guys! Let`s do it. Let`s rock on again" - once, twice a year... That`s how I imagine it will happen.

Retiring doesn`t mean they`ll throw away their guitars or they`ll never ever play together again. Why not? It`s just it won`t be the way it`s now And, having all this in my head, makes me HOPE, that when they really starting to miss (and they WILL) their fans and this thrill, they can make some private shows, in small halls, just with the die-hards - just for their and for ours pleasure - not for money, not for fame!

[YNWA]

Sorry for the offtopic, but what does your signature means:

".. a moment in a million years and OMG! an old Bulgarian man was captured by the > http://www.youtube.com/crazykid2211 "

[fos daddy]

Ok nice stuff for a whlile, no Bono stuff. Yes this is very intresting interview, altough it doesn´t bring any new information. But there's no mention of Bono and it¨s as good as it can be. Sorry for my english, no beer today but 39% Finninsh alcohol.

Glad you didnt say alcohol finnished .. that means your out

[fos daddy]

Im retiring
No Your not
Yes I am
Who says so
I told you 2 years ago
whens this happening?
I have no ideal
you havent picked a date
No i havent
So when will you
When im finished
finished what
Touring
touring where
The world
Then you'll retire
Yes ,, No ,, Maybe
OMG
I think were all confused

[skorpatti]

Ok nice stuff for a whlile, no Bono stuff. Yes this is very intresting interview, altough it doesn´t bring any new information. But there's no mention of Bono and it¨s as good as it can be. Sorry for my english, no beer today but 39% Finninsh alcohol.

Glad you didnt say alcohol finnished .. that means your out

Well this Finish welfare society is very nice, there's always anough booze here. And we have lots and lots of money to send to Greece and Spain. And i think we even have couple of billions euros to send to italy too, no problems at all.

[Deleted User 13688]

EXACTAMUNDO THOMAS! That is exactly how it seems! I see that MJ hasn't answered my question as to clearing this up, I sorta didn't expect it! But sheesh, I did happen to mention that if they truly FINISH this year, what happened to Australia and U.K. and the other places they promised to play instead of the same ones over and over??!! Come on Scorps, for our sake who put you all on the map, give us more definitive answers and stop playing the fame game.

[Scorpions Fos Finland]

I don`t know how did u accepted the message, posted 2 years ago about retirement.

I wonder was this directed to me..?

Interesting to see that now every topic turns into Bono

[YNWA]

No, no.. it wasn`t directed to you.

[Enya-Leela]

Curry what you said there about out guys playing in small hals, with die hard fans! Just for the fun and the contact with their fans! That's exactly what i have mind for a while, i really can see that picture
And you know what, i would love it cause it might be even more pleasant for us then those very big shows
It's closer again
Let's cross our fingers

[phuong]

Is the world going crazy or I'm just a nutcase?

Really, I don't know what to think anymore, indeed, different interviews, different answers. Have they ever thought about making an official announcement and spare us fans from wondering?

Anyway, "We are an experienced band but we have no experience with stopping a career": the only great thing I've got so far from reading tons of interviews

[Scottss8]

Expect an announcement in January 2013..If they announce that maybe they are not retiring then the casual fan will not buy a ticket to the remaining shows in 2012. We as diehard fans will still go to the shows..But right now the casual fans are the ones that are packing in the arenas and amphitheaters across the world.

I think its weird how Matthias is doing more interviews these days then Klaus and Rudy..He has become the spokesman for the band in 2012.

Here is my take...the band wants to stop doing the massive world tours. They have so much old material that they can release like Videos and music. The band has been blown away with the reaction from the fans all over the world on this farewell tour. That maybe they are second guessing their decision on never playing shows again. Yes some areas of the world will never see the Scorpions again. But they will never stay to far away from the stages. Expect them to play some festivals around the world in the future. People in North America don't expect them to come back to our countries in the future unless it's on a massive Co-headline tour with another large act like Judas Priest,Kiss or Van Halen. It cost to much in 2012 to put together a tour of North America. So if you come with another major band you won't lose money you will make large amounts of money.

Age is only a number...Rudy will be 64 on August 31 but he is built like a 25 year old man. He is a machine...Klaus is 64 and maybe he can't hit all of the notes like back in the 80's but he is better then most vocalist out there in 2012. Matthias will be 57 on October 25 and he is in good shape and his playing is back to where it was about 20 years ago. He is the one who has picked up his game in 2012. James and Pawel are young so we don't have to worry about them running out of gas anytime soon. In fact with watching the videos from this 2012 North American tour both of those guys are in top forum.

So only the man above knows what the band will do in 2013 and beyond..

[phuong]

Well said.

[Deleted User 13688]

Scott, I thot the same thing about MJ doing all the interviews lately....very interesting indeed. I told MJ many times that this resurgence of fame has revived their spirits and that it took them by surprise, therefore they are rethinking their stance on this retirement issue. I think that if they just take it easy, Klaus can maintain his voice quite awhile longer. When I heard Steven Tyler sing on the final AI show, I was totally blown away.....THAT is what taking time off does. Rests the voice! I still feel taking time off for a year is a good thing and then tour occasionally, but definitely hit ports such as Australia at least once!!!! I don't think they will come back to the States either unless California offer them as much as say Russia does. Anyway, I cannot wait to hear the new album, it's going to be amazing! And yes, MJ is smokin on his guitar this year!! And he is STILL creating brilliant pieces of engineering with Dommenget. Too bad he isn't being profiled for those. hmmmm
Well anyway Scott. I love your take on things, they are always pretty spot on.

[YNWA]

Enya, happy to hear that you think the same. Fortunately, I`m not the only dreamer in this topic

[Deleted User 13688]

?? Curry, this has nothing to do with being a dreamer! MJ has said two diff things in his interviews.....they are quitting PERIOD and they are NOT quitting. That is how most of us are reading this hun! It is confusing and we all wish that they would make it absolutely clear! I don't know, is it a German thing or a man thing or a business thing? It's crazy to keep us in the dark allll the time. Come on Scorps, quit playing this *** and give us the honest lowdown! For being a bunch of honest guys, they sure do beat around the bush! sigh...