Scorpions (Uli Jon Roth Era): Epoch Of Greatness
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ม.ค. 2023
- In this episode of "Epoch Of Greatness" I do a deep dive into the amazing run of albums that defined the Uli Jon Roth era of the Scorpions.
I'm not sure if this is the original channel to upload this concert that I used footage from but either way if you want the whole amazing show it's here: • Scorpions Live 1977 Sw...
Uli Interview clip used from this channel:
• Uli Jon Roth interview... - เพลง
The Ulrich Roth years were always my favorite, still to this day. Thank you for sharing this information
This is the most literate & thoughtful Rock music analysis anywhere in the virtual world. Keep the Flame alive❤🔥
I’m glad I’m old enough to remember all of this in the 70s. Listening to groups like the Scorpions before they were mainstream was the best. The mid 70s is when many of the legends were getting their starts before getting all the airplay. Life was good
Met uli lots of times and what a beautiful human being he is
They need a Million! Absolutely a great song.
And a million and your money too! 🎶 agreed Love that song! Well the whole album FTTR too!
Fly to the rainbow is my favorite Scorpions album
Love Uli’s vocals as well. They suit the music and atmosphere
I truly agree with you there
Never knew why a lot of latter-day Scorpions fans criticize Uli's lead vocals. Agree with your comment totally,.
Uli jon roth as well as Mathias Jabbs two very underated guitar players both extremely talented and awesome players i absolutely love hearing there riffs
❤️🦂❤️ Scorpions all songs is the best.
This is a really great and well-informed look at the Uli era of Scorpions. I’ve always been of the same opinion that the band and Uli were never as good apart as they were together. While it’s quite apparent there were two distinct styles at play during those years, that tug of war had much to do with Scorpions’ appeal to many fans. The lyrics, especially before Rarebell came aboard, were also about more universal themes, as opposed to leaning toward sex or partying, which I feel is a big reason 70s music in general seems timeless, whereas 80s lyrics will forever be stuck in their own era. One thing worth mentioning is that Uli played a lot of bass on Scorpions tracks during his time in the band. This Is My Song, Longing For Fire and Yellow Raven are a few examples. Uli told me that was simply because he was always in the studio when they were recording an album, while the other guys usually tended to come in to do their own parts and it was often a matter of convenience, apparently. There are also several Scorpions tracks on which Rudolf didn’t play at all, such as Polar Nights, for one example. Conversely, Uli doesn’t appear on the track Steamrock Fever. I loved seeing someone take the time to produce a video like this for like-minded people who can’t get enough of Uli, especially the version of Scorpions that featured him and his musical genius. I was never more blown away by a band or a guitarist than when I discovered Scorpions with Uli and, to me, they remain in a league of their own to this day.
Drifting Sun❤🔥Timeless classic
Damn this was so good, loved it! Although i like the majority of all their albums there is a magic that is woven throughout the albums of the Uli Jon Roth albums. In Trance will always be my favorite album of theirs and Fly To The Rainbow a close second. Magical stuff! Thanks again for doing this fantastic coverage of the classic Uli era Scorpions albums!
I couldn't say it better myself. You have same view as i do. The Uli era was amazing and the best ever! Thanks for making this video! All the best.
Met Uli in Santa Cruz, Ca. recently. The show was amazing and Uli Jon Roth was cooler than cool. As the years go by💀
I really liked Tokyo Tapes 1978, which was the first time I was introduced to the amazing guitar of Uli Jon Roth.
It was a lot better-quality album than any of the later ones that They released.
I love the early Scorpions stuff. Uli and Michael are two of my very favourite guitarists, and both are still smashing it!
Thank you. This is a really well done piece of Uli’s Era with the Scorpions. 🙏
Couldn't agree more!
Great review! You clearly respect and understand Uli’s beautiful and forceful playing. Speedy’s Coming is a lead solo straight through on a powerful drum, bass, rhythm and vocal platform.
Scorpions without Uli is like stale champagne. You get the taste but not the full electrifying experience
Very well said mate.
It's like Judas Priest without Les Binks on drums
I'm an old school Scorpions fan and have seen Uli several times. That said, Blackout is one of the hardest charging, hardest rocking albums ever. Nothing stale there.
This Is My Song❤🔥Beautiful
Evening Wind❤🔥Elegant Rock
Its not very common where i watch a video over half an hour from start to finish but I did with yours. I've got to say it's so great to find someone who adores early hard rock/proto metal like yourself and the way you describe it is amazing its really paints a picture. As someone who only really knew 'winds of change' for years and has only been digging into scorpion's uli john roth era over the last few days this was the best video to come across! Got into fly to the rainbow in a day and have been jamming it since and I can already tell I'm gonna love in trance, virgin killer and taken by force after hearing a few tracks and after watching your video. (Evening wind is sick as!).
Can really tell how touched you are by a lot of these songs and i can definitely say I feel the exact same way! 70s hard rock/metal bands like rainbow, UFO, scorpions, wishbone ash, lynrd skynrd and some of uriah heep had such a magic to it, a magic that I feel was lost come the 80s. However, although Uli didn't play on it, I absolutely love the original version of "Still loving You" from Scorpion's 1984 album the guitar solo is killer even if its kinda simple!! Love the video, from a fellow Australian!
Thanks for those kind words. I’m very happy that you found some enjoyment from my little tribute to this amazing version of the band. I definitely agree about that era having a special magic although I do love music from across all eras too. Great to hear from another Aussie. Thanks again.
Uli came out in an interview recently and said he wouldn't be against writing a few new songs with Klaus and Rudy. He explained he put down his guitar (a sabbatical) for a full two year stretch during the covid years and only played a little piano. He explained that this was a very positive and welcome break for him. Hope you have checked out his US TOUR. He sounds better than ever, his singing is better than ever, and he plays a mix of his solo work and Scorps classics. His solo stuff is fantastic in my opinion. Thanks for posting this vid... and if the stars align, we may just get a few more morsels of Dawn Road SCORPIONS. I sure hope Klaus sings backup because his backup work from that era was so perfect.
PS: He wrote an amazing huge book during his sabbatical that should be coming out any time. It wasn't ready before his tour, but when it comes out, everyone should buy it. Sounds like he dumped his heart into the project.
Bands like Scorpions, Queen, Rush, and Judas Priest were cutting edge in the 70s and then fell prey to wanting mainstream success around 1980. I am still a fan of these bands though!
Great T-Shirt!!! I have that one.
...yes, me too ..best Scorpions lineup was the one when Uli was with them. Tokyo Tapes...Uli's performance was 'out of this world'
Great video from a fellow fan! It's my favorite era of one of my favorite bands as well. Here's my ranking:
1. Fly to the Rainbow - My go-to 'chill' record. Just put it in and let your mind wander. Magic. Scorpions understand melody.
2. In Trance - Probably their best songwriting, tighter than FTTR, and a great, great record. Pretty much 1b in my ranking.
3. Taken By Force - You can see where they are headed, and while it's Ulrich's last record with the Scorps, he leaves with a bang with the masterpiece 'Sails of Charon' among other great tracks.
4. Virgin Killer - Ulrich does rip it up on this album, but I feel that this one has the weakest songwriting of the Roth era. I still love the record, though.
I love that you made this. There's been a lot of good scorpions docs. Thank you.
One of the main reason Fly to the rainbow album is so outstanding is the works of Jurgen Rosenthal on drums. He plays with such unique style, and really makes the drums interesting to listen to.
Finally, Finally someone who does a story on the scorpions during the 70s the best era. Fly to the rainbow, virgin killer, in trance list goes on, way to go my friend the era for the scorpions were they truly made there best music IN THE 70s. Thank you so much this your the best bro.👍👍
I want to hear the music uli was on fire back in those days
Uli is one of my fave players of all time.... along with Frank Marino, Al Dimeola, Buck Dharma and Robben Ford.
I agree with everything here. They had such personalty in this era and could not by tied down to a formula. The 80's and on is a formula. I'm not saying it is not great but it is a formula and while they may have been better to the masses, the masses are usually wrong.
I'm looking at the later albums from a perspective of a 63 Y.O. as lame mainstream crap. Back then I seen all the tours and bought all the albums. But now the best Scorpions albums are Lonesome Crow to Lovedrive with the Uli albums being the best.
Thanks!
Fly to the Rainbow was the first Scorpions album I heard and it sucked me in for life, at least for the Uli era of Scorpions which I think were/are the best. I was lucky enough to have bought all three of those controversial album covers which unfortunately ended up getting stolen. I do think that the Tokyo Tapes double album is the best rock n roll live album of all time! Phenomenal!!!
Mark Reale❤🔥Army of One❤🔥R I P
My introduction to the Uli John Roth years was the Tokyo Tapes. That was back in the 80’. It was damn near impossible to find much of that era in the record stores at the time. I remember seeing the Fly to the Rainbow album. Still kicking myself today for not buying it. I still have my Tokyo Tapes records from then. Still put it on the turn table and listen to it from time to time.
Awesome video, did a great job of shining a light on a band at their creative peak and the evolution of a visionary musician who really deserves more credit. Huge Scorps fan but there’s just no comparison to this era. Saw him play a couple weeks back and was lucky enough to meet him. He was an extremely gracious and humble man. He’s an ambassador sent from the cosmos to urge mankind towards our higher impulses. The greatest🙌
That was a great video. It's a shame that since the mid 80's Uli Jon Roth started making classical music instead of rock. The general public kind of forgot about him and he became underrated. If he kept making making rock music people would speak of him as fondly as Michael Schenker, Richie Blackmore and Yngwie Malmsteen.
Excellent video. I too love the UJR era of the Scorps the most (although I do love them in general). I gotta ask - where did you get your In Trance shirt? I’ve been dying to find one.
Cheers from the US! 🍻
i first got into Scorpions seeing them on LOVEDRIVE tour and buying that LP then Animal Magnetism. My buddy bought VIRGIN KILLER in a discount record bin. We loved that LP. Learning the great guitar work of Ulrich Roth. Made me go back to the Scorpions discography and getting Tokyo Tapes and the rest. As much as i loved 80's and some 90's Scorpions. I ALWAYS found myself playing the ULI ROTH years more!! Love it. Agree, Francis did some great Bass lines back then. Great to see this video.
Excellant video. Roths years were the best, what I grew up with
I wish Uli would join Scorpions again! He was like the soul of the band. There is no words to describe Uli’s era but definitely the best era of the mighty Scorpions!!!
Serenity❤🔥U F O❤🔥Schenker
1979 was in Hawaii wearing scorpions shirt, people on the streets never heard of them 😮
Uli jon Roth war der beste Solo-Guitarist den Scorpions je hatten
well done
I wish the divine Michael Schenker and Uli had collaborated more during the years, the German masters of electric guitars! Same godly talent, same artistic vision, they've always stayed true to themselves, that's why they both decided to leave Scorpions...
Virgin Killer and In Trance are my favorite Scorpions albums. Taken by Force would be my least favorite of the Uli era, due to him having the lack of input on the album, mentally already left Scorpions.
I love the Sails of Charon as much as the next guy, but I never understood why people liked it because the solo is in the beginning of the song. That’s not new to Uli. Songs like Speedy’s Coming, Fly People Fly, Sun In My Hand, Catch Your Train, In Your Park, Polar Nights and We’ll Burn The Sky had solos in the beginning of the song.
Nobody was better to be the lead guitar player for Scorpions than Uli Jon Roth. Master of the Sky Guitar.
I agree 100%.
70s scorpions is so the real shit.... They should play more songs from that era
1979 to 1984 forever fella!!
So, I finally get around to watching your video on the Uli Jon Roth era Scorpions. Shoot, I finally found the glory days of the Scorpions! My teen and pre-teen youth was the 80s. I consider the 80s the glory years of Mtv. I remember "Rock you like a Hurricane." I thought then that the Scorpions were another glam rock one hit wonder band with that song. I don't remember Big City Lights, much less "no one like you" which I fell in love with just a year or so ago.
I just discovered the Uli Jon Roth era Scorpions maybe less than year ago. I can't remember all the starts and stops chronologically. But, I do remember trying to work backwards from the 80s albums with the big hits I started hearing - Big City Lights. I'd say Big City Light was when I first decided "okay, time to check these guys out."
I do remember hearing, either back in the 80s, or 90s, faint, off the hand remarks that "The Scorpions go back to the 70s . . . and they deserve to be considered founders of Heavy Metal." I never checked out 70s Black Sabbath till like a decade ago or so.
There's probably a lot more to say there; but, I grew up finding my father's John Mayall's Bluesbreakers albums, and then Peter Green Fleetwood Mac. I like to point out that I had stopped watching Mtv, and went down a British Blues/Rock, and then American blues rabbit hole before then stopped playing 24 hours Doors music. Mtv was playing 24 hours of the Doors when the Doors movie came out. And I loved the Doors, and I found my father's Doors albums, and a bunch more to mention; but, I soon found my father's John Mayall albums.
I've gone all the way down to the 1920s Blues guitarists. I like Ragtime and Boogie Woogie piano back then. I've picked the Blues clean. I've dug out all the greatest and rarest blues music you'd never believe. But, I did give occasion to check out modern stuff. I've done best ofs Black Sabboth/Deep Purple.
I recently got into KISS. I'm almost done with doing a Best of KISS and Ace Frehley. That faint mentions of the Scorpions finally got me to start checking them out just a few years ago.
Like I said, I did a certain amount of tasting here and there. I wasn't sure how I wanted to try them out. I can't even remember all that. But, one highlight was to start with their 80s albums with their big hits. And, I found those albums not that great overall. And, I had also heard of U. F.O.
Well, I stopped like an album short before I got to the Uli Jon Roth era albums! Seriously, I stopped one album short, and I decided to try out U.F.O. Another band that I had heard of through the years. I got through their 70s albums, and I concluded they were better than Scorpions!
I forgot what got me to finally try the earliest Scorpions albums. I'm tempted to say hearing that Michael Schenker was brothers with and played with the early Scorpions. Because of trying out U.F.O. I found that Michael Schenker was indeed a great guitarist. So, I saw that he played on the first album; so, I decided to try that one. And that was music to my ears!
Then, of course, I sampled the later albums, and I couldn't find a bad track. Checking out the albums, I soon learned there was another guitarist that I had never heard of! I had said before finding your video a couple of says ago that I've finally found the Scorpions glory days.
I found "No One Like You" and a few songs on each post Uli Jon Roth albums. And I love that "No One Like You" song. That is a seriously great song. But I've found the Uli Jon Roth Scorpions and concluded they were better than U.F.O.
I've yet to do a "best of." I can't recite the songs off each album(I can do that with John Mayall, Peter Green Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Cream you name it . . . Robert Johnson. I know all the good songs there), I certainly hope to soon enough!
❤ ULI ROTH ERA.
70s scorpions are the best
I think the Uli Era and Matthias Era suits in time where Uli sounds is far more behind the 80s which it's perfect time for mathias to join in which made them a huge success , but those 80s success of scorpions would also be different if Uli didn't join the 70s, uli's unique playing and psychedelic solos made them a unique sound of the 80s and also Rudolph Schenker is a balance between the two to have a solid rhythm and consistent Scorpions sound
Uli was definitely a great guitar player not many guys played like him at that time. He definitely had no business singing though. I wish the Tokyo tapes was filmed also and in addition to just audio recording. Uli is enjoyable watching him play.
Thank you for a good episode.can you please please tell me what song do you use in your opening scene?
Hey man, great video. I always loved so much Fly to the Rainbow and thought nobody knew this album kkkk. Can you tell if Michael played some solos or any part in this album? If yes, which are they? Thank you
the expression,
brother from another mother-
is fully applied here.
i agree with nearly every single word you say here.
it's almost as if you are channeling my very thoughts about this awe inspiring chapter of scorpions history.
(long overdue) praise to you for composing this excellent overview of uli scorps.
🦂loved uli's perspective on the song vkiller.
🦂sails of charon & your light arguably two of the most lyrically positive heavy metal tunes penned.
🦂sun in my hand stands firmly on its own! no dark lady wannabe!
🦂guilty admission here- the 3 solos michael is given credit for playing on lovedrive, are criminally underrated.
🦂check out the youtube channel, gothic drinker. he's created an incredible video for he's a woman...
🦂🦂🦂thank you🦂🦂🦂
My aunt sent me the original album from Germany
Warlord/Deliver Us/1983/William J Tsamis❤🔥RIP
Don't blame my boy Mr. Stanley and GODS KISS LOL😂😂😂
ULI IS GOD
Omg, where did u get the InTrance tshirt!
@@TheScubaboy56 online from Bulgaria. The shop is called Bestrockshirts.
Obviously Uli Jon Roth is one of the best guitarists to live..But in my opinion it took him leaving and Matthias joining to become the commercial success they became.
Yeah that it absolutely and obviously true because that’s what happened. But as far as artistic success goes, at least to my ears, they peaked with Uli in command of the axe.
@@themetalspotlight Agreed..They had 3 of the best lead players of all time with Uli, Michael, & Matthias.
In my opinion, I think it was the fact that Michael brought them to the US that boosted their popularity. And the more commercial side of songwriting that Rudolf and Matthias brought was the topper for success.
charliejamz- - If you believe Michael’s diatribes from the past eight years, Scorpions owe it all to him, which is ridiculous on its face. Sure, he played on Lovedrive, but most people were unaware of it at the time, so how did that help the band become known in the U.S.? Are you aware Michael didn’t actually “bring Scorpions to the States” because he quit the band shortly after they started the Lovedrive tour in Europe and never actually played here with them? They came to the U.S. with Mathias Jabs on lead guitar and were blowing headliners off the stage immediately, rising to headliner status very quickly on the strength of their live show. Michael also accuses Rudolf of stealing his look and even his trademark Flying V, but the average fan didn’t know who either Schenker was in 1979 and true rockers already knew the difference. Rudolf was also the first of the two brothers to play a Flying V, so who stole who’s aesthetic? I think Michael is bitter because Rudolf became filthy rich with less talent than Michael, but Michael sabotaged his own career for decades due to drug and alcohol addictions, disappearing out of the blue while on tour with UFO and even leaving the stage many times, leaving paying fans in the lurch with nary an apology or make-up show offered. From what I know as someone who’s spent time in the Scorpions and Schenker camps, Rudolf has done an awful lot to help Michael over the years. I don’t know why Michael has chosen to assassinate his older brother’s character the way he has, especially in public and, worst of all, on stage in front of their mutual fans. What a shame. There’s no doubt Michael was ripped off by quite a few people, especially when he was younger, messed-up on substances and uninterested in the business side of things, but it seems he’s incorrectly filling in the memory gaps with assumptions about Rudolf that, at least from my perspective, are ill-informed, misguided or just plain wrongheaded. If Michael gave Rudolf the rights to Coast to Coast and now regrets it, it’s his own fault. Rudolf didn’t steal that. Years ago, Michael used to credit his brother with saving his life on several occasions. I wonder what happened to change his mindset? To Rudolf’s credit, he’s largely kept the family’s dirty laundry out of the public eye. If only Michael would do the same.
@@charliejamz. - Michael didn’t “bring them to the U.S.” Scorpions signed with new management in 1978 and two new record labels. The time was right for them to tour the U.S. and that plan was in place before Michael was asked to play on Lovedrive. Michael is guilty of some serious revisionist history and wants to take all the credit for Scorpions breaking through in America, but those wheels were in motion during the Uli era and it was a foregone conclusion that they’d crack the states with the album that became Lovedrive because they finally had handlers who believed they could make it in America and Tokyo Tapes sold well, even in the U.S. By the time the Lovedrive tour hit the States, Michael was out of the band. It was the version with Mathias Jabs on lead guitar who blew other acts off the stage and catapulted the band to headline status in very quick fashion. It was the right chemistry at the right time and they capitalized on it in a major way.
Polar Nights Drifting Sun are a couple of Uli s Scorps tunes that got me to check out Earthquake n Fire Wind two of his Electric Sun lp s that will take u out heyond the rainbow He s not a singer but the guitar creativity is so genious who cares A definitevHendrix tour de force😂
The only thing I dont like about Roth is when he sings, it's not bad but when Klaus is youre vocalist why let anyone else touch a mic, In Trance is probably my favourite album
I must disagree with you, as Klaus was great, Uli wasn't a bad singer, as his singing broke up the monotony of hearing the same voice for an entire album. Do relate to the that '80's Judas Priest albums.
Good job dude...now do not hate lol...but as a Scorps fan since 83/84...I began my md cd. Collection with Lovedrive but had In Trance. Two things....a question and an opinion. Roth.....(reminds me of another ego maniac with that last namr, but Uli cones off as a sweet nice dude unlike DLR. When Uli is singing and Klaus is looming awkward dancing....he should really recognized dude dancing has a MUCH MUCH better voice. Let me check my ego at the door and let Klaus sing. 2. I want to gst Taken By Force but the US has the lame album cover and NO solo intro for Sails. Does the graveyard Japan cover have the SAILS intro? Thanks
What happened to Lovedrive?
It didn't have Uli in it
Strangely, the lyrics of Speedy's Coming changed in recent years...they no longer mention Alice Cooper, Ringo Starr and David Bowie. Does anyone know why?
also, let me know what you think of my Sails of Charon interpretation 🙂: th-cam.com/users/shortsVc6pvbo5QOs
The 2023 remastered lyrics still mentions them
Also your video is private
Can't see it
i, too, believe the scorpions uli jon roth era was their best.
i believe there are three main reasons why.
1. nothing to take away from matthias jabs guitar playing which i always enjoy listening to, but uli's playing has a larger pallette of sounds. this added range is heard because of uli's type of playing and because of the dynamics within the band of uli and matthias leading to reason 2.
2. rudolph and uli had equal status for musical direction. after uli left the band became rudolph's band (rudolph was my first guitar god).
he would never allow a cover of the band where he is arched backwards with his head equal to another guitarists crotch.
furthermore if their would be a disagreements of volume of lead and rhythm guitar, rudolph's choice would trump matthias'.
3. prostitutes followed by strip club nights.
uli period's song and imagery was like going to the rawier parts of town looking to hook up with ladies of the night.
often the ladies are not the most beautiful but their product is more function over form.
matthias' period was like going to strip clubs with more attractive woman and higher prices but only replicate forms of coitus.
form over function.
Very well put Ken. Definitely more reasons why the Uli era rules.
I was buying lps in the 70's at a record store, i concentrated mainly in import albums so bought In trance and Virgin killers when they first came out, the rest is history but when Uli left i completely lost interest
Fly to the Rainbow is their best album, period. Jurgen Rosenthal in drums? He was never equaled.
SCORPIONS w/Uli is far superior. It's like a completely different band. People familiar only w/post uli scores have never really even heard the band!!!
I’ve always preferred Matthias era of Scorpions.
Uli left at the perfect time. If Uli stayed they would have sounded too dated. Jabs came along and gave them the starpower they needed.
SCORPS not Scores. Stupid spell correct!