Rocktober Video #17: The Scorpions Live in Tokyo 1984

As the sun moves into Scorpio –- the most intuitive, diabolical, and sexually insane of the zodiac signs –- there is only one band who should be featured:  The Scorpions.  I have seen these guys twice in the last few years, and despite the fact that they are now in their mid 60s, they blew the doors off the venue both times. 

The video below was taken at the height of their popularity, although a lot of people don't realize that they were a pretty successful (and highly influential) metal band throughout the '70s before breaking into the mainstream and filling up stadiums in the early '80s.  As you can see, their live shows are full of energy and, well, the band just fucking rocks.  There is no mistaking Klaus Meine's voice, and he always has his pipes in fine working order.  Guitarists Matthias Jabs and Rudolf Schenker trade solos effortlessly, and Schenker in particular runs around the stage like a madman.  Drummer Herman Rarebell can generally be seen going ape shit, and bassist Francis Buchholz isn't too far behind in terms of energy.  All in all, it's a great concert video, and from my experience, representative of Scorpions' live shows.

Here's the set list:

1.  Blackout 0:00

2.  Coming Home 3:50

3.  Bad Boys Running Wild 7:12

4.  Make It Real 11:00

5.  Big City Nights 14:35

6.  Coast to Coast 19:25

7.  Rock You Like a Hurricane 24:09

8.  Can't Live Without You 28:20

9.  Dynamite 33:20

10. The Zoo 41:00

11. Can't Get Enough 47:24

If you don't want to watch the whole show, a couple highlights for me were "Blackout," "Dynamite," and my favorite Scorpions song, "The Zoo" –- although frankly, the whole show is pretty damn good.  You can just keep it on in the background while you work, eat lunch, do naked tai chi, or whatever else it is that you do in your office on a weekday.