Wednesday, August 31: Rock Birthdays

Happy Birthday today (Aug. 31) to Rudolf Schenker. The Scorpions guitarist 68. Also celebrating is Winger and Whitesnake guitarist Reb Beach (53) and drummer Matt Byrne of Hatebreed (41).

Rudolf Schenker founded the Scorpions in 1964 at the age of 16. Scorpions in Hanover, Germany. The most successful lineup of the group was from 1978-1992 featuring Klaus Meine on vocals, guitarists Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs, bassist Francis Buchholz, and drummer Herman Rarebell. Meine and Rudolf Schenker have appeared on every Scorpions album, making them the band’s two constant members. The group’s melodic, heavy metal sound and rock power ballads led to much commercial success throughout the 1980’s with albums like Animal Magnetism, Blackout, Love at First Sting, World Wide Live, and Savage Amusement. Their best-selling album would be 1990’s Crazy World featuring the huge hit power ballad “Wind of Change”.

The band has been touring in celebration of their 50th anniversary since 2015. For more on the Scorpions, check out their official website here.