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| Scorpions with new member Mikkey Dee (2nd from right) |
Motorhead drummer Mikkey Dee has officially joined the Scorpions.
Dee sat in for longtime drummer James Kottack on for the German band’s 2016 US tour after Motorhead disbanded following the death of leader Lemmy Kilmister at his Los Angeles home last December 28 at the age of 70.
Scorpions had previously revealed that Kottak was on a break while seeking medical attention for undisclosed reasons, and now they’ve confirmed Dee is in the lineup to stay.
“I guess most of you have heard the news: I am now a permanent member of Scorpions,” says Dee. “I feel truly honored and fortunate to be able to carry on playing drums on this level. I grew up listening to Scorpions and have always loved the band. We have been friends for a long time so traveling and performing this year with Klaus, Rudolf, Matthias and Pawel has been loads of fun and the crew is very professional. The Scorpions fans have been most welcoming and it’s been great to meet all the crazy wonderful Motorhead bangers along the way.
“I had some close to 25 amazing years with my friends and brothers Lemmy and Phil in Motorhead and that will always be the back bone in my future drumming. Lemmy always had great respect for Scorpions for being a real rock band and I am sure he is proud up there that I moved on and for playing with this class act. Here’s to many more years of Rock n roll. Cheers!”
Kottack made international headlines in 2014 following an alleged drunken incident in Dubai that resulted in a month-long jail sentence in the country; the rocker was released after serving less than 10 days and promptly entered rehab to treat his alcoholism.
“We would like to thank James for so many years of lasting participation in the band and personal friendship,” say the Scorpions. “We understand and respect his need for time as he makes his way through the final stages of his healing process.”
“After our incredibly successful shows in the US, Europe and Asia, we are sure to have found a fantastic drummer with Mikkey Dee,” they add. “He brings a fresh energy to the band and we look forward to the exciting time together that lies ahead.“
The Scorpions will release a new DVD/Blu-ray package, “Live In Munich 2012”, on September 30.
The set captures the band in a homecoming event at the Olympiahalle in Munich on December 17th, 2012 which doubled as the final concert of the Sting In The Tail world tour in support of their 2010 album of the same name.
Scorpions will tour Japan and the Far East next month before playing a series of rescheduled German shows in December that were delayed from earlier in the year after singer Klaus Meine came down with a viral infection.
See also:
VIDEO: Scorpions preview Live In Munich 2012 DVD
Scorpions hire Motorhead drummer for spring US tour
Scorpions reschedule German shows due to illness
Scorpions to release expanded tour edition of Return To Forever
Search The Scorpions at hennemusic
