KLAUS MEINE On SCORPIONS' 2010 'Retirement' Announcement: 'We Realized We Were Wrong'

During a recent interview with SiriusXM's Edde Trunk, SCORPIONS singer Klaus Meine assured fans that there is no more talk of retirement, as there was back in 2010 with what was purported to be a final album and a farewell tour that never quite took hold. "The thing is we have a much different view now," Klaus said. "And it's a young generation — that's the fuel that keeps us going, and it's really motivating.

"To be honest, every other year, you take a look around the corner: 'Can we do this?' 'Can we still deliver on the same high level, the way we used to do it?'" he admitted. "And that's the only way, and it's only fun if you can go out there and play a great rock show, wherever you do it. Like in the last couple of weeks, we had so much fun. But then you get sick on the road, like I did last year with the severe laryngitis. What can you do? There's not a chance. And then sometimes, of course, you ask yourself, 'How long can we do this?' Especially for singers — and I know I'm not the only one. But it's always, sometimes you ask yourself, 'Klaus, c'mon, how long can you keep up this level?' And then you go out there, everything feels good."

Meine continued: "With Mikkey Dee [formerly of MOTÖRHEAD], we have a new drummer in the band since 2016 who gives us also a whole new shot of fresh energy. And it's such a great show and it feels so good. And then, if you ask me, it goes like, 'Okay, let's do it.' And then you're making plans for next year, and all of a sudden you're thinking about 2020. And you go, 'Cmon! What? 2020?' But, to be honest, to tell the truth, when you're so used to it, for so many years, all those decades, to handle it any other way would feel wrong right now."

Circling back to SCORPIONS' 2010 "farewell tour" announcement, Klaus said: "Of course, we had our moment of doubt when we said, 'Okay. Maybe we should retire. Maybe this is a good moment.' And then we realized we were wrong, because there's still a lot of sting in the tail, so to speak, and it still feels good. There's such a demand for the SCORPIONS, and we're one of the few bands who play this global stage. If there wasn't this kind of demand, of course, there's no point after so many years, and you'd better go, 'Well, I go home and take it easy.' But there's such a strong demand and that really feels good and challenging — it's a challenge. Of course, you don't do it for the business. It's a good business, yes, but you don't do it for the business and for the money — you do it for the fun, you do it for what's inside of you, what's in your blood, what's in your veins, and that's the rock and roll music. And you wanna go out and play in front of an audience, because that's what it's all about."

Klaus was speaking to SiriusXM ahead of the SCORPIONS' return to America for rescheduled tour dates in Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas, Tampa, and Hollywood (Florida),as well as two new stops in Lake Tahoe, Nevada and Irvine, California. Joining the SCORPIONS on these shows will be QUEENSRŸCHE.

"Coming back to the States now, we've been there so many times," Meine said. "We're so proud to have such a loyal fanbase for so many years, and we don't take it for granted. This is something really special. We're a German band, we're a European band, and there aren't too many bands that came from Europe, that came from Germany, who made it big in the United States, playing stadiums and arenas. So we're proud of that. And we will never forget what America meant for us in the early days, when we came over for the first time in 79 and played with Ted Nugent and learned from the greatest bands and became part of the international rock family. We will never forget it; that means so much."

The legendary German hard rockers' latest release, 2017's "Born To Touch Your Feelings - Best Of Rock Ballads", was an anthology of the band's new and classic material.

SCORPIONS' last full-length collection of new recordings was 2015's "Return To Forever", partially comprising songs the band had in the vault from the '80s. It was the final recorded appearance of SCORPIONS' longtime drummer James Kottak, who was dismissed from the band in September 2016.