SCORPIONS Guitarist: 'I Don't Want To Do An Obligatory Solo Album That No One Is Going To Buy'

July 21, 2010

Michael Senft of The Arizona Republic recently conducted an interview with SCORPIONS guitarist Matthias Jabs. A couple of excerpts frrom the chat follow below.

The Arizona Republic: You've been playing with the SCORPIONS since 1978. What are some career highlights for you?

Matthias Jabs: I've been in this band for over half my life. Really, the SCORPIONS are my life. There are so many highlights, I can hardly pick one. Not just the big concerts, like the first Rock in Rio in 1985 or the US Festival in 1983. Probably the biggest honor was when we were invited to perform at the Kremlin by Mikhail Gorbachev in 1991, 10 days before his retirement — the first Western rock band to be honored like that. But in 30 years we've also had some lows as well. The late '90s were a rough time for the SCORPIONS. Our sound was established in the early '80s with albums like "Blackout" and "Love at First Sting", but it faded in the '90s with alternative rock and grunge. There's been a revival in recent years, because all those bands from the early '80s are still around, and are still touring. And they are still the biggest draws every year. But the reality is that the '80s sound is fading as the bands grow older.

The Arizona Republic: Was that what spurred your decision to retire?

Matthias Jabs: The decision was actually made after we finished the album and played it for our management in Europe. They recognized that it was the strongest material we've done in years. We toured for over two years for our last album and considering the response to this album, we'll probably be on the road for over three years. We need to think about our age. I'm only 54, but Rudolf is 61 and (lead singer) Klaus (Meine) is 62. We're able to run around now, but it would feel stupid if we were up there in wheelchairs. We want to leave on a high note.

The Arizona Republic: Do you have any retirement plans yet?

Matthias Jabs: I'm sure everyone has thoughts about what they will do when the tour ends, but I don't really want to think about it right now. I'm using this time to be open-minded, find what I would love to do, musically and otherwise. I don't just want to do an obligatory solo album that no one is going to buy. I'm trying not to think about the end. It feels a bit sad. Right now we're trying to avoid saying "Goodbye" when the concert ends. Rather, we're saying "Thanks for the fun." But it will be very tough when it gets close to the end of the tour, like the last 10 shows or so. We've been together for over 30 years. We'll never really be apart. We just won't be recording or touring together anymore.

Read the entire interview from The Arizona Republic.

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