Formation and early history (1965–1973)

Rudolf Schenker, the band's rhythm/lead guitarist, founded the band Scorpions together with three school friends, Wolfgang Dziony (drums) Karl-Heinz Vollmer (lead and rhythm guitar), and Achim Kirchoff (bass) in January 1965 as "the Nameless" before choosing "the Scorpions" as their moniker on December 26, 1965. Initially the band had Merseybeat influences and Schenker and Dziony who handled the vocals were influenced by the Everly Brothers.

Between 1966 and 1967 they gave several concerts in the north of what was then West Germany, performing versions of the Beatles, the Ventures, the Shadows, the Everly Brothers and the Rolling Stones, among other groups of the British Invasion. On occasion, they also opened for the Searchers, the Easybeats, the Lords and Dave Dee. In September 1966, they performed at the legendary Star-Club in Hamburg.

In March 1967, they recruited 15-year-old Werner Hoyer as vocalist. Later that October, Karl Heinz Vollmer left the band due to his military obligations; military service prevented him from appearing at concerts and Schenker was only interested in playing the guitar for a short time. Not long after that December, Werner Hoyer departed from the band to finish school and was replaced by Bernd Hegner also brought in Ulrich Worobiec as the permanent lead guitarist to replace Karl Heinz-Vollmer while Rudolf finally finished school and continued playing rhythm guitar.

In March 1968, Achim Kirchoff left and was replaced by Lothar Heimberg.

Legacy

The Scorpions are one of the best-selling bands in the history of music, according to various sources, the band's sales are about 100 million worldwide, of which 10.5 million are certified in the United States. All their editions with issued sales certificates have repeatedly reached gold and platinum status in various countries around the world. Rolling Stone describes the Scorpions as the "heroes of heavy metal", and MTV called them "Ambassadors of Rock". They have received prestigious awards such as three World Music Awards, a star on the Hollywood Rock wall, and a presence in the permanent exhibition of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2015, the group celebrated its 50th anniversary.

A biographical film Winds of Change was in production in 2025 aimed at a release to coincide with the band's 60th anniversary celebrations.