ScorpionsLineup
Scorpions from the top down — who started it, every change since, and the band today. Anyone I actually watched play is ringed in red. Tap a face for their story.
1965The original lineup
1969
1972
Joined
1973
Joined
1975
1977
1996
2000
2004
The band today
Every lineup, in order
The band as it stood at each change — the full roster, not just who came and went.
- 1965 – 1968★ Original lineup
- Joachim Kirchhoff
- Karl-Heinz Vollmer background vocals, guitar
- Wolfgang Dziony background vocals, drums (drum set)
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- 1968 – 1969+ Lothar Heimberg− Joachim Kirchhoff
- Karl-Heinz Vollmer background vocals, guitar
- Wolfgang Dziony background vocals, drums (drum set)
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Lothar Heimberg background vocals, bass guitar
- 1969 – 1970+ Michael Schenker+ Klaus Meine
- Karl-Heinz Vollmer background vocals, guitar
- Wolfgang Dziony background vocals, drums (drum set)
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Lothar Heimberg background vocals, bass guitar
- Michael Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- 1970 – 1972− Karl-Heinz Vollmer
- Wolfgang Dziony background vocals, drums (drum set)
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Lothar Heimberg background vocals, bass guitar
- Michael Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- 1972 – 1973+ Werner Löhr
- Wolfgang Dziony background vocals, drums (drum set)
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Lothar Heimberg background vocals, bass guitar
- Michael Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Werner Löhr
- 1973 – 1974+ Achim Kirschning+ Hans‐Jürgen Rosenthal+ Uli Jon Roth+ Francis Buchholz− Wolfgang Dziony− Lothar Heimberg− Michael Schenker− Werner Löhr
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Achim Kirschning keyboard
- Hans‐Jürgen Rosenthal background vocals, drums (drum set)
- Uli Jon Roth background vocals, guitar
- Francis Buchholz background vocals, bass guitar
- 1974 – 1975− Achim Kirschning
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Hans‐Jürgen Rosenthal background vocals, drums (drum set)
- Uli Jon Roth background vocals, guitar
- Francis Buchholz background vocals, bass guitar
- 1975 – 1977+ Rudy Lenners− Hans‐Jürgen Rosenthal
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Uli Jon Roth background vocals, guitar
- Francis Buchholz background vocals, bass guitar
- Rudy Lenners drums (drum set), percussion
- 1977 – 1978+ Joe Wyman+ Herman Rarebell− Rudy Lenners
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Uli Jon Roth background vocals, guitar
- Francis Buchholz background vocals, bass guitar
- Joe Wyman drums (drum set), percussion
- Herman Rarebell background vocals, drums (drum set)
- 1978 – 1979+ Michael Schenker− Uli Jon Roth− Joe Wyman
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Francis Buchholz background vocals, bass guitar
- Herman Rarebell background vocals, drums (drum set)
- Michael Schenker background vocals, guitar
- 1979 – 1992+ Matthias Jabs− Michael Schenker
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Francis Buchholz background vocals, bass guitar
- Herman Rarebell background vocals, drums (drum set)
- Matthias Jabs background vocals, guitar
- 1992 – 1993− Francis Buchholz
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Herman Rarebell background vocals, drums (drum set)
- Matthias Jabs background vocals, guitar
- 1993 – 1996+ Ralph Rieckermann
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Herman Rarebell background vocals, drums (drum set)
- Matthias Jabs background vocals, guitar
- Ralph Rieckermann background vocals, bass guitar
- 1996 – 1997+ Curt Cress+ James Kottak− Herman Rarebell
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Matthias Jabs background vocals, guitar
- Ralph Rieckermann background vocals, bass guitar
- Curt Cress drums (drum set), percussion
- James Kottak drums (drum set)
- 1997 – 2000− Curt Cress
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Matthias Jabs background vocals, guitar
- Ralph Rieckermann background vocals, bass guitar
- James Kottak drums (drum set)
- 2000 – 2001+ Ken Taylor
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Matthias Jabs background vocals, guitar
- Ralph Rieckermann background vocals, bass guitar
- James Kottak drums (drum set)
- Ken Taylor background vocals, bass guitar
- 2001 – 2002− Ken Taylor
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Matthias Jabs background vocals, guitar
- Ralph Rieckermann background vocals, bass guitar
- James Kottak drums (drum set)
- 2002 – 2004− Ralph Rieckermann
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Matthias Jabs background vocals, guitar
- James Kottak drums (drum set)
- Jan 2004+ Ingo Powitzer+ Barry Sparks
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Matthias Jabs background vocals, guitar
- James Kottak drums (drum set)
- Ingo Powitzer background vocals, bass guitar
- Barry Sparks bass guitar
- 2004 – 2005+ Paweł Mąciwoda
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Matthias Jabs background vocals, guitar
- James Kottak drums (drum set)
- Ingo Powitzer background vocals, bass guitar
- Barry Sparks bass guitar
- Paweł Mąciwoda background vocals, bass guitar
- 2005 – 2014− Ingo Powitzer− Barry Sparks
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Matthias Jabs background vocals, guitar
- James Kottak drums (drum set)
- Paweł Mąciwoda background vocals, bass guitar
- 2014 – 2015+ Johan Franzon
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Matthias Jabs background vocals, guitar
- James Kottak drums (drum set)
- Paweł Mąciwoda background vocals, bass guitar
- Johan Franzon drums (drum set)
- 2015 – 2016− Johan Franzon
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Matthias Jabs background vocals, guitar
- James Kottak drums (drum set)
- Paweł Mąciwoda background vocals, bass guitar
- 2016 – nowCurrent+ Mikkey Dee− James Kottak
- Rudolf Schenker background vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meine lead vocals
- Matthias Jabs background vocals, guitar
- Paweł Mąciwoda background vocals, bass guitar
- Mikkey Dee drums (drum set)
You saw this lineup
24 line-ups of Scorpions since it formed.
Everything that happened to Scorpions’s lineup, in order — each entry says what it was.
- 1965
- JK★ Original lineupJoachim Kirchhoff
member
- KV★ Original lineupKarl-Heinz Vollmer
background vocals, guitar
★ Original lineupRudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
★ Original lineupWolfgang Dzionybackground vocals, drums (drum set), percussion
›Lineup after 1965 (4)
- Joachim Kirchhoffmember
- Karl-Heinz Vollmerbackground vocals, guitar
- Wolfgang Dzionybackground vocals, drums (drum set), percussion
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- JK
- 1968
+ JoinedLothar Heimbergbackground vocals, bass guitar
- JK→ Left the bandJoachim Kirchhoff
member · 1965–1968
›Lineup after 1968 (4)
- Karl-Heinz Vollmerbackground vocals, guitar
- Wolfgang Dzionybackground vocals, drums (drum set), percussion
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Lothar Heimbergbackground vocals, bass guitar
- 1969
+ JoinedKlaus Meinelead vocals
+ JoinedMichael Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
›Lineup after 1969 (6)
- Karl-Heinz Vollmerbackground vocals, guitar
- Wolfgang Dzionybackground vocals, drums (drum set), percussion
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Lothar Heimbergbackground vocals, bass guitar
- Michael Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- 1970
- KV→ Left the bandKarl-Heinz Vollmer
background vocals, guitar · 1965–1970
›Lineup after 1970 (5)
- Wolfgang Dzionybackground vocals, drums (drum set), percussion
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Lothar Heimbergbackground vocals, bass guitar
- Michael Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- KV
- 1972
- WL+ JoinedWerner Löhr
member
- WL→ Left the bandWerner Löhr
member · 1972–1972
›Lineup after 1972 (6)
- Wolfgang Dzionybackground vocals, drums (drum set), percussion
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Lothar Heimbergbackground vocals, bass guitar
- Michael Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- Werner Löhrmember
- WL
- 1973
- AK+ JoinedAchim Kirschning
keyboard
+ JoinedFrancis Buchholzbackground vocals, bass guitar
- HR+ JoinedHans‐Jürgen Rosenthal
background vocals, drums (drum set), percussion
+ JoinedUli Jon Rothbackground vocals, guitar, lead vocals
- → Left the bandLothar Heimberg
background vocals, bass guitar · 1968–1973
- → Left the bandMichael Schenker
background vocals, guitar · 1969–1973
- → Left the bandWolfgang Dziony
background vocals, drums (drum set), percussion · 1965–1973
›Lineup after 1973 (6)
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- Achim Kirschningkeyboard
- Hans‐Jürgen Rosenthalbackground vocals, drums (drum set), percussion
- Uli Jon Rothbackground vocals, guitar, lead vocals
- Francis Buchholzbackground vocals, bass guitar
- AK
- 1974
- AK→ Left the bandAchim Kirschning
keyboard · 1973–1974
›Lineup after 1974 (5)
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- Hans‐Jürgen Rosenthalbackground vocals, drums (drum set), percussion
- Uli Jon Rothbackground vocals, guitar, lead vocals
- Francis Buchholzbackground vocals, bass guitar
- AK
- 1975
+ JoinedRudy Lennersdrums (drum set), percussion
- HR→ Left the bandHans‐Jürgen Rosenthal
background vocals, drums (drum set), percussion · 1973–1975
›Lineup after 1975 (5)
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- Uli Jon Rothbackground vocals, guitar, lead vocals
- Francis Buchholzbackground vocals, bass guitar
- Rudy Lennersdrums (drum set), percussion
- 1977
+ JoinedHerman Rarebellbackground vocals, drums (drum set), percussion
+ JoinedJoe Wymandrums (drum set), percussion
- → Left the bandJoe Wyman
drums (drum set), percussion · 1977–1977
- → Left the bandRudy Lenners
drums (drum set), percussion · 1975–1977
›Lineup after 1977 (6)
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- Uli Jon Rothbackground vocals, guitar, lead vocals
- Francis Buchholzbackground vocals, bass guitar
- Joe Wymandrums (drum set), percussion
- Herman Rarebellbackground vocals, drums (drum set), percussion
- 1978
- → Left the bandUli Jon Roth
background vocals, guitar, lead vocals · 1973–1978
›Lineup after 1978 (5)
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- Francis Buchholzbackground vocals, bass guitar
- Herman Rarebellbackground vocals, drums (drum set), percussion
- Michael Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- 1979
+ JoinedMatthias Jabsbackground vocals, guitar
›Lineup after 1979 (5)
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- Francis Buchholzbackground vocals, bass guitar
- Herman Rarebellbackground vocals, drums (drum set), percussion
- Matthias Jabsbackground vocals, guitar
- 1992
- → Left the bandFrancis Buchholz
background vocals, bass guitar · 1973–1992
›Lineup after 1992 (4)
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- Herman Rarebellbackground vocals, drums (drum set), percussion
- Matthias Jabsbackground vocals, guitar
- 1993
+ JoinedRalph Rieckermannbackground vocals, bass guitar
›Lineup after 1993 (5)
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- Herman Rarebellbackground vocals, drums (drum set), percussion
- Matthias Jabsbackground vocals, guitar
- Ralph Rieckermannbackground vocals, bass guitar
- 1996
+ JoinedCurt Cressdrums (drum set), percussion
+ JoinedJames Kottakdrums (drum set)
- → Left the bandCurt Cress
drums (drum set), percussion · 1996–1996
- → Left the bandHerman Rarebell
background vocals, drums (drum set), percussion · 1977–1996
›Lineup after 1996 (6)
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- Matthias Jabsbackground vocals, guitar
- Ralph Rieckermannbackground vocals, bass guitar
- Curt Cressdrums (drum set), percussion
- James Kottakdrums (drum set)
- 2000
+ JoinedKen Taylorbackground vocals, bass guitar
- → Left the bandKen Taylor
background vocals, bass guitar · 2000–2000
›Lineup after 2000 (6)
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- Matthias Jabsbackground vocals, guitar
- Ralph Rieckermannbackground vocals, bass guitar
- James Kottakdrums (drum set)
- Ken Taylorbackground vocals, bass guitar
- 2002
- → Left the bandRalph Rieckermann
background vocals, bass guitar · 1993–2002
›Lineup after 2002 (4)
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- Matthias Jabsbackground vocals, guitar
- James Kottakdrums (drum set)
- 2004
- BS+ JoinedBarry Sparks
bass guitar
+ JoinedIngo Powitzerbackground vocals, bass guitar
+ JoinedPaweł Mąciwodabackground vocals, bass guitar
- BS→ Left the bandBarry Sparks
bass guitar · 2004–2004
- → Left the bandIngo Powitzer
background vocals, bass guitar · 2004–2004
›Lineup after 2004 (7)
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- Matthias Jabsbackground vocals, guitar
- James Kottakdrums (drum set)
- Ingo Powitzerbackground vocals, bass guitar
- Barry Sparksbass guitar
- Paweł Mąciwodabackground vocals, bass guitar
- BS
- 2014
+ JoinedJohan Franzondrums (drum set)
- → Left the bandJohan Franzon
drums (drum set) · 2014–2014
›Lineup after 2014 (6)
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- Matthias Jabsbackground vocals, guitar
- James Kottakdrums (drum set)
- Paweł Mąciwodabackground vocals, bass guitar
- Johan Franzondrums (drum set)
- 2016
+ JoinedMikkey Deedrums (drum set)
- → Left the bandJames Kottak
drums (drum set) · 1996–2016
›Lineup after 2016 (5)
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- Matthias Jabsbackground vocals, guitar
- Paweł Mąciwodabackground vocals, bass guitar
- Mikkey Deedrums (drum set)
- 2024
- ✝ DiedJames Kottak
at Louisville · aged 62
›Lineup after 2024 (5)
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- Matthias Jabsbackground vocals, guitar
- Paweł Mąciwodabackground vocals, bass guitar
- Mikkey Deedrums (drum set)
- 2026
- ✝ DiedFrancis Buchholz
natural causes — cancer · aged 72
›Lineup after 2026 (5)
- Rudolf Schenkerbackground vocals, guitar
- Klaus Meinelead vocals
- Matthias Jabsbackground vocals, guitar
- Paweł Mąciwodabackground vocals, bass guitar
- Mikkey Deedrums (drum set)
★ Original lineup+ Joined→ Left the band✝ Died
Every member(25)
Everyone who has played in Scorpions, in the order they joined — ending with the lineup today. Tap anyone for their photos and story.
Current lineup