For more than three decades now the German rock titans known as the Scorpions have been delivering gut level music to fans the world over. After so many years on the road you’d think that time surely would have taken its toll on these gents but people this is simply not the case and in the year 2008 the Scorpions are stinging harder than ever. With the release of their Desmond Child produced CD Humanity – Hour 1 the guys are back out on the road tantalizing old school fans with their glorious ode to heavy guitar themed rock and gaining a new generation of followers all at the same time. I recently caught this fantastic event when it hit the annual Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa CA at the now infamous Pacific Coat Amphitheater where so many of rocks legends have played in the past. Tapping as support for this trek across the States was none other than Sam the man himself Mr. Sammy Hagar and his Waboritas.

Now, I have to admit that even I found this to be a pretty unlikely pairing but I suppose that’s what keeps rock and life for that matter interesting. As it stands though and much to my dismay I have never seen either incarnation of Van Halen, so being able to witness such a spectacle even in a partial format for the first time left me pretty much awe struck. Not unlike the Scorps, Sammy is no spring chicken but rather than being an artist who is withering away his talents only show a truly seasoned musician at work or as he calls it play. The man did not disappoint in the slightest and he and the Waboritas delivered the goods from start to finish. About mid way through the bands set an extra special treat ignited the crowds enthusiasm when former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony joined Sam for a round of classic VH tunes including “Best Of Both Worlds”, “Good Enough”, and “Dreams”, as well as a few choice cuts from Sammy’s solo days including the man’s theme song “Sam I Am”, “Little White Lie, “There's Only One Way To Rock” and the all time party favorite “Mas Tequila”. The stage was decked out in the same Cabo Wabo Cantina garb that he has been known for during the past decade, with girls in bikini’s bringing him drinks every couple of songs or so and VIP fans standing on risers at the back of the stage. While it was cool seeing this I do believe he needs to bring something new to the table in regard to his visual representation. I’d heard about this set up so much that it wasn’t all that impressive to me seeing it with my own eyes. Overall his musical portion was monstrous and I only wish he could have done just a few more VH tunes. One stand out moment came when Sam complemented a guy in the front row for his shirt stating he like it and made 4:00 off of it.

Following a brief intermission, the main event was underway with the Scorpions tearing it up right from the get go. Needles to say they provided an absolute flawless performance. Opening their impressive set with a track “Hour 1”) from their latest masterpiece was a surefire way to let the fans know that their music is still relevant today. Some may have wondered at first, what gives? We came here to hear the classics. It didn’t take more than a verse, if even, that to win over any skeptics though; and the classics were all present as well. Following their power house opening, the guys hit home with a couple of all time favorites in, “Coming Home” and “The Zoo”. Frontman Klaus Meine is still a wild man on stage and was constantly keeps the fans hungry for more. Much to my surprise were the inclusion of some rare gems, “Coast To Coast”, and “Send Me An Angel”. Returning again to shell out some of their new killer tunes the guys hit hard with “Humanity” and “321” before serving up another round of classics that included, “Leaving You”, Black Out” and “Big City Nights”. Talk about a band who has their performance down, I as well as the 10,000 other fans in attendance could not help but to rock out with the ever distinctive stage presence of guitarist Rudolf Schenker. Also in fine form was the intoxicating drum solo by James Kottack who even brought out the rest of the band to bang the skins alongside him in what they have accurately labeled the “Kottack Attack”. Finishing off the bands set with their much need encore were three must haves for any Scorpions show, “Still Loving You”, “No One Like You”, and of course the show stopping “Rock You Like A Hurricane”.

This was one extremely entertaining evening of good hard music, just the way I like it. I truly don’t believe I’ll ever get tired of hearing the Scorps. And I definitely look forward to catching a few more shows with Hagar and Co. I love this life and bands such as these only remind me why. Until next time…

-Priest