For Canada’s The Metal Voice, former Anthrax singer Neil Turbin (Deathriders, Bleed the Hunger) spoke with legendary and former guitarist Uli Jon Roth at the Whisky, in Los Angeles on Feb 21 2017. Roth Spoke about his time with the Scorpions, Jimi Hendrix influence and theories behind his death as well as weighed in on Michael Schenker‘s verbal attacks on his Scorpions brother Rudolf.
Watch the interview here:
Uli Jon Roth had this to say about former UFO guitarist Michael Schenker‘s war of words towards his brother Rudolf, “It was a little strange, I couldn’t follow it. I don’t know what got into Michael, I thought Rudolf always did good things for Michael. Certainly I cannot second any of that stuff. I’ve been with Rudolf for 5 years extremely closely he is the greatest guy I totally respect him on the human level and as a musician. Maybe he is not like a virtuoso guitar player but he is sure heck of a songwriter and that is rare. Very few people in rock can write a riff like Rock you like a hurricane or stuff that really stays in your mind forever. Rudolf has that gift and that should not be undervalued. I don’t know whats with Michael I don’t know what the problem was maybe he knows something I don’t know but i doubt it. It’s all about different perspectives different people see things, different parts in their lives.”
Roth Continued, “Sure some of the stuff Michael said I could understand where he is coming from, yeah ok maybe he plays a flying V. But then again that’s also natural they are brothers, they come from the same kind of background and Rudolf did start the Scorpions. Without Rudolf there would be no Scorpions. Rudolf was the motor from the beginning, he was the only one with the real vision, in that band to go forward, to do that and that’s a tremendous achievement threw thick and thin. The whole thing was a little sad maybe it will all blow over. I love them both, greatest respect and love for Michael who was one the greatest guitar players of all time. but there is no need to go up against your brother. if there is a problem don’t do it publicly and that’s my opinion.”
In a prior interview with MICHAEL SCHENKER on THE METAL VOICE on May 26 2016 MIchael said
“When they approached me just recently for the SCORPIONS [50th-anniversary deluxe edition reissues of their albums], I found out that they put a bio out that was a complete[ly] wrong story. I found out that there was not a picture of me on ‘Lovedrive’, there was no mention on ‘Holiday’ who wrote and played that intro, and, of course, Rudolf persuaded me to give him the ‘Coast To Coast’ melodies. And so I’m very disappointed with that. And I must say I’m now finding out more and more weird stuff about Rudolf.”
Michael added: “I have to stay away from him and I can’t trust him anymore — period.”
Old Interview and source here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwFMsO1ebyw
Uli Jon Roth was a member of the SCORPIONS from 1973 through 1978, playing on five classic SCORPIONS records, “Fly To The Rainbow” (1974), “In Trance” (1975), “Virgin Killer” (1976) and “Taken By Force, “Tokyo Tapes”.
