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The Scorpions are a 1960s British beat group, originally from Manchester in England, that became popular notably in the Netherlands. Their most important hit was "Hello Josephine", a song by Fats Domino.

History

Beginnings

The band was started in 1960 and in the early days consisted of lead guitarist Tony Postill, his cousin Rodney on rhythm guitar, bass player Tony Brierley and Mike Delaney on drums. As teenage boys they would practice in Tony's bedroom but were in need of a frontman. As they searched for singer, Tony recalled an older boy at his school with a good singing voice, Pete Lewis, who he got in touch with and who agreed to join them. Although the band wasn't known in Manchester, they played in the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool, and feature on the Cavern Club's "Wall of Fame". They didn't release records in the UK. Just like many other British bands, The Scorpions tried their luck on the continent. Not in Germany or France, but in the Netherlands, where the market chances for the band were bigger.

In the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the group were extremely successful. Dutch booking agent Jan Vis arranged a series of gigs and producer Addy Kleijngeld arranged a Dutch recording contract at CNR. Their first single, a cover of Chuck Berry’s "Bye Bye Johnny" with "Rip It Up" on the flipside, was released in August 1964. It was not a success. However, CNR believed in the Scorpions and during that year they released three other singles. The third, "Hello Josephine", was their own version of Fats Domino's "My Girl Josephine". In the meantime, Brierley stepped out and Terry Morton became lead guitarist. Rodney Postill switched to bass guitar and cousin Tony Postill to rhythm guitar. "Hello Josephine" became a huge hit in the Netherlands and reached the number two position in the Netherlands Top 40 of Radio Veronica (pirate station). Drummer Mike Delaney left the group in the beginning of 1965 and was replaced by Ian Lucas. The success of "Hello Josephine" justified the release of an LP, entitled Scorpions, which was released in mid-1965.

Problems

At that moment a difficult time started for the band. It was not easy to find a proper follow-up for "Hello Josephine". Although the ballad "Ann Louise" sold well, it could not compete with the success of "Hello Josephine". In addition, there were problems with the authorities. At that time there was no open European market and work permits for Englishmen were rather limited in the Netherlands. The Scorpions were urged to return to Manchester, where hardly anybody knew them because CNR did not release records in the UK. Peter Lewis and Ian Lucas decided to return and recruited guitarist Graham Lee for lead guitar and backing vocals, Dave Vernon (bass) and Roy Smithson (organ). The first single in their new line-up, "Greensleeves" entered the charts. There was a highlight for the band in October 1965; the Scorpions were one of the big names on the yearly TV-event called the Grand Gala du Disque. They performed two songs. Other artists on the show were The Everly Brothers, Dave Berry and The Supremes. Shortly after that, drummer Ian Lucas left the band and was replaced by Tom Unthank. The band found it difficult to promote themselves due to the difficulty in obtaining work permits and so gradually, the band's popularity waned. At the end of 1967, they returned to England. There was then an eleven-year gap before the band returned to the Netherlands.

New success

Ten years later in 1977, former pirate station Radio Veronica became legal, and they broadcast a TV-marathon, The Day the Music Died. On a stage, built in the North Sea on the shore of Scheveningen, pop groups and singers of the 1960s would again perform with their biggests 1960s hits. The band at this time consisted of lead singer Peter Lewis, Graham Lee (lead guitar), Roy Smithson (piano), Tommy Unthank (drums) and Cedric Terry (bass). This gig had unexpected consequences: "Hello Josephine" again became a hit and reached the ninth position in the Dutch Top 40, which led to more gigs. New members then joined the band, Dave Robin (bass) and Max Hardy who replaced Unthank. This new line-up recorded a new LP containing former songs as well as new ones. The group frequently toured in the Netherlands until 1979.

Having been diagnosed with stomach cancer, Pete Lewis (the last remaining original band member) passed away at home in 1985. He was treated by Harold Shipman, nicknamed "Doctor Death" and was to be Harold Shipman's youngest victim.

Members

Original band members

Peter Lewis: lead vocals
Tony Brierley (Anthony Brierley): lead guitar
Tony Postill (Anthony Postill): lead and rhythm guitar
Rodney Postill: rhythm and bass guitar
Mike Delaney (Michael Delaney): drums

Subsequent band members

Terence Morton: lead guitar
Ian Lucas: drums
Graham Caunce (Lee): lead guitar and vocals
Dave Robin: bass
Cedric Terry: bass
Dave Vernon: bass
Tom Morgan: bass and vocals
Martin Davies: bass and vocals
Diccon Hubbard: bass and vocals
Roy Smithson: piano, organ, keyboards and vocals
Tommy Unthank: drums
Max Hardy: drums
Ralph Rieckermann: bass

Discography

Albums

1965: Hello Josephine
1965: Climbing the Charts
1966: Sweet and Lovely (repackage of Climbing the Charts)
1966: Keep In Touch with The Scorpions
1978: My Own Way to Rock

Singles

1964: "Hello Josephine"
1964: "What Did I Say"
1964: "Johnny B. Goode"
1964: "Some Other Guy"
1964: "Bye Bye Johnny / Rip It Up"
1965: "Greensleeves / Hey Honey"
1965: "Ann Louise"
1965: "Balla Balla"

CDs

1997: The Scorpions
1998: Hello Josephine – The Complete Collection
2005: Hello Josephine/Climbing the Charts
2007: Now

External links

[1] The one and only Scorpions, from Manchester UK.
[2] The Scorpions on Manchesterbeat
Een persoonlijke site (gearchiveerd op archive.org)

* [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1442561/bio] * [http://ralphrieckermann.com/]

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 ===In the Netherlands===
 In the Netherlands, the group were extremely successful. Dutch booking agent Jan Vis arranged a series of gigs and producer [[Addy Kleijngeld]] arranged a Dutch recording contract at [[CNR Records|CNR]]. Their first single, a cover of [[Chuck Berry]]’s "Bye Bye Johnny" with "Rip It Up" on the flipside, was released in August 1964. It was not a success.  However, CNR believed in the Scorpions and during that year they released three other singles. The third, "Hello Josephine", was their own version of [[Fats Domino]]'s "[[My Girl Josephine]]". In the meantime, Brierley stepped out and Terry Morton became lead guitarist. Rodney Postill switched to bass guitar and cousin Tony Postill to rhythm guitar.
-"Hello Josephine" became a huge hit in the Netherlands and reached the number one position in the Netherlands Top 40 of Radio Veronica (pirate station). Drummer Mike Delaney left the group in the beginning of 1965 and was replaced by Ian Lucas. The success of "Hello Josephine" justified the release of an LP, entitled ''Scorpions'', which was released in mid-1965.
+"Hello Josephine" became a huge hit in the Netherlands and reached the number two position in the Netherlands Top 40 of Radio Veronica (pirate station). Drummer Mike Delaney left the group in the beginning of 1965 and was replaced by Ian Lucas. The success of "Hello Josephine" justified the release of an LP, entitled ''Scorpions'', which was released in mid-1965.
 ===Problems===