Rudolf Schenker

Rudolf Schenker
Schenker performing with the Scorpions in 2014.
Background information
Born	31 August 1948 Hildesheim, Germany
Genres	Hard rock, heavy metal
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, bass, vocals
Years active	1965–present
Labels	BMG
Associated acts	Scorpions, MSG, Avantasia, Ali Campbell
Website	the-scorpions.com
Notable instruments
Gibson Flying V Dean Signature V Dommenget "Ferrari" V Dommenget "Scorpions" V Gibson USA Rudolf Schenker Flying V

Rudolf Schenker (born 31 August 1948 in Hildesheim, Lower Saxony) is a German guitarist and founding member of the hard rock band Scorpions, being the rhythm/lead guitarist and one of the main songwriters of the band.

Career

Schenker founded Scorpions in 1965. He has become one of the major driving forces in the band's song-writing and musical direction for 50 years. Schenker has been Scorpions' most consistent member, appearing on every album and at every tour. His younger brother Michael Schenker was a member of Scorpions in the band's earliest inception, before joining the band UFO. In the year 2000 Schenker was awarded the city of Hanover plaque.^[1] and the Cross of Merit First Class (Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse) of the Lower Saxony Order of Merit.

Equipment

After starting out with a Fender Stratocaster, Schenker is primarily known for playing Gibson Flying Vs. In the Acoustica DVD, he is seen playing an acoustic Flying V made especially for him by Dommenget. He now uses Dean acoustic V models. Some of Rudolf Schenker's main live guitars in recent years are Dommenget, the same maker that produced Klaus Meine's live guitar^[2] and many guitars for Matthias Jabs.^[3] Rudolf's signature models are "Gibson Rudolf Schenker Flying V", the Dommenget "Ferrari" V, PGG "Scorpions Golden Jubilee" Flying V, PGG "Veetle" Flying V and the "Scorpions" V.^[4] In the past, Schenker primarily played Marshall amps, using their JMP, JCM800 2203, and JCM800 2205 heads. Currently, he uses ENGL amps, endorsing the E 650 Ritchie Blackmore signature heads.

Playing style

In an interview on the 'World Wide Live' video, he mentioned that his goal is not to become the best or fastest guitarist, but to be a very good composer. In most Scorpions songs, guitar solos are performed by lead guitarist Matthias Jabs and rhythm guitars are performed by Rudolf, but there are some notable exceptions, in which Rudolf plays the solos instead rhythm guitar and Matthias plays rhythm guitar instead guitar solos, such as "Wind of Change", "Always Somewhere", "Still Loving You", "Send Me an Angel", "Lady Starlight", "Big City Nights, "As Soon as the Good Times Roll", "When The Smoke is Going Down", "Animal Magnetism", "Through My Eyes" "Coast to Coast" (second solo), "SLY" and "Rock 'N' Roll Band".

Schenker is known for his energetic riffing and wild live performances, which often includes swinging his guitar over his head and throwing the guitar up and catching it.

References

1. "Die Scorpions". Hannover.de. Retrieved 7 December 2011.

External links

• Official Site for Rudolf Schenker's Biography
• The Second Supper Interview with Rudolf Schenker
• Rudolf Schenker Audio Interview on Guitar Jam Daily
• Rudolf Schenker interview (2010)

^{[1] [2] [3]}

1. https://twitter.com/rudolfschenker
2. https://www.facebook.com/ScorpionsRudolfSchenker/?nr
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghO0sFybu84