Concert Review Archive
Scorpions with Great White, Trixter
Knickerbocker Arena
Albany NY
April 22, 1991
The Scorpions have always been one of those bands that have flown under the radar for me. While I have enjoyed them, I have rarely loved them. This, even though they have authored some of the greatest songs in hard rock history. Upon the coaxing of my then-girlfriend, who badly wanted to see opening band Trixter, I scored a couple of tickets for the Scorps’ Crazy World tour stop in Albany, NY.
Surprises come in many shapes and forms. I’ve been surprised by wives and girlfriends that have informed me they didn’t want to be in a relationship with me anymore. I’ve been startled by people quietly coming into the room. I’ve been surprised when my trail camera didn’t pick up any new pictures despite being set up in an area conducive to deer activity. And, I was pleasantly surprised by the solid and workmanlike performance turned in by the Scorpions at this show. While I don’t always give them credit where it is due, this concert is one of the best I have ever been to.
The house lights went out and a smattering of strobe lights lit up the darkness, tastefully accompanied by the sound of thunder. Once fully lit, the stage displayed long ramps on both sides of the drum riser, as the group tore into the lead single from the Crazy World album, Tease Me Please Me. Klaus Meine’s high pitched vocals were in fine form as he led the group through new album cuts, Lust or Love, Hit Between the Eyes, Don’t Believe Her, and the not-yet huge hit, Wind of Change. Not to be left out, some of the band’s earlier hits found their way into the first half of the show, including, Bad Boys Running Wild, The Zoo, and their cover of The Who hit, I Can’t Explain.
Visually, fans were treated to a blinding light and laser show that effectively reflected the mood of the song being played. Meanwhile, Meine commanded the stage with his presence and vocal prowess. While lead guitarist Matthias Jabs, bassist Francis Buchholz, and drummer Herman Rarebell personified the solid but unspectacular charisma the Scorpions hold in my mind, it was rhythm guitarist Rudolf Schenker who fans had difficulty taking their eyes off. Schenker bounced around the stage like a giddy school child, playfully interacting with fans and never taking his foot off the gas pedal.
The second half of the show saw more hits and deep cuts, such as Rhythm of Love, Blackout, Coast to Coast, Can’t Live Without You, Dynamite, and the main set closer, Holiday. Not close to being finished, the band returned for the classic four song encore of Big City Nights, No One Like You, Still Loving You, and Rock You Like a Hurricane. From the guitar solo to the end of the finale, the lighting rig transformed into the shape of a giant scorpion, a very cool effect for 1991.
I was originally reluctant to buy a ticket for this show, only relenting as a young guy wanting to appease his girl. I suppose I thought by doing so, and bringer her to see Trixter, I may be rewarded in the end, and if memory serves me correctly, I was indeed. However, the biggest reward was being able to witness a longstanding and professional rock and roll band such as the Scorpions.
Scorpions Setlist:
Tease Me Please Me
Lust or Love
Bad Boys Running Wild
Make It Real
Hit Between the Eyes
The Zoo
Wind of Change
I Can’t Explain
Don’t Believe Her
Rhythm of Love
Blackout
Concerto in V
Coast to Coast
Can’t Live Without You
Dynamite
Holiday
Encore:
Big City Nights
No One Like You
Still Loving You
Rock You Like a Hurricane
Show opener Trixter was the newcomer to the hard rock scene in 1991 and the New Jersey quartet delivered a brief set solely from their self-titled debut, including the MTV hits, One in a Million and Give It To Me Good. Meanwhile, blues rock veterans Great White, reaching the waning moments of their peak in popularity, and long before their career-defining involvement in the tragic Station night club fire in Rhode Island, delivered a solid set that combined tracks from their newly-released album Hooked, as well as hits from previous records, including, Mista Bone, Save Your Love, and Once Bitten Twice Shy.
Trixter Setlist:
Bad Girl
Heart of Steel
Play Rough
Ride the Whip
One in a Million
Line of Fire
Give it to Me Good
Great White Setlist:
Call It Rock ‘n’ Roll
All Over Now
Cold Hearted Lovin’
Mista Bone
Desert Moon
Save Your Love
Can’t Shake It
Once Bitten Twice Shy
Whipped Owl 