SCORPIONS' 'Taken By Force' And 'Tokyo Tapes' Albums To Be Reissued With Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks

“Tokyo Tapes” (1978), the first live album by the German hard rock band SCORPIONS, and “Taken By Force” (1977), the group’s fifth studio LP and the final effort to feature guitarist Uli Jon Roth, will be re-released in November. Both reissues will feature many previously unreleased tracks, including demo versions of some of the most songs dating back to 1977.

A message on Uli Jon Roth‘s Facebook page reads: “Yesterday Uli Jon Roth and Klaus Meine did extensive interviews together concerning the official re-release of ‘Tokyo Tapes’ and ‘Taken By Force’. Klaus and Uli had a great time reminiscing about the songs and events surrounding those monumental two albums on camera.”

As a member of the SCORPIONS from 1973 through 1978, Roth helped pioneer the neo classical style that has influenced countless guitarists to this day. His extraordinary playing can be heard on four classic SCORPIONS records, “Fly To The Rainbow” (1974), “In Trance” (1975), “Virgin Killer” (1976) and “Taken By Force”. This lineup also recorded what many still consider to be one of the greatest live albums ever recorded, “Tokyo Tapes”.

“At first I didn’t realize the impact it had on the rock music scene,” Roth told JamMagazine.com about the live album. “When I left the band in 1978, I disconnected myself from the past and was only interested in my new band, ELECTRIC SUN. I didn’t follow the success of ‘Tokyo Tapes’. Over time, I began to realize that musicians and fans kept referring to that album like it was something extra special. Gradually I understood why. Now I actually see the recording in a different light than what I thought back then.”

Uli Jon Roth released a double album, “Scorpions Revisited”, in March via UDR. The set contained 19 “re-invented” SCORPIONS tracks, recorded with a band that included Nathan James (vocals), Jamie Little (drums), Ule W. Ritgen (bass), Niklas Turmann (guitar, vocals), Corvin Bahn (keyboards, vocals) and David Klosinski (guitar).