Scorpions / Thunder Mother @ American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX

Words and photos by Duane Clawson

Seeing the American Airlines Center for the first time, check. Meeting a talented group of Dallas area concert photographers, check. Driving two hours in Dallas traffic to photograph the Scorpions for three songs then leaving the venue, you betcha! I could not miss this opportunity to photograph these rock legends.

Many know the Scorpions as an early-eighties staple in the world of heavy metal. As metal vanquished in the nineties, the band’s popularity was relegated to classic rock radio stations. But they were not deterred, new music kept coming, and an extensive touring schedule was maintained. A little history lesson for you, the Scorpions have technically been a band since 1965, the year I was born! Klaus Meine, the lead singer since 1972 is still out there making their classics sound great! More impressive, a 75-year-old Rudolf Schenker on guitar, still navigates a gigantic stage like a spring chicken!

The youngest members of the band, Mickey Dee on drums, 58, and Paweł Mąciwoda on bass at 55. In the middle, Matthias Jabs on guitar, 66. Ages aside, they are still filling venues and just for a minute I was 18-years old again! In my brief 15-minutes near the stage, I was lucky enough to hear two Scorpions classics and one song from their new album, Rock Believer. The old, “Make It Real” and “The Zoo,” from the 1980 album, Animal Magnetism. “Gas In the Tank” may be a new song but there is no mistaking who is making the music!

A quick shoutout to Thunder Mother for opening the show and filling the big shoes of Whitesnake. Whitesnake had to cancel supporting the Scorpions due to health reasons. The young ladies from Sweden created a favorable buzz with melodies that could be easily compared to AC/DC. In 2017 founding guitarist, Filippa Nässil revised the band, bringing in all new members. After listening to their older efforts, I can say this was a change for the better! You can hear their latest, Black and Gold on all streaming platforms.

As with most touring bands, 2020 and 2021were nonexistent on their calendars. Making up for lost time, the Scorpions are touring worldwide in 2022 with dates already scheduled in Europe for 2023. A look at their published setlist reveal a decent mix of new material and long-standing hits. Of course, they are ending shows with the biggest and best, “Blackout,” “No One Like You,” and “Rock You Like a Hurricane”, to name a few. As I leave American Airlines Center, I hear the cheers of those still inside the arena. On my way home I think of the aging faces I passed as I exited the building. Then it hits me, no matter how long our time in the venue, for that moment, the Scorpions made us Rock Believers!

Thank you to AAC for making my first time a most memorable one! And thanks of course to the Scorpions and their PR staff for allowing MTC MAG to be front and center!

Photos of the show are below:

Thunder Mother