The band name is "Scorpions," not "The Scorpions."

Scorpions began in 1964 as a beat band. Rudolph Schenker was also the vocalist in the beginning. Rudolph's younger brother Michael joined the band as lead guitarist in 1969 at the age of 15. After the release of the debut album in 1972 the younger Schenker was poached by the English hard rock band UFO and Scorpions split up.

Rudolph Schenker and Klaus Meine later went on join Uli Jon Roth's band Dawn Road, but the name was changed to Scorpions to capitalize on the recognition the name carried in the hard rock scene at the time.

Michael Schenker stayed with UFO from 1973 to 1978 before leaving as result of various feuds and alcohol problems. He briefly rejoined Scorpions and played on some parts of the "Lovedrive" album but similar problems to those he had with UFO led to his a quick departure. He then went on to form his own band called MSG - Michael Schenker Group (sometimes McAuley Schenker Group) - which is still active to this day.

Uli Jon Roth went on to become a prominent figure in neo-classical guitar playing. In recent years he has toured with Scorpions again as a special guest.

Don Dokken filled in for Klaus Meine early in the "Blackout" recording sessions in 1981 when he lost his voice, but Meine recovered in time to complete the vocals himself.

Rainbow members Bobby Rondinelli (drums) and Jimmy Bain (bass) had recorded tracks for the 1984 album "Love at First Sting", although officialy none of them were used on the release version.

Scorpions were among the first bands to play in the USSR when they played at the Moscow peace festival in 1989 along with Ozzy Osbourne, Skid Row, Mötley Crüe, Gorky Park, Bon Jovi and Cinderella.