Spain’s Metal Journal recently spoke to German guitarist Michael Shenker about Scorpions and the relationship with his brother, Rudolf Schenker.
Here’s what he said:
“I’m 66; [Rudolf is] seven years older. By him not giving me the musical credit for ‘In Search Of The Peace Of Mind’, and then also tricking me with the ‘Lovedrive’ album, which I was helping them to open the doors for America for them… In 2015, when they approached me for the Scorpions box and I found out so many lies, I got very disappointed in Rudolf. I always supported Rudolf and said more power to him — I was so happy that he was successful. And I was happy that I was very successful in fulfilling myself as an artist. So we all got what we wanted.
“I love Rudolf as a brother, but social distance is needed, so I don’t get tricked into any further inconvenient situation. Rudolf is a bully, and I don’t connect with bullies. It creates turbulence, and it’s inconvenient… I don’t wanna open another can of worms. The moment I would team up with Klaus, automatically me and Rudolf would be involved some way or another.”
He added more:
“I don’t wanna be controlled by them. I have established myself in a way that I don’t wanna be tricked into more inconvenient situations. The moment I connect with Rudolf — you have to understand — it will carry on just the way it did when I was 15, and it will never stop. He’s a trickster. And Klaus and Rudolf, of course, they are very, very close together. And there is no point. I, actually, in the end, I cannot do anything with Phil Mogg [UFO singer] anymore or with Klaus Meine, because it just opens another can of worms.
“I don’t wanna be controlled by control freaks that are chasing fame just for the sake of fame, losing respect [of] the fans, et cetera, et cetera, making a last album and then another last album and another last album and another last album. It never stops. I mean, these people have no sensitivity and respect for their fans. And so, I don’t wanna be involved. I’m not like that. I’m true to myself, and I enjoy being pure as an artist.
“Rudolf and I, we have been separated for 50 years. We have never actually spent any time together except for the tour dates in the [Scorpions] ‘Lonesome Crow’ period, but that’s it. So we’re used to that anyway.”