The Scorpions are a German hard metal/hard rock band. Known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and their singles "Still Loving You" and "Wind of Change", the band sold over 100 million albums worldwide. The fantastic five are Rudolf Schenker, rhythm and lead guitarist and backing vocalist since 1965; Klaus Meine, lead vocalist since 1975. Matthias Jabs, lead and rhythm guitar and backing vocalist since 1978; James Kottak, drummer and backing vocalist since 1996; and Pawel Maciwoda, bass player and backing vocalist since 2003.

Paying respect to the reverent rock stars, their humility and talent is on par with the superlative code. What sets them apart is still mystifying, but if you can decipher the disparity between humanity and art then know that they manage to bridge that gap with their music. With their hearts, minds and souls in the reverential space, The Scorpions bring in the "Winds of Change" to blow you away. As their farewell tour takes places during this summer in the Middle East, this may well be your last chance to witness their euphoria for the last time. Lebanon caught the legends live and on fire and were rocked like a hurricane.

This was our second time to play in Lebanon. We had a big concert in '96 in Beirut and we  came back this year. We played during the Byblos Festival and our show was sold out so quickly, which was very exciting for usi.

Where should I start? (He asks with an astonishing laugh.) It has been a long journey with The Scorpions. We started in the early 1970’s. We have recorded and toured all over the world. Germany being our home ground, we went international in 1975. Touring the UK. After which we did Japan in 1978. And by the end of the 70's we became part of the rock family with many tours, record hits and records. At the end of the 80's we went east, and by 1988 we played in the Soviet Union. We played during the Legendary Peace festival, it was immense. We discovered a whole new world in the East. We played for our fans in the Middle East, Israel, Doha, Cairo and even Dubai. With our album Sting In The Tail that proved to be very successful, we want to end it on that. We are very excited and very happy about the huge success. Now it is time. So this is our farewell tour. We want to finish off on a high note.

 We owe it to ourselves and to our fans. We toured in 25 countries just last year, and we want to finish off in style. So this will be our farewell tour. We try not to think about the emotional part, but retain the essence and celebrate 40 years of The Scorpions with our fans.

This really tells you about our journey, about the human journey and us; that no matter what there is hope for tomorrow and we all hope for the best. Something better.  No plans laid out yet. We are musicians, artists and songwriters. We feel we are on a new page in the book of life. With new challenges waiting for all of us in our lives.

We started young and took inspiration from the great legendary artists of that time. Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones — they were all our role models. The Beatles ... the way they wrote their songs; Sgt. Pepper's (Lonely Hearts Club Band) is a masterpiece of its time. Artists and generations before us, like The Rolling Stones, inspire every member. The 60's especially was very inspiring for us.

That's a good question. I think the secret is a lot of things. First of all I think it is the right musicians, the right person and the right personality. Friendship is always an important factor. It might be a common term, but friendship has always been fundamental in the history of a band. It is easy to celebrate a tour, but when it comes down to friends you lived with for a lifetime, it shows the band is very strong in that way. To be able to be together, work together to carry forward talent, desire and passionate dreams.

Traveling the world and touring in many countries gives us inspiration. Experiencing different cultures gives us hope and inspiration and when we come back home the songs just come to us. We follow our inspiration. It is like listening to the wind of change.

Our newest project comes out in the next few months. It gives you a chance to experience The Scorpions in 3D. You can actually feel the smoke string out of the guitar like it is a live show. It is an incredible experience. The DVD features our concerts in 3D in Germany. We are just about to do the mix and it should be in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia hopefully soon. Indeed the strong 3D technology makes us feel like pioneers after all these years (he says, laughing). We have an album coming out later this year featuring classics. You know our love for them. The 60's was the era for our inspiration. Our movie/documentary also is soon to be released. We have cameras with us on tours, so this documentary is being made during or tours. It also gives you a picture of The Scorpions career and journey.

The young generation had good mix of modern pop and rock. They reach out to my heart. A lot of new artists are very talented, but to mention a few: Daughtry, Nickelback, Kings of Leon, Bruno Mars and Adele. Adele has fantastic and beautiful music. I know they're not new, but there's also Metallica, Aerosmith and AC/DC; old favorites.

Adele's "Rolling In The Deep". Powerful song.

Hmmm maybe a solo album. (Musing over the fact he adds-) Haven't done one in 40 years of The Scorpions.

My favorite: The Beatles. To perform with a legend like Paul McCartney would be a dream. He is such a wonderful person, a great guy, a legendary musician. I had the honor of meeting him once.

Hard to say. We have received so much love and have taken inspiration from our tours around the world, it would be hard to choose one. We have played in the most amazing places, like La Paz, Bolivia. We are looking forward one of the biggest orchestra shows in Berlin where we will be playing along with 80 musicians. It is an open-air, beautiful and very special event for us.

We want to make sure The Scorpions and their fans remember them at their peak and hence this will only be way to accomplish it. I believe people delve deeper into music and understand what we mean. "Winds of Change" is all about that. I feel music's power and quality brings people together. It bridges the gap between countries and hearts in a peaceful way.

And on that positive note, The Scorpions enlighten us with knowledge and part their ways with their last upcoming tour. Hopefully they will be back as they remain to be living legends who bring veneration and sincerity to the genre of rock. Unable to let go and bid farewell to them, maybe they will reconsider, as their fans sing, “You are such a part of us. And the best is yet to come.”