Between them, hard rock bands Scorpions (pictured) and Queensrÿche have more than 80 years of continued existence, making them two of the longest-running bands in heavy metal music. The Scorpions first formed in Germany in 1965 and released their debut album, Lonesome Crow, in 1972, featuring original members Rudolf Schenker (guitar) and Klaus Meine (vocals), both of whom remain in the band more than 40 years later. In the 1980s, the Scorpions had a string of huge hits, including hard rock classics such as “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” “No One Like You” and “Big City Nights.” The 1990 power ballad “Wind of Change” became an anthem for the fall of Communism in Europe, and still remains the best-selling single of all time by a German artist.
Queensrÿche, who combine the hard rock power and melodic hooks of the Scorpions with prog-rock ambition, had a number of hits in the ’80s and ’90s, including “Jet City Woman,” “Eyes of a Stranger” and “Silent Lucidity.” The sprawling 1988 concept album, Operation: Mindcrime, was an artistic breakthrough and is frequently cited as one of the best and most influential heavy metal albums of all time.
These two titans of hard rock are still going strong, both releasing new albums this year. Seeing them in concert is a chance to experience living heavy metal history.
The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel, 8 p.m. Oct. 7, sold out. 888.929.7849
