Current News

[10 January 2017]

A decade after it's release, I have finally added the compilation album The Best of Uli Jon Roth to this site's discography. This is an album I had (oddly) held off from purchasing for many years since this album did not offer much that was new besides the slightly modified version of Enola Gay - Hiroshima Today?, a song I had already purchased online. This album does display an interesting collection of Uli's post-Scorpions material, which has been grouped into similar arrangements. There are a couple of interesting items to note about this album. The cover of this album was taken from a photo from a House of Blues concert in Chicago from 11 September 2004. For me, this is quite exciting since I was at that very concert.

Of even more interest are the comprehensive linear notes which make reference to a fourth Electric Sun album which was never recorded. Back in 2005 I had made a joking reference to a secret fourth Electric Sun album, and had compiled a list of nine songs which could have appeared on this spectral album. The beautiful ballad Starlight was one of these potential songs. This song was written in late 1984, after the recording of Beyond the Astral Skies, but it was later played on that same tour, along with other unrecorded songs such as On That Night, God Is Light and Daughter of the Evening Sun.

[1 January 2017]

In 2016, the new live album Tokyo Tapes Revisited was released, which includes both CD and Blu-Ray.

1. All Night Long 4:49
2. Longing For Fire 3:23
3. Crying Days 5:43
4. The Sails of Charon 10:07
5. Sun In My Hand 5:10
6. Virgin Killer 4:40
7. Kojo No Tsuki 5:22
8. We'll Burn the Sky 8:54
9. In Trance 7:51
10. Rainbow Dream Prelude 8:37
11. Fly to the Rainbow 10:56
12. Top of the Bill 4:38
13. I've Got To Be Free 11:45
14. Polar Nights 10:09
15. Dark Lady 15:11
16. Pictured Life 3:05
17. Catch Your Train 4:41
18. All Along the Watchtower 7:56
19. Little Wing 8:24

Uli will be touring in support of the new album this year.

On a side note, this site will be turning 20 years old this year, which is practically an eon as measured in Internet time.

[29 January 2015]

Despite what one article mentioned, Uli's newest album Scorpions Revisited is already available (at least through digital channels). If you have been fortunate enough to have seen Uli on tour in the past few years, this album captures the magic of his performances, which is capped off by a beautiful and cosmic version of "Fly to the Rainbow" which has an almost Pink Floyd edge to it.

Uli was also on the December 2014 cover of Young Guitar magazine, which is filled with tons of great Scorpions riffs, plus a full transcription of "Catch Your Train". If you are a guitarist, it is well worth it to try and get a copy.

[19 January 2015]

2015 has barely begun, but it is already starting with some exciting news about a new album and concerts. The new album Scorpions Revisited will be released on 10 March 2015, which is a live recording from the Scorpions 40th anniversary tour in 2013.

Disc 1:

1. The Sails Of Charon
2. Longing For Fire
3. Crying Days
4. Virgin Killer
5. In Trance
6. Sun In My Hand
7. Yellow Raven
8. Polar Nights
9. Dark Lady

Disc 2:

1. Catch Your Train
2. Evening Wind
3. All Night Long
4. We’ll Burn In The Sky
5. Pictured Life
6. Hell Cat
7. Life’s Like A River
8. Drifting Sun
9. Rainbow Dream Prelude
10. Fly To The Rainbow

2015 Tour Dates

• 21 January 2015
  California – Ramona - Mainstage
  
• 22 January 2015
  California – Anaheim - House of Blues
  
• 23 January 2015
  California – Hollywood - House of Blues
  
• 24 January 2015
  Nevada – Las Vegas - Vamp’d
  
• 25 January 2015
  California – San Josè - Rock Star Bar
  
• 26 January 2015
  Oregon – Portland - Tonic
  
• 27 January 2015
  Washington – Seattle - Studio 7
  
• 29 January 2015
  Minnesota – Moorehead - The Garage
  
• 30 January 2015
  Minnesota – Spring Lake Park - POVS
  
• 31 January 2015
  Illinois – St. Charles – Arcada Theatre
  
• 01 February 2015
  Illinois – Chicago – Reggie’s (& Sky Academy)
  
• 02 February 2015
  Michigan – Detroit – Token Lounge
  
• 03 February 2015
  Toronto – Mod Club
  
• 04 February 2015
  Ohio – Cleveland – Agora Ballroom
  
• 05 February 2015
  Connecticut – Hartford – Infinity Hall
  
• 06 February 2015 May 2015
  New Hampshire – Londonderry – Tupelo Music Hall
  
• 07 February 2015
  New York – Poughkeepsie – The Chance
  
• 08 February 2015
  New York – Manhattan – BB King’s
  
• 09 February 2015
  Virginia – Springfield – The Empire
  
• 19 February 2015
  Japan – Nagoya – Bottom Line
  
• 20 February 2015
  Japan – Tokyo – Nakano Sun Plaza Hall
  
• 22 February 2015
  Japan Osaka - Quattro
  
• 11 - 16 April 2015
  Full Metal Cruise II
  Mediterranian Sea - Plama de Mallorca/Barcelona/Ibiza
  
• 24 April 2015
  Germany – Lauda-Königshofen – Keep it True Festival
  
• 22 May 2015
  Germany – Bocholt – Alte Molkerei
  
• 23 May 2015
  Germany – Bocholt – Alte Molkerei
  
• 22 August 2015
  Germany – Balve - Balver Höhle
  
• 27 - 31 August 2015
  Full Metal Cruise III
  North Sea - Kiel/Copenhaven/Gothenburg/Hamburg
  

[26 May 2014]

In 2014, Uli is keeping busy with more extensive touring, which also includes the Guitar Gods tour with Yngwie Malmsteen, Bumblefoot, and Gary Hoey. Here's the current schedule of concerts for 2014:

• 02 January 2014
  Germany Nürnberg - Hirsch
  
• 03 January 2014
  Switzerland Uster - Starclub
  
• 04 January 2014
  Austria Wörgl - Komma
  
• 05 January 2014
  Germany München - Garage Deluxe
  
• 07 January 2014
  Germany Aschaffenburg - Colos Saal
  
• 09 January 2014
  Germany Berlin - K 17
  
• 10 January 2014
  Germany Dresden - Tante Ju
  
• 11 January 2014
  Germany Hannover - ISERNHAGEN - Blues Garage
  
• 12 January 2014
  Holland Kerkade - The Rock Temple
  
• 13 January 2014
  Germany Köln - Kantine
  
• 23 January 2014
  California Hollywood - Whisky A Go Go
  
• 24 January 2014
  California Santa Ana - Malone's (Extreme Cream)
  
• 25 January 2014
  California Santa Ana - Malone's
  
• 26 January 2014
  California Ramona - Main Stage & Gary Hoey
  
• 27 January 2014
  California Ramona - Main Stage - Sky Academy
  
• 27 February 2014
  Italy Sant'Ambrogio - La Sacra Birra Saloon
  
• 28 February 2014
  Italy Teramo - Arts Factory
  
• 01 March 2014
  Italy Napoli - Teatro Trianon
  
• 07 March 2014
  Corfu Kerkyra- 7 Technun - & Gus G
  
• 08 March 2014
  Greece Thessaloniki- Block 33 - & Gus G
  
• 09 March 2014
  Greece Edessa- Kanavourgeio & Gus G
  
• 10 March 2014
  Cyprus Lanarca- Savino Live & Gus G
  
• 11 March 2014
  Greece Athens - Kyttaro & Gus G
  
• 12 March 2014
  Greece Athens - Kyttaro & Gus G
  
• 25 March 2014
  Brazil Rio de Janeiro- Teatro Rival
  
• 28 March 2014
  Brazil Goiania - Bolshoi
  
• 29 March 2014
  Brazil São Paulo - Manifesto Rock
  
• 16 May 2014
  Italy Trofarello - Il Peocio
  
• 17 May 2014
  Italy Bergamo - Twentyseven
  
• 30 May 2014
  Sweden Alvesta - Muskelrock Festival
  
• 31 May 2014
  Sweden Sala - Rockland
  
• 12 June 2014
  Pennsylvania Wilkes-Barre - FM Kirby Centre for Perform. Arts
  
• 13 June 2014
  New York Huntington - The Paramount
  
• 14 June 2014
  New Jersey Sayreville - The Starland Ballroom
  
• 15 June 2014
  New York Akron - Brauns Concert Cove
  
• 17 June 2014
  New Jersey Englewood - Bergen Performance Arts Centre
  
• 18 June 2014
  Ohio Cleveland - Agora Ballroom
  
• 20 June 2014
  Illinois St. Charles - The Arcada Theatre
  
• 21 June 2014
  Ontario Toronto - Phoenix Theatre
  
• 22 June 2014
  Illinois Joliet - Mojoes Concert Hall
  
• 23 June 2014
  Minnesota Minneapolis - Skyway Theatre
  
• 26 June 2014
  Washington Seattle - Showbox Theatre
  
• 27 June 2014
  Oregon Portland - Roseland Theatre
  
• 28 June 2014
  Canada Richmond - River Rock Casino
  
• 02 July 2014
  California Santa Ana - The Observatory
  
• 03 July 2014
  California Beverly Hills - Saban Theatre
  
• 05 July 2014
  California Ramona - Ramona Rodeo Grounds
  
• 07 July 2014
  Nevada Las Vegas - House of Blues
  
• 08 July 2014
  Arizona Tucson - Rialto Theatre
  
• 10 July 2014
  Texas Dallas - House of Blues
  
• 12 July 2014
  Texas Houston - House of Blues
  
• 20 July 2014
  France St. Julien-en-Genevois - Guitare en Scene Festival
  
• 21 September 2014
  Colombia Bogota - Coliseo El Campin - Festival
  
• 01 October 2014
  Germany Osnabrück - Lagerhalle
  
• 02 October 2014
  Denmark Copenhagen - Amager Bio
  
• 03 October 2014
  Germany Hamburg - Fabrik
  
• 04 October 2014
  Germany Bremen - Tivoli
  
• 05 October 2014
  Germany Lübeck- Rider's Cafe
  
• 07 October 2014
  Germany Bochum - Zeche
  
• 08 October 2014
  Germany Köln - Luxor
  
• 09 October 2014
  Holland Weert - De Bosuil
  
• 10 October 2014
  Belgium Kortrijk - De Kreun/ Alcatraz Festival
  
• 11 October 2014
  Holland Almelo - Naxt Stage
  
• 12 October 2014
  Germany Mannheim - Alte Seilerei
  
• 14 October 2014
  Switzerland Pratteln - Z7
  
• 15 October 2014
  Germany München - Backstage Halle
  
• 16 October 2014
  Germany Würzburg- Posthalle
  
• 17 October 2014
  Germany Regensburg- Airport
  
• 18 October 2014
  Czech Republic Zlin- Masters of Rock Cafe
  
• 19 October 2014
  England Great Yarmouth- Legends of Rock Festival
  
• 20 October 2014
  England Bilston- Robin 2
  
• 01 November 2014
  France Bartenheim - Cafe Conc de 3 Frontieres
  
• 02 November 2014
  France Touls - Chez Paulette
  
• 03 November 2014
  France Paris - La Flèche D'Or
  
• 04 November 2014
  France Toulouse- Bikini
  
• 06 November 2014
  Spain Zaragoza- Sala Lopez
  
• 07 November 2014
  Spain Azpeitia- Sala San Augustin
  
• 08 November 2014
  Spain Valladolid- Sala Porta Caeli
  
• 09 November 2014
  Spain Gijon - Sala Acapulco
  
• 12 November 2014
  France Bordeaux- Barbey
  

[19 April 2014]

Back in 1997, I had been playing guitar for over two years, but I was already becoming bored with hearing the same old pentatonic licks. Isn't there more to music than this?!

Indeed there is. When I came across Russ Parrish's Rock Lead Guitar lessons, which transcribed numerous Uli Roth licks from his Scorpions and Electric Sun days, this opened up the metaphorical doors to a whole new world of music. Uli's earlier Scorpions leads were more straightforward runs, but his playing started to become more interesting with the lead work in Catch Your Train and The Sails of Charon. However, it was his Electric Sun material where he really unfurled his musical wings and took the guitar to new heights. More than fifteen years later, and I'm still trying to divine and understand all which these transcriptions offer.

The Rock Lead Guitar lessons are now available on this site. Note, there are a lot of large images, so the page may take several minutes to load — or download the PDF or zip file.

[24 February 2013]

On Sunday 17 February 2013, Uli Jon Roth returned to Chicago for another Sky Academy and extensive concert. Opening the show were Kevin M. Buck and Earthen. Uli's set lasted for close to three hours, playing a number of rare Scorpions songs such as "Drifting Sun", "Sun In My Hand", and "Evening Wind", some which have never been played live until this tour. It was inspiring to see master musicians work their craft and not even flinch when things go wrong (example: a guitar string broke during Uli's solo on "Life's Like A River" and he just kept on playing, despite the loss of the string.)

1. All Night Long
2. Longing For Fire
3. Crying Days
4. Life's Like A River
5. Sun In My Hand
6. Drifting Sun
7. Evening Wind
8. The Sails of Charon
9. We'll Burn The Sky
10. In Trance
11. Fly To The Rainbow
12. Speedy's Coming
13. Virgin Killer
14. They Need A Million
15. I've Got To Be Free (w/ extended jam)
16. Polar Nights
17. Dark Lady (w/ extended jam and "Kojo No Tsuki" interlude)
Encore:
18. Crowd sings "Happy Birthday" to drummer Jamie
19. Pictured Life
20. Catch Your Train
21. The Watchtower
22. If 6 Was 9
23. Little Wing

[24 January 2013]

A new year has brought plenty of goodies in the way of interviews, social media, new music, and of course another world wide tour. To start off the wealth of news, Uli now is officially on Facebook and Twitter. In preparation of the tour to celebrate the 40 year anniversary since Uli joined Scorpions, here are a couple of new interviews:

• Powerline Interview
• Noisecreep Interview
• Legendary Rock Interviews

In the interviews Uli has mentioned he has written an album's worth of new material, he just needs to find the time to record it at sometime in the future. But looking at the 2013 touring schedule, he will be busy for the first half of the year. Here are the current tour dates:

• 21 January 2013
  USA, California Los Angeles - Santa Monica Playhouse - Sky Academy
  
• 22 January 2013
  USA, California Los Angeles - Santa Monica Playhouse - Sky Academy
  
• 23 January 2013
  USA, California San Francisco - Slim's - Jason Becker Event
  
• 25 January 2013
  USA, California Hollywood - Whisky A Go Go
  
• 26 January 2013
  USA, California Santa Ana - Malone's
  
• 27 January 2013
  USA, California San Diego - Brick by Brick + Sky Academy
  
• 29 January 2013
  USA, Colorado Denver - Jammin' Joe's
  
• 31 January 2013
  USA, Wisconsin Milwaukee - Shank Hall + Sky Academy
  
• 01 February 2013
  USA, Michigan Detroit - The Token Lounge
  
• 02 February 2013
  USA, Ohio Cleveland - Pirate's Cove/ Peabody's + Sky Academy
  
• 03 February 2013
  USA, New Jersey Old Bridge - Old Bridge Music Center: Sky Academy
  
• 05 February 2013
  USA, Virginia Chantilly - Sullys
  
• 06 February 2013
  USA, New York New Yrok - Stage 48 (+ Sky Academy)
  
• 07 February 2013
  USA, Maryland White Marsh - House of Rock + Sky Academy
  
• 08 February 2013
  Canada Montreal - Le National + Sky Academy
  
• 09 February 2013
  Canada Toronto - The Rock Pile + Sky Academy
  
• 10 February 2013
  Canada Toronto - The RoUSA, Californiack Pile
  
• 12 February 2013
  Canada Ottawa - Brass Monkey + Sky Academy
  
• 13 February 2013
  USA, Pennsylvania Sellersville - Sellersville Theater 1894 + Sky Academy
  
• 15 February 2013
  USA, Wisconsin Kenosha - Hatrix
  
• 16 February 2013
  USA, Minnesota Savage - Neisen's + Sky Academy
  
• 17 February 2013
  USA, Illinois Chicago - Reggie's + Sky Academy
  
• 20 February 2013
  USA, Arizona Tucson - The Rock
  
• 21 February 2013
  USA, Arizona Tempe - Club Red
  
• 22 February 2013
  USA, Nevada Las Vegas - Vamp'd + Sky Academy
  
• 23 February 2013
  USA, California Corona - Marquee 15
  
• 24 February 2013
  USA, California Santa Rosa - The Last Day Saloon
  
• 26 February 2013
  USA, Washington Seattle - El Corazon + Sky Academy
  
• 27 February 2013
  USA, Oregon Portland - Hawthorne Theatre + Sky Academy
  
• 01 March 2013
  USA, California Concord - Vinnie's
  
  
• 22 March 2013
  England Colchester - Arts Centre
  
• 23 March 2013
  England Ipswitch - The Railway
  
• 07 April 2013
  England Rotherham - Hard Rock Hell (Festival) 2 shows
  
• 12 April 2013
  England Bilston - The Robin 2 (+ Sky Academy)
  
• 12 April 2013
  England Derby - Flowerpot
  
  
• 05 May 2013
  North Sea Full Metal Cruise:
       to
  12 May 2013
  North Sea Hamburg, Southhampton, Le Havre, Amsterdam
  
  
• 14 June 2013
  Mexico Mexico City - José Cuervo Salón
  
• 22 June 2013
  Brazil Sao Paulo- HSBCL
  
  
• 01 August 2013
  Germany Wacken Open Air
  

[2 February 2012]

Last Friday (27 January 2012), I had the pleasure of attending the Sky Academy and concert in Chicago. It was wonderful getting the chance to attend a Sky Academy seminar without having to resort to going to L.A., New Zealand, or Germany. It was a great experience, albeit a brief one. It is easy to see why the standard Sky Academies normally span several days, since the one day seminar just barely scratched the surface.

While Reggie's Rock Club is no House of Blues, it certainly has its own distinctive personality. The worst part is that parking is limited around the club. However, the concert was great, with most of Uli's material stemming from pre-Beyond the Astral Skies days. Opening for Uli were Some Years Later, Kevin M. Buck, and The Golden Ghosts.

Setlist at Reggie's Rock Club in Chicago, IL, USA on 27 January 2012

1. The Watchtower
2. If 6 Was 9
3. Little Wing
4. Electric Sun
5. Firewind
6. A Day Late and A Dollar Short
7. The Sails of Charon
8. We'll Burn The Sky
9. In Trance
10. I've Got To Be Free (w/ extended jam)
11. Polar Nights
12. Dark Lady (w/ Black Night interlude)
Encore:
13. Pictured Life
14. Catch Your Train
15. Fly To The Rainbow

[17 January 2012]

The 3 Guitar Heroes tour may have been postponed, but Uli marches forth! Here are the scheduled set of early 2012 concerts in North America and Europe. Of important note, eight of the North America dates will also include one day Sky Academy seminars, very worthwhile to attend, especially if you haven't been close to previous Sky Academy seminars.

• 14. 01 2012
  England Plymouth - World Class Music (Masterclass)
  
• 20. 01 2012
  USA, California Corona - Marquee 15
  
• 21. 01 2012
  USA, California Hollywood - Key Club: NAMM JAM
  
• 22. 01 2012
  USA, California Ramona - Main Stage (these two shows + Richie Kotzen,Tony MacAlpine, Bruce Kulick)
  
• 23. 01 2012
  USA, California Anaheim - SKY ACADEMY - Wall of Sound Studios
  
• 26. 01 2012
  USA, Wisconsin Milwaukee - Shank Hall
  
• 27. 01 2012
  USA, Illinois Chicago - Reggie's Rock Club (+ Sky Academy)
  
• 28. 01 2012
  USA, Michigan Westland - The Token Lounge
  
• 29. 01 2012
  Canada Toronto - The Rock Pile (+ Sky Academy)
  
• 31. 01 2012
  USA, New York New York - B.B. King's (+ Sky Academy) w/ Leslie West
  
• 01. 02 2012
  USA, Massachusetts Foxborough - Showcase Live w/ Leslie West
  
• 02. 02 2012
  USA, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh - Altar Bar
  
• 03. 02 2012
  USA, Pennsylvania Sellersville - Sellersville Theater (+ Sky Academy) w/ Leslie West
  
• 04. 02 2012
  USA, New Jersey Sayreville - Starland Ballroom w/ Leslie West
  
• 05. 02 2012
  Canada Montreal - Tba - (+ Sky Academy) w/ Leslie West
  
• 09. 02 2012
  USA, Arizona Phoenix - Club Red (+ Sky Academy)
  
• 10. 02 2012
  USA, California Redondo Beach - The Brixton
  
• 11. 02 2012
  USA, California Oakland - The Pound West
  
• 13. 02 2012
  USA, Oregon Portland - Hawthorne Theater (+ Sky Academy)
  
• 14. 02 2012
  USA, Washington Tacoma - Backstage Live
  
• 15. 02 2012
  USA, Washington Seattle - El Corazon (+ Sky Academy)
  
• 17. 02 2012
  USA, California Orange Vale - The Boardwalk
  
• 18. 02 2012
  USA, California Garden Grove - The Can
  
• 24. 03 2012
  Germany Geseke - Schulzentrum Mitte (+ Jane)
  
• 29. 03 2012
  France Colmar - Le Grillen
  
• 30. 03 2012
  Switzerland Basel - Airport Casino - Metro
  
• 31. 03 2012
  France Pagnez-Derriere-Barine - Chez Paulette
  
• 02. 06 2012
  France Nancy - Amphiteater (+ Scorpions)
  
• 02. 08 2012
  Germany Aschaffenburg - 3-day Music School Seminar + Uli