Eight studio albums mark the period between 1977 and 1996 when Herman Rarebell served as the drummer for the hard rock band Scorpions. Born in 1948 in Saarbrücken, Germany, he combined his formal education in piano and percussion with a professional career that spanned several decades across multiple international musical projects.
Early Career and Training
Rarebell attended the Musikhochschule Saarbrücken, where he focused on the study of drums and piano. His professional involvement in the music industry began in 1965 with the band The Mastermen. By 1968, he moved to playing with The Fuggs Blues and RS Rindfleisch, an ensemble that performed at various clubs frequented by military personnel. During 1972 and 1973, he contributed to three albums with the Krautrock group Missus Beastly. His involvement in the scene continued as he later joined the band Onyx, which eventually underwent a name change to Vineyard.
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During his tenure with Scorpions, Rarebell contributed to the songwriting process for various tracks, including "Another Piece of Meat," "Falling in Love," and "Passion Rules the Game." He also authored lyrics for notable songs such as "Blackout," "Rock You Like a Hurricane," "Arizona," "Bad Boys Running Wild," "Make It Real," and "Tease Me Please Me." Throughout his time with the band, he utilized Ludwig drums and Paiste cymbals, though he modified his hardware configuration throughout his career.
Solo Projects and Later Work
Rarebell maintained an active solo career alongside his group commitments, releasing albums such as 1981's Nip in the Bud and the 1986 record Herman Ze German. His discography expanded in the following decades with releases including I'm Back! in 2007 and Acoustic Fever in 2013. He also collaborated with Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock, appearing on albums like Temple of Rock, Bridge the Gap, and Spirit in a Mission between 2011 and 2015. More recently, he contributed to the 2020 single "No Return to Earth" by Thomas Tomsen.
Fast facts
- Born: 1948, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Primary occupations: Composer, drummer, musician, bandleader
- Professional debut: 1965 with The Mastermen
- Instrument preferences: Ludwig drums, Paiste cymbals
- Major band affiliation: Scorpions (1977-1996)
- Additional band affiliation: Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock
- Solo studio albums: Nip in the Bud (1981), Herman Ze German (1986)
- Languages spoken: German, English
Questions readers ask
Which bands has Herman Rarebell been a member of?
He has been a member of Scorpions, Missus Beastly, Onyx (Vineyard), and Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock.
What instruments did Rarebell study formally?
He studied both drums and piano at the Musikhochschule Saarbrücken.
Achievements
- Instruments: drum kit
- Genres: hard rock
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