The Scorpions are: Ted Barber (lead & bass), John Barber (bass & lead), Ivor Knight (drums).

Set List
   Rockin' At The Phil / Torquay / Walk, Don't Run / Temptation / Riders In The Sky / Telstar /
   Scorpio  / Last Chance / Hot Rod Breakdown / Guitar Boogie / Swingin' Low / Johnny B. Goode /
   Hocus Pocus - Smashing of Amps

I'll start with the end of The Scorpions' wonderful set. They finished on an anti-climax because of equipment failure. John almost did destroy his amp and asked me to refer to the famous number by Uncle Jimi (in case you didn't know, John can play some mean lead in the heavy style.. oh yes!!!). He was later able to effect a repair.. "10 seconds with a soldering iron.." Ted was disgruntled too, but I can't repeat his final remarks here!!!

What I can tell The Scorpions is this though... PLEASE DON T LET THAT LAST UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT DISTORT YOUR VIEW OF THE EVENING.. DON'T!!!

Ted and John (like all artists) tend to be super critical of their own performance. From an audience point of view, they needn't be. Yes, there was some disappointment at the end.. but only because everyone was dying for more, more, MORE!! What The Scorpions have is unique. Powerhouse, gutsy, out and out true R'n'R style beefy playing. They take risks. They are skilful players, yet they have a dynamic, raw edge They don't achieve the rounded, polished sound of groupz like The Runaways.. but that's the whole points They have their own, wonderfully belligerent, aggressive style of playing. Authentic, true rock instrumentalist's undiluted, unrefined and absolutely brilliant - they've remained true to their principles. The sound they achieve is what made them so distinctive back in 1961.

Even then EMI were constantly trying to get them to sound tidier and smoother, but The Scorpions were uncompromising. They still have that no-nonsense, no frills, no holds barred, take no prisoners approach. Stick with it lads, in the words of one of your idols (well, The Crickets anyway) "Don't over Change"!

Trev Faull once described Ted's playing on "Rockin' At The Phil" as "Possibly the zenith of British R'n'R guitar instrumental playing as we know it.." I reckon he was right. As Ted and the boys tore into a frenzied live version of the same, they set the mood for an out and out rocking set that never eased up. Moving swiftly on to "Torquay", you began to marvel at the sound produced by a trio. The secret is that Ted & John play a sort of rhythm on their respective instruments simultaneously. They also, as John told me last year, play "..faster and louder, so as not to leave any gaps!" 

Another version of "Walk Don't Run" captured the primitive sound of The Ventures' original recording quite perfectly. "Temptation" was another thunderously heavy, rockin' arrangement in The Scorpions' own style. Hopefully their original unreleased version will see the light of day sometime, somewhere. "Riders In The Sky" was another sensational performance, to think that John was only 15 years old when they recorded the originals The arrangement was their own.. at the time, they'd never heard of  The Ramrods. I like The Ramrods' version, but it was a tragedy that The Scorpions didn't have a hit too, they deserved it.
"Scorpio" was another torrid rocker, an original by Ted. It still sounds as good today as it did over 30 years ago.

Thanks to the interest shown by the JMAS, The Scorpions have added "Telstar" to their set. Their rugged interpretation is as valid as any and it will be Included on their forthcoming EP. TWO more red hot rocking originals followed in the shape of "Hod Rod Breakdown" and "Last Chance", still the tempo didn't ease up.

Ted switched to bass as John took over lead chores - he too is a fine lead player. "Guitar Boogie" was excellent as John thrashed his instrument viciously, powerchords in abundance, and John added a nice touch by briefly breaking into "Hall of The Mountain King" for a few bars. A similar approach was employed during a feisty, boominq version of The Outlaws' "Swingin' Low". Full marks to The Scorpions again, because it's a seldom heard instro nowadays. As ever, John couldn't resist a bit of controversy as he announced.. " A Chuck Berry instrumental with a few vocal interludes!" 'Johnny B. Goode' was despatched with some aplomb, and there was guitarwork a'plenty during the extended solos. Ted came back to roar through Chet Atkins' "Hocus Pocus" before the dreaded amp failure. There was more to come, but it was not to be. So, a great set from the original line-up. A great evening was drawing to a close, and everyone had had their money's worth and more.