Former Scorpions and Kingdom Come drummer James Kottak died Tuesday morning in Louisville, Kentucky at 61. No explanation for dying has been given by his daughter, Tobi.
Scorpions paid tribute to Kottack in a Fb put up.
“Very unhappy information … our expensive good friend and Drummer for 20 years James Kottak has handed on the age of 61,” the band wrote alongside a black-and-white picture of Kottak. “James was a beautiful human being , an incredible musician and loving household man … he was our Brother from one other Mom and will probably be actually missed . … Rock ‘n Roll Endlessly. RIP James.”
Kottak was the drummer for Scorpions for its largest hit, 1984’s Rock You Like a Hurricane, and performed with them from 1996 to 2016, the longest stint for any member within the band.
Earlier than that, he was the unique drummer for one more German onerous rock band, Kingdom Come, from 1987 to 1995.
In a sideline, Kottak additionally made some actuality TV present appearances, together with 2012’s Ex-Wives of Rock.
Kottak struggled with alcoholism, and was arrested for public drunkenness in 2014. His sickness precipitated him to be fired by Scorpions in 2016.
“We reached the purpose — or he reached the purpose —the place it was simply not value it,” mentioned Scorpions guitarist Matthias Jabs.
The Louisville-born Kottak was married to Tommy Lee‘s sister Athena from 1996 to 2010. A custody battle ensued over their son, Matthew.
In 2019, Kottak additionally got here out about his politically conservative views along with his music, Get Out of My Kountry.
Survivors and memorial plans haven’t been launched.
