The former drummer of the German band Scorpions, James Kottakhas died at the age of 61, as confirmed by the band’s manager to DPA, who adds that the causes of death are still unclear.
“Very sad news. Our dear friend and drummer of 20 years James Kottak has passed away at the age of 61. James was a wonderful human being, a great musician and a loving family man. He was our ‘brother from another mother’‘and we will miss him very much. Rock’n Roll forever”, Scorpions has published from their ‘X’ profile.
Kottak was the band’s drummer over the decades. The band was founded in 1965 and the drummer joined from 1996 until 2016, when he left the group to receive medical attention for an illness, according to the aforementioned media.
His place in the group was then assumed by the former Motörhead drummer Mikkey Deewho is until today part of the band that will go on tour in 2024 to celebrate 40 years of ‘Love at First Sting’.