Former Scorpions and Kingdom Come drummer James Kottak died Tuesday morning in Louisville, Kentucky at 61. No cause of death has been given by his daughter, Tobi.
Scorpions paid tribute to Kottack in a Facebook post.
“Very sad news … our dear friend and Drummer for 20 years James Kottak has passed at the age of 61,” the band wrote alongside a black-and-white image of Kottak. “James was a wonderful human being , a great musician and loving family man … he was our Brother from another Mother and will be truly missed . … Rock ‘n Roll Forever. RIP James.”
Kottak was the drummer for Scorpions for its biggest hit, 1984’s Rock You Like a Hurricane, and played with them from 1996 to 2016, the longest stint for any member in the band.
Before that, he was the original drummer for another German hard rock band, Kingdom Come, from 1987 to 1995.
In a sideline, Kottak also made some reality TV show appearances, including 2012’s Ex-Wives of Rock.
Kottak struggled with alcoholism, and was arrested for public drunkenness in 2014. His illness caused him to be fired by Scorpions in 2016.
“We reached the point — or he reached the point —where it was just not worth it,” said 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 also came out about his politically conservative views with his song, Get Out of My Kountry.
Survivors and memorial plans have not been released.
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Source: DLine
