Metal Family Tree

This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

The Scorpions is one of the earliest long running heavy metal / hard rock bands. Their guitar players over the years have been some of the most influential metal guitar players. At the heart of the band has always been Rudolf Schenker on rhythm guitar and Klaus Meine on vocals. Rudolf’s younger brother Michael Schenker did two albums, their first one Lonesome Crow, and then wrapping up the 70’s with Lovedrive. He also co-wrote for the second album (Fly to the Rainbow). Uli Jon Roth was the lead guitarist on the four albums between Michael’s. After that Matthias Jabs stepped in on guitar and has been their since. Other than Herman Rarebell no other bass player or drummer have any writing credits that I know of.

Little Richard one of the most influential rock and roll singers was one of Klaus’s influences.

Elvis often named the king of rock and roll was a big influence on Klause wanting to sing.

The Everly Brothers were a rock and roll/ country duo. They had a big influence on Klaus

The Shadows were an instrumental rock band. They were an early influence on Michael.

The Yardbirds are one of the British bands that made Rudolf want to be a touring band. They are a very important band for having guitar players, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck. Eric Clapton was a big influence on Uli.

The Pretty Things were another British Rock band who Rudolf said he was a big fan of and they covered early on.

Folk rock Simon and Garfunkle were an influence on the softer side of Klaus.

The Rolling Stones wee another of the British bands that had a big impact on Rudolf and who’s songs they covered. Rudolf liked their darker sound compared to the Beatles. Klaus said he was also a fan but prefers The Beatles. There were an early inf… — The Rolling Stones wee another of the British bands that had a big impact on Rudolf and who’s songs they covered. Rudolf liked their darker sound compared to the Beatles. Klaus said he was also a fan but prefers The Beatles. There were an early influence on Michael.

The Who were a big influence on Klaus. Herman named Keith Moon as a big influence.

Small Faces was a psychedelic rock band named as an influence by Herman.

Cream with had a heavy bluesy style. Eric Clapton and Cream was an influence on both Matthias, Uli and Michael and even Klaus. Ginger Baker was big influence on Herman and the reason he started playing double bass.

The Bluesbreakers were an influence on Uli while Clapton was in the band.

Jimi Hendrix had a big influence on many guitar players. After Clapton, Hendrix was a big influence on Uli and Matthias and even Klaus. Herman named the great drummer Mitch Mitchell as an influence.

After his time in the Yardbirds, Jeff Beck formed the Jeff Beck Group which was influential and Matthias, Uli and Michael. Although Herman said the drumming wasn’t as heavy as he likes, he named them as an influence for their drummer’s finesse.

Johnny Winter was a influential blues player who is one of Michael’s influences.

Deep Purple has been a huge influence on many bands. Klaus said he was very impressed with Ian Gillan. Michael also named them as an influence.

Led Zeppelin easily one of the biggest bands in the world during their time. Klaus said they were a big influence on the whole band. Herman was influenced by Bonham’s drumming and Jimmy’s writing. Michael said they had a huge impact on him and named… — Led Zeppelin easily one of the biggest bands in the world during their time. Klaus said they were a big influence on the whole band. Herman was influenced by Bonham’s drumming and Jimmy’s writing. Michael said they had a huge impact on him and named Jimmy Page as an influence.

Although never as big as some of the other hard rock bands of their time, Mountain with guitarist Leslie West has been a big influence on many including Michael.

Rory Gallagher was an Irish blues rock player. Michael named him and his band Taste as an influence.

Black Sabbath are the fathers of metal. Michael is a huge fan of Iommi.

Wishbone ash is a progressive rock band known for their guitar harmonies. Michael named them as an influence.

Queen known for Freddie’s voice and their operatic writing style at times. Herman named them as an influence on him.

Rudolf was first into rock and roll like Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and wanted to be a singer.

Rudolf mentions that Klaus was influenced by The Beatles, and Bee Gees. Uli influenced by Hendrix.

Klaus first wanted to sing after hearing rock and roll like Elvis and Little Richard. He said seeing the Kinks live was an education on how to interact with an audience.

Matthias has been on guitar since Blackout however he has contributed very tittle to song writing. His influences include: Jimi Hendrix, jazz players Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin, Al DiMeola, classical violinist Paganini and Felix Mendelssohn, and blues player Johnny Winter and Jeff Beck

Herman Rarebell was drummer from the late 70’s till 1990 and contributed to writing in that time.

Uli is a big fan of classical violin which helped inspire his more classical sounding playing. He studied classical classical guitar from a student of classic guitarist Andrés Segovia. I am not sure if this was before or after his time in the band. He says that early on he looked up to Emerson Lake and Palmer and later Yes.

Michael Schenker was only on two Scorpion albums (Lonesome Crow and Love Drive) but also co-wrote on Fly To The Rainbow. His influences include: Early on there was The Shadows, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones, then Led Zeppelin, The Jeff Beck Group, Black Sabbath, Cream, Deep Purple, Mountain, Taste (Rory Gallagher), Van Halen (This is after his time in both UFO and Scorpions), Johnny Winter, Wishbone Ash.

Starting with Crazy World there are occasional writing credits for guests or producers.

Bands influenced by Scorpions!

As this project advances, bands will be added here… there are many!

German Thrash and first wave black metal

Power/Heavy Metal from the mind of Gus. G

For the uninitiated who are unfamiliar with the Scorpions, check out our Scorpions 101

Scorpions - 101

Sources:

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/r3zpy8/scorpions-rudolf-schenker-interview
https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/dear-guitar-hero-michael-schenker-talks-sporpions-influences-early-gear-flying-vs-and-more
https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/michael-schenker-picks-10-essential-guitar-albums-568348
http://thebigfootdiaries.blogspot.com/2011/10/five-questions-with-michael-schenker.html
https://rockmusicstar.com/2019/03/22/uli-jon-roth-interview/
http://www.thevinyldistrict.com/storefront/2013/05/uli-jon-roth-the-best-of-the-tvd-interview/
https://www.vintageguitar.com/2851/matthias-jabs/
https://www.musicradar.com/news/scorpions-matthias-jabs-your-solos-dont-have-to-be-easy-to-play-but-they-have-to-be-easy-to-listen-to
https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-10-tracks-that-changed-klaus-meine-s-life#:~:text=It's%20also%20helped%20Meine%20that,The%20Beatles%2C%20who%20I%20love.
https://www.loudersound.com/features/herman-rarebell-the-10-records-that-changed-my-life
http://www.maximummetal.com/interviews/intresults.asp?ID=ulijroth&idBand=1293