Scorpions going out on a high and wild note

The "bad boys running wild" from Hannover, Germany, aka the Scorpions, awed a roaring audience of 20,000-plus at the Pavilion on July 26.

What a way to go - bowing out at the top of your game after decades in the business. The hard-rocking Scorps began in 1965 and have 88 shows lined up for their farewell tour, the "Get Your Sting and Blackout Tour," which started March 15 and will run until 2013.

The last show will be in Dortmund, Germany.

The Scorpions released their final studio album, "Sting in the Tail," March 23 in the states.

Last week in the Duke City, the band tore into the title song, followed by "Make it Real" and one of their hit songs, "Bad Boys Running Wild."

The band showcased non-stop energy as vocalist Klause Meine commanded the stage, wielding his microphone like a guy not feeling his age. Guitarist Rudolf Schenker was a man of energy with his sunglasses, wildman expressions and headbanging.

Guitarist Matthias Jabs was mellow, hitting the musical notes with precise execution.

The stage featured video monitors that flanked the elevated drum kit where everyone could get a good look at drummer James Kottack.

Other high points from the show included "The Zoo," "Coast to Coast," "Loving You Sunday Morning," "The Best is Yet to Come," "Wind of Change," "Holiday," "Raised on Rock," "Tease Me, Please Me," "Dynamite," "Blackout," "Six String Sting," "Big City Nights" and a drum solo called "Kottack Attack."

For the encore - the audience would settle for no less - they obliged with a performance of "No One Like You" and "Rock You Like A Hurricane."

The only pause came during Kottack's drum solo, when he took a moment to remember the late Randy Castillo, the Albuquerque native who drummed for both Ozzy Osbourne and Motley Crue. Castillo, 41, died of stomach cancer in 2002.

Kottack encouraged fans to remember Castillo and to show their appreciation by signing a petition urging West Mesa High School to name its music department in his honor.

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