Herman Rarebell
Herman Rarebell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | November 18, 1949 |
| Origin | Schmelz, Germany |
| Genres | Hard rock, heavy metal |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, record producer |
| Instrument(s) | Drums, keyboards |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Labels | Dark Star |
| Website | www |
Herman 'Ze German' Rarebell (born November 18, 1949 as Hermann Erbel) is a German drummer, best known for his time in the band Scorpions from 1977 to 1995, playing on 8 studio albums. Rarebell was an important composer in the history of the group, writing classic songs like "Another Piece of Meat", "Falling in Love" and the second single from Savage Amusement "Passion Rules the Game". He wrote the lyrics for some of the most classic songs of the band like "Rock You Like a Hurricane", "Make It Real", "Dynamite", "Blackout", "Arizona", "Bad Boys Running Wild", "Don't Stop at the Top", and "Tease Me Please Me".
In 1982 he released his first solo album Nip in the Bud (which he re-recorded as Herman ze German & Friends with the help of some friends of his as guest, such as members of Dokken, Great White, Ratt etc.) He remains the only member of Scorpions to have released a solo project while still a full member of the band.
Later on, he co-created Monaco Records with Prince Albert of Monaco .
He participated in the Drum Legends project with his friend Pete York (ex Spencer Davis Group) and Jazz drummer Charly Antolini and released a live CD & DVD.
On August 3, 2006 he joined Scorpions onstage at the Wacken Open Air Festival, as a special guest along with Ulrich Roth and Michael Schenker.
Rarebell released I'm Back in June 2007 on Mausoleum Records, with touring in the United States, Europe and Japan.
In 2009 Herman returned with his new band Herman Ze German to perform at Rocklahoma. HZG featured Herman with guitarist Duke Jackson of Strikforce, bassist Joe Council of PUSH, and singer Timexx nasty of Drivin Rain and Beggars Jury. Herman Rarebell signed with Dark Star Records in 2010.
To preserve his legacy within Scorpions, Rarebell released his autobiography in late 2011, "And Speaking of Scorpions..." Written with the aid of an American writer, Michael Robert Krikorian of Pleasanton, California, the frank and extremely humorous book chronicles not only his vast contributions to Scorpions but his philosophies on life and music.
In 2012 Herman toured with Michael Schenker on the Japanese and European dates of his Temple of Rock tour, alongside another former member of Scorpions, Francis Buchholz.
Setup
Rarebell has been a long time user of Ludwig drums and Paiste cymbals, which he used for his entire duration with Scorpions, though he would occasionally alter the amount of drums and cymbals he would have on his setup.
Paiste cymbals:
15" 2002 sound edge hi-hats
10" 2002 splash
18" 2002 crash
20" 2002 crash
22" 2002 heavy ride
18" 2002 china
Original 1981 setup:
15" 2002 sound edge hi-hats or 15" RUDE sound edge hi-hats
18" 2002 crash
18" 2002 medium
18" 2002 ride or 18" RUDE crash/ride
19" 2002 medium
20" 2002 medium or 20" RUDE ride/crash
20" 2002 ride
20" 2002 heavy ride
18" 2002 china type
38" Symphonic gong
Rarebell also occasionally used cymbals from Paiste's 3000 series as well upon their release in 1986, but would still usually stick to a mostly 2002 series setup.
Discography
Solo:
- 1981 - Nip in the Bud
- 1986 - Herman Ze German
- 1986 - Herman Ze German And Friends (Single) Wipe Out b/w Pancake
- 2005 - Drum Legends(Rarebell/York/Antolini)
- 2007 - I’m Back (released in Germany, not distributed in the US)
- 2008 - My Life as a Scorpion
- 2008 - Herman's Collection (Best of solos)
- 2010 - Herman Ze German + My life as a Scorpion Box set
- 2010 - HZG- "Top of the Rock" (Single) [1]
- 2010 - Take It As It Comes (US version of "I’m Back") [2]
- 2013 - Acoustic Fever
References
- ^ "Herman Rarebell "Top of the Rock" (single) Sweet Sounds/Interscope, Produced by Duke Jackson". Sweetsounds.us. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
- ^ "Herman Rarebell Discusses 'Take It As It Comes' Solo Album In Interview - Sep. 8, 2010". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
