James Kottak ✝

James Kottak (born December 26, 1962, Audubon Park, Kentucky) is an American drummer. Kottak is best known for his work with the German hard rock band Scorpions, which he joined in 1996. At the time of his firing from the band in 2016, he was their all-time longest-serving drummer, surpassing Herman Rarebell, who spent 18 years in the band.\n', ' Prior to joining Scorpions, Kottak was a drummer for the Bob Brickley Band, Nut House, Mister Charlie, Buster Brown, Montrose, Kingdom Come, Wild Horses, the McAuley Schenker Group, Warrant, and Ashba. He gained early mainstream exposure during his time with Kingdom Come, appearing on the band\'s first two studio albums, the first of which included their biggest hit, "Get it On." This track prominently features Kottak\'s drumming, culminating in a drum solo just before the song\'s conclusion.\n', ' In February 1997, he helped Dio on their US tour by replacing Vinny Appice for four or five shows when Vinny Appice had pneumonia. He also gave drum lessons at Far-Out Music in Jeffersonville, Indiana, once having as students former Bride drummer, Jerry McBroom, and Shane Harrison, who went on to play with country super star Terri Clark. He also played with guitarist Michael Lee Firkins.\n', '