![According to Metal Sludge, veteran rock drummer James Kottak, who is best known for his work with SCORPIONS and KINGDOM COME, has died. He was 61 years old. Kottak's daughter Tobi told TMZ her father passed away Tuesday morning (January 9) in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was born and lived until 1987, although further details about the exact circumstances weren't immediately available. In addition to SCORPIONS and KINGDOM COME, Kottak had toured with such bands as WARRANT and even DIO for a short run. James was also involved in various other projects, including the 1990s band KRUNK in which he sang lead vocals and played guitar. James's death was also confirmed by his KINGDOM COME bandmate, bassist Johnny "JB" Frank, who took to social media to write: "Rock Forever in Peace Brother James Kottak. James is in Heaven Now". Former JUDAS PRIEST and current KK'S PRIEST singer Tim "Ripper" Owens wrote on social media: "Horrible news about the passing of my buddy, band mate and amazing drummer James Kottak ! We had some great times with A NEW REVENGE/PROJECT ROCK!! Here is a on the road video made to the 'Here's To Us' demo! You will be missed". POISON drummer Rikki Rockett reacted to his friend's death, tweeting simply: "RIP … James Kottak". Another one of Kottak's friends, drummer Troy Patrick Farrell (WHITE LION, TANTRIC, GILBY CLARKE),who previously interviewed James for his "This That & The Other With Troy Patrick Farrell" radio show, chimed in on Kottak's death, writing on social media: "Sad News to report, Alumni Guest of #TTTO and drum bud @JKottak James Kottak has passed. Sad News no doubt". Fellow drummer Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO) wrote: "Rest in Peace . James Kottak . Shocking news , a very sad day ." GREAT WHITE guitarist Mark Kendall, who quit drinking more than 15 years ago and is now a proudly sober recovery advocate, wrote in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter: "I reached out to James Kottak a month ago offering support & help with his alcoholism but he wasn't ready. I could have gotten him into rehab free through connections & I told him that. I'm so sad to hear of his passing. I feel bad for everyone who loved him & he had a grandchild. RIP". Kottak spoke about his alcohol issues in an April 2023 interview with Tulsa Music Stream. He said in part: "I've had a few bouts with booze over the years. But what people don't know is all the years that I was sober. 2008 to 2011. And here a year, and there a year. And when our kids [with his ex-wife Athena Lee, MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee's sister and acclaimed drummer in her own right], were in the oven. I spent a lot of time not drinking. And then I had my moments when I did drink. And that doesn't mean I'm falling down drunk, walking around with a bottle around the house."](https://karkpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1-39.jpg "Former SCORPIONS And KINGDOM COME Drummer JAMES KOTTAK Dead At 61")
According to Metal Sludge, veteran rock drummer James Kottak, best known for his work with SCORPIONS and KINGDOM COME, has passed away at the age of 61.
Kottak’s daughter, Tobi, informed TMZ that her father died on Tuesday morning (January 9) in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was born and lived until 1987. Further details about the circumstances of his death were not immediately available.
In addition to his work with SCORPIONS and KINGDOM COME, Kottak toured with bands such as WARRANT and even DIO for a short period. He was also involved in various other projects, including the 1990s band KRUNK, in which he sang lead vocals and played guitar.
Kottak’s death was confirmed by his KINGDOM COME bandmate, bassist Johnny “JB” Frank, who wrote on social media: “Rock Forever in Peace Brother James Kottak. James is in Heaven Now.”
Former JUDAS PRIEST and current KK’S PRIEST singer Tim “Ripper” Owens expressed his condolences on social media, saying: “Horrible news about the passing of my buddy, band mate and amazing drummer James Kottak! We had some great times with A NEW REVENGE/PROJECT ROCK!! You will be missed.”
POISON drummer Rikki Rockett tweeted simply: “RIP … James Kottak.”
Another friend of Kottak, drummer Troy Patrick Farrell (WHITE LION, TANTRIC, GILBY CLARKE), who previously interviewed James for his “This That & The Other With Troy Patrick Farrell” radio show, wrote on social media: “Sad News to report, Alumni Guest of #TTTO and drum bud @JKottak James Kottak has passed. Sad News no doubt.”
Fellow drummer Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO) wrote: “Rest in Peace. James Kottak. Shocking news, a very sad day.”
GREAT WHITE guitarist Mark Kendall, who quit drinking more than 15 years ago and is now a recovery advocate, posted on X (formerly known as Twitter): “I reached out to James Kottak a month ago offering support & help with his alcoholism but he wasn’t ready. I could have gotten him into rehab free through connections & I told him that. I’m so sad to hear of his passing. I feel bad for everyone who loved him & he had a grandchild. RIP.”
In an April 2023 interview with Tulsa Music Stream, Kottak discussed his struggles with alcohol. He said, “I’ve had a few bouts with booze over the years. But what people don’t know is all the years that I was sober. 2008 to 2011. And here a year, and there a year. And when our kids [with his ex-wife Athena Lee, MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee’s sister and an acclaimed drummer in her own right] were in the oven. I spent a lot of time not drinking. And then I had my moments when I did drink. And that doesn’t mean I’m falling down drunk, walking around with a bottle around the house.”
