During a November 11 appearance on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, iconic German guitarist Michael Schenker addressed whether he had been invited to join SCORPIONS’ 60th-anniversary concert scheduled for July 5, 2025, at the Heinz Von Heiden Arena in Hannover. When asked, he replied (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “No, I haven’t. But I will say this — I played a huge role in shaping Rudolf [Schenker, SCORPIONS guitarist and Michael’s brother] as a musician. [Laughs] Honestly, I don’t think he would have reached where he is today without me, and maybe that applies the other way around too. But I’ve had to protect myself from Rudolf. Whenever they want to do something significant and need my name attached, he misuses it. It’s deeply disappointing.”
Michael elaborated further, saying: “He’s seven years older than me, and he’s been a bully for as long as I can remember. He’s been abusive, twisted my image for years, and acts like nothing ever happened. I’ve even asked others, ‘Is this how your older brother treats you?’ and heard, ‘Yes, exactly the same.’ So, I guess it’s just what older brothers do sometimes — they think they own you and can treat you however they like. For Rudolf, I’m just his ‘little brother,’ someone he can dismiss.”
He continued: “I don’t know what motivates people like him, but here’s the truth: I helped the SCORPIONS get their start, and they seem to have forgotten that. It’s not the whole band that’s the problem, but Rudolf is… well, he’s a peculiar person. I can’t figure out what drives him to act this way. Every time I agree to collaborate with him, it turns into an ordeal — he disrespects or exploits me in some way. I’ve reached a point where I can’t let myself get sidetracked by his behavior. I don’t understand why he’s so fixated on proving he’s bigger or better than me.”
Over the years, Michael has been vocal about his brother’s conduct, often accusing Rudolf of dishonesty. He’s alleged that Rudolf appropriated his image, took credit for key contributions, and manipulated the story of Michael’s brief tenure with the SCORPIONS. Michael has also expressed regret for giving Rudolf his share of the songwriting credit on the classic SCORPIONS track “Coast To Coast.” Much of this tension surfaced when Michael was approached to assist with the 50th-anniversary SCORPIONS reissues.
Meanwhile, Rudolf Schenker offered a different perspective during an interview on Trunk Nation on April 12, 2024. “I love my brother,” Rudolf said. “He’s a great guy. I’ve watched him grow since he was a baby, and I’ve always cared for him. I even helped him find his way into various bands early in his career. But he’s an intense person. He’s not someone who thrives in a band dynamic — he’s an exceptional guitarist, but he works best in his own space.”
When asked about their current relationship, Rudolf admitted: “We’re not in contact at the moment. From my side, I’d talk to him right away. [Laughs] I can’t bring myself to be upset with him, even after everything. I understand where he’s coming from when he says what he says.”
