James Kottak is dead. The former Scorpions drummer died on January 9, 2024 at the age of 61 in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, according to a report by “TMZ”. The cause of death is not yet known.
Kottak joined the Scorpions in 1996. He was heard for the first time on the 1999 album “Eye II Eye”, and several other releases followed. In 2016 the band announced Kottak’s departure. The reason for this was apparently Kottak’s alcohol consumption. He had already been replaced by Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee, who then became the official drummer of the Hanover rock veterans and remains so to this day.
Kottak has also played in a number of other bands such as Kingdom Come, MSG, Warrant, Wild Horses and Axis. He also had two projects of his own, Krunk and Kottak.
The Scorpions paid tribute to their former member with a posting on their social media channels. “Very sad news… our dear friend and drummer of 20 years James Kottak has passed away at the age of 61… James was a wonderful person, a great musician and loving family man… he was our “brother from another mother” and will be very dear to us miss . … Rock’n Roll forever RIP James,” says the statement, which the band signs with “Klaus, Rudolf, Matthias, Pawel and Mikkey.”
Colleagues mourn
Kottak’s former Kingdom Come colleague Johnny “JB” Frank also released a statement. “Rock Forever in Peace Brother James Kottak. “James is in heaven now,” writes the musician. Former Judas Priest singer Tim “Ripper” Owens also mourns. “Terrible news about the death of my buddy, bandmate and great drummer James Kottak! We had some great times with A NEW REVENGE/PROJECT ROCK!! […] You will be missed,” Owens said.
Scorpions guitarist Matthias Jabs spoke about Kottak’s expulsion in the podcast “Rock Talk With Mitch Lafon” in 2017. “James was a really good friend – and he still is – but we couldn’t move on with him. We gave him every chance and 10 more. And it was something that developed over the years – the drinking habit. It came in waves – sometimes it would be good for four weeks and then there would be drama, and if you know him you know what that’s like. Then when it affects the show, you have to say, ‘Hmmm…’.”