Few rock bands were as successful as the Scorpions by the mid '80s - headlining arenas/stadiums worldwide, scoring two mega-selling albums (the platinum-certified 'Blackout' and the triple-platinum certified 'Love at First Sting') and two hit singles/videos ("No One Like You" and "Rock You Like a Hurricane"). But what quite a few newcomers to the band didn't realize was that the Scorpions had been regularly recording music since 1972, and that throughout the remainder of the decade, featured two guitarists (Michael Schenker and Uli Jon Roth) at separate points that are considered legendary amongst the heavy metal masses. And while such albums as 'Lonesome Crow,' 'Fly to the Rainbow,' 'In Trance,' 'Virgin Killer,' 'Taken by Force,' 'Tokyo Tapes,' and 'Lovedrive' did not come close to obtaining the commercial success of the aforementioned '80s era efforts, they inspired and influenced countless renowned musicians. 'German Metal Machine: Scorpions in the '70s' is the first-ever book to focus solely on this period of the band. Interviews include such former members as Michael Schenker, Uli Jon Roth, Francis Buchholz, and Herman Rarebell, longtime Scorpions producer Dieter Dierks, plus members of other bands that are major admirers, including KK Downing (Judas Priest), Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Joe Satriani, Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith), David Ellefson (Megadeth), Alex Skolnick (Testament), and Eddie Trunk ('That Metal Show'), among many others, while Kirk Hammett (Metallica) provides a foreword. "This is a great book for Scorpions fans! It takes you back to the days when the band started and five friends conquered the world!" --Herman Rarebell (Scorpions drummer, 1977-1995) "German Metal Machine -Scorpions in the '70s is a field day for Scorpions fans! Greg Prato's book is a page turner from the foreword to the last chapter. Just thrilling and with much information even I'd forgotten..." -- Dieter Dierks (Scorpions producer: 1975-1988) "Open this book at any page and be transported back to a time when the band poured their hearts and souls into writing and recording majestic anthems 'The Sails of Charon' and 'We'll Burn the Sky'." -- Sea of Tranquility "GERMAN METAL MACHINE is a great book about a great band...should be in the library of every Scorpions fan." -- Metal-rules "I enjoyed reading the book and remembering the old catalogue of the Scorpions." -- Skylight