James Kottak, the acclaimed drummer renowned for his work with the German hard rock bands Scorpions and Kingdom Come, has died at the age of 61. The cause of his death has not yet been revealed.
His passing was confirmed through a heartfelt social media post by the Scorpions. Kottak died in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
Born on December 26, 1962, in Louisville, his music career was both diverse and influential.
He joined Kingdom Come, a band formed by Lenny Wolf, playing a key role in their early success. The band gained prominence with their debut album “Kingdom Come” in 1988, followed by “In Your Face” in 1989. His distinctive drumming style significantly shaped the band’s sound during its formative years.
Kottak joined the Scorpions in 1996, contributing to the band’s legacy until 2016. He played a pivotal role in several of the band’s albums, from 1999’s “Eye II Eye” to 2016’s “Return to Forever.” His tenure with the Scorpions solidified his status as a major figure in the rock music scene.
His career spanned numerous musical collaborations with Montrose, Warrant, Dio, the McAuley Schenker Group, Buster Brown, Black Sheep, and Wild Horses. He also had his own band, Kottak, at one time, formerly called KrunK. His versatility and skill as a drummer were widely recognized across these groups.
Despite his successful musical career, Kottak faced personal struggles, most notably alcoholism.
In 2014, while touring with the Scorpions in the United Arab Emirates, he was arrested for public intoxication. This episode led to Kottak being fired by the band in 2016.
His relationship with the band was deeply personal. He likened being in a band to a marriage, acknowledging the personal struggles that led to his departure from the Scorpions.
In 2018, he reunited with original Kingdom Come members Danny Stag, Rick Steier, and Johnny B for a tour. This reunion did not include frontman Lenny Wolf; instead, Keith St. John, formerly of Montrose and Lynch Mob, took on the vocal duties.
Kottak was married to Athena Lee, a drummer and the sister of rock musician Tommy Lee, from 1996 to 2010. They had a son together, Matthew, 27, and Athena had two children Tobi, 33, and Matthew, 31, from two previous relationships.