Former Motörhead Drummer Mikkey Dee About Playing With Scorpions: ‘Let’s Bring Scorpions Back To End Of ’70s’

Nearly nine years after joining the iconic German rock band Scorpions, former Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee has opened up about his approach to integrating with such a long-standing and established group. In a new interview with SonorDrumTube, Dee discussed his philosophy of bringing his own energy while respecting the band’s deep-rooted legacy.

“Well, it’s not easy to join already established, great, big bands,” Dee stated (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “With the Scorpions — I mean, here are guys [who] played [together] for 60 years now… how can I come into a band [and] help them get better without destroying what they already know? I cannot go in and say, ‘I know how you’re gonna sound.’ No. They know how they wanna sound. It’s for me to adjust, and at the same time as I adjust to them, they have to adjust to me, because I’m bringing in some other feeling.”

Dee explained that his intention upon joining was clear: “My idea with Scorpions [was] to bring tightness, heaviness. Let’s bring Scorpions back to end of ’70s where [there is a] happiness that everybody playing on stage, smiling to each other and having a good time on stage.”

He emphasized his role as the band’s anchor, stating: “I have to be the rock back there, and they need to know if they do anything wrong or f**k up, they know that I’m not f**king up… you have to earn their trust and over and over show them that you are the mouth you say you are.”

The journey to becoming a Scorpion began in early 2016, shortly after the passing of Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister at the end of 2015. Recalling the moment at an October 2024 press conference, Dee said, “Matthias [Jabs, Scorpions guitarist] called… and said, ‘Are you in Göteborg [Gothenburg, Sweden], Mikkey?’ I go, ‘Yeah.’ ‘Can you come to Luxembourg tomorrow?'”

Initially, Dee was brought in to help out while then-Scorpions drummer James Kottak was dealing with health issues. “I was basically just standing by at that time,” Dee explained. “And then I finished off the year and here I am, and we’re going on the ninth year… Nine next year.”

Reflecting on his nearly decade-long tenure, which included the release of the 2022 album Rock Believer, Dee remarked on how quickly time has passed. “If you asked me, I’d say, ‘Yeah, I’ve been playing with these crazy guys for about four years.’ But we’re talking nine, so time’s flying.” He views his transition to the Scorpions as “something bad turned into something pretty good,” adding, “As Lemmy’s passing and then joining this band, I wanted to bring some power and tightness and a little bit of Motörhead into the mighty Scorps.”

With the band approaching its 60th anniversary, Dee expressed his enthusiasm for the future: “Hopefully many more years to come. And we’re starting off with the 60th [anniversary] next year, so that’s a great honor to be a part of that.”