Former Motorhead drummer Mikkey Dee has been recruited by Scorpions for their upcoming US tour.
He’ll be standing in for James Kottak, who’s had a turbulent recent history with the German outfit, and will bow out temporarily to receive medical attention.
Scorpions frontman Klaus Meine says: “We would like to continue our Return To Forever tour with James – but we have to realise that his health is priority.
“We wish James a speedy recovery. He will be back to rock with us soon.”
Dee has been confirmed to appear at 12 shows in May. He recently cancelled plans to tour with Thin Lizzy, saying the change had taken place over “circumstances that will be announced very soon.”
Scorpions 2016 tour dates
May 06: Charlotte Carolina Rebellion, NC (with Mikkey Dee)
May 07: Atlanta Chastain Park Amphitheatre, GA (with Mikkey Dee)
May 09: Nashville Grand Ole Opry House, TN (with Mikkey Dee)
May 10: St louis Fox Theatre, MO (with Mikkey Dee)
May 13: Las Vegas The Joint At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, NV (with Mikkey Dee)
May 14: Las Vegas The Joint At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, NV (with Mikkey Dee)
May 18: Las Vegas The Joint At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, NV (with Mikkey Dee)
May 20: Las Vegas The Joint At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, NV (with Mikkey Dee)
May 21: Las Vegas The Joint At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, NV (with Mikkey Dee)
May 24: El Paso Don Haskins Center, TX (with Mikkey Dee)
May 25: Albuquerque Isleta Amphitheater, NM (with Mikkey Dee)
May 28: Rocklahoma, OK (with Mikkey Dee)
May 29: San Antonio River City Rockfest, TX (with Mikkey Dee)
Jun 01: Monterrey Arena, Mexico
Jun 03: Mexico City Arena Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico
Jun 04: Guadelajara Auditorio Telmex, Mexico
Jun 18: Hinwil Rock The Ring, Switzerland
Jun 23: Copenhagen Copenhell Festival, Denmark
Jun 25: Tilloloy Chateau De Tilloloy, France
Jun 28: Lisbon Meo Arena, Portugal
Jun 30: Bilbao Arena Miribilla, Spain
Jul 02: Cordoba Plaza De Toros, Spain
Jul 03: Madrid Barclaycard Arena, Spain
Jul 12: Istanbul Kucukciftuk Park, Turkey
Jul 14: Tel Aviv Menora Mivtachim Arena, Israel
Jul 16: Bucuresti Romexpo, Romania
Jul 17: Sofia Arena Armeec, Bulgaria
Jul 20: Athens Plateia Nerou Faliro, Greece
Jul 23: Regensburg Innenhof Schloss Thurn Und Taxis, Germany
Jul 29: Kaarina Rockin’ Kaarina, Finland
Jul 30: Nilsia Rockin’ Tahko, Finland
Aug 01: Carcassonne Festival De Carcassonne, France
Aug 02: Monaco Monte Carlo Sporting Summer Festival, France
Nov 23: Cologne Lanxess Arena, Germany
Nov 25: Leipzig Arena, Germany
Nov 27: Frankfurt Festhalle, Germany
Nov 29: Hamburg Barclaycard Arena, Germany
Dec 02: Berlin Mercedes Benz Arena, Germany