35 years ago Scorpions released ''Lovedrive''

Lovedrive is the sixth studio album by the German heavy metal band Scorpions, released in 1979. Considered by some critics to be the pinnacle of their career, Lovedrive was a major evolution of the band's sound, exhibiting their "classic style" that would be later developed over their next few albums. Containing such fan favourites as "Loving You Sunday Morning", "Always Somewhere", "Holiday" and the instrumental "Coast to Coast", Lovedrive firmly cemented the "Scorpions formula" of hard rock songs mixed with melodic ballads.

Lovedrive reached No. 55 on the US charts, demonstrating that the band was gathering an international following. The RIAA certified the record as Gold on 28 May 1986, and the album ranked 25 on IGN's list of the top 25 metal albums.

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This is the first album to feature Matthias Jabs on lead guitar, and by extension, the first record to feature the band's "classic" lineup. Jabs replaced Uli Jon Roth, who went on to form his own band, Electric Sun.

Michael Schenker, younger brother of rhythm guitarist Rudolf, who had just split from UFO, recorded the solo guitar parts on "Another Piece Of Meat", "Coast To Coast" and "Lovedrive". At the beginning of their German tour in February 1979 it was announced that Michael had rejoined the band. Scorpions had reluctantly parted with Matthias Jabs again. However, during the tour Michael once again informed his bandmates of his impending departure, which led to Jabs' return.

The album's credits are incorrect in that Michael Schenker also played leads (in addition to Jabs) on Loving You Sunday Morning. The first fill in the first verse (and possibly other fills), and more significantly, the main solo (around 3:08), are by Schenker. Jabs plays the 2nd solo later on in the track, along with various other runs and fills.