An Evening with ULI JON ROTH

Uli Jon Roth is a legendary German guitarist known for his pioneering work in neoclassical metal and his tenure with Scorpions in the 1970s. His virtuosic playing and classical influences helped shape the sound of modern metal guitar.

Roth first gained prominence with Dawn Road, but when Michael Schenker left Scorpions in 1973, Roth joined forces with Rudolf Schenker and Klaus Meine, leading to Scorpions' rise in the hard rock scene. He played on four studio albums:

• Fly to the Rainbow (1974)

• In Trance (1975)

• Virgin Killer (1976)

• Taken by Force (1977)

His final Scorpions release was the live album Tokyo Tapes (1978), which remains a classic. 

After leaving Scorpions, Roth formed Electric Sun, releasing three albums:

• Earthquake (1979) – dedicated to Jimi Hendrix

• Fire Wind (1981) – dedicated to Anwar Sadat

• Beyond the Astral Skies (1985) – dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr.

He later pursued classical compositions, writing symphonies and concertos, and collaborated with artists like Joe Satriani and Michael Schenker.

Roth is known for his Sky Guitar, a custom-designed instrument with extended frets for greater range. His Sky Academy seminars aim to inspire musicians through philosophical and technical teachings. He continues to tour, with upcoming Japan and US dates in 2025.

Roth once turned down a $9 million offer for Jimi Hendrix’s iconic black Strat, believing it belonged to the Dannemann family rather than being a commodity.