James Kottak, widely known for his contributions to the German hard rock bands Scorpions and Kingdom Come, has passed away at 61. The details surrounding his death have not yet been disclosed.
The Scorpions confirmed his death via a heartfelt social media post. Kottak passed away in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
Born on December 26, 1962, in Louisville, Kottak had a rich and influential music career.
Kottak started his career with Kingdom Come, a band established by Lenny Wolf. He played a crucial part in their early achievements. Their debut album “Kingdom Come” in 1988 brought them into the limelight, followed by “In Your Face” in 1989. Kottak’s unique drumming style played a significant role in shaping the band’s sound during its early years.
In 1996, Kottak joined the Scorpions, contributing to the band’s legacy until 2016. He was instrumental in the creation of several of the band’s albums, starting with 1999’s “Eye II Eye” and ending with 2016’s “Return to Forever.” His time with the Scorpions affirmed his standing as a noteworthy figure in the rock music industry.
Throughout his career, Kottak collaborated with numerous bands like Montrose, Warrant, Dio, the McAuley Schenker Group, Buster Brown, Black Sheep, and Wild Horses. He also had his own band, Kottak, previously known as KrunK. His adaptability and talent as a drummer were widely acknowledged across these groups.
Despite his successful music career, Kottak dealt with personal issues, particularly alcoholism.
In 2014, during a tour with the Scorpions in the United Arab Emirates, he was taken into custody for public intoxication. This incident led to Kottak’s dismissal from the band in 2016.
Kottak’s bond with the band was profoundly personal. He compared being in a band to a marriage, acknowledging the personal issues that led to his exit from the Scorpions.
In 2018, he rejoined original Kingdom Come members Danny Stag, Rick Steier, and Johnny B for a tour. Frontman Lenny Wolf was not part of this reunion, with Keith St. John, formerly of Montrose and Lynch Mob, taking over vocals.
Kottak was married to Athena Lee, also a drummer and the sister of rock artist Tommy Lee, from 1996 to 2010. They had a son, Matthew, 27. Athena had two other children, Tobi, 33, and Matthew, 31, from previous relationships.
