By Monk
James Kottak, drummer with the Scorpions between 1996 and 2016, has died at the age of 61.
He was apparently found dead in the bathroom of his home in Louisville, Kentucjy. His cause of death has not been announced.
Kottak was a founder member of ÜS pomp rockers Kingdom Come, appearing on the band’s first two albums. He also performed with and appeared on albums by Warrant, Wild Horses, Montrose and the McAuley Schenker group before replacing Herman Rarebell in Scorpions. He went on to become the band’s longest serving drummer before being fired for alcoholism and in turn replaced by incumbent Mikkey Dee. Kottak subsequently rejoined the re-united KIngdom Come in 2018.