The Scorpions (Manchester band)

The Scorpions are a 1960s British beat group, originally from Manchester in England, that became popular notably in the Netherlands. They should not be confused with the hard rock band Scorpions from Germany, or the London-based outfit The Scorpions. Their most important hit was "Hello Josephine", a song written by Fats Domino.<gallery></gallery>

Beginnings

The band started at the beginning of 1961 and consisted of lead singer Peter Lewis, lead guitarist Tony Postill, his cousin Rodney on rhythm guitar, bass player Tony Briley and Mike Delaney on drums. Although the band wasn't known in Manchester, they played in the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool. They didn't release records in the UK. Just like many other British bands, The Scorpions tried their luck on the continent. Not in Germany or France, but in The Netherlands, where the market chances for the band were bigger.

To Holland

In the Netherlands the group was more successful. Dutch booking agent Jan Vis arranged a series of gigs and manager Addy Kleyngeld arranged a Dutch recording contract at CNR. Their first single, Chuck Berry’s Bye Bye Johnny, with Rip It Up on the flipside was released in August 1964. It was not a success. However, CNR believed in the Scorpions and during that year they released three other singles. The third, Hello Josephine, was their own version of Fats Domino's My girl Josephine. In the meantime Briley stepped out and Terry Morton became lead guitarist. Rodney...
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