James Kottak, the celebrated drummer who made his mark with the German hard rock bands Scorpions and Kingdom Come, has passed away at the age of 61. The details surrounding his death have not yet been disclosed. 

The Scorpions confirmed his death in an emotional social media post. Kottak died in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

Kottak, born on December 26, 1962, in Louisville, had a versatile and impactful career in the music industry. 

He started with Kingdom Come, a band established by Lenny Wolf, and played a significant role in their initial success. The band garnered attention with their debut album “Kingdom Come” in 1988 and “In Your Face” in 1989. Kottak’s unique drumming style was instrumental in shaping the band’s sound in its early years.

In 1996, Kottak joined the Scorpions and contributed to the band’s trajectory until 2016. His contributions spanned several albums from “Eye II Eye” in 1999 to “Return to Forever” in 2016. His time with the Scorpions cemented his position as a significant player in the rock music world.

Kottak’s career included many musical collaborations with bands such as Montrose, Warrant, Dio, the McAuley Schenker Group, Buster Brown, Black Sheep, and Wild Horses. He also led his own band, Kottak, previously known as KrunK. His adaptability and proficiency as a drummer were recognized and appreciated across these groups.

Despite his prosperous musical career, Kottak wrestled with personal issues, particularly alcoholism. 

During a 2014 tour with the Scorpions in the United Arab Emirates, Kottak was arrested for public intoxication. This event led to his dismissal from the band in 2016.

Kottak compared being in a band to being in a marriage, acknowledging the personal difficulties that precipitated his exit from the Scorpions. 

In 2018, Kottak reunited with original Kingdom Come members Danny Stag, Rick Steier, and Johnny B for a tour. Lenny Wolf, the band’s frontman, was not part of this reunion. Instead, Keith St. John, formerly of Montrose and Lynch Mob, assumed the singing responsibilities.

Kottak was married to Athena Lee, also a drummer and the sister of rock musician Tommy Lee, from 1996 to 2010. They had one son, Matthew, 27, and Athena had two children Tobi, 33, and Matthew, 31, from previous relationships.