LEAVING: James Kottak, the talented  for the Scorpions, has reportedly agreed to rejoin his former…See more 

James Kottak, the former drummer for the Scorpions, has passed away at the age of 61. His daughter, Tobi, confirmed that he died on January 9, 2024, in his birthplace of Louisville, Kentucky. The cause of death has not been disclosed. ([nme.com](https://www.nme.com/news/music/former-scorpions-drummer-james-kottak-dies-aged-61-3568370?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Kottak was best known for his tenure with the German hard rock band Scorpions, where he served as the drummer from 1996 until 2016. During his 20-year stint, he contributed to several of the band’s albums, including “Eye II Eye” (1999) and “Return to Forever” (2015). In 2016, he parted ways with the band to focus on his health and spend time with his family. ([blabbermouth.net](https://blabbermouth.net/news/james-kottak-on-his-split-with-scorpions-it-was-actually-a-relief?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Following his departure from the Scorpions, Kottak rejoined Kingdom Come, a band he had been part of in the late 1980s. He continued to perform with them until his passing. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_Come_%28German_band%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

The music community has expressed deep sorrow over Kottak’s death. The Scorpions paid tribute to their former bandmate, stating, “James was a wonderful human being, a great musician, and a loving family man… he was our ‘Brother from another Mother’ and will be truly missed.” ([musicradar.com](https://www.musicradar.com/news/former-scorpions-drummer-james-kottak-dies-aged-61?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Kottak’s dynamic drumming and contributions to the hard rock scene have left an indelible mark on the music world. His legacy will be remembered by fans and fellow musicians alike.