Uli Jon Roth, the legendary guitarist who helped shape the early sound of Scorpions, will mark the 50th anniversary of the band’s Virgin Killer album with a special performance at next year’s Wacken Open Air festival. The exclusive anniversary show will take place between July 29 and August 1, 2026, in Wacken, Germany, and Roth, now 70, is expected to be joined by “special guests” for the occasion.
Virgin Killer was the first of four studio albums that truly defined Scorpions and their influential, high-energy metallic edge. Released in 1976, it became the band’s first record to gain attention beyond Europe and marked a shift from their psychedelic roots toward a more hard-rock-driven sound. It was also the first time the lineup stayed consistent, featuring Klaus Meine on vocals, Uli Jon Roth on lead guitar, Rudolf Schenker on rhythm guitar, Francis Buchholz on bass, and Rudy Lenners on drums. The album’s nine tracks were recorded with producer Dieter Dierks.
The album is remembered for its heavy riffs, fast arrangements, and the innovative guitar work that Roth brought to the forefront. The record’s standout moments include the powerful grooves and thunderous riffs in Uli’s “Polar Nights” solo, which remains one of the album’s defining highlights. The comparisons to Jimi Hendrix have followed Roth throughout his career, and Virgin Killer is a prime example of why.
Regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Roth pioneered a distinct style that blended technical mastery with strong melodic expression. From the beginning, he carved out a reputation as a fearless musical innovator. He became the first rock guitarist to integrate complex melodic arpeggio sequences into his playing, a contribution that many believe helped reshape modern guitar technique. While his work with Scorpions laid the foundation, Roth’s boundary-pushing creativity continued even more boldly during his Electric Sun years.
