'Scorpions' rocking like a hurricane in Shillong

Shillong, Dec 12 (UNI) All roads in Meghalaya's state capital today lead to Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex for the biggest rock concert by the legendary German heavy metal band, 'Scorpions'.

Thousands of music aficionados from far flung northeastern states and other metros in the country, as well as fans from as far as Bangkok, flocked in town to witness the show.

The hard rock band kicked-off the Asian leg of its 'Humanity-Hour I world tour' from Northeast India's rock capital, Shillong. The stands at the Stadium were filled by rock enthusiasts, irrespective of all ages. The atmosphere was charged up even before the first stroke on the guitar chord was made.

The audiences burst into thunderous clamour as the smoking machine puffed out and the 'Scorpions'' front man Klaus Meine and his band members, took the stage.

The band belted out their rock anthem ''Rock You Like a Hurricane'' and their singles ''Winds of Change'', ''No One Like You'', ''Still Loving You'', ''Send Me an Angel'' and from the new album ''Humanity Hour 1'' - ''Humanity'', ''The Future Never Dies'', ''Love Will Keep Us Alive'' among others.

''We never thought of Scorpions, coming to Northeast. This is the show which music lovers from the region and the country as a whole would remember in Shillong,'' said Lily Ralte from Saiha district of Mizoram, bordering Myanmar.

Loken Singh, who flew in this morning from Manipur just to get a glimpse of the ''Scorpions'' band members, lost with words, ''Though, I did not get a chance to see Klaus Meine face to face, but I am happy that I heard his voice live.'' The capital of Meghalaya, known for its passion for Western Music, has emerged as a hot destination for international music bands with recent performances by 'Petra', 'Fire House', 'Michael Learns to Rock'(MLTR), 'Air Supply' and former Iron Maiden's front man Paul Di Anno, Eric Martin, the voice of ''Mr Big'' and Sepultura.

''We feel great. It was indeed amazing to be here and to know that Shillong is the rock capital of India,'' band's founder member and lead vocalist Klaus Meine said.

Eulogising the people for the love of music, Matthias Jabs(lead guitar, voice box, vocals) said ''Shillong, being a northern state has a majority who love hard rock, which he said was different from the southern part of the country.'' The Scorpions will fly to Mumbai to perform there on December 14 and then take the centre stage at Bangalore on December 16 for the second time.

UNI