Music aficionados bowl over Scorpions by their enthusiasm

Shillong, Dec 13 (UNI) Thousands of music aficionados in this picturesque city braved the chilly weather to soak themselves in the spell of power ballads, as the top European German rock band 'Scorpions' kicked off the Asian leg of their 'Humanity-Hour I world tour' here last night.

At least 45,000 spectators, from the far-flung Northeastern states as well as other metros in the country, flocked together with Cabinet Ministers and politicians at the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex.

The stadium, with a total capacity of about 30,000, was jam-packed with rock enthusiasts, both young and old. The atmosphere was charged up even before the first stroke on the guitar was made.

Many also gathered at roof-tops and tree-tops near the stadium to savour a glimpse of the band.

''We really rocked like a hurricane, and this was a lifetime experience for all who are here,'' Meghalaya Minister Paul Lyngdoh remarked, after the Scorpions ended their maiden gig in the state with ''When the Smoke is Going Down''.

The band belted out their out their rock anthem ''Rock You Like a Hurricane'' and their singles ''Winds of Change'', ''Still Loving You'', ''Send Me an Angel'' and from the new album ''Humanity Hour 1'', ''Humanity'' and other chartbusters.

''We love Shillong. You are amazing people,'' band founding member and frontman Klaus Meine said after the fans sang along word by word with them.

''It's awesome, we cannot believe it to see people in this part of world, how much they love music. They (the crowd) have also stung us now,'' Floris, one of the band crew-members, said.

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', 'Air Supply' and former Iron Maiden's front man Paul Di Anno, Eric Martin, the voice of ''Mr Big'' and Sepultura.

Earlier, the bands from the region, including ''Great Society'', led by India's very own Bob Dylan, Lou Majaw and ''AKHIA'', performed the opening acts.

''Shillong, being a northern state, has a vast majority who love hard rock, which is different from the southern part of the country,'' band member Matthias Jabs (lead guitar, voice box, vocals) said.

The legendary German band will proceed to Mumbai to perform on December 14 and then take the centre stage at Bangalore on December 16 for the second time.

UNI