"Winds of Change," the latest hit from the German rock band Scorpions, has proven prophetic.
"We finished writing `Winds of Change' three months before the (Berlin) wall came down," Rudolf Schenker said during a telephone interview with the Deseret News. Schenker is the group's lead guitarist and one of its founding members. "I was in Paris and the television was on when we saw pictures of people dancing on the wall. I thought, `What is this, a prank?' It was something no one expected to happen so fast.""Winds," a haunting ballad of hope and understanding that encourages East and West to pull closer together, skyrocketed to No. 1 on charts in most European countries and is doing well in the United States. Schenker said the group hopes its current tour, which includes a Saturday, June 15, stop at ParkWest with Great White and Mr. Big, will add momentum to the song's popularity. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.
Schenker said the idea for "Winds of Change" was spawned during a tour of the Soviet Union where the Scorpions shared billing with the Soviet band Gorky Park.
"We were sitting around talking afterwards and I was surprised at how nice they were," Schenker said. As the group members talked, they learned that each had been taught the same thing - from different perspectives.
"We (Scorpions) had always been taught that Russians were bad people, that they were looking for war," Schenker said. "We found out they were told the same things about Germans.
"Imagine the feelings of hate this can create. People have to begin talking to each other and break down these kinds of images."
Schenker said he hopes the Scorpions can do their part through their music and by continuing to tour worldwide. "Music can only do a little bit - to try and give a little hope and help understand others a little better. The leaders, they have to take the lead."
Schenker seemed puzzled when asked about the band's heavy metal image.
"We've been together since 1972. There was no heavy metal then. It's a label that someone else is putting on us. We've always played our kind of music and we see ourself as a rock and roll band. Our music speaks for itself."
And how has the band managed to remain intact over the past 18 years?
"We are all good friends and we have a good chemistry. Some bands look for the best musicians and then when they get out on the road, they find there is no chemistry and they fall apart.
"We are a band that plays for the band. We try to do everything for the band. We're five friends going off to work and to play in front of other friends."
Schenker said he believes the band's popularity will continue as long as it continues to have fresh thoughts and fresh things to say. And experience helps.
"How long and how old is not important. So many young bands try to play a million notes in one second. It shows they have no music experience. We can show our experience in our records, and our fans seem to like that.
"Rock is getting older. Those that listened years ago are still listening. There's no reason (for us) to quit. As long as we have something to say and our records continue to sell and we have successful tours, we will keep rocking."