James Kottak dies aged 61: Ex Scorpions and Kingdom Come drummer passes away in Kentucky
- The musician’s daughter, Tobi, announced that Kottak died Tuesday morning in Louisville, Kentucky
- His cause of death is currently unknown
- Kottak was best known as the drummer for the German rock band Scorpions from 1996-2016 – and was their longest-serving band member
- Kottak was married to Tommy Lee’s younger sister Athena Bass from 1996 to 2010 – the former couple shared son Matthew, now 27
Ex-Scorpions and Kingdom Come drummer James Kottak has died at the age of 61.
The musician’s daughter, Tobi, told the story TMZ Kottak died Tuesday morning in Louisville, Kentucky.
His cause of death is currently unknown.
Kottak was best known as the drummer for German rock band Scorpions – whose hits included Rock You Like a Hurricane and No One Like You – from 1996 to 2016, and was their longest-serving band member.
He was fired from the band in September 2016 due to his alcoholism and replaced by former Motorhead member Mikkey Dee.
Ex-Scorpions and Kingdom Come drummer James Kottak has died at the age of 61
Kottak was best known as the drummer for the German rock band Scorpions from 1996 to 2016 (photo 2010)
Kottak was also an original member of Kingdom Come, serving as its drummer from 1987 to 1989 and again from 2018 until his death.
He played in his own band Kottak, formerly known as KrunK, and was a drummer in the bands Montrose, Warrant, Dio, the McAuley Schenker Group and Buster Brown.
Kottak was married to Tommy Lee’s younger sister Athena Bass from 1996 to 2010 – the former couple shared son Matthew, now 27. Athena is also mother to Tobi, 33, and son Miles, 31 from previous relationships.