HERMAN ZE GERMAN herman ze german & friends ECS-91158

Scorpions Drummer Goes Solo: Herman Ze German’s ‘Friends’ (ECS-91158)

Today’s entry highlights a fun slice of 80s hard rock history from the man behind the kit for the Scorpions. We are looking at the 1986 Japanese Promo Sample pressing of Herman Ze German & Friends by Herman Ze German, released on Capitol Records with the catalog number ECS-91158.

A Hard Rock All-Star Party

Released on February 21, 1986, this album is the solo project of Herman Rarebell, the legendary drummer for the Scorpions. True to its title, the record features a “who’s who” of the 1980s metal scene. The guest list is staggering: Don Dokken (Dokken) provides vocals and production assistance, while Jack Russell (Great White) and Juan Croucier (Ratt) lend their talents to tracks like “Junk Funk” and “Messing Around.” A standout moment is the appearance of rock icon Steve Marriott (Small Faces, Humble Pie) on the track “Having A Good Time.” The album is a celebration of the era’s high-energy, anthem-driven sound, produced with the help of Michael Wagener.

Rare White Label Promo

This specific copy is a highly collectible Promo Sample. Unlike the standard commercial release, the vinyl features White Labels, a trait prized by serious collectors for its rarity. The jacket includes the original Obi strip, and a “Sample” sticker is affixed to the back cover, identifying it as a copy originally distributed to media outlets.

Japanese Manufacturing

Manufactured by Toshiba EMI in Japan, this pressing offers the superior audio quality associated with Japanese vinyl of the mid-80s. The artwork, directed by Roy Kohara, captures the playful yet heavy spirit of the project.