Guitar legend Uli Jon Roth makes a welcome return to Tyneside in front of a full house at the O2 Academy Newcastle.

With this current tour, Uli Jon Roth is taking a retrospective look back at his early days as lead guitarist with The Scorpions. Between 1974 and 1978 Roth released four studio albums and one live record with the legendary German outfit.

Uli’s last concert recording with the group forms the inspiration for his recent live album and current tour, which is simply labelled the Tokyo Tapes Revisited.

Joined by his formidable four-piece backing band and grasping an artillery of his uniquely designed 7 string Sky Guitars Roth takes the Geordie faithful through a marathon set of Scorpions classics.

Uli lights up the stage with the likes of the melodic masterpiece that is “The Sails of Charon” and the blistering “Sun In My Hand”. The latter of which features some sublime twin part guitar harmonies with Ali Clinton, who also opens the show earlier in the evening.

The crowd hangs on every word of hard rocking favourites like “In Trance” before Roth slows down the proceedings with the beautiful acoustic number “Rainbow Dream Prelude”. Throughout the song which is largely performed solo Roth demonstrates his exceptional fingerpicking skills on his double neck Sky Guitar.

During Uli Jon Roth’s phenomenal rendition of “Fly To The Rainbow”, he delivers an exhibition of guitar mastery which culminates in an effect fuelled, explosive conclusion almost reminiscent in places of Jim Hendrix’s performance of the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock.

Uli closes out his main set with a crowd-pleasing performance of “Dark Lady”, which leaves the crowd wanting more.

Having been bowled over by the response they received this evening, the band of course play on with a four-song encore featuring both the Hendrix by way of Bob Dylan classic “All Along The Watchtower” and Jimi’s unmistakable showpiece “Little Wing” as well as the Scorpion’s ballad “Yellow Raven”. Roth informs the audience that the latter was actually written during a UK tour with the group back in 1976.

Next year already looks set to be a busy year for the iconic guitarist with a spot on the forthcoming G3 tour alongside esteemed peers Joe Satriani and Dream Theatre’s John Petrucci. Uli will also be undertaking a new solo tour focusing on his Electric Sun band.

With a career spanning almost 50 years Uli Jon Roth shows no signs of slowing down, long may he continue.

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Uli Jon Roth
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Event Date: 19-Dec-2017

About The Author

Adam Kennedy is an experienced music photographer based in northeast England. He has been shooting concerts for several years, predominantly with the band Vintage Trouble. In 2013, he was one of their tour photographers, covering the UK and Ireland tour including the headline shows and as opening act for The Who. As an accomplished concert photographer, Adam's work has been featured in print such as, Classic Rock Blues Magazine, Guitarist Magazine, Blues in Britain magazine, broadcast on the MDA Telethon on ABC Television in the US, used in billboard advertising for Renaissance Hotels in the US, and featured online via music blogs such as Uber Rock and Guitar Planet. He is also the official photographer at Newcastle Rock and Blues Club.