Mikkey Dee joins Scorpions permanently and says 'I'm sure Lemmy is proud'
Former Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee has joined Scorpions as a permanent member.
Mikkey has been performing with Scorpions since the end of April when drummer James Kottak took a break on medical grounds.
In a statement on their official website, Scorpions have now confirmed that Mikkey is now a fully-fledged member of the German hard-rock outfit.
They wrote: "We would like to thank James for so many years of lasting participation in the band and personal friendship. We understand and respect his need for time as he makes his way through the final stages of his healing process.
"After our incredibly successful shows in the U.S., Europe and Asia, we are sure to have found a fantastic drummer with Mikkey Dee. He brings a fresh energy to the band and we look forward to the exciting time together that lies ahead."
Mikkey enthused: “I feel truly honoured and fortunate to be able to carry on playing drums on this level.
"I grew up listening to Scorpions and have always loved the band. We have been friends for a long time so traveling and performing this year with Klaus, Rudolf, Matthias and Pawel has been loads of fun and the crew is very professional.
"The Scorpions fans have been most welcoming and it's been great to meet all the crazy wonderful Motörhead bangers along the way.
"I had some close to 25 amazing years with my friends and brothers Lemmy and Phil in Motörhead and that will always be the backbone in my future drumming.
"Lemmy always had great respect for Scorpions for being a real rock band and I am sure he is proud up there that I moved on and for playing with this class act. Here's to many more years of rock and roll."
Mikkey was a member of Motörhead from 1992 until the band disbanded in the wake of Lemmy Kilmister’s death last December.