While The Scorpions were still slowly trudging their way up in Europe, they were already a recognised force in Japan, and "Virgin Killer" was the first album to be gilded in the land of the rising sun. So it was high time for the first trip to the Far East. Four months after the release of TAKEN BY FORCE, the group arrived in Tokyo in 1978. Four concerts were scheduled, one each in Osaka and Nagoya and two in Tokyo's Nakano Sun Plaza. These two shows were recorded for the live double album TOKYO TAPES, which was also intended as a farewell gift for the departing Uli Jon Roth. TOKYO TAPES impressively documents what has always distinguished The Scorpions: Their rousing and electrifying live presence, immense joy in playing, an intimacy with their audience that produces goosebumps, and of course musical and technical brilliance.
