KnuckleBonz

Scorpions - Moscow Music Peace Festival 1989 “Rock Iconz, Egos for Change”

There were many hard rock and music festivals in the 80s and 90s, but none quite so unique as event that spanned August 12^th and 13^th 1989. The Soviet Union was thawing, but still behind the red curtain. None had any sense of the change was queued up.  Nobody that played or attended this festival could imagine the Berlin Wall would come down just 2 years later.  

Organized by Doc McGee’s “Make A Difference” foundation to promote world peace and establish international cooperation in fighting the drug war in Russia, a top tier lineup of hard rock and metal acts would assemble at Central Lenin Stadium in Moscow. Some would question the motivations for staging this event, but it was none the less, it was the 1^st major rock festival in the USSR. A true moment in music history.

Rock Iconz Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue and the Scorpions where the established hard rock and metal veterans on the bill and would be joined by newcomers Cinderella and Skid Row. Egos and controversy were ignited when the more pop centric Bon Jovi was also on the bill and was perceived to receive preference from manager Doc McGhee. Bon Jovi got the closing slot and allowed a longer set and a more elaborate stage production. In “The Dirt”, Crue members Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee reported that McGhee was made to pay a physical price for this slight as well as being fired at the end of the festival.

Perhaps only the Scorpions who has played 10 SOLD OUT shows in Moscow the year prior had any clue of what life is Russia was like at that time. While the west hailed Gorbachov, the typical Russian citizen had a hard time coming by basic necessities in this era. The bands openly talked about trying to find anything to eat during their trip to the festival.  Luckily, the music won out and all the groups put their egos and stomachs aside to deliver top level performances that where broadcast globally by MTV. Yes, they were still playing music on MTV then…sigh.

KnuckleBonz chose this era of the Scorpions as the basis for their new Rock Iconz® Collectible Statues. The Scorps were at the height of their power and perhaps the only band on the bill that could have filled a stadium on any continent in the late 80s. These new limited-edition collectible statues are currently in production and are slated to ship in late fall 2020. They will be joined by a 3D Vinyl® version of the classic “Blackout” album as well a collectible Road Case from the Rock Iconz “On Tour” Series. See all the information on this and other KnuckleBonz Rock Iconz at www.knucklebonz.com