Occasionally, bands put on a stage show associated only with them. Just like how KISS is one of a kind with their costumes, face makeup, and stage performance, Scorpions did it with the human pyramid. In a recent conversation with Scorpions Brazil, Klaus Meine talked about their famous stunt on stage and KISS band members’ reaction to their performance.
Scorpions have been known to have acrobatic moves to make their gigs more interesting for the audience, and it works every time. The human pyramid had also become an unforgettable part of Scorpions’ old stage shows and the band’s signature stunt for their fans. Even though they stopped doing it for a while, the band was eager to bring their trick back, as Rudolf Schenker revealed to Classic Rock in 2014.
Besides Scorpions, with their high-energy and powerful performances accompanied by dynamic lighting and intricate pyrotechnic displays, KISS is, of course, another band that has brought new life into live performances. With their iconic face paint, flamboyant costumes, smoke machines, and fire breathing, KISS concerts are a sensory overload that leaves fans in awe.
In his interview, Klaus Meine recalled one of their early performances where they did their human pyramid. As he said, KISS happened to be watching, and it was a moment for not only the Scorpions frontman but, apparently, for KISS members. Meine reflected on the look and shock on the KISS band members’ faces when they did their stunt.
Klaus Meine’s words about their pyramid and KISS’ reaction:
“You can never learn something [like this]. Yeah, I think later on when we did the famous pyramid on stage, you know, I think the guys from KISS thought we’re artists, like being in the circus, you know, but it was always fun this kind of thing came out of very spontaneous, and there was so much energy on stage.
So we did something like the pyramid, but in those early days and Uli was filming, we were fooling around, you know, just having fun enjoying ourselves, and I don’t know, it was a pretty high jump, and looked pretty cool. So I was just warming up for what was about to come with the band.”
What came out of a spur-of-the-moment stunt became a vital part of the band’s brand in time. Considering KISS’ over-the-top stage shows which usually turn into visual theater, it is a bit interesting that they were shocked by Scorpions’ human pyramid. All in all, both bands know how to interact with the audience and bring their own unique brand of spectacle to the stage.
