LOUISVILLE, KY (CelebrityAccess) – James Kottak, drummer for Kingdom Come and former drummer of the Scorpions, passed away Tuesday (January 9). Kottak’s daughter, Tobi, reported to TMZ that her father passed away in Louisville, KY. His cause of death was not disclosed. He was 61.
His former bandmates also posted a note of tribute on their official Facebook page, writing, “Very sad news … our dear friend and drummer for 20 years James Kottak has passed at the age of 61 … James was a wonderful human being, a great musician and loving family man … he was our “Brother from another Mother “and will be truly missed . … Rock’n Roll Forever RIP James.” Klaus , Rudolf , Matthias , Pawel and Mikkey
Kottak joined the Scorpions in 1996, becoming the first American musician to play in the German rock group, according to the Scorpions’ official website. He made his album debut on Eye II Eye in 1999. Kottak left the band in September 2016 and was replaced by Mikkey Dee.
Before the Scorpions, he was the original drummer for the rock band Kingdom Come. He also toured with bands such as Wild Horses, Montrose, Warrant, Buster Brown, and Dio.
Kottak married drummer Athena Lee, sister of rock drummer Tommy Lee, from 1996 to 2010. The couple shared three children: sons Matthew and Miles and daughter Tobi.
RIP.
