Blackout is the eighth studio album by German rock band Scorpions. It was released in 1982 on Harvest Records and Mercury Records. In the US, the album was certified gold on 24 June 1982 and platinum on 8 March 1984 by RIAA. Rolling Stone ranked Blackout as 73rd on their list of "The 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time" in 2017. Background After losing his voice during the writing of the album lead singer Klaus Meine had to undergo surgery on his vocal cords and was uncertain as to whether or not he would be able to record. Demos of the material were recorded with singer Don Dokken. However none of those recordings are featured on the album and Dokken is only credited with backing vocals. In Kerrang! issue 12, Rudolf Schenker said that he could not choose between his guitar solos on "China White" so the US and European releases differed in this detail. "China White" was used as entrance music for the professional wrestling tag team The Skyscrapers in World Championship Wrestling. A self-portrait of artist Gottfried Helnwein is featured on the cover of the album. Schenker portrays this character in the "No One Like You" music video. Track listing Personnel Scorpions Klaus Meine – lead vocals Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitars, 6 & 12-string acoustic guitars, lead guitars on tracks 4, 8, 9, backing vocals Matthias Jabs – lead guitars, rhythm guitars on tracks 4, 8, 9, 6 & 12-string acoustic guitars, backing vocals Francis Buchholz – bass, backing vocals Herman Rarebell – drums, backing vocals Others Don Dokken – backing vocals Production Dieter Dierks – producer, engineer Gerd Rautenbach – mixing Bob Ludwig and Howie Weinberg – mastering at Masterdisk, New York Charts Album Singles Certifications References 1982 albums Scorpions (band) albums Harvest Records albums Mercury Records albums Albums produced by Dieter Dierks Glam metal albums