Uli Jon Roth may still be best known for his '70s tenure with famed German hard-rock outfit the Scorpions, but the talented ax maestro's career didn't come to an end when he left the group in 1978. While he contributed songwriting, vocals and incendiary lead guitar that often recalled Jimi Hendrix to such early classics In Trance, Virgin Killer and the seminal live document Tokyo Tapes, Roth's solo career has maintained his status as a six-string deity throughout the world.

One of the first players to explore a melding of rock and classical worlds (along with Yes guitarist Steve Howe and Deep Purple's Ritchie Blackmore), Roth led his Electric Sun ensemble through intricate songs that focused much more on spiritual and political themes than the party-hearty rock of his former band. Playing his custom-designed Sky guitars that had an extended octave range because of their 32 frets, Roth would later move on to writing symphonies and concertos for electric guitar and orchestra.

His most recent album, Under A Dark Sky in 2008, was hailed by some as a return to rock form for the guitar hero. Roth returns to the Bay Area on his current 40th Anniversary Tour that marks the 40th anniversary of his involvement with the Scorpions with a setlist that largely focuses on the five albums he recorded with the band during the '70s. The guitar maestro is joined by/p local bands Stone Senate, Bad Boy Eddy and instrumental power trio Points North.

Uli Jon Roth
Friday, March 1, 8 p.m. $15-$20
Vinnie's in Concord