Krautrock legend Holger Czukay, perhaps best known as the co-founder and bassist of German avant-garde rock band Can, has died. He was 79.
Resident Advisor reports that the musician “was found dead today (September 5) in his Weilerswist home, a former cinema that is also the site of Can’s fabled Inner Space Studio.” The report adds: “Construction workers laboring at the complex had not spotted him for a few days, and a neighbor eventually found him lifeless in his apartment. A surgeon was called to the apartment and declared Czukay’s death, the cause of which has not been made public. His death follows the passing of his wife, Ursula, who died July 28th, her 55th birthday.”
After co-founding Can in 1968, the multi-instrumentalist Czukay left the group in the late ’70s and went on to enjoy a successful experimental solo career, his latest effort being 2015’s 11 Years Innerspace. Over the years he had collaborated with David Sylvian, U.N.K.L.E, Brian Eno, Eurythmics, and countless others.
“Can’t think of anything coherent to say, particularly on twitter, dearest Mr Czukay, you’ll be missed so much,” tweeted Mute Records. “Hilarious genius.”
Czukay’s death follows the passing of Can drummer Jaki Liebezeit back in January.
News began to spread on social media around 7 p.m. Boston time, with many taking to Twitter to pay respects and citing Czukay’s various musical contributions. Below is a sampling.