Damo Suzuki, the Japanese-born singer for legendary German experimental group Can, has died. He was 74.
Suzuki’s passing was confirmed on Saturday (Feb. 10) via the pioneering krautrock band’s Instagram account. A reason behind dying was not offered, however the Cologne-based musician had been battling colon most cancers for a decade, as revealed in a 2022 documentary, in response to Rolling Stone.
“It’s with nice disappointment that we have now to announce the passing of our great pal Damo Suzuki, yesterday, Friday ninth February 2024,” Can wrote alongside a black-and-white photograph of Suzuki. “His boundless artistic vitality has touched so many over the entire world, not simply with Can, but in addition along with his all continent spanning Community Tour. Damo’s variety soul and cheeky smile might be endlessly missed.”
The group added, “He might be becoming a member of Michael, Jaki and Holger for a unbelievable jam!,” referencing late Can members Michael Karoli, Jaki Liebezeit and Holger Czukay. “A number of like to his household and youngsters.”
Born Kenji Suzuki close to Tokyo, the budding artist left his native Japan as a youngster to journey round Europe, the place he coincidentally met Liebezeit and Czukay whereas acting on the streets of Munich, Germany. The pair invited Suzuki to affix Can onstage that night and he later took over for the band’s unique singer Malcolm Mooney, who appeared on the act’s 1969 debut album, Monster Film.
Suzuki formally joined Can in 1970 and appeared on the band’s traditional run of albums, together with Tago Mago (1971), Ege Bamyasi (1972) and Future Days (1973). He was identified for his improvisational singing fashion, mixing phrases in English and Japanese, which helped outline the group’s sound.
“I don’t prefer to play the identical piece time and again,” Suzuki informed the Guardian in 2022. “Repetition is boring. Each efficiency ought to be a singular expertise.”
Suzuki left Can in 1973 after marrying a German lady and changing to Jehovah’s Witness. He returned with a number of new musical initiatives within the Eighties, together with Damo Suzuki’s Community and Damo Suzuki Band.
With a rotation of vocalists, Can continued on a path of unabated experimentation for 20 years, releasing its swansong, Ceremony Time, in 1989. The group has confirmed amongst probably the most influential in rock historical past, notably for subsequent generations of experimental acts such because the Speaking Heads, Brian Eno, Sonic Youth, and Tortoise.
See Can’s publish about Suzuki’s dying right here.
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