Klaus Schulze — the pioneering German electronic musician known for his extensive solo catalogue and work with Tangerine Dream, Ash Ra Tempel, the Cosmic Jokers and more — has died. The multi-instrumentalist's family announced his death today, sharing that he passed away Tuesday (April 26) suddenly from an undisclosed illness. He was 74.
"His music will live on and so will our memories," Schulze's family wrote in announcing his death. "There was still so much to write about him as a human and artist, but he probably would have said by now: nuff said! ... You know what he was like: his music matters, not his person…"
Frank Uhle, managing director of Schulze's latest label home SPV, shared in a respective statement, "We lose and will miss a good personal friend — one of the most influential and important composers of electronic music — a man of conviction and an exceptional artist … His always cheerful nature, his innovative spirit and his impressive body of work remain indelibly rooted in our memories."
A formative figure of electronic music, Schulze's work came to inform contemporary styles including ambient, new age, techno and trance. His recording career began as a member of storied German outfit Tangerine Dream, playing drums on their 1970 debut Electronic Meditation. In 1971, he would depart to form krautrock trio Ash Ra Tempel with guitarist Manuel Göttsching and bassist Hartmut Enke. That group would make its debut that year with a self-titled album, now viewed as influential to the genre.
Following the debut of Ash Ra Tempel, Schulze would leave the group to begin his solo career, releasing the musique concrète-indebted Irrlicht and the more synthesizer-oriented Cyborg in 1972 and 1973, respectively. He would also join krautrock supergroup the Cosmic Jokers, appearing on that group's self-titled debut and follow-ups Galactic Supermarket and Planeten Sit-In.
The 1970s saw Schulze continue to expand his solo catalogue, releasing celebrated LPs like 1975's Timewind, 1976's Moondawn and 1979's Dune, the last of which was inspired by Frank Herbert's 1965 science fiction novel. The decade would also see him join short-lived supergroup Go, with Stomu Yamashta, Steve Winwood, Michael Shrieve and Al Di Meola.
Schulze would also record and release music as Richard Wahnfried, and collaborated with fellow German composer Pete Namlook on The Dark Side of the Moog release series, an 11-volume experimental electronic undertaking playing off the song and album titles of Pink Floyd.
More recently, Schulze recorded a second Dune-inspired LP, Deus Arrakis, which is set to arrive via SPV on June 10. Last year, he collaborated with Hans Zimmer on "Grains of Sand" which appeared on the latter's The Dune Sketchbook (Music from the Soundtrack), a further exploration of Zimmer's Oscar-nominated Dune score.
Last December, Zimmer shared upon the announcement of Deus Arrakis, "Klaus Schulze's music has never been as relevant as it is now. The world has finally caught up with a true pioneer. More than ever is Klaus' work the perfect balance between the soul and technology. Electrons as messengers of romance. Acute and profound understanding of electronics as conduits of all things human. A master, an influence and influencer on countless others, still connecting us all with a deep sense of humanity and mystery."
"His music will live on and so will our memories," Schulze's family wrote in announcing his death. "There was still so much to write about him as a human and artist, but he probably would have said by now: nuff said! ... You know what he was like: his music matters, not his person…"
Frank Uhle, managing director of Schulze's latest label home SPV, shared in a respective statement, "We lose and will miss a good personal friend — one of the most influential and important composers of electronic music — a man of conviction and an exceptional artist … His always cheerful nature, his innovative spirit and his impressive body of work remain indelibly rooted in our memories."
A formative figure of electronic music, Schulze's work came to inform contemporary styles including ambient, new age, techno and trance. His recording career began as a member of storied German outfit Tangerine Dream, playing drums on their 1970 debut Electronic Meditation. In 1971, he would depart to form krautrock trio Ash Ra Tempel with guitarist Manuel Göttsching and bassist Hartmut Enke. That group would make its debut that year with a self-titled album, now viewed as influential to the genre.
Following the debut of Ash Ra Tempel, Schulze would leave the group to begin his solo career, releasing the musique concrète-indebted Irrlicht and the more synthesizer-oriented Cyborg in 1972 and 1973, respectively. He would also join krautrock supergroup the Cosmic Jokers, appearing on that group's self-titled debut and follow-ups Galactic Supermarket and Planeten Sit-In.
The 1970s saw Schulze continue to expand his solo catalogue, releasing celebrated LPs like 1975's Timewind, 1976's Moondawn and 1979's Dune, the last of which was inspired by Frank Herbert's 1965 science fiction novel. The decade would also see him join short-lived supergroup Go, with Stomu Yamashta, Steve Winwood, Michael Shrieve and Al Di Meola.
Schulze would also record and release music as Richard Wahnfried, and collaborated with fellow German composer Pete Namlook on The Dark Side of the Moog release series, an 11-volume experimental electronic undertaking playing off the song and album titles of Pink Floyd.
More recently, Schulze recorded a second Dune-inspired LP, Deus Arrakis, which is set to arrive via SPV on June 10. Last year, he collaborated with Hans Zimmer on "Grains of Sand" which appeared on the latter's The Dune Sketchbook (Music from the Soundtrack), a further exploration of Zimmer's Oscar-nominated Dune score.
Last December, Zimmer shared upon the announcement of Deus Arrakis, "Klaus Schulze's music has never been as relevant as it is now. The world has finally caught up with a true pioneer. More than ever is Klaus' work the perfect balance between the soul and technology. Electrons as messengers of romance. Acute and profound understanding of electronics as conduits of all things human. A master, an influence and influencer on countless others, still connecting us all with a deep sense of humanity and mystery."
