Mapping The Vast Influence Of Holger Czukay, Alchemist Of Krautrock Legends Can
We are very sad to confirm that Holger passed away yesterday, in his home, the old Can Studio in Weilerswist.
His wife passed away only weeks before. Holger was devastated by the loss of his beloved partner, but was looking forward to making more music and was in good spirits. His passing has come as a shock. — Can, in a statement issued Sep. 6, 2017. Czukay was 79 years old.
In early 1983, the French-born New York DJ François Kevorkian, a drummer who'd proved his mettle as a dance-floor remixer, took the opportunity to make a record of his own for Island Records. It would be a collaborative work with an all-star lineup that included Public Image Ltd. bassist Jah Wobble and U2 guitarist The Edge, as well as the rhythm section for the already-mythical German avant-rockers Can; the sessions would yield the EP Snake Charmer.
Around that time, a young woman making waves of her, he was "so taken with this other project" that there simply wasn't time. Sorry, Madonna — when Can's bassist Holger Czukay said yes, few musicians said no.
