Krautrock Legend Damo Suzuki of Can Dies at 74

Damo Suzuki, the lead vocalist of the influential German band Can, has passed away at the age of 74, as confirmed by the band’s official social media.

The announcement did not specify the cause of Suzuki’s death, although it was revealed that he had been courageously battling colon cancer for the past ten years.

Can expressed their deep sorrow, calling Suzuki a creative force whose impact spanned the globe through his music with Can and his renowned Network Tour.

Noting the losses of former bandmates Michael Karoli, Jaki Liebezeit, and Holger Czukay, Can shared that Suzuki’s spirit will unite with theirs for a celestial jam session.

Can, alongside bands like Kraftwerk and Neu, was at the forefront of the groundbreaking Krautrock movement that emerged in Germany in the late 1960s.

After Can’s original vocalist Michael Mooney departed, Suzuki, a young Japanese musician, was invited to join the group and became their lead singer in 1970.

Suzuki’s distinctive style meshed seamlessly with Can’s experimental and improvisational sound, seen in their seminal albums like ‘Tago Mago‘ and ‘Ege Bamyasi’.

His unconventional vocal approach and abstract lyrics became a hallmark of Can’s music, known for lengthy improvisations that diverged from traditional song structures.

Departing from Can following ‘Future Days’, Suzuki pursued religion, converting to become a Jehovah’s Witness, before returning to music in the early ’80s.

Although he continued to create music through solo projects and tours, Suzuki never reunited with Can after his departure, leaving an enduring legacy in the realm of experimental rock.

His impact on music history and the experimental genre has been widely recognized, with Rolling Stone praising his eclectic performances and unique contributions to the music world.