Damo Suzuki, lead singer of the influential rock band Can, has died at the age of 74

Damo Suzuki, the iconic voice behind the German band Can during their most innovative period, died on Friday (9/2) at the age of 74. The news was confirmed by Can’s official Instagram this Saturday (2/10), without mentioning the cause of death. Suzuki, who lived in Cologne, Germany, had been battling colon cancer since 2014, a disease he was facing for the second time, after a first diagnosis at the age of 33.

Born Kenji Suzuki in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, the singer left his home country at a young age, immersing himself in European hippie culture. His career with Can began in an unusual way in 1970, when he was discovered by founding members Holger Czukay and Jaki Liebezeit while busking on the streets of Munich.

Impact on avant-garde rock

Suzuki replaced the original singer, Malcolm Mooney, and quickly integrated into the band’s experimental style, helping Can become one of the most revered and influential bands in the world amid the emergence of krautrock, the distortion-heavy German rock. Despite having precursors in the Velvet Underground, Can still represented rock far ahead of its time, so much so that the band’s shows were greeted with shock by the hippie youth of their time.

The singer is remembered for his method of vocal improvisation, mixing English, Japanese and invented languages, which became essential to Can’s unique sound. His presence contributed to the creation of masterpieces such as “Tago Mago” (1971), “Ege Bamyasi” (1972) and “Future Days” (1973), albums that influenced the most diverse musicians, such as David Bowie, Television, Talking Heads, Bauhaus, The Fall, Sonic Youth and Radiohead, and they continue to be avant-garde references to this day.

Solo career and awards

He left Can in 1973, after marrying and joining Jehovah’s Witnesses, spending a decade away from music before venturing into solo projects and collaborations. Upon his return in the 1980s, he fronted the Damo Suzuki Band and the Damo’s Network label. His latest album, “Arkaoda”, was released in 2022, in collaboration with Damo Suzuki and Spiritczulic Enhancement Center.

His importance was highlighted during his lifetime by other artists. In 1985, the British band The Fall released the song “I Am Damo Suzuki”, inspired by the singer. A decade later, New York band The Mooney Suzuki, formed in 1996, chose their name from a combination of the names of Damo Suzuki and Can’s first singer, Malcolm Mooney.

Can’s farewell to Suzuki was an emotional one: “It is with great sadness that we must announce the passing of our wonderful friend Damo Suzuki. His boundless creative energy touched many people around the world. The kind soul and cheeky smile Damo will be missed forever. We will join Michael, Jaki and Holger for a fantastic jam!”

Source: Terra

Earl

Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.