sad, sad, sad...
Michael Karoli, guitarist, violinist, and vocalist for legendary German
experimental act Can, died Saturday at the age of 53. Although a cause of
death is not yet known, bandmate Holger Czukay reports on his official Web
site that the musician "died unexpectedly while playing his favorite
instrument."
The youngest member of the group, Karoli first met Can bassist Czukay as a
guitar student in Switzerland in May 1966. Later linking up with drummer
Jaki Liebezeit and keyboardist Irmin Schmidt, the group's line-up was
solidified in time for 1968's "Monster Movie." Can's formidable reputation
was then cemented after a stunning series of early albums made with American
vocalist Malcolm Mooney ("Monster Movie") and Japanese singer Damo Suzuki
("Tago Mago," 1971; "Ege Bamyasi," 1972; "Future Days," 1973).
With a rotation of vocalists, Can continued on a path of unabated
experimentation for 20 years, releasing its swansong, "Rite Time," in 1989.
The group has proven amongst the most influential in recent rock history,
particularly for subsequent generations of experimental acts such as the
Talking Heads, Brian Eno, Sonic Youth, and Tortoise.
On his Web site, Czukay reveals he last spoke to Karoli in October by phone
to arrange a video interview so that the pair could go through their "common
history." Hinting that Karoli was ill at the time of his death, Czukay
writes, "[Michael] suggested to wait a bit longer, as it would appear to him
speaking out his final testament. Thinking of his young children he tried to
avoid this thought as they strongly needed [their] father. This afternoon I
tried to confirm a date, a few hours too late."
While the group's core lineup had not performed under the Can moniker since
1977, its members have remained in close contact, frequently guesting on
each other's recordings. Since 1997, Karoli, Czukay, Schmidt, and Liebezeit
have staged a series of concerts featuring each of their solo projects. Next
year, the group's own Spoon Records is planning to release a live album and
DVD drawing from the 1997 and 1999 editions of these shows, as well a
vintage 1973 performance.
-- John D. Luerssen & Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.; Chris Morris, L.A.
quoted 38 lines From: "anna ." <orunge@hotmail.com>
>From: "anna ." <orunge@hotmail.com>
>To: idm@hyperreal.org
>Subject: [idm] RIP Michael Karoli (Can)
>Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2001 23:54:10 -0500
>
>just saw this posted on the Mute site.
>i'm sure there must be some Can fans among the list members...
>
>-am
>
>
>Michael Karoli
>29.4.1948 - 17.11.2001
>
>Can's guitarist and founder Michael Karoli was born in 1948, and died
>Saturday morning, 17th November 2001 at the age of 53.
>
>Michael's influence on Can's musical direction was immeasurable and the
>inspiration he brought to so many of us will live on in the music of the
>future.
>
>We are deeply saddened by this loss and our condolences go out to his
>family
>and his Can colleagues.
>
>You may offer your condolences at www.spoonrecords.com
>
>
>
>
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