Klaus Schulze, pioneering electronic musician, dies, aged 74

Pioneering electronic musician Klaus Schulze has died.

Known for his groundbreaking use of synths and samples in the 1970s, Schulze was equally regarded for a half-century solo career, as well as work with influential German bands Tangerine Dream and Ash Ra Tempel in the late 1960s and early 1970s. According to a statement shared by his family, he passed away on Tuesday (26th April) following a long illness. He was 74.

“Not only does he leave a great musical legacy, but also a wife, two sons and four grandchildren,” the statement read. “On behalf of him and the family, we would like to thank you for your loyalty and support throughout the years – it has meant a lot!”

Spanning ambient, drone, opera, trance and beyond, the Berlin-born artist released more than 60 studio albums across five decades. Influenced by his recent collaboration with Hans Zimmer on the soundtrack to Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune,’ his final studio album, ‘Deus Arrakis,’ will be posthumously released on 10th June.

“We lose and will miss a good personal friend – one of the most influential and important composers of electronic music,” added Frank Uhle, managing director of Schulze’s label SVP.

“[He was] a man of conviction and an exceptional artist. Our thoughts in this hour are with his wife, sons and family. His always cheerful nature, his innovative spirit and his impressive body of work remain indelibly rooted in our memories.”