58-776: Kenji Suzuki ( 鈴木健次 , Suzuki Kenji , 16 January 1950 – 9 February 2024) , known as Damo Suzuki (ダモ鈴木), was a Japanese musician best known as the vocalist for the German Krautrock group Can between 1970 and 1973. Born in 1950 in Kobe , Japan, he moved to Europe in the late 1960s where he was spotted busking in Munich , West Germany , by Can bassist Holger Czukay and drummer Jaki Liebezeit . Can had just split with their vocalist Malcolm Mooney , and asked Suzuki to sing over tracks from their 1970 compilation album Soundtracks . Afterwards, he became their full time singer, appearing on
116-450: A Jehovah's Witness but left the organisation, considering himself a believer in the Bible without membership in any denomination or church. He was first diagnosed with colon cancer when he was 33 years old, a disease that claimed his father's life when Suzuki was five years old. He was diagnosed with colon cancer again in 2014 and given a 10% chance of survival. He died on 9 February 2024 at
174-543: A popular music distinct from traditional German music and American pop. The period contributed to the development of ambient music and techno , and influenced subsequent genres such as post-punk , new-age music , and post-rock . Krautrock has been described as a broad genre encompassing varied approaches, but commonly drawing on psychedelia , avant-garde collage, electronic sounds, and rock music , while typically featuring "improvisation and hypnotic, minimalistic rhythms." Los Angeles Magazine summarized
232-612: A "genuine sense of awe and wonder." We were trying to put aside everything we had heard in rock 'n' roll, the three-chord pattern, the lyrics. We had the urge of saying something completely different. Core influences on these German artists included avant-garde composers Karlheinz Stockhausen and Terry Riley , and bands such as the Mothers of Invention , the Velvet Underground , the Beatles , and Pink Floyd . A significant influence
290-451: A "genuine sense of awe and wonder." We were trying to put aside everything we had heard in rock 'n' roll, the three-chord pattern, the lyrics. We had the urge of saying something completely different. Core influences on these German artists included avant-garde composers Karlheinz Stockhausen and Terry Riley , and bands such as the Mothers of Invention , the Velvet Underground , the Beatles , and Pink Floyd . A significant influence
348-466: A humorous umbrella-label for the diverse German scene, and although many such artists disliked the term, it is no longer considered controversial by German artists in the 21st century. Despite this, English-language authors remain critical of it. The movement was partly born out of the radical student protests of 1968 , as German youth rebelled against their country's legacy in World War II and sought
406-540: A new popular culture. Dieter Moebius , of the bands Cluster and Harmonia , noted that "we were a lot of the times on the streets instead of studying. As young people we were not very proud to be German [...] we were all tired of listening to bad German music and imitations of American music. Something had to happen." The movement saw artists merge elements of varied genres such as psychedelic rock , avant-garde forms of electronic music , funk rhythm, jazz improvisation and "ethnic" music styles, typically reflecting
464-540: A new popular culture. Dieter Moebius , of the bands Cluster and Harmonia , noted that "we were a lot of the times on the streets instead of studying. As young people we were not very proud to be German [...] we were all tired of listening to bad German music and imitations of American music. Something had to happen." The movement saw artists merge elements of varied genres such as psychedelic rock , avant-garde forms of electronic music , funk rhythm, jazz improvisation and "ethnic" music styles, typically reflecting
522-510: A succession of other musical styles and developments. Early contemporary enthusiasts outside Germany included Hawkwind and in particular Dave Brock who supposedly penned the sleeve notes for the British edition of Neu!'s first album. Faust's budget release The Faust Tapes has been cited as a formative teenage influence by several musicians growing up in the early 1970s such as Julian Cope , who has always cited krautrock as an influence, and wrote
580-460: A succession of other musical styles and developments. Early contemporary enthusiasts outside Germany included Hawkwind and in particular Dave Brock who supposedly penned the sleeve notes for the British edition of Neu!'s first album. Faust's budget release The Faust Tapes has been cited as a formative teenage influence by several musicians growing up in the early 1970s such as Julian Cope , who has always cited krautrock as an influence, and wrote
638-488: Is a broad genre of experimental rock that developed in West Germany in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It originated among artists who blended elements of psychedelic rock , avant-garde composition, and electronic music , among other eclectic sources. Common elements included hypnotic rhythms, extended improvisation , musique concrète techniques, and early synthesizers , while the music generally moved away from
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#1733085390834696-552: Is a subjective British phenomenon", based on the way the music was received in the UK rather than on the actual West German music scene out of which it grew. For instance, while one of the main groups originally tagged as krautrock, Faust , recorded a seminal 12-minute track they titled " Krautrock ", they would later distance themselves from the term, saying: "When the English people started talking about krautrock, we thought they were just taking
754-457: Is a subjective British phenomenon", based on the way the music was received in the UK rather than on the actual West German music scene out of which it grew. For instance, while one of the main groups originally tagged as krautrock, Faust , recorded a seminal 12-minute track they titled " Krautrock ", they would later distance themselves from the term, saying: "When the English people started talking about krautrock, we thought they were just taking
812-471: Is also used as a German analogue to the English term " space rock ". The style was often instrumental and characterized by "spacy", ambient soundscapes. Artists used synthesizers such as the EMS VCS 3 and Moog Modular , as well as sound processing effects and tape-based approaches. They often rejected rock music conventions, and instead drew on "serious" electronic compositions. The term "kosmische Musik"
870-422: Is also used as a German analogue to the English term " space rock ". The style was often instrumental and characterized by "spacy", ambient soundscapes. Artists used synthesizers such as the EMS VCS 3 and Moog Modular , as well as sound processing effects and tape-based approaches. They often rejected rock music conventions, and instead drew on "serious" electronic compositions. The term "kosmische Musik"
928-516: The Sex Pistols to Happy Mondays . Suzuki's vocals became more confident and defining with Can's 1972 album Ege Bamyası , as evidenced in the songs " Vitamin C " and " Spoon ". The band developed a more atmospheric sound for Future Days (1973), their final album with Suzuki. However, following the album's release, Suzuki quit the band and joined the Jehovah's Witnesses , taking a break from music for
986-461: The rhythm & blues roots and song structure found in traditional Anglo-American rock music . Prominent groups associated with the krautrock label included Neu! , Can , Faust , Tangerine Dream , Kraftwerk , Cluster , Ash Ra Tempel , Popol Vuh , Amon Düül II and Harmonia . The term "krautrock" was popularised by British music journalists as a humorous umbrella-label for the diverse German scene, and although many such artists disliked
1044-431: The 1960s and early 1970s. The music was partially inspired by broad cultural developments such as the revolutionary 1968 German student movement , with many young people having both political and aesthetic concerns. Youth rebelled against both dominant American influence and conservative German entertainment such as schlager music , seeking to liberate themselves from Germany's Nazi legacy in World War II and create
1102-431: The 1960s and early 1970s. The music was partially inspired by broad cultural developments such as the revolutionary 1968 German student movement , with many young people having both political and aesthetic concerns. Youth rebelled against both dominant American influence and conservative German entertainment such as schlager music , seeking to liberate themselves from Germany's Nazi legacy in World War II and create
1160-521: The American and British groups' emphasis on jazz and classical elements in favor of "a droning, pulsating sound that owed more to the avant garde than to rock & roll." Some common musical features exhibited by krautrock artists include: Despite a common approach and generational attitude among artists, the New Statesman argues that "in truth, no two Krautrock acts sound remotely alike. Compare
1218-416: The American and British groups' emphasis on jazz and classical elements in favor of "a droning, pulsating sound that owed more to the avant garde than to rock & roll." Some common musical features exhibited by krautrock artists include: Despite a common approach and generational attitude among artists, the New Statesman argues that "in truth, no two Krautrock acts sound remotely alike. Compare
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#17330853908341276-714: The Lizard Wizard and Minami Deutsch have been described as krautrock, or have noted krautrock as influential on their styles. Citations Bibliography Krautrock Krautrock (also called kosmische Musik , German for "cosmic music" ) is a broad genre of experimental rock that developed in West Germany in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It originated among artists who blended elements of psychedelic rock , avant-garde composition, and electronic music , among other eclectic sources. Common elements included hypnotic rhythms, extended improvisation , musique concrète techniques, and early synthesizers , while
1334-499: The UK, in April 1971. The music emerging in Germany was first covered extensively in three concurrent issues of the UK music paper New Musical Express in the month of December 1972, by journalist Ian MacDonald . Its musicians tended to reject the name "krautrock". This was also the case for "kosmische Musik". Musicologist Julian Cope , in his book Krautrocksampler , says "krautrock
1392-401: The UK, in April 1971. The music emerging in Germany was first covered extensively in three concurrent issues of the UK music paper New Musical Express in the month of December 1972, by journalist Ian MacDonald . Its musicians tended to reject the name "krautrock". This was also the case for "kosmische Musik". Musicologist Julian Cope , in his book Krautrocksampler , says "krautrock
1450-556: The age of 74. The documentary Energy explores Suzuki's battle with cancer and relationship with his wife. Can are widely viewed as pioneers of the German krautrock scene. According to journalist Jo Vito, Suzuki "had an innovative and inimitable approach to singing, often improvising parts sung in a variety of languages (a blend he referred to as 'the language of the Stone Age')". The Fall 's 1985 album This Nation's Saving Grace contains
1508-593: The book Krautrocksampler on the subject. Krautrock was a significant influence on Simple Minds albums Real To Real Cacophony (1979) and Empires and Dance (1980), as well as on artists such as Brian Eno , Gary Numan and Ultravox . The genre also had a strong influence on David Bowie 's Station to Station (1976) and the experimentation it inspired led to his ' Berlin Trilogy '. Ash Ra Tempel 's first album, released in 1971, informed later krautrock music. Modern bands, such as Osees , King Gizzard &
1566-543: The book Krautrocksampler on the subject. Krautrock was a significant influence on Simple Minds albums Real To Real Cacophony (1979) and Empires and Dance (1980), as well as on artists such as Brian Eno , Gary Numan and Ultravox . The genre also had a strong influence on David Bowie 's Station to Station (1976) and the experimentation it inspired led to his ' Berlin Trilogy '. Ash Ra Tempel 's first album, released in 1971, informed later krautrock music. Modern bands, such as Osees , King Gizzard &
1624-441: The development of ambient music and techno , and influenced subsequent genres such as post-punk , new-age music , and post-rock . Krautrock has been described as a broad genre encompassing varied approaches, but commonly drawing on psychedelia , avant-garde collage, electronic sounds, and rock music , while typically featuring "improvisation and hypnotic, minimalistic rhythms." Los Angeles Magazine summarized
1682-459: The dreamy synthesiser washes of Tangerine Dream with the alien noise collages of Faust or the psychedelic funk of Can ." However, a common feature is the " motorik " beat: the 4/4 beat often used by drummers associated with krautrock, characterised by a kick drum -heavy, pulsating groove, that created a forward-flowing feel. The motorik beat was used by Can in the song " Mother Sky ", by Neu! on their debut album , and by Kraftwerk in
1740-459: The dreamy synthesiser washes of Tangerine Dream with the alien noise collages of Faust or the psychedelic funk of Can ." However, a common feature is the " motorik " beat: the 4/4 beat often used by drummers associated with krautrock, characterised by a kick drum -heavy, pulsating groove, that created a forward-flowing feel. The motorik beat was used by Can in the song " Mother Sky ", by Neu! on their debut album , and by Kraftwerk in
1798-448: The following decade. Suzuki's free-form, often improvised, lyrics were largely indiscernible, leading many critics to think they were sung in no particular language. He returned to music in 1983 and led what became known as "Damo Suzuki's Network". As he toured, Suzuki performed live improvisational music with various local musicians, which he described as "sound carriers." Suzuki published his memoir I Am Damo Suzuki in 2019. His career
Damo Suzuki - Misplaced Pages Continue
1856-451: The genre as "American psychedelica meets icy Germanic detachment." Melody Maker described the style as "where the over-reaching ambition and untethered freakitude of late '60s acid rock is checked and galvanised by a proto-punk minimalism ... music of immense scale that miraculously avoided prog-rock 's bombastics.” AllMusic described it as expanding on the territory associated with art rock and progressive rock, but diverging from
1914-451: The genre as "American psychedelica meets icy Germanic detachment." Melody Maker described the style as "where the over-reaching ambition and untethered freakitude of late '60s acid rock is checked and galvanised by a proto-punk minimalism ... music of immense scale that miraculously avoided prog-rock 's bombastics.” AllMusic described it as expanding on the territory associated with art rock and progressive rock, but diverging from
1972-474: The group, and he performed with them that evening. Suzuki's first recording with Can was "Don't Turn the Light On, Leave Me Alone" from Soundtracks (1970). He was a full-time member of Can from 1970 to 1973. Suzuki's debut album with the band was the highly influential double album Tago Mago (1971), widely considered as foundational in the development of Krautrock and a major influence on bands ranging from
2030-400: The music generally moved away from the rhythm & blues roots and song structure found in traditional Anglo-American rock music . Prominent groups associated with the krautrock label included Neu! , Can , Faust , Tangerine Dream , Kraftwerk , Cluster , Ash Ra Tempel , Popol Vuh , Amon Düül II and Harmonia . The term "krautrock" was popularised by British music journalists as
2088-469: The new experimental directions that emerged in jazz during the 1960s and 1970s (mainly the free jazz pieces by Ornette Coleman or Albert Ayler ). Moving away from the patterns of song structure and melody of much rock music in America and Britain, some in the movement were drawn to a more mechanical and electronic sound. Until around 1973, the word Deutsch-Rock ("German Rock") was used to refer to
2146-419: The new experimental directions that emerged in jazz during the 1960s and 1970s (mainly the free jazz pieces by Ornette Coleman or Albert Ayler ). Moving away from the patterns of song structure and melody of much rock music in America and Britain, some in the movement were drawn to a more mechanical and electronic sound. Until around 1973, the word Deutsch-Rock ("German Rock") was used to refer to
2204-479: The new groups from West Germany. Other names thrown around by the British and American music press were "Teutonic rock", "Überrock" and " Götterdämmer rock". West Germany's music press initially used Krautrock as a pejorative, but the term lost its stigma after the music gained success in Britain. The term derives from the ethnic slur " kraut ". "Kraut" in German can refer to herbs, weeds, and drugs. The term
2262-429: The new groups from West Germany. Other names thrown around by the British and American music press were "Teutonic rock", "Überrock" and " Götterdämmer rock". West Germany's music press initially used Krautrock as a pejorative, but the term lost its stigma after the music gained success in Britain. The term derives from the ethnic slur " kraut ". "Kraut" in German can refer to herbs, weeds, and drugs. The term
2320-513: The piss ... and when you hear the so-called 'krautrock renaissance', it makes me think everything we did was for nothing." Kosmische Musik ("cosmic music") is a term which came into regular use before "krautrock" and was preferred by some German artists who disliked the English label; today, it is often used synonymously with krautrock. More specifically, it may describe 1970s German electronic music which uses synthesizers and incorporates themes related to space or otherworldliness; it
2378-513: The piss ... and when you hear the so-called 'krautrock renaissance', it makes me think everything we did was for nothing." Kosmische Musik ("cosmic music") is a term which came into regular use before "krautrock" and was preferred by some German artists who disliked the English label; today, it is often used synonymously with krautrock. More specifically, it may describe 1970s German electronic music which uses synthesizers and incorporates themes related to space or otherworldliness; it
Damo Suzuki - Misplaced Pages Continue
2436-548: The song " Autobahn " on their album of the same name , later being adopted by other krautrock bands. It has been widely used in many different styles of music beyond krautrock. According to XLR8R , the term krautrock is often used by critics to signify the "mesmerizing motorik rhythms pioneered by Can and Neu!", but contested that "they represent merely a tiny fraction of the music that emerged from Germany during krautrock's Golden Age". Krautrock emerged in West Germany during
2494-493: The song " Autobahn " on their album of the same name , later being adopted by other krautrock bands. It has been widely used in many different styles of music beyond krautrock. According to XLR8R , the term krautrock is often used by critics to signify the "mesmerizing motorik rhythms pioneered by Can and Neu!", but contested that "they represent merely a tiny fraction of the music that emerged from Germany during krautrock's Golden Age". Krautrock emerged in West Germany during
2552-458: The song " I Am Damo Suzuki ". The Fall's vocalist Mark E. Smith was an early fan of Can and became friends with Suzuki, who in 2019 used the song title for his 2019 biography I Am Damo Suzuki . The rock band the Mooney Suzuki takes its name from Suzuki and Can's earlier vocalist Malcolm Mooney . Krautrock Krautrock (also called kosmische Musik , German for "cosmic music" )
2610-423: The style as "cosmic rock" to signify that the music belonged in a rock idiom. German producer Conny Plank was a central figure in the kosmische sound, emphasizing texture, effects processing , and tape-based editing techniques. Plank oversaw kosmische recordings such as Kraftwerk 's Autobahn , Neu! 's Neu! 75 , and Cluster 's Zuckerzeit . Several of these artists would later distance themselves from
2668-423: The style as "cosmic rock" to signify that the music belonged in a rock idiom. German producer Conny Plank was a central figure in the kosmische sound, emphasizing texture, effects processing , and tape-based editing techniques. Plank oversaw kosmische recordings such as Kraftwerk 's Autobahn , Neu! 's Neu! 75 , and Cluster 's Zuckerzeit . Several of these artists would later distance themselves from
2726-417: The term, it is no longer considered controversial by German artists in the 21st century. Despite this, English-language authors remain critical of it. The movement was partly born out of the radical student protests of 1968 , as German youth rebelled against their country's legacy in World War II and sought a popular music distinct from traditional German music and American pop. The period contributed to
2784-653: The term. Other names for the style, and for sub-genres were "Berlin School" and "Dusseldorf School", both of which are recognised and actively contributed to by artists such as Node, Martin Sturtzer, Propaganda, Kraftwerk, Tannheuser and Fritz Mayr, from the 1980s through to the present day. The style would later lead to the development of new-age music , with which it shared several characteristics. It would also exert lasting influence on subsequent electronic music and avant-garde rock . Krautrock has proved to be highly influential on
2842-553: The term. Other names for the style, and for sub-genres were "Berlin School" and "Dusseldorf School", both of which are recognised and actively contributed to by artists such as Node, Martin Sturtzer, Propaganda, Kraftwerk, Tannheuser and Fritz Mayr, from the 1980s through to the present day. The style would later lead to the development of new-age music , with which it shared several characteristics. It would also exert lasting influence on subsequent electronic music and avant-garde rock . Krautrock has proved to be highly influential on
2900-438: The three influential albums Tago Mago (1971), Ege Bamyası (1972) and Future Days (1973). After leaving Can in 1973, he abandoned music and became a Jehovah's Witness . Having left that organisation, he returned to music in the mid-1980s and began to tour widely. Over the following decades, Suzuki recorded a large number of albums under different aliases, which he later grouped as "Damo Suzuki's Network". Kenji Suzuki
2958-478: Was born in Kobe , Japan on 16 January 1950. In 1968, while still a teenager, he moved to Europe, first to a Swedish commune, while spending time in Ireland, France, the UK and West Germany, earning money by busking . After Malcolm Mooney left Can following the band's first album Monster Movie (1969), Holger Czukay and Jaki Liebezeit encountered Suzuki busking in Munich , West Germany. They invited him to join
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#17330853908343016-428: Was coined by Edgar Froese and later used by record producer Rolf-Ulrich Kaiser as a marketing name for bands such as Ash Ra Tempel , Tangerine Dream, and Klaus Schulze . The following year, Rolf-Ulrich Kaiser 's Ohr Records used the term when he released the compilation Kosmische Musik (1972) featuring tracks by Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, Ash Ra Tempel, and Popol Vuh . Kaiser eventually began referring to
3074-428: Was coined by Edgar Froese and later used by record producer Rolf-Ulrich Kaiser as a marketing name for bands such as Ash Ra Tempel , Tangerine Dream, and Klaus Schulze . The following year, Rolf-Ulrich Kaiser 's Ohr Records used the term when he released the compilation Kosmische Musik (1972) featuring tracks by Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, Ash Ra Tempel, and Popol Vuh . Kaiser eventually began referring to
3132-466: Was originally used by Virgin records in 1972. Various sources claim that "krautrock" was originally a humorous term coined in the early 1970s, either by British disc jockey John Peel or by the UK music newspaper Melody Maker , in which experimental German bands found an early and enthusiastic following. The first use of the term however, was found in a full-page advertisement from Popo Music Management and Bacillus Records promoting German Rock in
3190-466: Was originally used by Virgin records in 1972. Various sources claim that "krautrock" was originally a humorous term coined in the early 1970s, either by British disc jockey John Peel or by the UK music newspaper Melody Maker , in which experimental German bands found an early and enthusiastic following. The first use of the term however, was found in a full-page advertisement from Popo Music Management and Bacillus Records promoting German Rock in
3248-505: Was somewhat revived in 2022 following the well received album Arkaoda , recorded in conjunction with Spiritczualic Enhancement Center. Suzuki met his wife Elke Morsbach in Cologne in 1985. He lived in the city, although he played more shows in the United Kingdom and said that British audiences were more receptive to his music than were German ones. During his break from music, Suzuki became
3306-591: Was the work of American minimalists such as Riley, Tony Conrad , and La Monte Young , as well as the late '60s albums of jazz musician Miles Davis , particularly his jazz fusion work on In a Silent Way (1969). The influence of Jimi Hendrix and James Brown on krautrock musicians was also notable. Some artists drew on ideas from 20th century classical music and musique concrète , particularly composer Stockhausen (with whom, for example, Irmin Schmidt and Holger Czukay of Can had previously studied), and from
3364-541: Was the work of American minimalists such as Riley, Tony Conrad , and La Monte Young , as well as the late '60s albums of jazz musician Miles Davis , particularly his jazz fusion work on In a Silent Way (1969). The influence of Jimi Hendrix and James Brown on krautrock musicians was also notable. Some artists drew on ideas from 20th century classical music and musique concrète , particularly composer Stockhausen (with whom, for example, Irmin Schmidt and Holger Czukay of Can had previously studied), and from
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