From Pitchfork · Nina Corcoran · · 1m 20s
Juan Atkins Dies at 64, Co-Founder of Detroit Techno
Detroit techno co-founder Juan Atkins dies at 64 after decades shaping electronic music.
In brief
Detroit techno co-founder Juan Atkins dies at 64 after decades shaping electronic music. Juan Atkins, co-founder of Detroit techno music, died at 64 after a career spanning four decades. Originally reported by Pitchfork.
Juan Atkins Dies
Juan Atkins, the lifelong producer and DJ who co-founded Detroit techno music, has died; Green Smith Artists confirmed his death.
Last Performance
Atkins was slated to perform at Yu Yu Club in Mexico City last night (October 31). He was 64.
Detroit Techno Pioneer
As a member of the Belleville Three, Cybotron, and Borderland, Atkins’ impact on electronic music is incalculable.
Cybotron Breakthrough
By age 18, he formed Cybotron with Richard "3070" Davis. Their early singles redirected electronic music before dominating the dancefloor with "Clear" in 1983.
Cybotron Success
The electro track "Clear" sold 50,000 copies and became a genre-defining composition, famously sampled by Missy Elliott.
Later Career
Atkins released solo records under Model 500 and Infiniti, and collaborated with Moritz von Oswald as Borderland starting in 2013.
Detroit Roots
Atkins was raised in Detroit by a father who worked as a concert promoter and played in funk and garage bands with friends.
Legacy
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield honored Atkins, saying he "imagined what the music of the future could be" and built it over four decades.
The key point
Juan Atkins, co-founder of Detroit techno music, died at 64 after a career spanning four decades.
