Francis Buchholz, the former bassist for the German hard rock band Scorpions who performed at the height of the band's global stardom, has died. He was 71 years old.
Buchholz's family confirmed the death in a social media post, saying: “It is with overwhelming sadness and great sadness that we share the news that our beloved Francisco passed away yesterday after a private battle with cancer. He departed this world in peace, surrounded by love… To his fans around the world: we want to thank you for your unwavering loyalty, your love and the faith you placed in him during his incredible journey. You gave him the world and he gave you his music in return.”
Scorpions also said in a statement: “We have just received the very sad news that our long-time friend and bassist, Francis Buchholz, has passed away. His legacy with the band will live on forever and we will always remember the many good times we have shared together.”
Born in Hanover, West Germany, in 1954, Buchholz first played in the rock band Dawn Road, then joined the Scorpions on 1974's “Fly to the Rainbow” and cemented their more classical lineup. He played on the band's era-defining albums, including 1979's “Lovedrive,” 1982's “Blackout,” 1984's “Love at First Sting,” and the live albums “Tokyo Tapes” and “World Wide Live.”
Speaking about the Scorpions' influence at the end of the Cold War, he told an interviewer: “We still had the Iron Curtain in Europe when I was a kid. Living in Germany at the time there was always the big threat of a third world war between Russia and the United States. I was always afraid of the Russians crossing the border into East Germany… Then, playing in Moscow at the Peace Festival back in the '90s, we were invited to the Kremlin by Mr. [Mikahil] Gorbachev, the president of Russia at the time, and that was one of those great moments: to think that we had achieved something like this just by doing what we love to do.”
He left the group after 1990's “Crazy World” and later toured with former Scorpions bandmate Uli Jon Roth and Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock.
Buchholz is survived by his wife, Hella, and three children.
